CW Vision Night, Back to Basics: Pray - Reach Give - 08.07.22
Transcript
um, well, we haven't all been together to talk about vision or where we're going since February. So I wanna do a quick, like five minute review of just where we've been and really, um, then dive in. There's not much new things. I just feel like tonight is a way to kick off the fall. I'm gonna move this a little bit closer so that when I turn my head, it's fine.
Um, to kick off the fall and just remind us of where we're going and how we all fit in. Um, I won't start from 2010, but I do wanna just go back to the end of 2020. Um, all of you really were there, I think, um, except maybe Christy, but I'm sure she's heard the story is how, uh, the end of 2020 the Lord sort of really tell me to take my hands off.
And I was like, I thought I had, I thought I was empowering women to do the things, and we had this big meeting and crystal explained how things would be. And Amy then, uh, Sarah, Amy was there saying how, what tools we're gonna use, like Asana, which is now something that we use big time. Um, and all of you really took that next year, 20, 21, and really stepped in the gap when we were in this unknown season.
Every single one of you were doing something that wasn't in your wheelhouse, but said I will be apart and do what and dig the dishes. Cause I remember. We were back to digging ditches and figuring it out. Gina was even a graphic artist for a while. whoa, wow. Creating our book covers and she did it. Mm-hmm um, and then in the midst of everything we saw God, just really his hand move in a way that we had never seen before.
Um, through finances and through team, we never lost team during that season. We actually, um, maintained all of you guys leader leadership. And I feel like y'all, are you, you guys I've said it over and over the ones that stayed those two years during cover are the ones that were like we're in it to win it.
Um, but we also saw a really amazing thing happen with finances through soccer, we gained more donors, which nonprofits were losing people and losing. We were doing the exact opposite. Um, and that was really cool. And so that enabled us to bring in more staff. And then here we are in 2022 with a place of our own, um, the promise of, and planning already of a conference that we've never we've had style speaks before, but we've never partnered with anyone like this before, as far as Wilco where we office and we've never had real staff before, that was actually here to make sure that behind the.
Things were working all of our programs, cuz you guys know I was working the programs and that's a scary thought when I was in charge of tech. And just so you know, what's happening, how many apps do we use on a daily basis? I'm up to think 14. Oh my God. 14 systems. I mean that Christy maintains, she touches more than I touch.
I mean, there's just some, there's still some that you can wait to pay Christy way to go. Thank you. That's a lot of text. I, I realized quickly at the end of 2021, I was like, and Eliza did a lot of churches. We are a tech ministry mm-hmm and we had to bring in someone that was really, um, smarter to handle all those things and she loves doing it.
Um, so we have the volunteer leaders. The staff is what I call you guys volunteer, who does the face forward? And then we have the behind the scenes on staff, Christie and Kendra. And of course I'm in between there somewhere. Um, but that's where we're going. And. and that's where we've been. We kicked off in February there with, um, DLC or actually October produced an amazing six week class that we're about to kick off again.
And I've just seen the fruit and I hope hopefully you guys have too and have felt that. And so, um, but here's where I transition. I have been feeling the last few months, uh, since may probably, and some of y'all have heard me share this, that it was time for me to step back. I had, we kind of had this season of me, especially this last year I had, if you remember it started with, um, the retreat, I broke not broke.
It hurt my tailbone so bad. I couldn't even walk during the retreat. We've had a move. And then just combining that with COVID, there was this season of us just trying to figure it out and almost a season of coasting. Um, and I really have felt the tug of it's time to put your leadership shoes back on.
And if y'all remember. There was a season, even during code, we were meeting pretty regularly, um, because it's so important for us to be in one accord. And those was the timeline that I sent out, how we're gonna gain get back together more often. And so it's not that I'm taking back anything. This is still a volunteer led ministry.
It's that I really felt like the analogy that I came up with is that I'm putting new leadership boots on and I'm knowing that it looks different and. I'm excited about it, it's it. And I'll explain what that looks like later, but I feel like y'all heard me say that in the last few months. I know I've said it.
Maybe you haven't, but I've said it to people that I'm putting new leadership boots on. And so, and if I'm putting on new boots, that means we all have to put on new shoes. Mm-hmm and if you remember in February, we did this little, shake it off, shake off COVID and stepped into a new season. We stepped into it and now it's.
There's always a level up a level up and we're entering that level up season. Yep. And I'm super excited about it as always. We never stay the same, our mission and our purpose stays the same, but our strategy changes. And so there's not a lot of strategy changing except for, are we ready to go again? And are we ready to do things?
So with that said, I'm gonna review just our standards and where we're supposed to be. We've done this a few times over the years, we haven't done it in a. And so first I just wanna ask if we, if I, we have three standards as a volunteer staff, can anybody tell me what those three things are? Dang it, Christian.
