What is Trickling from Your Heart?

​by Amber Mills
(re-printed from a previous "Refresh" blog)

Photo by Anthony Intraversato on Unsplash

How is my attitude affecting those around me?
 
This question has been rolling around in my mind the past few days. The thought process started earlier this week while watching my boys play basketball. We were in another state playing a travel team that we see only a few times a year, have a fierce rivalry with, but truly enjoy being around. They are one of those teams that you work all year to beat, but you wouldn’t mind going to Steak-n-Shake with after the game, even if you lose.

This time was different. The atmosphere wasn’t friendly. Fans were edgy. There was yelling and booing. The opposing players were pushing the limits of what is acceptable. Now don’t get me wrong. My boys have played competitive sports for a very long time and I fully appreciate all that comes with it. Games are loud, intense, and very physical, but this went beyond. There were no post game conversations between players or parents.
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The entire demeanor of this competition was different than the last. What had changed? Same team. Same players. Same parents. New coach. The leadership had changed. The new coach encouraged this behavior. He congratulated his players when our team was injured. He gave a thumbs up to the booing fan section. He also demeaned his own players when they didn’t perform to his expectations.
 
The previous coach had been a very intense, but godly man. He had demanded his players give 100% at all times but he valued character above all else. It trickled down throughout the entire program just as this new attitude has.
 
Do they not see the change? Do they even care how they are being perceived? How are the parents okay with the behavior of their boys and the attitude change on and off of the court? It is as if they are completely oblivious to the change.
 
The complete 180 of this team stirred something within me. It made me think! It made me examine! Have there been changes in me, my family, and my church to which I am oblivious? Has my leadership, in any way, cheered on or encouraged bad behavior? When others fall, do I give a thumb up to those under me? Does my leadership make those around me strive for greatness or does it glorify the destruction of others?
 
Our attitudes and actions are magnified in those over which we have influence. We cannot control how people behave, but we can control how we influence them. If a church is arrogant, cliquey, and more concerned with whom they have rather than whom they can reach, the leadership is usually of the same mindset. On the other hand, humble leadership usually leads the giving, inviting church to reach out and bless their community.
 
I did not choose to be a pastor’s wife. Nonetheless, it is the path laid before me, and I wouldn’t want to walk any other. I am in leadership; therefore, I must be mindful of my attitude, my words, my facial expressions (if you know me you will agree that the latter is the one, I struggle with the most!). 

​Philippians 2:3-4 NLT says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

A trickling faucet left alone can cause your water bill to skyrocket. A bad attitude trickling down from ministry leadership can destroy an entire church.
 
What am I allowing to trickle from my heart into my family and my church? As a children’s pastor, I want the kids under me to be accepting. As a women’s leader, I want my ladies to be inviting and loving. As the lead pastor’s wife, I want my church to be burdened for the lost and more concerned with our community around us than with our own agendas. But most importantly, as a mom and wife, I want my family to be examples of how to truly love each other. ​

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​Amber serves alongside her wonderful husband, Greg, of 24 years as the lead pastors of Camdenton 1st Assembly. They have served in full-time ministry for almost 23 of those years.

​Amber and Greg have 4 boys ranging in age from Jr. High to recently married, which keeps things very interesting and busy, to say the least!

She has served as a full-time children’s pastor wherever they have ministered for over 20 years. “Organized chaos” describes more than just her style of children’s ministry; it can also be used to describe life in general around the Mills' house.

Amber revels in the moments she can simply be the pastor’s wife and support Greg as he leads with excellence in their community. She also craves the other side of the spectrum, where she is blessed with opportunities to share precious words God lays on her own heart.
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Amber enjoys creating beautiful events, indulging in chocolate desserts, sharing her heart with the women around her, and living this amazing adventure called life.