“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience,
that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity,
not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God,
and supremely so toward you.”
2 Corinthians 1:12
When I sat down a year ago and started this blog I had the
greatest intentions of keeping it updated with all the amazing things God was
doing in our ministry and our life. Well, that didn’t happen. But a whole lot
did.
We’re still setting out to change our city one neighborhood
at a time and grew our team by one this past March. Raley Lynn Arrington joined
the fight on March 21st weighing 6lbs 11oz. She came out eyes wide
open & full of life. She’s gonna do great things, I know it. She already has
her mama’s love for people & her daddy’s determination. As we set out to
start this new season in life we also knew we were still called to ministry.
We’ve spent the last few months praying over our family & God’s direction
for all of us.
I’ve told J a million times “This ministry is tough.” and
“We’re gonna be here awhile.” All in the context of talking about our dreams
& vision for the lives we want to reach in our city and beyond. He looks at me and
nods his head, eyes staring off into his mind that is churning with thoughts of
restoration. He’s such a passionate dreamer and he dreams big. It’s one of his
best qualities and pairs nicely with my love for pastoring people. I have no
doubt God ordained our lives to come together so that we could be used in big
ways to impact our city.
Our 3rd Saturday team is amazing. They
passionately pour their lives into Woodlawn but one thing we have learned over
the past few years is that the greatest fight we have is the fight to
persevere. God changes lives and that’s the easy part. But, He uses
relationships to do it & the enemy knows this. Relationships take time
& commitment. Everyone gets burnt out when they’re not seeing results like
they want to. When the transformation is not so drastic. What do you do then to
persevere?
The past few months have been a time of rest for Justin
& I as we not only spend time with Raley but also asking God “What’s next?”
Racking our brains & countless conversations later we always go back to the
same vision. Simplify. Ministry is easy. While procedures & protocol are
helpful, the act of ministering to someone is simple. You share your life, the "testimony of your conscience" & God does the rest. No fancy words, no 3-step
process, no thou’s & thou not’s, raw vulnerability before God & before
man. It’s this simplicity the gives you the rest you need to persevere. It’s
this concept that we feel called to teach others.
Starting in the next few months we will begin equipping
& training potential leaders to expand neighborhood ministries in the
Birmingham area and eventually cities across the country. We will take what we
have learned over the years & pour it into those who have the
passion but need the wisdom. The most vital concept we will teach will be that
of simple intentional perseverance. It’s
the only way decades of poverty, violence, addiction & hopelessness will
truly change. It is our hope that people will find their purpose & thrive.
That they will establish small communities of believers who join them in the
fight to do the same.
Wherever you are in your walk with Christ, take time to
simplify. Every Christian’s ministry is an intentional relationship with a
hurting world that needs to know that this whole faith thing isn’t as daunting
as they might think. They need too see it working in you & they can’t see
that if you’re making it too complicated.
Simply yours,
Sarah
