Episode 16
Week 16 Sometimes ministry means being shut away
This week, we’re diving into the theme of doing new things in church communications, which can often feel like a lonely journey. Just like Noah, who followed God's commands even when others didn’t understand his work, we too may find ourselves in situations where our efforts aren’t recognized or appreciated. We’ll explore how advancements in technology have changed the landscape of church communications, making it easier to create impactful messages, but also isolating us in the process. I’ll share some insights on how to navigate those moments when your work is met with skepticism or indifference, reminding you that even when you're shut away, it’s an opportunity for growth and connection with God.
Takeaways:
- This week's episode reminds us that doing new things in church communications can often feel isolating and challenging.
- We explored the importance of trusting God's plan, even when our work feels misunderstood or mocked.
- Just like Noah, we may work alone with new tools, but this can lead to effective communication.
- The podcast encourages us to see being shut away not as punishment, but as a chance to deepen our relationship with God.
- We should remember that even if others doubt the tools we use, they can lead to significant changes in church communication.
- Finally, the flood of work we face may actually be the beginning of a revival in our church community.
Transcript
Week 16 Doing New Things in church communications is sometimes lonely work.
Our verse for this week is Genesis 7, verse 16, where it says, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him. . . . .The animals were going in, male and female of every living thing, as God commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in."
Like Noah. Sometimes we can be doing all God wants and then what reward do we get? We get shut away in a difficult job.
Church communications work can be like that. We have the reward of working with new technology that can enable us to create communications more effectively than ever.
But like Noah, sometimes with new tools, our world changes.
In the past, a publication designer, typesetter, editor, writer and graphic artist were all required to do what you and your computer now do all by yourself. It may have been a challenge to work with all those people, but now you do much of your work alone.
Like Noah, sometimes we can't explain what we're building, but we trust that God has an end in mind and we keep working on our communication project until it takes recognizable form. Like Noah, sometimes we must smile when people make light of or look down on our work.
You may work with people who still don't believe that your social media is necessary, or that the web is important, or that AI is a tool you might need to learn to use, or whatever it is, or that you do need new software or a computer upgrade to do all you're expected to do.
Or you may work in an organization that believes there's no need at all to learn new web skills and nobody is still really interested in blogs or social media or podcasts or any other technology that continually demands our attention.
People may smile when you tell them that your book will be published through an on demand website and you're only working on the cover details before it'll be done. When these responses come, or lack thereof, or people are actually literally making fun of you, simply smile, pray and be prepared for surprises.
Remember, nobody'd ever seen rain until the flood came.
Few people imagined what personal computers or the Internet or social media would do to the church communications world until they arrived.
Sort of like the flood, the old ways of creating communications are being buried under the efficiency and cost effectiveness of these tools and whatever else might be coming. Finally, like Noah, the whole purpose of being shut away is to learn and do new things in your communication ministry.
And when you're doing that you aren't being punished.
Sometimes being shut away is an opportunity for you to draw near to the God who can make all your church communications ministry a blessing in ways you never imagined before the flood of work that you're doing now came. Hang on.
The flood of communications work that seems like it might drown you might be the cause of renewed revival in your church.
The rainbow is coming.
Let me pray for you now.
Lord Jesus, we know that sometimes you have to shut us away to do the work that you want us to do.
And Lord, that's hard. We love people, but we love you more.
And Lord, I just pray that when you do shut us away, when people don't understand what we're doing or might even mock it or just where it doesn't really feel good, what all is happening, we pray that I would pray for them that you would encourage people that you would help all of us to keep our eyes on you and to know that you haven't put us in our work to drown us or to discourage us. Remind us that the rainbow of your favor and joy is coming as we serve you.
In Jesus name, Amen.
