Risks and Benefits

2 Sep
2008

risk1 2 300x218 Risks and BenefitsYou know, there's a real risk to all this blogging and social networking that often hides itself extremely well. It is such an easy thing to plug in to a group of blogs and/or networks and read about all the fantastic stuff going on in other churches and ministries and then start to compare either yourself or your church/ministry or both. The danger of this is obvious. You can begin to wonder "Why isn't all that great stuff going on in my life/church/ministry?"

This is why it is a benefit to also plug into a wide variety of blogs and networks. After yesterday's post containing news about the loss of band members, I received so many encouraging comments from fellow bloggers/ministers who have been through the same. While the experience of losing friends and fellow ministers is not new to me, it is still hard to deal with.

Thanks to everyone who commented yesterday, but especially to Billy, Amanda, Rob and Jan for the encouragement to me. You remind me that it is not me, but God through me that brings success in ministry.

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4 Responses to Risks and Benefits

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Billy Chia

September 2nd, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Jeff,
Man I love the board game risk. And I love the blogosphere for an objective word and encouragement.

[Reply]

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Jamey Ketchum

September 3rd, 2008 at 9:10 am

Hey Jeff,

I'm prayin' for ya dude! Wonder if I could ship one of my drummers down to ya. I don't know if that would work or not. My son Jimmy is learning and can keep a beat, I just don't know if he would want to be away from his mama. :)
I talked to Michael yesterday. I'll be speaking in his class on Tuesday the 30th. Will you be able to go and teach? I'm going to talk about how we do things here at Parkhill. I'm trying to come up with a title. Got any ideas? Just pray for me as I prepare.
Thanks dude, hope you have a great rest of the week!

Have Fun,
JSK
Jn. 10:10

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Jeff M. Miller

September 3rd, 2008 at 9:29 am

@Jamey Ketchum: Yeah, I actually chatted with Michael yesterday via Facebook. While I won't be making a special trip that way just for the opportunity to address the class, I did tell him that if we go up to visit the in-laws—possibly to help them move down soon—I would stop in and spend whatever time I could.

Thanks for your prayers.

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Russ

September 4th, 2008 at 8:31 am

Great reminder. I have to constantly remind myself that God called us first to be leaders and shapers of people with real, gritty connection and community…not to be rockstars or celebrities.

Not that there's anything wrong with being a rockstar or celebrity, but a lot of times when I look "up" to some of the other leaders and blogs I peruse I find myself wishing i was like them because of the cool factor inherent in their jobs…

But then God reminds me again and again it's not very rockstar to actually talk to that guest whol is standing in the lobby awkardly, never mentioning I'm on staff, or that I'm in the band, or whatever, but just genuinely connecting with that person on a real human level. It's countercultural. It goes against the flow of the christian superstar worship band mentality. But I do it. I plug in to people.

I believe with that kind of intentionality comes a level of vulnerability…sometimes we're left wide open for hurt. Sometimes we soar in victory. But in all times people are crucial. Which is what keeps me coming back to the blog realm.

People like you. Your stories. Your heartbreaks, your wins.

Praying for you, bro.
Russ

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