They are Walking in Between

Reflections from “Lunch & Learn”

Written by Keith Harrison

Recently we were invited to lead a “Lunch & Learn” hosted at a church in Northwest Houston. Nearly twenty-five pastors and ministry leaders from seven or eight different churches attended and we spent three hours training and encouraging these leaders. It was incredible to see the Lord work and relationships develop over such a short period of time. Our goal was to encourage each person, connect them with others doing similar ministry in different places, and present practical ministry tools they could take away and put into practice. 

What stuck out to us were the people and their stories. While we can’t share everything or stories for every person who attended, we want to highlight a few. Fifteen minutes before we started I (Keith) met “A”. We struck up a great conversation and I asked her some questions in hopes to hear a little of her story and why she was there that morning. In less than 10 minutes I learned she had been in vocational ministry since 2009, had two kids (14 and 11) and she lost her husband to Leukemia in August after battling the disease for several years. A widow. A single mom. A follower of Jesus who is still in the fight on the front lines serving teenagers. She’s walking in between.

I think of “J”. She’s a mom and has been in ministry for decades. She and her husband planted a church and saw tremendous success and growth. Her life revolved around that church. Her community was nearly 100% that church. Then a few years ago it came to light that her husband was having an affair. Her marriage ended. Her community vanished. Her faith took a hit. Now, a few years removed she is still healing, still fighting, and back in ministry leading a large ministry in a very large church. More importantly, she is a mom leading her kids and navigating her hurt as she moves forward. She’s walking in between.

I think of “V”. She was comfortable and loved her position and her church. A couple of years ago she was asked to step into the lead Kid’s Ministry position. She’s killing it! At the same time she feels pressure and overwhelmed at times. She expressed needing help to navigate being a woman in ministry where many men won’t respect or listen to her. It was great to connect her with others in similar roles. She is doing great. She’s navigating the highs and lows of her new role. She’s walking in between.

I think of “C”. He’s fairly new to his role. He’s from Florida and moved to Texas a few years ago to help plant a church in downtown Houston. Less than a year ago he moved to his current role at a different church. He and his wife are navigating life in a strange place (she’s from Canada), in a new church, in a big city, and leading a team of several staff and dozens of volunteers while in his late 20’s. He’s busy. He’s pulled in many different directions. He has no extended family within 1000 miles. He’s balancing life, marriage, ministry and the expectations that come with them. He’s doing great, but needs help. He’s walking in between.

There are so many others. Here are some prayer requests we received at the event: “I’m part of a church plant. I feel alone. I’m questioning my calling. Please pray for me.” “I’m new in leadership. I’m praying for wisdom and understanding to the call that He is equipping me for.” “I’m single and 26 and in full time  and it’s really hard some times.” “I have to have some tough conversations with leadership this week. Please pray.” “Pray for me…I’m not feeling equipped to do what God has called me to.” 

These are just a few of the stories and prayer requests we heard at the Lunch & Learn. What was and is clear is how many people need help and encouragement in their ministry roles. That’s exactly why we started Walking In Between. It’s the whole reason we exist…to pour Christ’s hope, love, and courage into leaders who are pouring into others. These men and women are called. They are on the frontlines of ministry. They are serving kids, students, and adults in the church. God has uniquely called and equipped them to do what they do and they are impacting countless lives…and they need help. 

Many feel alone. Many have and are navigating hard and even unimaginable things. Many feel ill-equipped in their roles. Some feel isolated. Some feel ignored. Some feel like quitting, but they keep going. Some are in the valley. Some are on the mountain tops. Most are somewhere in between and they keep moving. They are Walking In Between.

And we want to walk with them…