FRUSTRATIONS

Let me just start by saying this is a vent day. I am frustrated. I am frustrated with myself. I am frustrated with the church. I am frustrated with believers. Why am I frustrated? Probably for the same reason many are frustrated with me - we don't measure up. When pastors get frustrated, they are supposed to fix it. When members get frustrated, they vote with absence.

Why am I frustrated? God is doing so much, yet we get sidetracked by shortcomings. Our church is in the midst of a building program to provide space for some areas that God is truly blessing, but some want to complain. We have seen 12 saved in about a month, but some have their feelings hurt and can't rejoice. Our services were recently led by two college age men who are products of this church, yet some only see the negative. One of our own just went to South Asia as a Journeyman Missionary, but some are not moved. We have other recent graduates who are seriously considering mission service, but some say "what has the church done for me."

Yes, I am frustrated. Mostly by those who should be mature. Mostly by those who should be serving but are not. No, I guess I am mostly frustrated by me. How can I lead us differently? How can I lead us to renewal? And maybe I am just a little frustrated with God. Did I say that? Yes. "God, How long will you tarry?"

There, I said it. I vented. Got it out of my system. Now, go and have a nice day.

SUMMERTIME CHURCH

Church in the summer is a mixed bag. Yes, many church members are on vacation, doing some traveling, and sometimes just not quite making it to church services. As I have matured a little in my ministry and as a husband and father I have become less critical of vacation time away. As a matter of fact, my wife and I just spent a few days away for our 25th anniversary.

There are some positives as well. Today 20 of our middle schoolers will return from Super Summer, and 26 of our Senior High will go to Super Summer. That is a high point for our Youth. God does many wonderful things during these days at Ouachita Baptist University. In a couple of weeks we will hold VBS, then we will take off for Americus, Kansas to hold VBS for a small rural church. A week or two after that our children will attend camp in Siloam Springs.

I have learned that Summertime Church is not really a slump, it is just different, and that is okay.