I hope so. Sarah said Christian, three things that we say we do as volunteer staff. Gabe? Yeah. Okay. Shirt, sir. Close. Give I forgot the last one. I love it. That's awesome. Everybody else is like, is that right? Is that right? pray. This is the order. Pray, reach, give. Yes. They're like, yes, that's all we do. And the reason we pray reach gift is because if praying, then we're listening to the holy spirit.
It's up to you to have your quiet time. It's up to you to get fed because this is not the place for you to get fed. This is where we feed. You go to church to be filled. You have your quiet time with Jesus. Of course, we all pray for each other. I think we can all know, agree that when we need something, we are all there for each other.
We're not like peace out, Stacy, you had a baby. We're not here for that, but we are here to serve her. And as we pray, um, we know that what the Lord has caught us to do within the organization, within the ministry and how he's leading us, you know, we're coming. On what a season that we call every November does even anybody know what November happens every year, refresh and renew.
You guys are awesome. Yes, dang. I was gonna say that, do that as well. We do that as well. Tell me what renew and refresh is. Y'all know what it is. I know cuz you said it, anybody crystal tell us you're not eating you tell us we can't hear you put your. Well, we did the refresh review. We. Update our application for lack of about part of this, we share where we,
and then we make to
yep. And that always comes up every November for, to serve another year. And we started this one because of my history. All of your history of serving at church, how it just keeps. Keeps going, keeps going. Well, Sarah, does that give her something else? She's so good at that. Give Sarah something else. And then you end up picking up, picking up, picking up, picking up.
And so it's a way to say, to really take a moment a week to pray. Lord, are you calling me to create a woman? And if you are, where do you want me to be? And if he's calling you to create a woman, then the standards are pray, reach, give, and whatever. And then your teams that you're appointed to are not appointed.
That's I don't appoint you. You know what I. Um, but it's a way because we want to launch dreams and some people are here to learn and to grow and to launch. We've seen it over and over again. Just like to name some Minerva, Ebony, Daisy, Sophie, Sophie. We've Sophie. We've seen women come in to serve for a season and go, oh my gosh, I have a dream room.
We're like, no, you don't. You're supposed to stay. That's kidding. That's what we wanna say. But they're here to see what we're, God's calling them. And then they launch out and then others of you, um, that say, because you're called to the ministry of created. And that that's a, those are two different women that are called to so pray, but we also wanna pray for her and then reach is how are we reaching her?
Other than that once a month, writing that once a month gather her, how are we building that relationship? Are we saying glad you came, hope you make it next month and then walk away. Glad you read my blog. I'm not gonna comment. I'm not gonna reach out. How are you reaching? as a volunteer staff leader. And then give, of course, if this is, this is something I think I remember Gina being there for sure.
When I said that in 2018, it was really hard for me to say, you guys actually have to give to the ministry if you're gonna volunteer. And the minimum was just $10 and I was like wanting to throw up in my mouth. Um, but that was something the Lord really convicted me of because if, if it's where your treasure is, your heart is, and if you believe in this.
um, the, just to give where you really, especially, if the Lord is saying, this is where you serve, it's time, talent, treasure. It's not your tithe. We're not your church. This is not your tithe. Do not take your tithe away. It is you're offering of where the Lord is calling you into the, this, um, Those are the standards that we're reviewing, pray, reach gift.
And I just felt like as we're getting back as a team for the fall, we had to review just the basics. Gina, can you let Jolene in, get someone in on zoom
is a touch call. No, you have to do the mouse. Go ahead, crystal. What? It's probably mom. No, it's Kendra. Oh, it's Kendra. Oh. Okay, thank you, Gina. Yep. She's in. Hi, Kendra. All right. So I just wanna go over what'd they say what? I think she talking her kids, the kids. So I just wanna refresh even those pray. And then I'm gonna tell you what we're doing and where we're going.
Pray. These are the things that I always think of. Is she worth your time during the month to pray? Are you praying? Or are you just hoping she shows up online and in person
reach, is she worth your time to talk to her, to reach her more than once a month? Is she worth more? And, you know, we always say her and she, because there's so many, we say that again about the reaches reach. Is she worth your time to talk to her, reach her more than once a month? Is she worth more? then hoping that she shows up whoever she is.
You know, I think we hear a lot, especially when it comes together, whatever happened to so and so, well, I don't know what happened, what happened, what happened to Soandso mm-hmm did anybody build a relationship with her? Did anybody have her get her number? Did anybody reach out? We do all the back end stuff for sure.
But as volunteer leaders, are we knowing her? Do we know where she is? Do we know. What she's going through. Are we talking to her? Are we praying for her laying hands on her while she's there? And when we walk away and then give, is she worth giving up our one Starbucks a month? Are we just hoping things show up like microphones, tables, resources?
