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Never Say Never
I think everyone must have their own “never say never” story, and this is mine.
I have been involved with my church’s 20s/30s singles group for quite a few years now, and something we’ve done for a long time is discipleship groups (or d-groups). These are small gender-specific groups that meet during the week, usually at someone’s house, for deeper fellowship and Bible study. I really enjoy d-groups and signed up for one right away. But after I had been a member of a d-group a couple of times, our leader, Kelly, started asking me to think about leading or co-leading one.
My immediate reaction was to say an emphatic “no.” I had recently quit teaching middle school Sunday school after six years and was pretty burnt out from it. People tried to tell me that facilitating a d-group was not the same as being a Sunday school teacher, but I did not believe them and would not consider doing it. Kelly asked me multiple times over the semesters before I just told her to please stop asking – I would let her know if I changed my mind. I never did, and I truly never thought I would.
Fast forward a few years – I had gone through a period where I did not participate in d-groups because I wanted to have my evenings more open, and our Sunday School class had changed leadership. But, we still had d-groups. Toward the end of 2018, I started really feeling a desire to be back in a group – almost a thirst for it. So, I joined back in for the Spring 2019 groups, and the best way to explain it is that God did a work in me that semester. I began experiencing growth like I had not in a long time, and I even started to think something funny toward the end of that semester – I think I want to co-lead a d-group!
However, I had been so adamant about not leading one in the past that I didn’t volunteer. I told myself that if someone else asked me, I would say yes; that would be my sign that I was supposed to do it. No one did, so I shrugged (mentally) and just joined as a member again in the fall. By December, I didn’t feel the same desire to lead anymore, and was just back to minding my own business.
Then, one of my co-leaders (I had had the same two co-leaders for all of 2019) stepped down, and the other one texted me to ask me to think about co-leading with her in Spring 2020. She had gone to someone else in leadership with my name, and that person had told her that she didn’t think I would do it but that she could ask anyway. I’m so glad she did! Fittingly, a verse from our study this week is Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven.” How true that is!
After we’d gotten started, Kelly texted me and said, “I just want to let you know how proud I am of you for leading a D group” and after I responded she added, “all in His timing sweet friend.”
Published in Religion & Philosophy
I’m so glad to hear of you taking on this leadership and responsibility! I’d just caution you about taking on a position of responsibility in the Visible Church, which will enmesh you in the workings of the church bureaucracy.
signed, A Reluctant Bureaucrat
That’s awesome, Allie… thanks for sharing! Getting out of your comfort zone, sacrificing more of your time and serving the Body more is a great thing.
I understand what’s being said about “the workings of the church bureaucracy.” Be cautioned but don’t dismiss completely. As Kelly said, “all in His timing.”
Thank you for the encouragement! This is a very minor leadership role in comparison to my church as a whole, so hopefully it won’t too much. :)
Thank you! It was definitely time for me to serve more. God is good!