- I and some other adults have seen some undeniable spiritual growth and maturity in some of our youth over the past few months. God is with us!
- Our little group is growing! We have a "core group" of 8 students, and as many as 12 have come on a single youth night. Numbers aren't everything, but they are encouraging.
- Pray for God to move in the hearts of the church and bring revival to this area!! This is the biggest thing on my heart right now. We need people who will volunteer to drive the bus to pick kids up, to meet with and mentor youth on their own time, to be a regualr help on sunday evenings and special events.
- Pray for our missions week, which is less than a month away! Finding help for this week is my #1 stressor right now. I'm afriad we won't have enough adults. Pray pray pray for this to be a success! I believe (because I have experienced it) that mission trips can and do change lives. This week has tremendous potential but it will all flop if we don't have workers who want to spend their time with the youth.
- For myself personally, please pray against discouragement. I can easily let myself start to feel overwhelmed, when the truth is I just need to be patient and rest.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Some Praises and Prayer requests:
surrender
I've attempted to post on a few different occasions in the past two weeks, and the right words just wouldn't come. There's a lot going on at the church. Work is the source of much stress and frustration as well as joy, and it's hard to cover it all in a blog post.
Last Sunday I was very discouraged with our church. I finally realized that there is a pocket in the congregation that, although they complain about the lack of youth in the church and they hired me to bring more kids in, don't really want the church to grow. These people think that the youth of today are just like the youth of 50 or 60 years ago. They are more concerned with church attendence and acting "Christian" than they are with true relationship or discipleship. They may meet the kids and shake their hands but won't lift a finger in their personal growth. These leaves the burden of authentic church growth and legitimate discipling relationships on the few who are passionate and already involved in too much.
It was a hopeless feeling to realize that I can bring kids into the church doors, entertain them, love on them, and teach them scripture, but by myself, my efforts aren't enough. And if their parents aren't involved (which is true for about half our students) then the church has got to step up as a body and disciple these youth. But they won't do it. How much of an impact can I have if it's just five or six of us adults fighting on behalf of 20 students?
I don't know what to do with this realization, and it's the most disheartening aspect of my job. I think this is the main problem with Christianity being so tied to the culture of midwest: we lose authenticity and passion when mere attendence becomes the standard for Christian living. Then eventually even church attendence dissipates into empty good intentions.
I don't want to give the impression that it's all bad, though. On Tuesday, I had a full 8-hour day which included writing lesson plans and meeting with youth over ice-cream. One 12 year old boy is being raised by his grandmother and has no church background, but his thirst for God and his desire to do good is unparalleled by any others in my little flock. He is getting baptised on Sunday morning and I am so happy that he has carefully considered what this means and is deciding to make a promise before the congregation to commit his life to God. I didn't play much of a hand in bringing him to this point but I get to continue to shepherd him through the next year and I am so thankful for that blessing.
Can I believe that God is doing miracles that I can't see? Can I trust that I can't do it all but God tends his flocks like a shepherd, that He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart? Can I depend on the Overseer of our Souls to guard those he has entrusted to me? I am afraid for the responsibility that he has given me through this little ministry, but God is the One who sees and changes men's hearts.
Last Sunday I was very discouraged with our church. I finally realized that there is a pocket in the congregation that, although they complain about the lack of youth in the church and they hired me to bring more kids in, don't really want the church to grow. These people think that the youth of today are just like the youth of 50 or 60 years ago. They are more concerned with church attendence and acting "Christian" than they are with true relationship or discipleship. They may meet the kids and shake their hands but won't lift a finger in their personal growth. These leaves the burden of authentic church growth and legitimate discipling relationships on the few who are passionate and already involved in too much.
It was a hopeless feeling to realize that I can bring kids into the church doors, entertain them, love on them, and teach them scripture, but by myself, my efforts aren't enough. And if their parents aren't involved (which is true for about half our students) then the church has got to step up as a body and disciple these youth. But they won't do it. How much of an impact can I have if it's just five or six of us adults fighting on behalf of 20 students?
I don't know what to do with this realization, and it's the most disheartening aspect of my job. I think this is the main problem with Christianity being so tied to the culture of midwest: we lose authenticity and passion when mere attendence becomes the standard for Christian living. Then eventually even church attendence dissipates into empty good intentions.