Are we just hoping? I hope that goes through.
This is all things. We all know, it's just a refreshing, you guys are awesome, but I do want you to start. I feel like I have to go. The things that the holy spirit convicts me of is also the things that I bring to the table, because I'm gonna be honest. Like the last few months I've been so busy and pray about created women.
I don't think I've actually prayed for individual women that come through. So this is as much for me as it is. Have I reached. Um, and that's something that I know that that's one of the boots that I have to pick back up again. Is, am I getting involved? Like I should be in the lives of the women we serve, or am I just doing the work of the ministry, which is important, but when it comes to people, but there's no ministry without people, there's no ministry without people, uh, So one of the scriptures I've been really convicted of the last few days and has been on me that I wanna share with you.
And this is kind of what I feel like is our scripture for the fall. And I'll have to give props to Stacy, Matt, cuz she was one of the ones she shared it on Instagram. I was literally Friday morning, have my quiet time with the Lord. And just really like, you know, you have those moments where you're like, I need something.
Of course, then you hear your phones with you and you start look scrolling through Instagram, even though I'm supposed to have my quiet time. but Stacy did do Instagram takeover and she gave this scripture and then I was like, oh, I need to get off Instagram. And then I went to the Bible app cause I love watching the Bible app video.
Um, it kind of gets me started, like I'm gonna watch the video and then I'm gonna get my quiet time. Um, by the way, I just have to brag. I just fi finished my year with the reading Bible after a year in seven months, it took me year and seven months, but it was a year the same. I know. I'm very happy. I got a badge.
I got a badge Bible recap. I did the Bible recap year mm-hmm took me a year and seven months, but it's okay. So I'm actually gonna start your book next, James. Cause I was like, what do I do now? I don't know what to do. Um, but I have it in my bag. So, um, anyway, watch the video and it was the same. That Stacy had.
And I was like, and I went back and forth. Is that the same verse? And I had realized I had just prayed Lord, what am I supposed to be doing right now? There's some things going on. I'm getting stir about what is it? And it was this verse and Matthew 9 35 through 38. And I wish I found only did one verse only pasted one verse.
No, I'm gonna get it on my apple app right here. Matthew 9 35 through 30. I'm gonna read the whole verse and then tell you the verse that I really felt like the Lord was showing me. Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing, every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion and pity for them because they were dispirited and distressed like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his discipl. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few and this is the main verse. So pray to the Lord of the harvest. He's the one that makes it bountiful.
That's what the harvest is. There's a lot of stuff to send out workers into his harvest. And I just sat on that and I was like, so pray. I was asking how to pray. So pray. What does this mean? What does this mean? And I, and I just reflected on a lot of things to be honest, but I think the one that I think you can all relate to is how there's been many conversation.
Oh, can you there's somebody else? Can you admit Gina? That's gonna be a cliffhanger until she lets somebody in.
love that. Okay. Um, okay. we've all had these conversations and this is what really brought it home for me is how, since COVID, we've seen the church, people of the church get complacent. Mm-hmm we see it all over our churches, chairs being empty, people going to restaurants, but not going to Sunday service.
And it's become a familiar place to be at home and not to. None of you guys. We're all. So please hear me, but we know this is the conversation, right? We've all had these conversations. So when I was praying through things, it was like that stuck to me. But are you praying for people individually to come?
Are you praying? Are you just praying for me to do a miracle? Are you praying for people? to fill the seats of not just gather her, but the church cuz we can complain. But are we saying Lord, wake up and stir the hearts of the women who we speak to cuz we say all the time we wanna help women find their purpose.
Who feel like they're sitting on the sidelines. Mm-hmm well, there's a whole lot of people sitting on the sidelines now a whole lot and it brought me back to how are we reaching? Have we gotten complacent and comfortable that things are smooth and look how good God has been to create a woman or to us as individuals.
Are we complaining about how people are watching, but are we reaching them? And I'm telling you, this is my conviction too. Like, I'm like, yeah, I haven't been, I've been like, oh, people aren't coming. That's sad. I can't believe people are doing that, but I'm not then going wake up that heart cuz you hear people all the time.
I should do this. Mm-hmm I should go. I should go to church this Sunday. I should buy the box or I should come together. Her or I should. And what that is, is that complacent. So pray.
Uh, so pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his. Because there are souls lost. There are people who aren't filling their purpose. We are supposed to go into the world and I feel like our next season of pulling up the boots and putting them on new boots is us going back out into the world, instead of saying, come, come, come.
How, if they are in our house, are we then going, going, going. and that's a challenge for me. And that's a challenge for you guys. And as we sit around, even in our writer's meeting, um, there's some comments I wanna make sure I get those comments and don't let me forget, um, sitting at gather her. We've invited them to come, but are we going into the world with them?
