Family matters

For church planters, the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t just been challenging for their ministry; it’s also taken a toll on their families. Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee discuss how they and their families are navigating this difficult season.

0:30 Lee says this season has gone from being like a blizzard to winter to now more of an ice age.

1:17 Danny says the hard part is the unknown.

2:00 Danny asks Lee about what he’s been doing with his family this summer.

2:26 Lee says he’s taken up all kinds of new hobbies to get his mind off of things. His family has also done a lot of fishing and traveled to see family in Phoenix.

3:53 Lee and his wife are constantly having conversations about what’s next. "What do we do next?"

4:55 Danny and his family were on vacation in Destin, Florida, when the pandemic started.

5:25 One of the things Danny and his family have done together during this season is taking a walk every evening.

6:27 Danny says, "There’s tons of difficult things, but let’s try to see some of the silver lining and the positive there."

6:33 Danny says working remotely in Florida in June was good for him and his family.

7:37 Danny recommends using the time to make memories, even if it means spending a little more money.

8:00 Lee says it’s OK to take time to rest. "Sometimes, you need to give yourself permission to go ahead and free up your schedule to go do that."

9:07 Danny says planters are busier now more than ever even if they’re not meeting for Sunday services.

9:49 Lee discusses the importance of sitting down with your spouse to budget and schedule your time.