It’s a new year, and a chance to look ahead with hope to all that might be in store for the year ahead. Fiona Stutton encourages us to take some time to dream and plan, to help us have the best possible start.
Happy new year! It’s a time of new beginnings and New Year’s resolutions! We hear this every year. I wonder if you’ve made a resolution for 2021? If you’re anything like me, I avoid making new year’s resolutions for the fear of failing and giving up. I tried it once, with great intentions, but never managed to motivate myself throughout the year to keep going.
But 2021 feels different and I want to enter the year feeling fit and fresh. So I’m going to set a promise to myself that I will do at least 5,000 steps a day, with the hope to increase this when my feet are stronger (if you know me, you’ll know that I have had severe problems with my legs and feet recently).
I also feel like 2021 is a time to bring a fresh focus. It feels like a year to enter with hope and expectancy of God. Amongst the uncertainty we still face, we can be certain that God goes before us. God made a promise to us, that He would always be with us. We know that God will never give up on His promises to us.
What does 2021 look like for you? What would you like to see? A chance to integrate from online back into the building and continue your children’s group as before, or an opportunity for God to do something new in your children’s ministry?
Here are some questions to think and pray through:
1. What resolution might you set for yourself?
What is the one thing that you would really like to see happen this year? What might make the biggest difference in your ministry?
2. What would you like to see God do in your ministry in 2021?
There is no limit to what God can do. Think big, think about the children you reach throughout the year, what difference would you like to see God make in their lives? Think about your families you connect with. What would you like to see God do in their lives?
2021 brings a great opportunity to be proactive and creative as we think through how we create opportunities to reach our young people. This maybe something completely new, a new way of doing ministry.
3. What steps will you take to create opportunities for God to minister to your children and families?
Take your vision and break it down to smaller steps, looking at the manageable things you can do each month that lead to your vision.
4. What might be stopping you from taking these steps?
We know that ministry is not always straight forward and it’s likely that there will be some things within our plans that feel impossible or not easy to accomplish. This could be for various reasons such as lack of budget, leaders, time or confidence etc.
5. What could you do to overcome these barriers?
Don’t let the barriers stop you from moving forwards. It’s helpful to note down the things that are holding you back. Pray into them and ask your church to join you in prayer.
Start small with what you feel is achievable using the resources you have and take little steps to build from this as you follow God’s leading. Be bold and strong as you step out in 2021, putting God at the centre of all you do and keep your eyes fixed on Him.
Thrive are here to support you and your ministry and will be praying for you as you journey through this year.