he came to church today; the man I met Friday afternoon. He came and I got to preach about life in the Spirit renewing us from the inside out, about the Living God who longs to have relationship with us, about the Consuming Fire whom we draw near in worship. He stayed for a while afterwards, talking to others, talking to our pastor. My heart is full.
The early worship service is growing, 5th Quarter was excellent, and Sunday school, though hit-and-miss with attendance, is deepening in discussion and intensity as we talk about tough themes like redemption, sin, and reconciliation. I am honored to be the farmer who is daily sowing seeds.
My heart is full.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
i think i get it now.
I've been at the church today for five hours so far, two hours till 5th Quarter starts, and then two hours of high energy fun after that. Already, my spirit has been revived by my time here. Though it was hard to make myself come here this afternoon, a wave of energy and inspiration outgrew my weariness and restored hope and purpose to what I do here. I will ride it for the time being until the next dry spell comes, in all likeliness, a few days later.
I met a man today while standing outside the church. He was in pain from a wound that showed on his skin but went deep--all the way to his heart. He asked me for some burn ointment to treat the self-inflicted wound that kept him from taking his life last night. I had nothing to offer him, but tears welled up in his eyes as we talked. I could tell that he felt uncomfortable within the doors of the church and amazed that we not only invited him in, but didn't condemn him for his life-saving decision. He told me he had reached rock-bottom and didn't know which way to go. I told him that he made a good first step by just asking for help. He shook my hand, looked me in the eye, thanked me from his heart.
Maybe he'll come back to this church and find the living water that can heal him from the inside out. But if he doesn't, I know he met Christ today in myself and the other gentleman who showed him love and grace.
These are the moments that shake my world from its core and I know beyond a doubt that I am right where I"m supposed to be. I'm not meant to be a youth pastor, not as a career. In this one little encounter I realize why this has been so wonderful and so difficult. I'm called to minister, but not designed for this capacity of high-energy and chasing down details. But these moments, meeting the low, the broken, the ones who have reached rock bottom, and showing them the face of Christ in just a few minute's time, that's the ministry I've been called to. I will stay in this position for this season of my life, all the while knowing for certain that God has greater plans for me. But there is nothing sweeter than finally, briefly, seeing the Church be the Church as She was meant to be--the hands and feet of Christ.
Pray for this man, and others like him in this aching town. Pray that the Church here steps up and does Her job, overwhelming the gates of hell with the love and compassion that come from Christ alone.
I met a man today while standing outside the church. He was in pain from a wound that showed on his skin but went deep--all the way to his heart. He asked me for some burn ointment to treat the self-inflicted wound that kept him from taking his life last night. I had nothing to offer him, but tears welled up in his eyes as we talked. I could tell that he felt uncomfortable within the doors of the church and amazed that we not only invited him in, but didn't condemn him for his life-saving decision. He told me he had reached rock-bottom and didn't know which way to go. I told him that he made a good first step by just asking for help. He shook my hand, looked me in the eye, thanked me from his heart.
Maybe he'll come back to this church and find the living water that can heal him from the inside out. But if he doesn't, I know he met Christ today in myself and the other gentleman who showed him love and grace.
These are the moments that shake my world from its core and I know beyond a doubt that I am right where I"m supposed to be. I'm not meant to be a youth pastor, not as a career. In this one little encounter I realize why this has been so wonderful and so difficult. I'm called to minister, but not designed for this capacity of high-energy and chasing down details. But these moments, meeting the low, the broken, the ones who have reached rock bottom, and showing them the face of Christ in just a few minute's time, that's the ministry I've been called to. I will stay in this position for this season of my life, all the while knowing for certain that God has greater plans for me. But there is nothing sweeter than finally, briefly, seeing the Church be the Church as She was meant to be--the hands and feet of Christ.
Pray for this man, and others like him in this aching town. Pray that the Church here steps up and does Her job, overwhelming the gates of hell with the love and compassion that come from Christ alone.
September prayers and praises
Forgot the most important part of the update:
Praise God for a slowly growing group! Three weeks ago we had a record: 13 students! Lately the average has been between 8 and 10, higher than last semester. Pray that we can continue to welcome students who need to hear about God.
Pray for peace in our group. As is expected with this age group, some kids just don't get along. At first I saw this as a major problem and worked to separate the quarrenling parties, but I've since come to see it as a developmental hurdle that I know these kids can overcome. We are a loving community built on mutual faith in One God: pray that we can overcome our differences and love each other.
Confirmand groups are not working out yet as I had hoped. Please pray for the Spirit to bless those discipleship groups.
We already have two, possibly three college freshmen on board to help us with extra events! Pray that God brings in the the right peole to serve, and that their presence will encourage our group. I thank God for them!
Upcoming events: possibly paint-ball, Fall festival, more 5th Quarters. I want to plan a retreat in November. Pray that those things would happen and I wouldn't let myself get stressed out about what is outside of my control.
