Called to Lead?

If you attended the 9:00 am auditorium service last Sunday (July 27) you heard Pastor Kirk share his heart in the ongoing series about "A Church that Pleases the Lord". The morning's subject was "Willing to Lead" based on 1 Timothy 3:1.


He spoke about the desire to serve being good and the idea that it's the service itself that makes the tasks so noble. We serve a great God who desires to bring about great things--but by using ordinary people.


When calling individuals into leadership, God often begins speaking quietly speaking into their hearts through his word, life experiences, or the examples of others. He begins qualifying them through these same sources. While the call to lead is often quiet, the voices to disqualify one for leading are often louder. Voices of doubt, fear, uncertainty, can virtually "out shout" the call to lead and cause many to shy away, stop listening and in essence not obey the voice of Christ calling.


Pastor Kirk clearly spoke a challenge to women to answer the call to leadership in the church. He and I spoke the next day about how we see this, the needs, the difficulties with it, how to better address it and how to help women be sure they are responding to God's leading. We don't have it all figured out but following are a few thoughts to begin a dialogue as we look at this.



If a woman would come to me asking "What position of leadership can I fill as a woman at the Hershey Free Church?" I'd respond with other questions:
"Before dicussing positions, how is God leading or speaking into your life?

What are your passions?

How has he gifted you?

Where do you get really excited about serving?"

After hearing the answers to those questions I'd begin talking about what positions might be a good fit for her...

Leading for anyone can't be just about filling a void, grabbing recognition and power or trying to keep up or be equal...it needs to be in response to God's call on your life...

Let me know your thoughts on this, your questions, ideas and lets keep dialoging. If you're a woman wishing to explore where to be used of God in the church I'd be thrilled to meet with you! You can contact me at dnilson@hersheyfree.com.

A Turtle and Really Big Heavy Things

Last Sunday morning as I drove to church I had to swerve ever so slightly to avoid running over a turtle crossing Route 81. I looked back at him in my rear view mirror, relieved I hadn't hit him and continued to check for the few moments I could to be sure no one else did either. I thought it fortunate for him it was a Sunday morning and traffic was light--otherwise he didn't have any chance of making it safely across.

As I drove on I thought "little good that shell of his would do him if he gets hit by a car". It's great for shelter and against predators but not against cars, trucks or really big heavy things! He was no longer in my rear view mirror but looking back over the last few years of my life I realized my consciously putting on the armor of God draws some parallels to that turtle wearing his shell.

Even though I do all I can to "be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power" it doesn't mean that really big heavy things which are beyond my control won't come my way. Knowing God's word, knowing truth, doing what is right, praying & having faith are all key to helping me stand firm. I have a choice to either stay put on the side of life's busy highway and worry about what's going to come at me--hiding in my shell--or I can venture out, with the peace of God trusting that I've prepared myself as instructed. When life does come my way, when the really big heavy things hit, it's God's mighty power that will get me through-- not my own efforts.

I'm so thankful for the many dear friends who have encouraged me along the way through when the really big heavy things hit. They cried with me, prayed with me, just listened, gave advice when asked and were just there for me. I believe God has created us for community and doing life with others can lighten the load in so many ways. I hope you'll find friends like this through the various ministries, classes, outings and opportunities to connect at Hershey Free.

I drive that stretch of 81 daily and didn't see the turtle crushed in the road...I'm thinking he made it across, keeping his focus straight ahead, plodding along...


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10&11