I don't want to give the impression that it's all bad, though. On Tuesday, I had a full 8-hour day which included writing lesson plans and meeting with youth over ice-cream. One 12 year old boy is being raised by his grandmother and has no church background, but his thirst for God and his desire to do good is unparalleled by any others in my little flock. He is getting baptised on Sunday morning and I am so happy that he has carefully considered what this means and is deciding to make a promise before the congregation to commit his life to God. I didn't play much of a hand in bringing him to this point but I get to continue to shepherd him through the next year and I am so thankful for that blessing.
Can I believe that God is doing miracles that I can't see? Can I trust that I can't do it all but God tends his flocks like a shepherd, that He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart? Can I depend on the Overseer of our Souls to guard those he has entrusted to me? I am afraid for the responsibility that he has given me through this little ministry, but God is the One who sees and changes men's hearts.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Current projects I am working on:
- "Bridge," an informal panel discussion among members of different generations about Christianity and culture. We finally got some volunteers to participate! Hopefully it will be an enjoyable and enlightening experience for all.
- Girl's Night next week. We have 8 girls who come intermittently. After making phone calls today, we might have to cancel this one due to lack of interest.
- Tuesday's at the Park (yes, I totally stole this from Kevin) starts in July. Hopefully we can get enough adults to come play with us.
- The big event this summer: Missions Week will be in late July and will consist of four days of service projects, devotionals, and team games, concluding with a weekend at New Tribes in Camdenton.
Oh, and please pray for communication. Next to finding willing volunteers, that is my number one challenge. Some people don't have internet, some have it and don't check e-mail, most don't come to church regularly and many don't return phone calls. In the frenzy I sometimes forget to contact those who need info. This requires organization and attention to details: qualities of which I've never had an abundance.
Monday, June 18, 2012
learning what true strength is
Over and over again, God is reminding me never to underestimate my students.
Since January, one of the most faithful attendants in our youth group is "Jessica," a sweet, caring, spunky, senior who just graduated from high school. Her mental handicap does not slow her down, as she is now living independently in her own apartment and walking to church regularly. Over the past semester I have seen her grow and ask intelligent questions during our studies. She is brave to hang out with a group predominantly populated by middle-school boys, but she and I always have a fun time.
Last night she called me with an "important question" concerning her boyfriend; an issue involving all the drama of the average middle-school relationship. "Oh God, please give me wisdom!" How do I give relationship advice to a high school student when my own experience is fairly limited? As I sought to empathize and guide her the best I could, though, the conversation quickly delved into surprising depths. Jess opened up on issues I never guessed she even thought about. Our conversation lasted an hour. All I could do was offer a listening ear as she re-opened wounds from years past. I was struck by her sensitivity, her sincerity, and her courage to face each day with the cards that had been dealt her. Beyond what I imagined, Jess recognizes her sin and is broken by it, striving to do better each day. She's so often written off because of her handicap, but she has more gusto in her than anyone might anticipate.
I couldn't give Jess any answers or advice to the issues she's dealing with. I couldn't wave my hand or fix her problem. I can't be her best friend and be by her side whenever she wants to talk. But for a little while, I can give her the opportunity to be listened to. In this world of information-sharing, there's not enough listening. For a moment, I could validate her feelings and frustrations. I could act out the truth that God suffers with her in her suffering.
When I stop and think about it, I find it frightening to bear the responsibility of shepherding His sheep. "Not many should presume to be teachers, because those who teach will be judged more harshly. If any man can tame the tongue, he is perfect; able to keep his whole body in check." But they are God's sheep. He holds them in his Hands, I can only try to be an expression of His love in their lives.
" 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. " 1 Cor 4:10-12
Sharing life with someone, loving someone, means suffering with them. Every time. We cannot love fully unless we share in their sufferings. It's not easy, but it's a price worth paying, because for those who follow Christ, death always gives way to New Life.
Since January, one of the most faithful attendants in our youth group is "Jessica," a sweet, caring, spunky, senior who just graduated from high school. Her mental handicap does not slow her down, as she is now living independently in her own apartment and walking to church regularly. Over the past semester I have seen her grow and ask intelligent questions during our studies. She is brave to hang out with a group predominantly populated by middle-school boys, but she and I always have a fun time.
