I always thought it would be cool to work for an awesome company like Catalyst! Well… tomorrow will be my first day there on staff…
What will I be doing you ask?
Blogging? Nope.
Preparing to speak on the main stage of Catalyst West? Maybe next year :-)
The official title in my totally temporary, part-time Catalyst job is (drumroll please)…..
Packer of Boxes.
My buddy Jesse Phillips said that Catalyst needed some box packers this week to work hard for a bit more than minimum wage from 9am-5pm Tuesday-Friday. When I wrote Jesse and told him that I was down, he wrote me back this response…
“Really?”
When he wrote me back I realized that somewhere along the way I have mistakenly given Jesse or maybe you that I am not a 29 year old church planter/grad student with 4 kids. Any savings I had were spent a long time ago to launch The Courageous Church in January. I am prepared to give this dream everything I have!
I fully expected to be able to just work as a full-time pastor, but our growing community is just not there yet. I probably could draw a larger salary, but I would bankrupt our church in the process.
So – for the next week – I’m going to be busting my butt and packing these Catalyst boxes like my life depends on the quality of my efforts. Heck - it beats UPS any day!
Pray for me – this will be the first week since we launched that I have not been able to devote all of my time to our church.
{ 31 comments }
Shaun, I'm sure you know this, but God can speak to you in the strangest places. You might want to have a little pad & pen handy as you pack those boxes, because your next sermon might be right there on that line.
I know God will bless your determination to support your family with whatever means that come your way. Keep on & know you've got prayer going on in East Tennessee for you & your church.
Fantastic news!! No doubt God is going to use this in a mighty way… even more so than you having taken a much larger salary!
Dangerous prayers are being prayed for you and all connected.
piggybacking off what the others here have said i totally agree that God puts us where he needs us all the time and allows us to receive the gift of blessing others while were there!my last hospital stay was the same way!i had some really tough questions i couldnt seem to get answered and during that stay,as inconvienient and painfull as it was,i met people that God not only spoke to me thru but I made friendships that will last a lifetime! God is so wonderful! I love just going to the grocery store and i always ask God to show me someone i can bless.I know after im all healed and i get back to work as a waitress,its on!!!GREAT WORK SHAUN!!!!
Admire your commitment and humility bro – way to do whatever it takes!
Definitely will be praying for you this week!
My First time here. Box Packer is an awesome job. You will get to earn money, have a good time and you won't have to think too hard. It is almost a little mental vacation.
This is my first time here. I look forward to getting caught up.
Church Planting is so hard…What a blessing you are to your new congregation. I am praying for God's success with you.
YOu're the man, Shaun! thank you for your help!
Rock on bro. That's what church planting is all about. You do what you need to do and sacrifice to grow God's Kingdom. I know God will honor this.
Praying for you.
Shaun, I am glad to know that your heart is really in this to serve and not as an alternative source of income. There are many pastors around the country that could take cue from your example. They have somewhere forgotten that not all called into ministry are called to rely upon their flock to feed and serve them. When Paul set out to take the Good News to the people he funded his own ministry by continuing in the tent making trade. Paul proved that regardless the cost he was determined to share the news; which is what your sacrifice is displaying, as well. During this time I am certain God will bless your ministry and increase the opportunities to reach those that may never be reached without you being their shoulder to shoulder. You have my prayers!
I would love to be working right along side you…dead serious I think it would be fun just hanging out even if you weren't there bro…yep, I am weird, and I enjoy being around people…my wife gives me a hard time because she knows I would enjoy working at Quik Trip or being a waiter…Catalyst would be cool…if it wasn't for 700 miles, my dear wife, & our 6 kids I would so be there…you bless your family and others by your willingness to step out and do what you have to do…by the way you bless me too…thanks!
Thanks for your courage to bust it for the Kingdom.
One of my mentors always said about church planting, "if you are not willing to scrub toilets for this…then you're really not IN this…."
Praying for you and the church.
Hang in there bro. We'll get through this season and emerge – deeper, wiser, and more faithful.
Perhaps if you adopted a broader perspective of "church" you could still see yourself as devoting all your time to the church.
Mark 12:30 says love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
We are all in full time ministry as we keep the greatest commandment at the forefront of our thoughts, as we walk hand in hand with Jesus, moment by moment by through the indweling Holy Spirit.
Thanks a ton Faye! I will be listening closely during this time.
Keep praying Camey!
I am always blessed by your testimony Lynnette! Blessings to you!
Thanks a ton Tony! Keep praying bro!
Welcome to my world Theresa! I am thankful for the opportunity that I have! I hope you check out and comment on some other posts as well.
Thank you for letting me know about the opportunity bro.
Thanks Brad!
I appreciate this comment Cyril! Did you read the recent statement by Donnie McClurkin about this topic?
Hey Steve! Can't wait to see you again bro! I hope things are going where for you and the crew there in Tulsa! How is your dad?
Your mentor is right man. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes at this stage (or any stage really). Keep praying bro!
I know you're right man. Your post a few weeks back on where you are financially was one of my motivators to share with others where I am right now as well. I'll continue praying for you regularly!
Great thoughts Renee! Thanks for your perspective.
so proud of you man. you are such an inspiration to me. your bro.
Thanks from Arkansas Bro! I follow you on Twitter and you, your family and your Church inspire me.
You gotta do what you gotta do. will be praying for you, stay strong.
Hey Randy! Hope y'all are doing well man!
Hey Drew! Hope all is well with you man!
dude, meet mr. 4 balls in the air juggling traveling circus act! tell jesse i said to take good care of you or i will come over there!
Been praying every single day now! And will continue to! Dangerous prayers!!!