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It’s almost April 15!!  You know what that means. . .your taxes better be done!

I believe that one of the biggest things that everyone forgets to prepare us for when jumping into starting a church is TAXES!  Boy did we learn our lesson the hard way.  Being a “self-employed” pastor definitely has some perks.  You can write off just about anything.  But let me just YELL out loudly. . .PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure that you find a tax person who truly knows everything there is to know about PASTOR taxes.  Take it from the mouth of experience. . .you don’t want to make the mistakes we did.  It might cost you extra to go somewhere other than HR Block or one of those other chain tax companies, but it will be well worth it in the end.  It took us 2 years to dig out of a HUGE tax mess that was naively created simply because we didn’t get the right advice.  And believe me, there is more than enough to concern you in the middle of starting a church than Uncle Sam. 

Here is my #1 recommendation if you are just starting out or not fully confident of your tax preparer…Clergy Financial
You don’t have to live near them. . .they will consult and do everything with you over the phone, email and mail.

I hope I’ve saved you a few headaches today and in the future! 
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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

A story from Cool River Church in Superior, Colorado. . .

From day one of starting Cool River Church, it has been our hearts desire to serve our community like crazy.  In a town of 12,000, we have seen about 6 churches come and go in the 7 years we have been here.  And yet, God has chosen to keep us alive in a place where 90% of the population is unchurched and there is no standing church building of any faith or denomination.  The ride has been absolutely amazing.  We have had to morph into a very distinct community of faith. . .one that seeks to meet the needs of a specific town in a specific region of our nation. . .Boulder County, Colorado.  And we have done this in one very specific way. . .service. 

Of course, service isn’t all we do, but in trying to seek a way to step into the lives of those around us - those who may never actually come to an official church service - Cool River has always tried to be the church apart from the Sunday morning.  It’s what we’re supposed to do, right?  And in doing this, we have had the opportunity to jump in with both feet into the activities and lives around us.  Cool River has never pulled off our own big event apart from Sunday morning.  Instead, we have chosen to come alongside the town in every event they plan and offer and do the dirty work that no one else wants to do.  We set up and break down festivals and Easter Egg hunts.  We flip pancakes on 4th of July.  We just try to be available.  AND the really cool thing is that we aren’t alone in this endeavor to love and serve Superior.

Today I’m sending out a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to NorthWood Student Ministry.  These kids and leaders have committed themselves, not to Cool River Church, not to spending a sunny Spring Break at the beach, but to working harder than I have ever seen a group of teenagers work in my life and truly changing the hearts and lives of those in Superior, Colorado with the genuine love of Christ.  Their hard work and commitment over the last …

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In the middle of church planting it’s so very important to make FAMILY a priority.  But we all know that sometimes life and moments just get away from us.  So, here are some links to encourage you and give you some fantastic family night inspiration.  Try it with your kids AND husband. . .remember, it’s not a family night if Daddy isn’t home. . . make him put it on the calendar.  You’ll be glad you did!

http://amycolon.blogspot.com/2008/09/family-fun-night-1.html

http://amycolon.blogspot.com/2008/10/family-fun-weekend.html

http://amycolon.blogspot.com/2008/10/gooey-twist-on-original.html

http://whittakerwoman.typepad.com/whittaker_woman/family-night/index.html

http://brandiandboys.wordpress.com/category/family-night/

http://trulycaptivating.com/2009/03/family-night-pajama-rama.html

http://trulycaptivating.com/2008/11/family-night-5-ws-and-h.html

http://trulycaptivating.com/2008/10/family-night-spaghetti-western.html

http://trulycaptivating.com/2008/09/family-night-football-edition.html

What other ideas do you have to share??

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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

Do you ever find yourself at a crossroads with God where he won’t let you move any farther until you deal with what is staring you directly in the face?  That’s where I have been for the past week. . .trying desperately to deal with my junk, fix my life, care for my family, love unselfishly and dodge the realities God keeps shoving into my path..  After 6 years of church starting, I’m so used to doing more and being more. . .and darn that pride thing, it’s hard to let go of the “more.”

We are 6 years into the church planting process.  And for the first 4-5 we have literally been in survival mode like all church starts.  As a wife, you wear lots of hats.  You move fast.  You learn by trial and error. You hold your breath.  It is exhilarating. . .a journey like no other.  I learned to be a fabulous multi-tasker simply out of necessity.  And it has been great fun!  I am amazed at how much God has allowed me to “pull off” over the years.  Been there?