Last night she called me with an "important question" concerning her boyfriend; an issue involving all the drama of the average middle-school relationship. "Oh God, please give me wisdom!" How do I give relationship advice to a high school student when my own experience is fairly limited? As I sought to empathize and guide her the best I could, though, the conversation quickly delved into surprising depths. Jess opened up on issues I never guessed she even thought about. Our conversation lasted an hour. All I could do was offer a listening ear as she re-opened wounds from years past. I was struck by her sensitivity, her sincerity, and her courage to face each day with the cards that had been dealt her. Beyond what I imagined, Jess recognizes her sin and is broken by it, striving to do better each day. She's so often written off because of her handicap, but she has more gusto in her than anyone might anticipate.
I couldn't give Jess any answers or advice to the issues she's dealing with. I couldn't wave my hand or fix her problem. I can't be her best friend and be by her side whenever she wants to talk. But for a little while, I can give her the opportunity to be listened to. In this world of information-sharing, there's not enough listening. For a moment, I could validate her feelings and frustrations. I could act out the truth that God suffers with her in her suffering.
When I stop and think about it, I find it frightening to bear the responsibility of shepherding His sheep. "Not many should presume to be teachers, because those who teach will be judged more harshly. If any man can tame the tongue, he is perfect; able to keep his whole body in check." But they are God's sheep. He holds them in his Hands, I can only try to be an expression of His love in their lives.
" 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. " 1 Cor 4:10-12
Sharing life with someone, loving someone, means suffering with them. Every time. We cannot love fully unless we share in their sufferings. It's not easy, but it's a price worth paying, because for those who follow Christ, death always gives way to New Life.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
coffee break
Sometimes I think the world and the church has some misconceptions about youth ministry:
- No, I do not work only on Sundays.
- No, my work is not comprised only of crazy games, football, and ice-cream. Those are just the perks.
- Yes, it does take quite a bit of time to prepare a usefull lesson, but work requires even more than that.
- Yes, thank you, I do like coffee and spend a lot of time in coffee shops. But I can only afford so many Starbucks grande Chai lattes. Eventually the tea runs out and the work remains.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Blessed evening tonight.
This is the kind of stuff youth ministers thrive on.
I can have a tendency to be cynical about things like short-term mission trips and Christian summer camps. Is this the beginning of a new period of spiritual growth, or a short-lived emotional high that happens to have "jesus" somewhere in the tag line? I'm always unsure about what kind of lasting impact such a camp can have, but one of my students returned from a week at church camp and my pastor encouraged me to go on a follow-up visit, so he and I went to pick up 12-year-old Timothy and his brother for a Sonic run this afternoon.
The conversation flowed as expected from any 12-year-old boy: incessant chatter about the pool, fishing, girls, etc. I wasn't discouraged by this; just offering the boy a chance to be heard and know that he is valued is time well spent, but I wasn't expecting any serious spiritual stuff.
I was totally surprised when Timothy randomly changed the subject to worship and how much he enjoyed it. I asked him what he learned from camp and his answer was "knock and the door will be opened to you." He talked about how he felt God during the camp and was reassured that God is always with him. Conversation turned to struggling with sin and Christ's forgiveness, even when we sin repeatedly. We talked about his personal experience with Romans 7:21--25 and how wonderful it is that the Holy Spirit helps us to overcome sin. The next thing he asked me about was baptism. Though his initial understanding of what Baptism is was incorrect, he was very interested in knowing why we're supposed to be baptized and what it means. After explaining as much as we could the seriousness and commitment behind such a decision, Timothy decidedly voiced that he wanted to get baptized. After spending the time talking with him, I am certain that Timothy does have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and is ready to make this commitment. With more prayer and discussion, Timothy will be baptized on July 1st along with some other adults who wish to submit their lives to Christ and join the church.
In the midst of dealing with all the squirrliness of middle-school boys, of fighting with inconsistent attendance and lack of communication, of trying to patiently answer stupid questions and wondering if a 20-minute lesson and some games could possibly make a difference....I must never underestimate the spiritual understanding of this age group. They continually surprise me with the deepest sincerity and a serious desire to learn and improve. These are the kids from broken homes who statistically speaking, shouldn't want anything to do with the gospel. But Christ's love compels us...
