New season

What a beautiful day out here in sunny and warm Fredericton. It feels like the seasons are changing. One way you can tell in NB is that people are getting their propane tanks filled so that they can have their BBQ's fired up. The smell of hamburg and steak being cooked on the racks is outstanding. At least on my opinion.

I was reading today in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 about the different seasons of life. Change is not always easy but it is often necessary. It is important to evaluate effectiveness in ministry. If something is working well and is of God there is no reason to change. If something is not working well and God is directing in other ways, we need to be able to make much needed changes.

I think that time has come for us. We will continue to discuss this in our next meeting together, but I sense the Lord has something new for us to do in Boaz. I am not sure what it is but I feel like we have done good things, but it is time to do great things. We have fed some people, mostly older people, but I sense we are to meet actual needs in a different way.

Part of the reason I feel that way is because this ministry was started, and the vision was given to reach at risk youth. We have fed people but not youth. They are in our city and they are in need but we have not met their need. I feel like our time would be better served if we moved in other directions.

This decision is certainly not in stone. I have great people surrounding me in this ministry and I look forward to having this discussion in the next few days. I am committed to listening to them and what God is laying on their hearts too.

I was reading an article recently that asked the following questions: Do you listen to your team or simply hear what they have to say? Is your will involved as you listen to your team? Is there a desire to take action on what is heard? Effective leaders listen to connect with others and to learn from others. Wise leaders choose carefully who they will listen to and then work hard at actively listening to learn.

What does this new season look like, I am not sure but I know it will look better. I am trusting that God will speak and we will follow. Just like the change from winter to spring, it comes with excitement.

Got to go, time to crank up the BBQ. You can't beat the taste of a hamburger on the BBQ. It is gonna be good.