I saved a seat on the bus for Roseanna, just like normal.
I met Roseanna at the Traffic lights, just like normal.
I walked into town, just like normal.
We went to carphone warehouse to see the guys (and new girl =D) just like normal.
And i went to starbucks, just like normal.
The major difference was that this week in starbucks, we sat inside and were joined by John Smith, the pastor of our church.
I like John. He has the enthusiasm our church needs. Hes a new outside force that is coming in to change things- and not only that, he's an amazing preacher as well. He can stand at the front and chat for a while about something- and it really is a chat, he's not talking at you, he's engaging the listener so you can actually pay attention- and suddenly mention a modern day analogy he's thought up, but then he gets so caught up with surprise at how well it fits our church, he pauses for a few seconds and just grins, before going back to the sermon, fitting it in perfectly.
It makes it relaxed, easy to listen to. I look forward to hearing what he has to say at church, and he's very easy to get along with =)
We met up with him first when he first became our pastor, again at starbucks. There were awkward moments, but we did manage to tell him what we thought of the church, the youth effort and the way things are run.
In basic terms, the youth work had fallen to peices. Kingy found new people by the second, and they poured work, effort, money, prayer into it. Its a great cause, and one that i hope to be able to help with when im old enough (or at least something like it on a gap year =P). But the church blindsighted themselves with it, and over the time i've been there, its gone from a good healthy youthgroup, perhaps 20 kids, to me and Roseanna, and occasionally Jodie when she's able.
Im not sure where i stand with God right now. But i know that last year he told me i had to stick with GBC and wait for three major things to happen, and it'd be okay.
I think it MIGHT be that when Emily left, that was the first event. Not to change it for the better, but to change it. I may be wrong.
Im now positive that John coming was one of them. He's a listener, an actioner, and can talk. He wont sweep us under the carpet because we're not a membership leader team person thing.
I have a feeling that Furnace might be the third (or second if i have the first wrong) event to make GBC a better place, and a place where i can find my faith again.
Adrian approached us about furnace.
According to the Facebook group he has since made,-
"The ethos of 'Furnace' is based on Daniel Chapter 3.Recognising the enormous pressure on young people to conform and that standing up often means standing out. We recognise that God does not spare us the furnace but protects us as we walk it.We aim to equip and support our young people as they walk the furnace."
Its basically a youth church every sunday, potentially in a different place so we can make it loud =) It might be something we can bring people back to, maybe even introduce people to =)
Its reaching out again. And its taking no risks. Its gonna be great.
I can feel it.