There are many weeks of camp to go, and many projects, game nights, sunday school lessons, and ice-cream runs ahead. Pray for rains of blessings and softened hearts, and praise the God of the harvest.
I can have a tendency to be cynical about things like short-term mission trips and Christian summer camps. Is this the beginning of a new period of spiritual growth, or a short-lived emotional high that happens to have "jesus" somewhere in the tag line? I'm always unsure about what kind of lasting impact such a camp can have, but one of my students returned from a week at church camp and my pastor encouraged me to go on a follow-up visit, so he and I went to pick up 12-year-old Timothy and his brother for a Sonic run this afternoon.
The conversation flowed as expected from any 12-year-old boy: incessant chatter about the pool, fishing, girls, etc. I wasn't discouraged by this; just offering the boy a chance to be heard and know that he is valued is time well spent, but I wasn't expecting any serious spiritual stuff.
I was totally surprised when Timothy randomly changed the subject to worship and how much he enjoyed it. I asked him what he learned from camp and his answer was "knock and the door will be opened to you." He talked about how he felt God during the camp and was reassured that God is always with him. Conversation turned to struggling with sin and Christ's forgiveness, even when we sin repeatedly. We talked about his personal experience with Romans 7:21--25 and how wonderful it is that the Holy Spirit helps us to overcome sin. The next thing he asked me about was baptism. Though his initial understanding of what Baptism is was incorrect, he was very interested in knowing why we're supposed to be baptized and what it means. After explaining as much as we could the seriousness and commitment behind such a decision, Timothy decidedly voiced that he wanted to get baptized. After spending the time talking with him, I am certain that Timothy does have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and is ready to make this commitment. With more prayer and discussion, Timothy will be baptized on July 1st along with some other adults who wish to submit their lives to Christ and join the church.
In the midst of dealing with all the squirrliness of middle-school boys, of fighting with inconsistent attendance and lack of communication, of trying to patiently answer stupid questions and wondering if a 20-minute lesson and some games could possibly make a difference....I must never underestimate the spiritual understanding of this age group. They continually surprise me with the deepest sincerity and a serious desire to learn and improve. These are the kids from broken homes who statistically speaking, shouldn't want anything to do with the gospel. But Christ's love compels us...
There are many weeks of camp to go, and many projects, game nights, sunday school lessons, and ice-cream runs ahead. Pray for rains of blessings and softened hearts, and praise the God of the harvest.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
new seasons
There has been no small amount of change in the past month, and through it I have discovered three things about myself:
1. I love adventure. This isn't a particularly new discovery; more of a significant reassurance that yes, I do indeed crave adventure and change.
2. I have a difficult time connecting with the people I love most when I'm off on adventures or absorbed in a project (which is almost all the time). Now that I'm beginning a season of my life where many of my friends are spreading across the country, I especially regret my inability to maintain a connection to those whom I hold in highest esteem.
3. I am in constant, desperate need of Grace and Mercy which comes through prayer. Not the prayer request over any urgent crisis or martyr-like undertaking, but the simple, persistent knocking on the Door of a Good Father for His favor and blessing on my life, ministry, and troublesome adventures.
This is not a blog for me to pour out my deepest thoughts or offer my personal musings to a world already over-cluttered with meaningless chatter. This is not a soap box for me to rant and rage. I do not expect anyone to read this but my close circle of friends and family. This blog is for you whom I love to stay updated about my ministry and adventures on which the Lord is taking me, and I hope it to be a connection by which I can keep up with your lives, however far apart we are. Most of all, it is a bold request for prayer: may God use me effectively wherever and in whatever capacity He so chooses. I look forward to sharing the joys and challenges with you all.
On Wednesday I returned from a mission trip on the First Nations Reservations in Ontario. I know that many of you I've been unable to talk to have been wanting to know how it went. In a word: wonderful. The challenges turned to sweet victories as we saw fruit come directly from our church-planting labors. I saw the demeanor of a few teenagers drastically change because of the hope they saw in our group. We were able to touch so many lives, share the gospel repeatedly with grace and respect, and demonstrate hope in a neighborhood robbed of dignity. The Spirit went before us to soften the ground, enabled us to plant seeds, and is cultivating a harvest. I have been on three mission trips before this one, but only on this trip have I felt the strong, sincere desire to return and continue working. We shall see what comes of it. In the mean time, continue to pray that the Lord sends workers into the harvest field among the First Nation.
