A Quick Note to My Grace Family

Hey all,

I know that I’m getting more hits from Grace folk as this blog was recently linked to our whoisgrace and iamgrace campaigns. I’m glad that you’ve found this site and I want to point out a few things.

First, this blog has a different tone from the other ones. That’s because Children’s Ministry and Culture has existed longer than the campaign and it’s not aimed at the Grace family. It’s primarily for children’s pastors and practitioners around the world as we attempt to decode our surrounding culture so we can present children and families with the power of God in Jesus. Someone quipped in church yesterday that this blog is too heady so she steared in another direction. You are all welcome to read this as a way to get inside of my and Keith’s minds (Keith is a pastor employed by Group Publishing to equip and support churches everywhere). But, you might consider www.eriehometeam.org. As it grows, you’ll find that I’ll be much more personal over there are we struggle together to figure this parenting thing out.

While I have you, some of you made nervous (or hopeful) remarks that I’d be looking for greener pastures following last week’s speaking adventure. The remarks seem to happen whenever I’m published or am invited to speak elsewhere. Please know that whenever I travel I return with a greater appreciation over Grace’s beauty. You really are a special congregation that I’m very much in love with. Together we went through the fires, one literal and one metaphoric. This is a wonderful congregation that has grown, is growing, and is unlocking it’s redemptive potential. I don’t feel like I’m outgrowing Grace. In fact the contrary is true. We’re changing so fast my fear is that Grace might outgrow me if I don’t constantly reinvent myself as a leader and stretch. Maybe If I talked more about the books and the publishing than it would alleviate the anxiety that leads to these discussions. On the other hand, my value as as pastor isn’t in that stuff, but in my willingness to serve children and volunteers.

Grace is beautiful. Let’s grow old together!

Larry

 

(And now back our more nerdy programming)