Isaiah’s Reflection
The transformative power of building trusting relationships became crystal clear to me through my initially reluctant "yes" to Missio Madison three years ago. What started as uncertainty has blossomed into an intricate web of lifelong friends, ministry partners, and city-wide collaborators, all working together to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.
This network has been transformative both professionally and personally. During times of stress and tragedy, my community has lifted me up. I've found mentorship and prayer support from ministry leaders who've walked similar paths. When I've needed time off, leaders from other churches have stepped in to fill the gaps. I've been able to take much-needed retreats for rest and renewal, knowing that ministry partners were faithfully meeting needs in my absence.
This collaborative network has also amplified our ability to serve others. When members of my congregation come to me either seeking or wanting to provide help, I can now tap into this broader community of partners to meet those needs more effectively.
There's a pervasive temptation in ministry to adopt a lone superhero mentality - thinking "If my church doesn't do it, who will?" or "If I'm not there for my congregation, who will be?" or "We're the only ones trying to address this issue." But having a network of trusted partners continually provides me with perspective, assurance, and hope. It helps me see the bigger picture of what the Holy Spirit is doing across our community and city, and gives me the courage to join in God's broader work rather than trying to carry it all alone.
Through these relationships, I've learned that true kingdom impact happens not through isolated efforts, but through the beautiful interconnectedness of God's people working together in trust and unity.
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