So that's our challenge. That's our new leadership. And so I just wanna go into some things. Um, that I, that I want you to see the three things of what the does that look like for you, for them. And for me, because here's the thing we are going to grow weary. Like it says when he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion and pity for them because they were dispirited and distressed like sheep without a.
Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful. So the workers are few. So the few workers were getting disheartened and distressed and that is what's gonna happen as we grow bigger, if we don't have more workers. So what does that look like? Let's see what those comments say first. Yep. Mm-hmm that thinking?
Um, oh, keep says, I can't hear anything. Oh, okay. Oh, did, can you hear us crystal or do we need to turn it up us? Yes, I'm recording. So that's a good thing. I can send it out. So that's what this microphone is for. I am recording a podcast. I hear. Okay. Any comments before I go into all that comments, suggestions, thoughts?
I just had to say that verse. Wasn't like getting on Facebook to scroll through while you were talking it several times over the last week or so that verse kind of that passages coming, and this was shared, Steven shared this, I dunno, but he was talking specifically about church, but he said, if you're a Christian, you have a job to do in your church.
You're a part of the body of Christ. And when you don't participate in some sort of ministry, whatever that may be. To the body is to compensate for you. So let's um, sorry, let's say that again. I'm gonna give you the microphone so that when they do the podcast, it's recorded. Just read that again. Um, can y'all hear Gina talk louder, you know?
Okay. So I was just saying a friend shared that same passage this week. And he said, he said, if you're a Christian, you have a job to do in your church. You're part of the body of Christ. And when you don't participate in some sort of ministry, the rest of the body has to compensate for you, so you should get involved.
And I just think that that's true with any, any ministry. And, and then I would take it a step further. There's just things that lack, you know, if, if we're not doing what we're supposed to do, right. Doesn't mean you're supposed to do everything and the things that you're not supposed to do. right.
Absolutely. That's so good. Anybody else? Okay. So what does that look like? Anybody online that wanna say anything.
Okay. So what does that look like? Well, I'll tell you how it looks like for me first, cuz it's cuz honestly this has been my conviction of like, it's time to get going again, Heather, like you've been, I've told you to put it down now. You've had your time and new season. It's time to level. So, what does that look like?
For me, for one is to, to get out out of the computer. Like I I'm really comfortable sitting here and I love coming to the office and working on the ministry. I love it. I love coming in. I love fixing things. I love doing all the things I love having meeting needs. I love having strategy meetings. I love it, but I have to get out into the world too.
I need to go meet people. Go. No one was just saying you've got like people to meet here for sure. People even here community. Absolutely. But to get out of the seat out of behind the computer and to go out into the world again, I know there was a season the first four years or so I was out doing stuff all the time, talking about created women, and now I'm like, don't do it enough.
Don't do it enough. Um, I need to get comfortable with asking for grants and meeting with donors. That's something I hate doing the Lord has already told me the last four months, it's time to do things that make you uncomfortable, do things that make you uncomfortable, be the leader and talk things that I've talked about with Kendra comfortable with social media.
Y I like social media. I really do, but I'm never that leader that it's like, um, I have fun, but I don't really talk enough about the. and, and that was something that I've always struggled with because I feel like that makes it a me ministry, but I have to realize also I have to, I say it all the time, get behind, get out from behind the CW circle.
And I know I have to do that. So those are stretches for me. Get out from the computer, go into the, okay. You're doing amazing. thank you, Kendra. More sauce. Woo. Woo. The best you're doing an incredible job. Thank you. I'm like, help me just tell me what to do and I'll do it. If you just tell me what to do, I'll do it doing an amazing job.
So thank you. But it is a stretch. Okay. I think my notes, I lost my notes. Talking about how you leveling up. I know, but I think I did it wrong in my paper. Oh, you lost your page.
So it's uh, no, cause they're numbered and they're all stapled. , uh, where let's see for them. How does it look for them? Oh, that's right. I got it. I got it. Let's go. How does it look for you? Well, we have volunteer leadership. That's what you guys are. And. Really stirring up in November for you to really, I would say, start praying about it now, where is the Lord leading you for next year or even in this season for the fall?
Are you seen like, Hey, I used to do this and I, I wanna go back to that or I do this now. Wanna go here, I'll give you a good example with Stacy and may Stacy Barbo dear, last year I was like, we need writers and y'all ooze the principles. They were like, I would love to write. It was something new that they did not do.
Gina's moved around from Ryder to gather her and all these things. She's kind of been everywhere. So is Sarah. So you're, Sarah's been everywhere. Um, from magazine to this, to that. Um, so volunteer leadership. If you are a volunteer, though, we have the standards of pre reach gift. We are staff. The other options are ambassador for the faith and fashion box.
