Lizzie From London

Randy’s July, 2012 Update:

Should The Name Read “International”?
When I was thinking up a name for Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc., I didn’t realize that perhaps the ending of the name should have read “International” rather than “Inc”. Along the way, God seems to have purposefully led people from other countries to my doorstep, from places like Australia, Germany, and India (as well as numerous people from Oklahoma, which is a completely foreign country to me! 🙂 Just checking to see if any of the Okies are reading along), plus 1st generation U.S. born individuals with parents from Africa, Germany, Korea, and Puerto Rico.

The most recent international addition, starting in November of 2011, comes from England. Her name is Lizzie.

Lizzie came here from the London area to attend Moody Bible Institute. After she graduated, she started a one-year internship at a large church in Chicago, where she was going to assist with the 20-30’s ministry.

Shortly after starting, the leader she was going to assist was hired into another position within the church, at another location. Much to her surprise, she was handed the ministry leadership role, with minimal support or guidance, only what was required to keep her in the States legally.

A few months after that, we began to meet on a regular basis.

Lizzie’s Story:
”After one week in my new ministry position, I heard these words: ‘What a great leadership opportunity for you!’ I did not share my colleague’s enthusiasm. ‘Great’ and ‘opportunity’ were not the two words at the forefront of my mind at that moment.

“At that time, I wasn’t looking for a leadership opportunity. I didn’t think of myself as a ‘leader‘ back then, and didn’t have any real experience in this particular ministry area. Professionally, my background was in sound engineering and I had spent years on tour with different bands. Somehow, I had a feeling that none of that experience was going to be helpful here.

“As the weeks passed, the only time I had peace was when I was on my knees before God praying: ‘God, I will do whatever you want me to do. These are your people and you love them. Give me your love for them and help me to love them like you love them.’

“The circumstances I faced drove me into God with a greater intensity than ever before. Partly because I felt completely helpless by myself, but mostly because I didn’t know what else to do! The only time this crazy journey made sense was when I held it all before God and spent time learning His heart for His people.

“If it wasn’t for those moments with God, I am sure I would have jumped on the next flight back to the UK!

“Randy helped me see leadership as: ‘Seeking God and then doing what He says’.

“This made leading seem a lot less scary. Instantly, it caught my attention. I could do that and I would enjoy it!

“This perspective did not make me immune to the roller-coaster ride of leading in ministry. However, it did have an incredible centering effect when everything got crazy.

“Time alone with God has been an amazing anchor for me this year and totally helped to keep me sane! It has formed and guided everything I have done in ministry so far.

“I can’t imagine what I would have done without Randy’s encouragement to keep taking time out with God.

“Another principle that has helped me process the twists and turns in my leadership journey (and there have been many!) is the concept of ‘Leading up’. Randy encouraged me that it would help the situation.

“‘Leading up’ is about [casting vision to the leaders above you, helping them understand the ministry you are leading and the needs and desires of the people within the ministry, so that your leaders may best support the ministry and make the best decisions for the ministry.]

It also involves setting an example for those above you as well as those you lead. It’s about listening to and shepherding those you lead, while at the same time taking the leadership initiative to make things happen, but doing that in a way that respects and honors those with authority over you. [All the while ‘leading up’ to help your leaders understand and get on board with what you feel led to do].

“It’s a really hard line to walk and I wasn’t so sure about it. Whenever I tried it, it only seemed to make everyone really cross with me and I failed to see how that was an improvement! However, Randy was wise, persistent – and eventually right!

“‘Leading up’ is one of those things that feels completely wrong until the moment it actually works. Then, it feels completely right and I’m so grateful for Randy’s advice!

“By leading, I have realized that the only thing that matters is my relationship with God and having a loving, servant heart towards those I minister among.

“I learned a valuable lesson about leadership not being all about me.

“This posture changes everything. Leadership is hard. Probably, one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. What surprised me most this year, and that I’ve kept coming back to again and again, is that what qualifies me for leadership is my relationship with God. It is not past leadership training and qualifications.

“The best thing I can do for the people I lead is to grow in my relationship with God.” – Lizzie Martin.

Randy’s Reflections:
Lizzie is a twenty-something year old woman who devoted a whole year of her life, without pay, to serve the needs of others and pour into an often overlooked generation.

After seeking to know and understand those in her care, Lizzie saw that the biggest need of the ministry was to build into the leaders, helping them grow in their love for the Lord. Everything else would flow out of that love. Another need was helping empower and equip these leaders to oversee, lead, and love their small communities with excellence.

During Lizzie’s year of leadership, these communities comprised approximately 10% of the population of the church, 33% of the baptisms, 50% of the small groups, and 50% of a recent mission team that went to serve in El Salvador. All this as an unpaid “intern”!

It’s generally unheard of for an intern to be handed the opportunities and responsibilities that Lizzie experienced during this past year. It all seemed like a God thing, preparing her for the future.

I believe she learned some valuable life lessons through experiencing both the good and the bad of leadership, learning from her own successes and mistakes, as well as from the successes and mistakes of the leaders above her.

Throughout the process, I was often inspired by the maturity and grace with which she handled some of the challenges and hardships of leadership, as well as the brokenness and leadership mistakes of the people around her.

As can be true in the type of transformational/discipleship work that Lizzie was growing in, it can often go unnoticed and unappreciated. So I’d like to say these words…

Lizzie, thank you for serving so faithfully, sacrificially, and with your eyes so focused on the Lord. You were and are an inspiring example. I believe your investment this year made a difference. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

What’s Next For Lizzie?
Lizzie’s internship will be coming to an end at the end of August, when she will most likely be returning to the U.K., possibly to a job at a church near London that has a big heart for the 20 & 30something age groups. Per Lizzie, less than 3% of the population between the ages of 18 and 40 attend church in the U.K. Only about 7% of the total population attends church. If she gets the job, I’m sure she will face many challenges. Please hold Lizzie in your prayers – first for a job and then for the challenges that lie ahead.