A Year Of Humility (XVIL): Serving When Called: A Retrospective

 As you might recall from early October, I was offered an opportunity to lead a small group for seven weeks.  This was part of a church-wide focus on Spiritual Friendship; the hope that that it would enable folks who struggled with making connections find a channel to help them make a connection in a small group environment.

The initial period is over; we chose to extend a bit through the first week of December as there was interest and childcare available.  As a result we only have one week left which will be as much of a goodbye as a study.

What, then are my observations on serving when called?

I think my biggest worry was simply that things would go awry.  That there would be incredible amounts of dead time which would be awkward.  That people would come for a week or two and then leave (in my mind, for no other reason than they did not like me). 

None of the fears were realized.

Were there periods of silence?  There were.  But never too uncomfortable, and almost inevitable someone brought something up that moved the conversation forward.  

Did some people not keep up?  Also yes, but that is to be expected with anything.  Certainly after the initial 7 weeks, but that was past the original commitment that everyone made.  So by and large we came out as we went in.

Perhaps the most important thing:  Did it make a difference?

I think it did (not me of course, but the group).  There were connections made.  People opened up to some pretty significant things that they were facing, things that I think in my former years of leading a group would have never happened (again, that was God, not me).  Outside of the group interactions occurred, even if it was just finding someone else to say hello to at church on Sunday.

Would I do something like this again?  I think the answer is a pretty solid "No", at least in a sole leadership position.  This was something outside of my normal comfort zone and while I am glad I had the opportunity, I am just not a leader in the traditional sense of the word and holding at least one role like already (my current job), it can be exhausting.  

But I am glad that I did it.  For all that I did not do, I saw God moving powerfully in the lives of others.  And seldom if ever does one get a front row opportunity to see that happen.