Just because something is inevitable, doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to prepare for. Does it?
Since the day we arrived in South Australia, we’ve been working away, knowing that it probably wouldn’t be forever.
The end is now in sight, and we’ll be leaving the Eyre Peninsula on the 16th of June, and arriving in Northern Ireland on the 3rd of July.
Over two weeks to get home?
Well, over a year ago, Mel and I discussed how it might be nice to go home via Malaysia or Thailand. I mean, we’re in the neighbourhood, and it wouldn’t be too difficult to organise our way home via either of those places.
But, we’re not spending two weeks in Malaysia or Thailand…we’re spending it in romantic Perth!
Not quite the same, but I was asked to help there and give the minister of the church a break, so I consented.
Ministering in Australia, isn’t like Northern Ireland. You can’t call a bunch of your buddies in the ministry, or a few reliable lay preachers, to help you out with the church services while you’re gone; they’re just not there to call! For me to drive to Perth, is like you folks in Northern Ireland going to Romania for a meeting (as the crow flies).
How do I feel about leaving?
Without a doubt, there’s mixed emotions right now. Yeah, sure we want to get home and catch up with loved ones. However, we’ve made some wonderful friendships here, and it’s not going to be easy to walk away from.
Have you ever been in a similar position?
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Added Commentary
By Jermayn
on 08.05.08
Perth now thats a great place to be
You will wont to stay once your hear
By Taleen
on 09.05.08
Waaaay heeeeeeeeeeeeeey!!!!!!!
Awwwh nooooooooooooo…….
I mean……………….
…yeah, certainly mixed emotions!
Ha
By Armen
on 10.05.08
Jermayn,
I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself there bro, but, I really doubt that I’ll not want to leave
Taleen,
Something like that, sis!
By kristarella
on 13.05.08
Heh, only just discovered your blog and now your leaving! ‘Spose you’ll keep your site going anyway?
I think it’s a common problem in many churches that congregations depend on the ministers to do all the teaching and pastoral care. It’s not only unfortunate because it puts way too much strain on the ministers/leaders, but it’s not the biblical model of a church. In the bible the elders are the not “ministers”, they are wise and learned men that have been trained (by the elders before them, or in some cases by Paul since they’d only been going for a generation) in God’s word and then train those “younger” than them. In a good model of training and encouraging and caring for each other there should be someone in the congregation able to step up when the minister needs a break (or a few people who can work together). Would you agree?
By joel
on 14.05.08
i’d love to come back home too armen, i’m just waiting for that ozone hole you have over there in australia to drift up back to the good island itself so i can still enjoy the sun!
By Armen
on 15.05.08
kristarella,
Yeah, I’ll definitely be keeping this site going.
The Pastor/Minister is basically the ‘teaching elder’. The purpose of every elder, is to be a spiritual leader.
Sadly, many congregations are only interested in have a visit/receiving advice from the Minister, not from an elder. This places unnecessary pressure on him.
Then I suppose, some churches elect elders who are neither spiritual, nor “apt to teach” (note, that doesn’t mean ‘preach’). Many men qualify for the eldership, simply because they have the right ‘connections’.
Joel,
Would you really?
If you’re waiting for that to happen, you’ll be waiting a while!!
Haven't you got anything to say?