That is another option where I really see the Lord as really going. I say that I, you know, I'm a vision person and I see way far I say big and it could be 10 years. I'm like, but it's gonna get there. I see it, um, of where women can be able to be employed. I have a platform to share their fate and be employed.
There is nothing else like it. I know this is something that's gonna happen. Um, but that's an option even to say, you know what? I don't think volunteer is where I wanna go. I wanna go on the other side, the other. That dark side, just kidding. Um, and then we're all donors, but it could be that you say, I think the Lord just wants me to support.
We've literally had that happen. Um, I won't name names. Well, I you've seen this one. Uh, Sophie's used to volunteer now. She's our gather her sponsor. She's like, I wanna support ministries. I wanna support it. I'm like girl, you support all you want. That's right. um, and then. There's seasons where you have to step down and say, you know what?
I just wanna come to gather her, or I, you know, just wanna be a part of this community, cuz it's so amazing. But I don't think for this next year that I wanna be a CW family. I just wanna come. All of those are amazing. And then you do that and then you come back or would maybe you don't. But that's options for this renew and refresh.
What is the Lord doing in this next season? Where is he leading you? Because I know you're not supposed to stay the same. We are never meant to stay the same. Now you might stay in the same position, but you're supposed to grow and not stay the same spiritually men and mentally and all the things. Is that good?
Yeah. So we said, where are we going for me? What does that look like for me? What does that look like for you? What does it look like for her? I, I mean, I copy and pasted all over the place in my notes. I'm like, where is her? let me find her, her, let me find her on my notes. Um, I was moving stuff around. Um, well the three main things are, is that volunteers harvesters.
I really see a new group of volunteers coming to help us if they don't, we will get distressed. Even the writers. We'll get distressed and that Matthew 9 35 will grow weary and get distressed. We need new workers, Stacy Barbo you were awesome before COVID. When you used to go around the tables and go, Hey, what's your name, girl.
You wanna volunteer? That was her jam for a while. And it was awesome. That is something that we should all pick up too, as we're around people. Uh, Crystal's really good at bringing in people on the writer and editor side. She's really good at that. It's like, Hey, I got a new person, I got a new, this, I gotta new that.
She's awesome. So props crystal to that way to go crystal
Um, and the other is, excuse me, ambassador. Those are the three areas. That I see where we need the harvesters, the worker, the workers for the harvest. I think one volunteers ambassador something one you did. I'm sorry. You're right. Cuz I skipped it right there. Volunteers ambassador and then dream launcher connections class.
Oh participants and dream launcher connections because here's the thing. We've got people to sign up that in my mind. The epitome of that verse of that. So pre because there are people sitting on the sidelines and they're like, I should take that class. I should go. I see that event all the time. I should read that blog.
There are so many, I should, I should, I should. This is what that class is, is to get people off of the, I. Into the doing, even if it's going to the next level of their business life, whatever it is they might already be doing. But the Lord is like, there's more for you. Or they might also be sitting on the sidelines.
So how are we doing. How are we telling our community, are you guys sharing on Facebook? Are we doing that? Are we commenting on each other's blogs? I know the writers did that for really good for a really long time. And I know we've kind of hit a wall because of COVID, but let's get that. Yeah. Where we, we comment and we share Tuesday and Thursdays.
There's a new blog. That is an easy way to reach her and just go, Hey, my friend just wrote this blog and whatever, you don't have to write a whole. Like it comment, share it super easy way to reach her super easy way to reach her. Are you doing it? Are you sharing about gather her? Are you inviting people to gather her?
We reaching her cuz if we know they're sitting on the sidelines, how are we reaching her? Kind of brought that back to the pre reach go didn't I, um, but that's where I feel like we are putting our leadership boots back on and. Really diving in. And my, my hope is that my prayer really, that I want you to take away is that yes, we reviewed the standards.
We know this. That's not something that we're here to like, oh, I didn't know that, you know, this, my prayer is what you hear you take away is that we're going to a new season. It's time to put our boots back on and we have to actually pray and go get the workers for the harvest. That's our job. That's our go into the.
And we can say all day long that it created women. Our mission is to go into the world and help women find their go. But then all we're doing is showing up for an hour, gather her and then going home, or we're publishing our blog and walking away from the computer. How are you really going into the world to make sure that we are equipping and empowering women to be who they're created to be?
Because our mission has always. We want women to say, yes, I was born on purpose and for a purpose, and I'm supposed to go do that through my marketplace at the church and my home. Not all those things, you know what I'm saying? Whatever they're called to do, we want them to find their lane and go, but it takes more than just saying that was another great event.
That was another great blog piece out. You have to pray, reach. and that's where we are. It's time to go again. And I'm so excited. I mean, I am really excited and I know you guys always are too. Um, so I hope this was a good refresher, um, of who we are as a team who we are as a staff and what our mission is and why we do it because the workers are few and they are workers that are supposed to be serving on the worship team, like may did this morning that are like one day.
