Music School

Every year, my church has a week long music school. It's usually in July, but this year it was in June. Of the 6 years we've had music school, I've only missed 2. One was a few years ago, and the second was this year's. It just caught me off guard how early it was, and so I didn't have the time nor the ride to make it every night. But, I did get to go to the concert on the Friday night, which was last night. 

^ A picture of the amazing cloud formation we saw on the way there. 

^I've always wanted to try taking a picture like this, and last night I finally remembered. I love the result. 

And now, here's some pics of the concert. 

The amazing Bro. Bartlett, who travels 2 hours one way every day for the whole week to teach music school. His grandfather actually wrote the song, "Victory in Jesus", an amazing hymn.

Everybody ready?

My friend Jonathon, A.K.A. AMAZING pianist.

directing in action. :) 

It was one of those times I REALLY wished that my camera had video. Because they did soooo awesome. The choir has grown so much. I remember when we first started the choir. We've really come a long way. I wish more people would've been able to come, and witness the fruit of their hard work. 

This Sunday we'll be at our home church, before going out for another 6 months to help another church. Ok, I really need to get some stuff off my chest, if ya'll don't mind. 

My dad was right. 

While we always love and appreciate being in the ministry, it has gotten tougher. I don't mean that we don't want to go out and help, I mean the things we've witnessed. The pain and the suffering these pastors and their families go through. As we stand, as my dad says, in the middle of the crossfire, we can't help but feel the pain. We've been on the road for 5 years, and during that time we've helped 8 churches, not counting our home church. During that time, we've witnessed two churches close their doors, and besides those two, 2 pastors step down from pastoring. We watched as a pastor's family exploded, and fell apart. 

Last Sunday was the final service of the church we've been helping for the past 6 months. No, I don't think we wasted our time. I'm glad we were there to support the pastor and his wife. But watching the pain in his eyes as member after member left, for one reason or another. As he faithfully went out doorknocking in the community every week, giving the gospel every day at work. And the church only wilted. I know that God has a plan, and I'm so extremely thankful that this pastor and his wife are going join and help another pastor in the area. They're not giving up, just moving on to what the Lord has planned next for their lives. 

But my point for sharing is this. Love your pastor. Love your pastor's wife. Don't talk bad about them to other members. Don't criticize and judge them. They go through more then you'll ever be able to understand, unless one day you become a pastor or pastor's wife. When you go to church tomorrow, walk up to them, and tell them how much you love them. Write a note, with encouraging Scripture in it. Encourage them to stay in the fight. 

I'm crying as I type this, remembering all the hurt I've witnessed in this ministry. I asked God why we always seem to be at a church when all the bad things happen. When the doors close. When the pastor leaves. When a member tells off the pastor. Why does it almost seem that all the bad things happen while we are there? Then the Lord gently reminded me of our ministry's purpose. A Pastor's Friend. Going to a church doesn't mean that the church will experience a humongous growth of members, or see a bunch of people saved. No. God has called us into the ministry of exhorting the brethren....when they need it most. When they're hurting and we're hurting...I now realize that it is a comfort to have someone to hurt with. Someone that has witnessed everything, and truly understands what you're feeling, because they're feeling it along with you. We weren't called into a ministry of understanding everything God has planned. We're called to hurt with the hurting. Bear another's burden.

So please, I beg you. Encourage your pastor and his family. Don't just take for granted that they know you love them. Tell them you love them. Show them you love them.