After Church last Sunday my daughter came to me with red eyes. I asked if she was OK and gave her a hug, she cried. Her youth group was changing, new younger kids moving up with the new academic year. She was missing the way the group once was and knew she had to embrace the change. I reassured her it’s OK to have tears for the loss, but also reaffirmed that things won’t stay the same for long.
I’ve been part of this church for 16 years and one thing I have learnt over the years is ‘change is here to stay’.
As we as a church seek to follow God, and be all He wants us to be, we have continually been faced with new challenges.
16 years ago I was the first church employee and worked in the first church office – a garage! Since then we have seen the church staff and office grow and develop and the church venue move from one location to another across Birmingham.
I have had the privilege of being involved in and leading a number of youth groups, small house groups and larger community groups. We have had the challenge of growing too large and consequently being faced with planting new groups out, each time saying goodbye to best friends we have journeyed with and again welcoming new people.
It’s never easy but I wouldn’t have it any other way. To be part of a church that isn’t stuck in its way, that will embrace new changes in direction, raise up new leaders even if they are teenagers and not be afraid of pioneering new things. That’s a Church I want to be part of, even if we have to get the tissues out every now and then!
