Jenni Clayville

Yesterday morning was my first day leading worship as the “Worship Pastor” at Church! at Bethany.  It was exciting and strange all at the same time.

It was very obvious to me that I was NOT getting ready to go lead at Sunset.  That was really weird and a bit bittersweet.  I mean, I’m growing up, so really, it was only so long till I was no longer relevant to students though I’ll always have a heart and passion for them.  I was also heading out the door to work with a different team.

I think one of the toughest things is preparing how to interact with people you don’t really know.  My old team just KNEW me.  That was nice.

However, I have always believed that CHANGE is good.  Brian and I absolutely LOVE our new pastor, Matt.  He’s authentic and just says it like it is.  There’s no guess work with Matt.  What you see is what you get.  I don’t ever go home thinking, “Hmmm… when he said this, did he mean…” and I never feel like I’m imposing.  If I have a question, I text him or email him and he gets back to me almost immediately.

What’s great about a church plant/small church is the COMMUNITY is a bit more obvious and easier to find.  Because we don’t have a building and are currently using Stoller Middle School on Sunday mornings, we are a 100% portable church.  It’s like setting up for camp every Sunday.  We HAVE to be organized (if you know me… you’ll know I love love LOVE organizing and BEING organized).

Tiring, but definitely team building.

Everyone pulls together to work together.  You see everyone’s love for each other and how much they are absolutely SOLD OUT to God.

Yesterday’s set was:

1. Meet With Me – Ten Shekel Shirt
   
2. Not To Us – Chris Tomlin
   
3. Devotion – Hillsong
4. Hosanna – Hillsong
5. Heart of Worship – Matt Redman
6. Grace Like Rain – Todd Agnew

Matt started his series on The Leader Within from Nehemiah.  Nehemiah started his leadership ON HIS KNEES.  Something, I can’t say I do enough of.  Matt challenged us to seek out God’s heart – to ask God to break our hearts with the things that break his.  That’s a scary thing to ask… because if you really mean it, your heart not going to hurt, but you’re going to grieve deeply.

However, I’m taking on the challenge.

Overall… Though I miss my old church of 8 years and some of my best friends over at Sunset, I feel overly humbled and privileged to be a part of Church! at Bethany.  I know God is moving and doing some incredible things here in Portland, Oregon.  We need all hands on deck here in P-town, and I know Sunset is more than capable of doing it without me.

Church! at Bethany is where I’m supposed to be right now – I love adventures!

What is God calling for YOUR heart to break over right now?