Zebra Ministries: Playing Hurt

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Playing Hurt

2 Timothy 1:15 (NIV 2010)

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Good morning Zebras,

I have LOGOS Bible software on my computer. I wanted to go to seminary, but God led me to purchase this instead. It is a study tool that allows me to dig deeper into God’s word. The version I have contains over 1,200 books, some of which are written specifically for pastors. One of those books, Character Forged from Conflict: Staying Connected to God During Controversy turned out to be a fascinating read.

It was written by a pastor who had been asked to resign from his church and it was filled with excellence observations and advice for anyone involved in ministry.

The second chapter of the book is titled “Playing Hurt.” We all know athletes play when they are injured but I never really thought about the fact that pastors and other ministry workers do as well. Continuing to serve God when our hearts are heavy or our spirits are broken is just like playing injured and it takes commitment.

In the last scene of Facing the Giants, Brock, the captain of the football team, wants to be pulled out of the game. He is injured and tired and the opposition is huge. He just wants to rest. But the coach won’t let him quit. Instead he gives him an inspirational speech that I hadn’t thought much about until I read that book.

He tells him that anyone can lead when it is easy, but hanging in and leading when the going gets get tough is what really matters.

Of course Brock goes back in and they win the game.

Ministry work is never easy, whether you are a pastor, a pastor’s wife, church staff, or a lay volunteer. It wasn’t easy for Jesus, Paul, or the disciples, so it probably won’t be easy for us. And the level of difficulty seems to increase with the level of responsibility.

If you have been called into ministry work you need to know that you are going to meet opposition. Do not let it deter you from what God is calling you to do, simply be forewarned and resolve to keep playing, even if you’re hurt.

Love,
Jill

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Why Zebras?

In the summer of 2008 I was looking at a herd of zebras in a wild animal park and commented to my son that I didn’t understand why the lions didn’t just eat the zebras because their markings make them so obvious. He told me that the opposite was actually true. God has marked zebras so when they hang together in a herd, their stripes create the illusion they are one large animal and therefore too big to attack. It is the lone zebra that is usually eaten. The same is true of Christians; we must hang together and encourage each other to fight off the lions. The lone Christian is easy prey.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Therefore:

Zebras was started to encourage women who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who want their lives to be transformed to honor God and who are willing to be “zebras” in a world of “horses”. Zebras exists to reassure you that you are not alone and that God has called you to be peculiar. As a peculiar person you should look different than the world

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Pastor Endorsement

Jill Getchell speaks from her heart and from God’s word in a way that brings encouragement and hope to God’s people. I’ve been blessed to hear her at Awana conferences, a women’s retreat, and from the pulpit of our church. I am confident your people will be equally blessed by spending the day with Jill at We Have Hope...your church will be blessed as well.

Pastor Al Marks

First Baptist Church Vallejo

I have known Jill for many years now. She truly desires to encourage the churches in our community and to strengthen the believers that attend our churches. Her passion for Jesus comes out in her ability to speak, and her heart is to encourage all those that attend to go back into their churches and be a blessing.

Pastor Kelly Patchin

New Harbor Community Church, Benicia

I believe women are vital to the unity and health of the church. They bear the image of God and serve Him in a great way within His church. Zebras has the ability to unite and excite women to grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other. In John 17:20 Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” One of Christ’s last prayers for His church is that they would be one as He is with the Father. And through our unity the world can come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Unity is essential for a healthy church and healthy relationships between women. Zebras can stimulate healthy growth in the spiritual lives of the women in your church too. It is a blessing at New Harbor and I believe it would be a blessing for any pastor to have in their church.

Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church

Testimonies

The Zebra herd has given me the opportunity to be myself. I think we all have a face we put on for others, especially on Sunday. We don’t want to let anyone see the pain or hurt we’re suffering because we feel that it’s a reflection on our walk with Christ. I now have a group of loving Christian women with whom to share the joys and sorrows equally… Without the Zebras, I’d still be wearing my Sunday face. ...............Dawn C.

The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.

When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.

I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.

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