1. I have already had several major plans fall through as a pastor and leader for Clarity. And yes, my hopes and dreams seemed to hang on these plans as if they were all I would ever do. Some of these were plans that already had other plans and people built around them, so when they fell through, there were wider ripple effects. My first reaction to the fall through is always like a punch in the gut. Just recently I began to pray after a disappointment. I was actually holding my daughter and speaking out loud to the Lord. Much like the psalmist, I began with honesty, morphed into declaring who God is, and landed with a profound “in the moment” truth that is like an unmovable rock to rest my weight on…

“My plans will not stand. But the plans of the Lord will stand forever and ever and ever. And this work was His idea and will come to fruition according to His plan. He is our life and church planner!”

2. I have also already felt the inclination to blame others for what I thought wasn’t getting done. This is something leaders fall into often. We must always remind ourselves not to blame, but to honor God by honoring what He has given us and where He has placed us by beginning with how we can be the solution. Is it the team’s fault or the ineffective leader’s fault - usually the ineffective leaders. Pastors, be proactive not reactive. Ask God how you can pastor, encourage, unleash, and speak into your team. Don’t whine and blame.

3. Our marriages have been under more pressure than ever. We are noticing ourselves getting frustrated more quickly, reacting more harshly, and blaming. So we just had our first marriage/pre-marriage retreat for all our couples. It was great to let the Word wash over us again in regards to our roles, what love is, and how marriage needs to be honored (Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians 13). Difficult truth is always necessary to move forward in health. Cherish it. Repent constantly.

Nathan Kollar is the lead planter of Clarity Church, CMN’s 100th Matching Fund Church.