While you are in the trenches...God is up to something BIG.

Over the years, I have participated in many areas of ministry...from Pre-school to Children's Ministry...and many others.

With each new ministry, God gave me new skills, new resources, new contacts, a new joy. But never has God given me more new skills and resources than the last 1-2 years of ministry as Children's Director.

The funny thing is that I was only acutely aware of all the changes.

He was equipping me for the next big step and I didn't even realize it.

I wasn't ready for a change. I loved what I was doing! Until...I reached a point where God said GO!

Over the past few years, I have been watching as more and more children's directors are questioning their ministries.

I have noticed a growing trend of amazing leaders being pushed out of ministry by their Pastors or church leaders.

I have heard so many heart breaking stories of things going on inside our churches. Had I not experienced many of the same things, I would not have believed it myself!

At the time, I felt that I was pushed out by the Pastor (which I was) however, years later, I can now see that God had bigger plans for me. The Pastors "behind the scenes antics and abuse" simply gave me the courage to let go and let God.

When I read some of the comments made by children's pastors everywhere, I feel such sadness and compassion. So many of the things they speak of...I too experienced. Ministry hurt hurts...and it doesn't go away easily!

When things got so bad and I could not tolerate the abuse any further, I put in my resignation.

On my last day as Children's Director, the Pastor got up in front of the church and made a big announcement about how I was RETIRING...not RESIGNING! He went on and on about my accomplishments and that we all get to the point where we are ready to retire. He even pretended to call me to the front to recognize me...knowing I was in children's church teaching. He pretended to be shocked that I wasn't there. I left that day without even a goodbye for over 16 years of VOLUNTEER service at that church.

I don't say all of this for sympathy or to ruin the Pastor (he was let go a year after I resigned). I say all of this as an encouragement to each of you who are struggling behind the scenes.

Don't put up with abuse.

Don't allow others to make you feel as if you are failing...or inadaquate.

Don't allow others to lessen the importance or impact you have made.

Don't allow others to lay their insecurities and self doubts on your doorstep.

Don't put up with ridicule or manipulations.

Don't put up with threats.

Don't allow the hurt to keep you from serving wherever God is calling you to serve.

Don't try to reason with a narcissist...they cannot see faults in themselves and they will lie to turn others against you.

Don't stay just because you don't want to give the Pastor/Leader satisfaction. God will handle that for you.

Do look at the gifts and talents God has given you and new passions that God is growing inside you.

Do follow your passions.

Do step out and follow wherever God is leading you.

Do remember that there is more than one way to serve with children. Direct or indirect.

Do examine your heart...Has God placed something specific on it? A desire?

Do realize your value and don't compromise it for anyone.

Do pray for God's guidance and direction.

Do allow yourself to be open to new ideas...no matter how scary they may seem.

Do know that you are invaluable to God and His kingdom. Your works do not do unnoticed.

Do realize that when God called you to serve in children's ministry, He may have called you to minister to specific group of children for a specific amount of time and in a specific place. I had to come to this point of realization when after leaving, anything that I had touched was torn down and destroyed...even the Children's Center. God impressed upon me that these were tools provided for me to minister to the children and now He would provide new ways for others to minister.

When I resigned, I was so disheartened but God had already placed each of you...struggling, discouraged, bewildered children's leaders on my heart!

And so...I resigned from my position as Children's Director to embark on a new journey...my SteppingOut ministry!

I didn't know if it would be successful or if anyone would be interested in what I had to share however, I stepped out and followed what I thought God was calling me to.

Today, I can see clearly the things I experienced prior to my resignation were simply stepping stones to get me to where God was calling me.

God knew that I would never resign on my own. These were my children...and I gave them everything that I had to give. But God...mighty in wisdom...had different plans!

For all of you who are experiencing difficulties in your ministry, ask yourself...am I being pushed out or is God simply calling me to serve elsewhere?

Ministry comes with it's share of discouragment, hurt, disappointment and being taken advantage of but when it gets to the point of abuse...exit now.

Exit...but never quit MINISTRY!

Leaving a church is always disruptive. I once was a member of a church that split over finances. It was sad seeing a church go from thriving to struggling. However, when touching base with some of your ministry friends it became clear that God's hand was at work. Each of my ministry friends had joined different churches throughout the community...each start their ministries there. God had taken all of these incredibly gifted people and shuffled them around to reach far more people than they ever would had they stayed at the one church.

Don't be afraid to be shuffled...but never quit doing ministry. Whatever shape that might be.

I once had a Pastor tell me that when your ministry becomes so easy for you...when you can do it with your eyes closed...it is time to stretch yourself and take a step up the ladder. Is it time for you to take another step?

Remember, God does not call the equipped, he equips the called! If He has given you a new calling, new talents, new desires...or if he just wants to shuffle you where He can use you the most...go for it!

Use the TREMENDOUS talents, resources, connections that you have honed as a children's director and use them for God's glory!

God is always up to something! He will take every talent you have in your war chest and use it for His glory!

But what gifts/talents do I have?

Some gifts/talents are obvious but some may simply seem like hobbies to you.

For instance, I have always loved photography. I have taken thousands of pictures throughout my lifetime...I have organized, made folders and saved every one of them.

Why? Only God knew!

He knew that one day, those pictures, and those children, would be a part of SteppingOut ministry and that they would be used to minister to children and children's leaders around the world.

What I have always considered a hobby, God is using for His glory!

Don't sell yourself short...God promises to give gifts to all His children! What are your gifts?

And for those of you who are worried about the children..."What will happen to them if you leave?" I will share a piece of advice that someone gave me many, many years ago at the church (split) I mentioned above..."Don't you think God is big enough to replace you?" The answer is "OF COURSE HE IS!"

I am praying for each of you this morning. I know many of the struggles you are going through. I know the battles you are fighting. I know the hurt and pain that you are feeling. But be encouraged...God does too!