Now we find ourselves a bit more established.  The seasons of life are changing.  The journey looks different now as the church is becoming more solid.  The church itself doesn’t need me as much - not for things like making coffee and running the children’s ministry.  Though the season of “pulling it off” was necessary, God is bringing me to a place of really being able to hone in on the top things He has called me to.  The problem is, today I’m sitting here in this weird funk because I can’t seem to figure out what those top things really are.  Or maybe I know, but I can’t seem to lay down my pride long enough to accept them.  I’m so stuck on being MORE.  And God won’t let me move.  So I’m in the middle of making some decisions.  And in the middle of it all, I thought of you.

I guess more than anything I’m writing to encourage you if you are in the beginning stages of doing it all. . .enjoy every moment.  That season lasts for such a brief moment.  It won’t last forever.  And if you embrace it God will teach you so, so much about Him and about yourself.  And when …

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Here’s just a little fun for the weekend. . .pretty impressive don’t you think?. . .

Remember the blog series that I told you was a “must read” a few days ago?  Well, I just have to tell you that last Tuesday night on date night Kevin and I decided to stay home, grill a little steak and sit at the table with the laptop.  Have you ever heard anything more romantic??  Okay, maybe it didn’t spark a night full of romance (or maybe it did!?), but WOW did it spark some fantastic conversation!  So here is your assignment, ladies. . .next week, grill your man a steak, put the kids to bed early, sit next to the computer, and together, you and your man read through the series “8 Things that Destroyed Our Marriage”  After each entry, talk honestly about how you are doing in those areas as a couple.  It will be well worth your time.  And your marriage and family just might thank you for it.  Let me know how it goes!!
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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

A few days ago I was eavesdropping on a facebook conversation between some church planting wives that I know.  Well, I say I know them. . .they are my cyber friends, I suppose - great ladies serving God with all their hearts.  The conversation was entitled “spending time with people.”  I found it quite intriguing and wanted to know what you think?

The question was basically this. . .“How do you BE Christ to them (people God places in your path who have lots of needs) and still be able to meet other people and have ministry outside of that one couple?? ”  Again, I thought this was quite appropriate since we have been talking here about nurturing a healthy family and marriage in the middle of starting a church.

Here’s how a bit more of the conversation played out. . .

First, you have to keep your priorities straight, or you are not qualified to help. Hopefully this is a long term relationship where you will walk with them for years, so now is a good time to set some limits for yourself. We try, unless there is a true crisis that needs solving at the moment, to incorporate people into our lives rather than dropping our lives to help. If we are cooking dinner and they show up, they come in and pitch in in the kitchen. If I am helping my kids with homework, they can sit and do homework with us, but I tactfully do not allow them to take over and demand adult conversation.

Also, understand biblically what you are called to do for anyone. It comes from Galatians 6:

Doing Good to All
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.

The key verses are 2 and 5. Verse 2: Carry each other’s burdens. Burdens are like a heavy load you would need help carrying. (dictionary.com says “that which is …

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

We may be experiencing a recession, but. . .some things you just can’t live without. . .

Wishing you a little bite of happiness today.
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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

I just discovered a new blog series (a friend of a friend sort of connection) and wanted to direct you to it.  It seems to fit perfectly with our conversation about keeping our marriage and families healthy in the middle of starting a church.  Check it out - “8 things that Destroyed Our Marriage”
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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

For anyone who knows me and my husband, Kevin, you have heard us talk and Tweet and Facebook and blog about Date Night.  It’s a long-standing ritual in our family.  As soon as we moved our family to Colorado to start the church and found some trustworthy teenage babysitters, we started weekly date nights.  It’s a sacrifice financially.  I won’t lie.  But I have no doubt this is the number one reason our marriage has been able to withstand the craziness of planting a church and doing life together.  And I had all of these things that I was planning to say. . .but wouldn’t you know it, Michelle Obama said it pretty well herself - so check this out. . .

Making Date Night a priority was the absolute #1 best advice I was ever given as we moved to start a church.  And it’s not only for the sake of the kids, though that is HUGE, but it’s for the whole family.  It’s when we as a couple, apart from being church planters, slow down and reconnect.  It’s the best 2 hours of the week!  Nope, it’s not always happy and lovey and mushy. . .but it’s SO worth it - It’s how we have stayed healthy.

Do you have a regular date night with your spouse?
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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

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