…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. - Romans 12:2
This blog entry continues with more start-up information about the company and what we are all about. One of the things the team at Fellowship Technologies understands is that we have to put aside our own agendas, egos and feelings for the sake of what we are trying to do for God’s Kingdom. As I read and listen to more pastors’ books and sermons, I am starting to understand it more. One of the pastors at the Catalyst Conference a couple of weeks ago, I think it was Donald Miller, said it very clearly - this “movie” is not about me or you, we play only bit parts. This movie, or set of movie episodes that we call our lives, is all about God. At times we may think we can “up stage” God, but sooner or later we are forced to realize that we do not have the starring role.
As the CEO of Fellowship Technologies, I am just happy I am able to play the supporting role that I have. I reluctantly started this company. In fact, when it was first presented to me by Terry Storch and Lawrence Swicegood at lunch back in April of 2003, I refused to even consider it. Even after God compelled me to change my mind and heart, I made it very clear in my prayers that if this was going to happen, God was going to have to be the one to make it happen. Too often, we want to just take the reins and push God aside.
The experience that caused me to change my decision to start Fellowship Technologies was truly divine – so much so that I felt that I could not ignore the call from God. And as many pastors can tell you, when called by God to do whatever, you initially think, “This is for and of God, it is the way to go.” In fact, I truly thought that I had no alternatives, the message was so clear.
But just because the path is clear does not mean it will be easy. There have been times here at Fellowship Technologies when the lessons we needed to learn were not easy. And isn’t that how Christian life can be? God can still be part of what we are doing, but that does not mean it is necessarily going to be easy on us. We think it should be, right? If it is God’s will then shouldn’t it be easy! That’s just not how it always is because change and growth are not easy.
Many churches I talk to are uncomfortable with change; uncomfortable with doing things differently. However, to do some of what God needs to do through us requires us to get out of our comfort zones, out of our traditional ways of doing things, out of that mentality that has us always thinking in OUR ways. We need to think in HIS ways. Many times if it is right and God is in it, it will not be easy! Learnings from the Apostle Paul would indicate that the easy way is many times the path outside of God’s will. Creation is all about doing new things, different things. So make change happen!
Grace to you as you go out and CHANGE!
Jeff Hook