Transitions and Change

I’ve been meaning to write something about handling major changes in life. Personally, I fear change. Just now my home church is going through some major changes. Our Worship Director, who has served for about ten years, is moving on to become senior pastor at another church — a great thing for both him and that church. We have a huge, diverse music ministry which involves many talented people, and it will take us some time to select an appropriate full-time replacement. So, this is a time of natural tension and difficult change.

I’m not sure, for example, that I’m going to be able to continue leading worship and playing guitar every Sunday at our “contemporary” service. This is something I dearly love to do, but it’s very possible that after the Worship Director leaves we won’t have the capability to carry on the “contemporary” band on an all-volunteer basis. I know I don’t have the time or ability to do it alone. There’s already some mourning of what seems to be passing, as well of simply waiting to see how God leads. Perhaps this is a “boundary event” by which God will direct people, including me, into other places or other ministries. Perhaps we’ll see God provide some amazing resources and people so that we can continue the worship band ministry until we hire a new full-time person. I’ve been fretting and upset about all this, but as I continue to focus on maintaining a servant’s heart, submitting to and resting in God’s good plans, I’m finding a growing sense of peace about it. It’s not about me, it’s about His people (which includes me!), His Kingdom, and His glory. Those aren’t just pious words, they’re certain Truth in uncertain times, the essence of hope and peace.