No, it's our job to fan the flame and say, no, you are created woman. You were created for purpose and on purpose. And your purpose is to go into the world and make disciples your, how is through your gifts and talents. And we wanna help women find those gifts and talents so they can go into the world, but they won't do that if we don't pray and reach and support the ministry.
Is that cool? Yeah. Yep. Any last notes, comment, suggestions, ahas.
What's that? Oh, you gonna look at the comments? I don't think
anybody online or in here. Yeah, I would just, um, back on that, just say is really, it starts with, um, For opportunity. So that's good. Just, you know, the holy spirit opportunity so that when you're having a conversation, that woman, you come in contact every day, that attenti to one or the,
and it could be listened to the opportunity for somebody who has, who needs to be plugged in to volunteer and serve. Yeah. So just, I know I've shared a couple of stories online. You know, I keep ours, um, I bring out emotions, but I don't them. I keep to give away. So I keep in
coaching women. Uh, there have been times like, let me give you a little side that, um, then just, and I've shared that and just the other.
Wine.
You know, she had been sharing with me just anxiety and stress job, and she's
helps if you cetera. Get why that's good. So,
Drink.
Good.
So just, you know, and then having that, I've already had a conversation the last couple where, so I like, it's not where you have an opportunity where you volunteer. Yeah. So really just pray for, for never, never know, gonna place that conversation. That's gonna change somebody's life. That's good. So just for the recording.
Crystal's talked about praying for opportunity to find someone and how she shares devotionals. And I was actually listening, um, to our family podcast in 2019 to even like refresh me, cuz we talked in 2019 about pre reach give and Gina at that recording that I just listened to. You said the same thing, how you were giving your devotionals away?
I did. Yeah. Mm-hmm uh, I did. And um, and. Thing. I had a woman that, um, came to my office and that was Brittany that came, she held a picture on some of the things mm-hmm um, I think she's moved somewhere else. Okay. Yeah, they work. I have a stack of devotionals if you wanna take 'em from last year and some gather her invites.
I'll take some. Yeah, I'll take some too. Yeah. You just leave them on your desk and people will be like, what's good. Yes. Mm-hmm well, because I have people come in my office all the time. Mm-hmm , that's a, that's really good. That's a perfect example of how you're reaching. Through resources through our community, gather her and then resources.
Yep. That's good. Even was talking about, gather her at, um, a birthday party recently. Oh, fun. Yeah. Yeah. I'll Ooz it so well, yeah. Yeah. I think there is so many opportunities. And I think we, when I say we, a lot of times I'm talking about me, cause I feel it, like I get caught up in the doing. The setting up the production, the, the writing, the, I gotta get this done that I forget about the, her and how am I really reaching her?
And I, I mean, that was a conviction Friday. Like pray for the workers. Like, yeah, I haven't done that. I've just been like, ah, hope we get some more people. Oh, hope some more donors. Uh, hope some more pray for the like, no, I need to pray for their heart. Mm-hmm I need to pray for their heart and who to ask.
So good. No, that's good. Cuz there's two girls at church. Um, Sarah and Navia and I keep inviting them to gather her. Yep. And um, the one Sarah, she really wants to come in fact, every time she can't come, she let text me and lets me know, but I'm gonna invite them because they're friends. If they wanna see do the DLC class.
Yeah, yeah. Together. That's right. You know, since they're already. Yeah, I really would love to see y'all one of the ways that we're gonna I'm transition a little bit. Um, we do have a conference next year. Um, we are gonna be doing some more volunteer face forward, social media. Um, I don't know if you got email, but if you didn't, you might record something tonight, but if you're not ready, we'll tell
Um, because, uh, but we'll do it in the office. Um, and the few guys that are don't live here on a white background, but there'll be some more, um, Direction with that, because if we are a volunteer lead ministry, which we are, they need to see your face too. And I love when y'all get on stories. I had someone the other day tell me at gather her.
I love seeing who's, who's gonna be on stories today. And that is really cool that they're watching, like who's the next person who's today. Um, so I love that. Y'all do that. So I'm just gonna do a note for gather her and then crystal, I'm sure you got something that, uh, to share about your writers' meeting.
Maybe that just what happened during your all's writer's meeting anything. Um, but for gather her specifically what I want to, um, as we're gonna transition, we're going back to table leaders. We just haven't used that term, but we were table leaders before. Um, and, and we talked about mentorship in February at our retreat, how we're gonna do mentorship circles.
Um, What is really on my heart is to do it next summer. Um, and let organic mentorship happen at gather her where you're leaving with a name and an email. Now Kendra's gonna get all those emails and send them a thank you. That's not a personal touch when they're table leader. Mm-hmm so, um, and also's a table leader, making sure that they're scanning the QR code to register.
