family – Eyes UP look OUT

There is a massive reality that you could produce an epic Sunday morning experience today.

Select your favourite speaker (who probably happens to have a couple of bestsellers), and tune into a set list that has been beautifully recorded and sounds incredible.

I have joked that with all these churches upping their online presence we could literally go anywhere.

But I don’t want to go anywhere.

I’ve pondered all week about what Church is really all about. For me: it’s not just hearing the word and worshipping, it’s the fact that I do that WITH MY PEOPLE.

People make my church experience.

It’s the little chat with the welcome team, the people asking me how I’m getting on with Aaron away, the chat with the folks who sit around us and catching up on real life.

The churches biggest job in this season won’t be delivering a beautifully shot sermon, or producing a decent sounding worship set – it will be trying to maintain connection with people. Real connection: one that goes beyond number of service views and that carefully cares for the flock.

We need to get super creative with how we do this community part. My head is spinning with all the possibilities.

So do yourself a favour – tune in to your local church. See whose face is on screen, and then try and visualise the faces you usually see tuning in along with you. I can already hear Pat (an older, vocal lady who sits up front)shout her Amen during the preach.

And if you are part of our beautiful church – please get in touch. We miss you.

What a summer Team Boyd have had.

Our 2nd time as a family spending 7 weeks on the road with Aaron, making the most of our time together with a mash up of vacation and tour time.

I have to admit, the language I used pre this time went along the lines of…. “we are heading on holiday, and Aaron has to do some music things in between and I have to speak at a conference for part of it and then we get to holiday.” But as the end of our trip is close approaching I’m embarrassed that I had the whole thing separated and compartmentalised.

The idea that we had to do…..

and then we get to….

now seems stupid.

The best thing about being away with Aaron is that I get to see him in action. I get to see what life on the road is like. I get to meet the people who are like 2nd family to him, and now us. I have been so impressed by his ability to lead people into a beautiful sweet spot of worship whilst encourage them to make a difference in the world. Whether it’s to 10 people or 10,000.

This has definitely been a trip with a difference. I have loved every opportunity we have got to share Jesus and his kingdom, both formally and informally. I am once again blown away by the generosity of people, both towards us personally and the cause we shout loud for.

Aaron had (that word again) a goal of raising $30,000 for an organisation that is so incredibly dear to our hearts – WORLD ORPHANS

We saw $40,000 come in, along with a match donor making an incredible achievement of $80,000 towards this amazing cause.

And we GOT to be a part of that.

We are so thankful for everyone who has been part of this adventure.

To those who have hosted us – thank you.

To those who donated to World Orphans – you are legends who have changed a child’s life in a way that you may never fully understand – thank you!

I will no doubt write about my incredible time with the ladies at The 61 Exchange conference. For digging in with us, being vulnerable and allowing us to hear your stories – it was an honour and a privilege.

So my thought today is simply this – we don’t have to do anything. We get to. We get to be the hands and feet of our Father, just like Jesus, showing our planet what an incredible king He is over a beautiful kingdom where he wants us all to be citizens.

I shouldn’t have to go to the other side of the Atlantic to realise this truth, but sometimes a change or perspective is all it takes to shake us up for purpose.