Hey Friends,

I put my foot in my mouth.

“Hey, can I add you and your wife to my newsletter mailing list? I’d love to receive yours as well.“

“Amy, we already get your newsletter.”

Thankfully this was all through FB messenger, so he couldn’t see me plant my face into my hands.

If you write newsletters or maintain any mailing list, you’ve probably done something similar. For me, the “problem” is that my system is working well enough. I send out regular newsletters, I have adequate financial support, and I know that people are praying for me.

So, let’s be honest, doing regular list maintenance does not feel important or urgent, or dare I say it . . . necessary.

But part of our calling is communicating with supporters. In preparing this challenge I was reminded that even Paul wrote:

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:1)

Obviously Paul didn’t use bold, but you get the point. Those who read his letters were partners. Good partners at least occasionally look at their newsletter list to know who actually receives the letters. (I’m looking at you, Amy!)

So, what to expect from this challenge?

—Feeling connected to and grateful for your supporters

—An up-to-date list by the end of the seven days

—An email for seven days in a row with a small task for that day.

—A community of others going through the challenge who understand the realities you face trying to balance life, ministry, and communicating (all done in a Private Facebook group).

I’ll be honest with you, though this challenge started with an awkward question I asked, I didn’t think I really, really needed the challenge. After all, my system and list were good enough.

I test run each day’s tasks last week and guess what? I was wrong!

Chances your list, like mine, needs a little more love than you are giving it. Join in and I guarantee (really I do) that if you do the 15 minutes-to-an-hour-task each day, God will meet you, help you, and encourage you. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t have the discipline to do this earlier.

Don’t kick yourself, join in and get started today. Will you accept the challenge?

Global Trellis Challenge: Newsletter List Maintenance. . . because your list probably could use a bit of attention.