My beautiful wife (Jennifer) and I have been members of our Baptist church for over 12 years. We have served as the directors of our weekend Bible study class (Sunday school) for 8 years. During that time God used us to bring organization and stability to our class. We both really enjoyed serving in that role. Jen did the majority of the work and I took care of some of the behind the scenes logistics, which is to say I did not do very much. Jen did the heavy lifting. At times we became frustrated with a perceived lack of commitment on the part of other members of our class. We thought that everyone should be as committed as we were. At times we lost sight of the goals of our class, church, and Christians in general.
During the last three years, Jen or I at different times had decided to step down as directors. The spouse that was not discouraged at the time always lifted the other one up. We would pray together and God encouraged us to carry on. Finally, we were both discouraged at the same time in the summer of 2007. Again we prayed, and this time we felt God was calling us in another as yet unknown direction. We decided to step down and began to look for a replacement. We finally found a replacement in the Spring of 2008. As only God can do, as He lifted up a new director for our class, He showed Jen and I our new role in the class. About half of our class either takes care of or teaches children during the Bible study hour. Our class was in desperate need of someone to take care of in-reach. That is to keep in touch with our members and visitors and to not let anyone fall through the cracks.
Jen and I took over in-reach in the beginning of June and it has been a blessing. The excitement is back. We like the challenge of keeping up with everyone and making sure that everyone feels like a part of the group. People are what matter and this role provides us the opportunity to minister to our class. We both feel very strongly that this is exactly the role for us in God's kingdom at this time.
During the last three years, Jen or I at different times had decided to step down as directors. The spouse that was not discouraged at the time always lifted the other one up. We would pray together and God encouraged us to carry on. Finally, we were both discouraged at the same time in the summer of 2007. Again we prayed, and this time we felt God was calling us in another as yet unknown direction. We decided to step down and began to look for a replacement. We finally found a replacement in the Spring of 2008. As only God can do, as He lifted up a new director for our class, He showed Jen and I our new role in the class. About half of our class either takes care of or teaches children during the Bible study hour. Our class was in desperate need of someone to take care of in-reach. That is to keep in touch with our members and visitors and to not let anyone fall through the cracks.
Jen and I took over in-reach in the beginning of June and it has been a blessing. The excitement is back. We like the challenge of keeping up with everyone and making sure that everyone feels like a part of the group. People are what matter and this role provides us the opportunity to minister to our class. We both feel very strongly that this is exactly the role for us in God's kingdom at this time.
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