4 years ago, while venturing into very unknown and uncharted territory , God made me a promise.

It was a moment that I heard His voice so incredibly clearly I was almost startled.

Since then I have searched for answers.
In my quiet time, I get the same answer.

In the busyness and when I’m tired and weary, I get the same answer.

In telling a very, very, few trusted friends, I get the same answer.

Recently I told a handful of people who don’t know me well. Opening your heart and sharing a promise that has been on your heart for years is terrifying but it needed to happen.

Now I pray.

And I trust in God.

I shared something with our own church’s communications team a few weeks ago and I hope this helps one of you as we finish out the year.
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Church communications is about more than a public platform to reach the unchurched or random strangers. It’s also about keeping your congregation informed and connected. It’s about supporting your staff as they lead the church. [I am a volunteer, and I was addressing other volunteers.]
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May we not just see these apps and programs we use — Subsplash, Planning Center, Facebook, Instagram, and MailChimp — as tools to use and something to do, but as gifts and platforms to share the Gospel.
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Because it’s about more than likes and clicks and shares. It’s about people and souls.
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Without giving exact dates, or too much detail, today I find myself wondering…

How many times you can say no to God.

You see, 3+ years ago He unquestionably told me my next step.

I chased down that next step for a few years and every door shut.

And I wondered if I misheard.

No, child, you heard correctly the what.

Now you must wait on the how, when, and where.

And thus began a season of complete and total obedience.

Trust. Faith. Belief.

And then out of the nowhere, the perfect door opened. But I said no.

And then another perfect door opened. And again I said no.

And now a third door has opened, but there are so many people blocking the way.

I see the entry — do I take the roof entrance?

I’m trying to not focus on the people, only this door.

But ultimately only on Jesus.

Several years ago I was serving as a next steps director at a church. I was primarily responsible for our guest services teams, assimilation/connections, and I was the Master Administrator of our church database.

That database — and its areas of public accessibility — launched me into church communications (I had a background in corporate marketing and design, as well.)

Fast forward several years — I am working with an international church media company and I had a side gig coaching/consulting with churches on team structure and sustainable growth practices.

Mostly through that side gig I got to track data and metrics on what was working and what wasn’t.

At the same time I was seeing growth in the church we attended and wondered if any of the areas I was seeing in the churches I worked with would be beneficial to our own church.

The first step was prayer. I needed to remove my agenda. I needed to remove me.

I had to hear from God.

I needed clarity. I needed wisdom. I just needed Him. Just Him.

Once I knew without a doubt what His answer was, I approached our church staff.

I mapped out the plan for a communications team that I wholeheartedly believed God had given me.

Our church staff listened and prayed.

A short time later they agreed that this team could be part of our church’s mission.

The first few months were rough. It seemed like forever that I was a team of one.

I kept asking God if I’d heard wrong, but He continued to promise me that He was there.

That’s the important thing His plan drove my vision and His promises never fail.

Today I was updating Planning Center (yes, I’m still in love with the church database) and I’ve got 15 people on this team.

What!?!? Thank you, God!

There’s still a lot I’m responsible for but there’s so much I haven’t been able to do that I can now do because I’ve got a team.

God said He would and He did!!

Now for next steps.

He’s made me another promise and this one is big. Like huge and I’m not ready to share what or who it’s about but I believe He’ll keep this promises.