So we can't have their email, um, to be responsible of that, but let organic me. Happen. Have you prayed for someone gather her? I know Stacy don't answer. I know you prayed. have you been prayed for maybe sometimes you're like, you know what I need to be prayed for. Um, but get her number. Don't leave without a new person's email number or giving yours, honestly, me too.
Like I'm the worst, cuz I really am a private person. I'm I'm extrovert, but I'm like, bye. I, I I'll admit that a hundred percent. I'm like, I don't need any new friends and that's terrible to say, but that is the way I am. And I'm like, I got enough people to pray for. I that out the recording. I know , that's full confession.
Um, so I'm just saying that, like, I'm not telling you guys like, why, like these are my hold ups too. Well, but here's this, if you don't mind me saying, cuz I think you're more generous with connecting with people and get at connecting people. You give yourself credit, but it doesn't have to necess. Be you right.
If you're, if you don't feel could convicted or connected with this person. Sure. You can, you know, maybe introduce them to someone else. Yep. You know, just promote a hundred percent. I'm gonna inter do some all to you. just kidding. No, for sure. It has to be organic and, and a connection. I don't feel that, you know, but, um, but it is a stretch for me and people's like, Hey, let's go for coffee.
I'm like, I don't want to I'm just saying have to feel pressured. Person you meet. I have with my number in call tomorrow. That's right. No, you don't have to no text them. Um, but just be thinking along those ways, you know? Yeah. And, and whatever you know about them, you know what, um, I think that you would connect well with Stacy or whatever.
Yeah. At least you can live. I yes, the baby on and go. I love it. And so the last note I have for writers, and then when I throw it to crystal, just to, cause they had their first meeting was writers. Now, which is super cool. I think, um, they're only writing five months out of the year, cuz they're doubling up on their articles kicking off in 2023.
They will actually be on a cuz we did it this year. So it was kind of odd. Like you would do dreams and purpose in one month and he just to kind of do a catch up, but starting 20, 23 and on we've caught up, you'll be riding two dreams, two healings, all of that. So you're really only riding five times a year, five time, five months a.
But double during that month. So here's my challenge to the writers, as we talk about how are you praying, reaching, and giving? Are you only doing that during those five months? Or what are you doing in between? How are you reaching her in between those six? Is it six months? Seven. Thank you. My math. How are you pray, reaching and give during those seven months, what are you doing in between.
It's a lot of free time.
it's a lot of free time out there. What, what are you doing? And you know what, every, this is not a, what are you doing? This is once you pray about it and see what the holy spirit wants you do, I'm challenging you. What are you doing? What are you doing in between? What are you doing in between? What are you doing those seven months?
yeah. Crystal. Tell us about the writers. Her . So tell us as y'alls first time to get together. And since the summer, cause they had the summer off from writing. Yeah. So it was mostly was there, she could, um, was really just reconnecting again and kinda what you doing. Gotta.
One, the things I think I shared this, I know I've shared this with one of the writers. They say, I dunno if I talk about the or not, but, um, keeping, you know, in my little basket that I have, I, for thoughts on writing. Yeah. And you just be ready like this summer, you know, I felt like. Really showing me some personal things like, oh, that's something I could write about instead of waiting, you know, to, you know, like, oh, what is something right.
I could write about always having those, you know, thought or something down to be ready with yeah. Running this right. Experience some of things I was going through this summer and, um, bring about it. Yeah. And by the way, just to give props to the writers, that's how Christy found out about creative woman was through Gina's writing.
That's all. That's how she was like, Hey, I've seen these blogs, I think gonna apply for this job. I'm like, yes. So way to go writers. Yeah. Yep. That's good. Anybody else may CR Kendra before we log off? Anything y'all wanna add.
I wanna take that as a no, unless you come on real quick and say something.
Okay. So Sarah, if I just wanna close this out and prayer as a family, um, I'm gonna be sending out a bunch of calendars. Uh, we're doing the prayer zoom meetings. um, y'all all voted. There was, it was like half and half, Saturday and Sunday. So one month we'll do a Saturday morning. This is all zoom. Another the next month, we'll do a Sunday evening just to get connect, pray and chat.
And there'll be 30 minutes. Sometimes you can come. Sometimes you can't. This is not one of the mandatory things, the mandatory basic standards or pre reach, give, and come to your team meeting. Whether it's gather her writing. This is, Hey, let's try to connect more often as a. And we're gonna make that available.
Okay. Um, so please don't feel bad, bad and be like, I'm so sorry. I didn't make it. It's okay. We prayed for you still. It's all right. This is just a like, Hey, if you can come, this is the time we're doing it. You wanna. Oh soccer. Yes. So guys talking about the weary and distressed, me and Hoyt are getting weary and distressed guys.