Currently, I am spending my summer as a youth director at a small church in rural Missouri. This is my first summer away from home, and the sweet independence mixed with loneliness is a strange draught indeed. I am so excited about all the opportunities these next few months can afford for diving into a stronger relationship with my students, but the task is daunting: "Administration" is not one of my spiritual gifts, and the job requires keeping track of many details, persistently connecting with people who won't return phone calls, delegating jobs without making people angry or hurt or feel unappreciated or over-burdened, coming up with creative but do-able ideas for fun activities, and keeping track of the necessary paper-work all while teaching, preaching, greeting, and acting like a genuinely nice and civil person. I love my job, but this is why it is so stressful. I often feel like I'm under quite a bit of pressure, and then I consider my young age and the fact that I'm not even a ministry major and the task feels even more overwhelming. It feels an awful lot like herding cats.
But when that one student is tracking, when he or she gives that surprising on-target answer or asks that pivotal question, then it's all worth it. I know it's cliche but it's true. I wouldn't trade my job for anything.
1. I love adventure. This isn't a particularly new discovery; more of a significant reassurance that yes, I do indeed crave adventure and change.
2. I have a difficult time connecting with the people I love most when I'm off on adventures or absorbed in a project (which is almost all the time). Now that I'm beginning a season of my life where many of my friends are spreading across the country, I especially regret my inability to maintain a connection to those whom I hold in highest esteem.
3. I am in constant, desperate need of Grace and Mercy which comes through prayer. Not the prayer request over any urgent crisis or martyr-like undertaking, but the simple, persistent knocking on the Door of a Good Father for His favor and blessing on my life, ministry, and troublesome adventures.
This is not a blog for me to pour out my deepest thoughts or offer my personal musings to a world already over-cluttered with meaningless chatter. This is not a soap box for me to rant and rage. I do not expect anyone to read this but my close circle of friends and family. This blog is for you whom I love to stay updated about my ministry and adventures on which the Lord is taking me, and I hope it to be a connection by which I can keep up with your lives, however far apart we are. Most of all, it is a bold request for prayer: may God use me effectively wherever and in whatever capacity He so chooses. I look forward to sharing the joys and challenges with you all.
On Wednesday I returned from a mission trip on the First Nations Reservations in Ontario. I know that many of you I've been unable to talk to have been wanting to know how it went. In a word: wonderful. The challenges turned to sweet victories as we saw fruit come directly from our church-planting labors. I saw the demeanor of a few teenagers drastically change because of the hope they saw in our group. We were able to touch so many lives, share the gospel repeatedly with grace and respect, and demonstrate hope in a neighborhood robbed of dignity. The Spirit went before us to soften the ground, enabled us to plant seeds, and is cultivating a harvest. I have been on three mission trips before this one, but only on this trip have I felt the strong, sincere desire to return and continue working. We shall see what comes of it. In the mean time, continue to pray that the Lord sends workers into the harvest field among the First Nation.
Currently, I am spending my summer as a youth director at a small church in rural Missouri. This is my first summer away from home, and the sweet independence mixed with loneliness is a strange draught indeed. I am so excited about all the opportunities these next few months can afford for diving into a stronger relationship with my students, but the task is daunting: "Administration" is not one of my spiritual gifts, and the job requires keeping track of many details, persistently connecting with people who won't return phone calls, delegating jobs without making people angry or hurt or feel unappreciated or over-burdened, coming up with creative but do-able ideas for fun activities, and keeping track of the necessary paper-work all while teaching, preaching, greeting, and acting like a genuinely nice and civil person. I love my job, but this is why it is so stressful. I often feel like I'm under quite a bit of pressure, and then I consider my young age and the fact that I'm not even a ministry major and the task feels even more overwhelming. It feels an awful lot like herding cats.
But when that one student is tracking, when he or she gives that surprising on-target answer or asks that pivotal question, then it's all worth it. I know it's cliche but it's true. I wouldn't trade my job for anything.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)