Um, yeah, so we have a few more games left. It would be great for you guys that lived here, uh, to come. We have held down the Fort, but I really have felt, um, well we're tired. Every time we go, just to be honest. And I feel like the Lord was like, here is a major. Last year and the blessing has become a little bit of a burden, cuz we're tired.
We need more workers for that. Now listen, we're part of these volunteer apps. We're getting the people. It wasn't so good this summer because I think people were traveling again. Whereas last summer now the fall we're filling up and I look at Christy cuz she manages the back end of the soccer. People are signing up praise the Lord, but that really ties back into, are we getting comfortable with soccers, bringing in the finance?
Because it's what sustained us or do we need more donors, more grants? And that's something that I have to stretch, but also is that something that you can pray for and do more of? Because honestly, next year I was like, I wonder if we could just do the spring in the fall, but when I look at our finances, we.
So that's another prayer to be like, send in the workers, send in the people like I should give, I should buy a box. I should, those are the things that would really help us not do soccer. And, but also I like it. We have fun. It's I wanna do it without it being like I have to. Yeah. It's become a, like a, a bonus it's I want it to be a bonus, like, oh my gosh, we got this soccer check.
Let's all. Go on a. Paid by creative woman. Our retreat is paid by creative. Like we did that last year. Right. Y'all didn't have to pay anything. I wanna continue to always do that for you. Um, I wanna, yeah, so, um, I've been to two soccer games. I have a third one that I'm gonna go to this season too, but I just wanna, you know, it's not just about, thank you.
Checking out. People in who are buying a bunch of alcohol. It really is when there's new volunteers to actually they wanna know why. What do you guys do? Like what's the about? And, um, it gives an opportunity to do that, to talk about that. And then also you guys, the time flies, I mean, it does all of a sudden you get there, you set up, you have something to eat, you start, and you're just, I mean, you're literally.
Yeah. Doing it and doing it and doing it well until all this that's right. you're shutting down. I mean, all of a sudden we turn around, I know you did. I know you did but it just really, it just really does go by quickly. Yeah. Um, and it might be like, here's the other thing. It might be like, I can't do it because of this.
I just had a baby or I'm post part, whatever. But you know what? I have friends like you, she did this, they love soccer and they came, they served. Yeah. Mm-hmm like, don't let it miss your mind. Like, don't let it. Like, you know, well, and what I was kind of sitting over here convicted about, cuz there's been several times, I've thought about soccer and it keeps getting put off.
And I don't even know where right now to look for where the games are, but I need to try to sign up for one. Um, and we, we did it quite a bit at the beginning and we liked it a lot. Yeah. I mean, exhausting, exhausting, but fine. . Yeah. well, it's, I feel very
honestly, that was right. But afterwards you feel, you feel, you feel really, I felt like really accomplished, like, Hey, you know what, I'm doing something for the thing that I'm super passionate about. Yeah. You know, I'm and that's what I mean, like it, the fruit of. Is amazing. But when you keep saying that I should like, that's what, that's what she's saying.
And that's what I'm over here saying like, I should sign it for a soccer game. Have I? No, but that's what she's saying. But the, the thing that tapes you from a, from a should to a I'm doing it is motivation. And the thing that's gonna make people be motivated us as volunteers. And just like, you're saying more phase forward, you know, going out there, um, putting your boots back on and.
Doing the harvest is sharing the story. People need to know like what this is all about, because I can't tell you how many times when people are like faith and fashion, they're like, yep. Okay. And then they hear this. They're like, oh, that's really cool. Yeah. I'm like, I know um, but the more they hear, like your story.
Yeah. Um, and the more they actually read the devotionals and they hear from us, like what it's meant to us and what we've seen it do in people's lives. So I agree, like the soccer thing, that's a perfect opportunity to share with people. Do you need. I I text, this is like I have too right now. right now I just email the text.
There's four games this month or three games left. Yeah, just kidding. No, thanks for sharing that. And please. No, I'm glad the holy spirit convicted you because it wasn't. I did not that. And none of this is to say why y'all all do so. So, but if the holy Spirit's doing it, then praise God. . Um, because I know you guys love created women and are in it to win it, but sometimes we just have to come back to that reminder of here's the basics, here's our standards.
Here's what we're doing. And you know what? Let's go. We let's go win her. Let's go get her. Let's go, let's go do it. And there's different ways to do that. So Sarah, you pray. Yeah, father God, thank you so much for gathering all of the women that are here today, uh, here in person and on zoom. Uh, we're so thankful for the CW family and everything.
That, um, each one of the women here do in their own way throughout the years. Um, thank you for giving us this time to just refresh. And like Heather said, get new boots, new boots on the ground, a new season for us to just refresh and, um, amp up more for this season and just to do what we do and do it well.
So we thank you. Um, and it's all in your name. We pray. Amen. Amen. Amen.