Above all, pray for God's Presence with us, to work in kid's hearts and draw the hurting to himself. Praise God for what He's about to do!
Praise God for a slowly growing group! Three weeks ago we had a record: 13 students! Lately the average has been between 8 and 10, higher than last semester. Pray that we can continue to welcome students who need to hear about God.
Pray for peace in our group. As is expected with this age group, some kids just don't get along. At first I saw this as a major problem and worked to separate the quarrenling parties, but I've since come to see it as a developmental hurdle that I know these kids can overcome. We are a loving community built on mutual faith in One God: pray that we can overcome our differences and love each other.
Confirmand groups are not working out yet as I had hoped. Please pray for the Spirit to bless those discipleship groups.
We already have two, possibly three college freshmen on board to help us with extra events! Pray that God brings in the the right peole to serve, and that their presence will encourage our group. I thank God for them!
Upcoming events: possibly paint-ball, Fall festival, more 5th Quarters. I want to plan a retreat in November. Pray that those things would happen and I wouldn't let myself get stressed out about what is outside of my control.
Above all, pray for God's Presence with us, to work in kid's hearts and draw the hurting to himself. Praise God for what He's about to do!
Rallys, parties, and light bulbs
(I've been writing this since summer time and I finally figured out how to post title. Go me!)
I love to see the body of Christ working together. Rather than being catagorized in our seperate buildings, I believe the most profound impact happens when all the saints join together and storm hell's gates side-by-side. This was the goal of the first (hopefully) annual Youth Rally. Several youth pastors in the area joined together behind a vision of a town-wide rally, with worship, teaching, and games. My own part in the rally was minimal but I was blessed to be a part of the evening. After meetings, lots of prayer, and a few hours of prep-work, the doors to the Expo Center were opened and, bit by bit, 105 kids filtered in from all over the area. Most belonged to youth groups but 15 were unchurched. The Holy Spirit met us there, and the True, Living Gospel was preached passionately to kids who never thought that excitement and God could exist in the same context. Now we have contact information for all of the kids and the youth pastors can divide-and-conquer on follow-ups. The movement of the Holy Spirit is so much bigger than my little youth group in my little church. He is drawing broken people back to Himself. I continue to pray for revival in this dry town, and I am blessed to see that I am not alone in this prayer, nor is God slow hear us.
Tonight is our second 5th Quarter. Got to be completely honest on this one, I don't really want to go tonight. I'd much rather be in bed or working on homework. But I know, I know, that this is an important aspect of ministry as well. We are providing a place for kids to be themselves, to build relationships, to be safe and independent and have fun. Having a party within the doors of a church blasts away the lie that God is dull. There are more opportunites for teachable moments in daily living together. It provides a bridge to welcome them to our regualr youth meetings, where they are sure to have the gospel preached to them again and again.
Whenever I need assurance that I am doing good here, God is faithful to provide it. At youth group last night, one of my students had a shining moment. We were in small groups discussing how religions are not all the same, and that Jesus really is the only way to God. One student respectfully disagrees, insisting that if I were Muslim, for example, then I would get to God by being a good Muslim. After trying and failing to use words to prove to him the law of noncontradiction, I ultimately pick up my pencil and draw a simple stick-figure sketch, illustrating man, God, and the cross in between. "God would be very cruel or very stupid to let his Son die if there was any other way." And the lightbulb went on. Beyond finally understanding, this student's face lit up, in excitement he raised his voice: "Oh! I get it now!! I've always wondered that!" Of course Jesus is the only way! Armed with this new conviction, we went on to discuss who he could share the good news with and why it makes a difference.
I've been told that if you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I love this job, but that is not true. It's hard work to love. It's not easy for this reserved introvert to work up the energy to pour out enthusiasm and joy whenever its required of me. And sometimes, even when I lightbulbs do go off, I'm not automatically filled with energizing joy that carries me thorugh the rest of a long day. But it is absolutely worth it. Beyong a doubt, loving God's people is always worth it.
I love to see the body of Christ working together. Rather than being catagorized in our seperate buildings, I believe the most profound impact happens when all the saints join together and storm hell's gates side-by-side. This was the goal of the first (hopefully) annual Youth Rally. Several youth pastors in the area joined together behind a vision of a town-wide rally, with worship, teaching, and games. My own part in the rally was minimal but I was blessed to be a part of the evening. After meetings, lots of prayer, and a few hours of prep-work, the doors to the Expo Center were opened and, bit by bit, 105 kids filtered in from all over the area. Most belonged to youth groups but 15 were unchurched. The Holy Spirit met us there, and the True, Living Gospel was preached passionately to kids who never thought that excitement and God could exist in the same context. Now we have contact information for all of the kids and the youth pastors can divide-and-conquer on follow-ups. The movement of the Holy Spirit is so much bigger than my little youth group in my little church. He is drawing broken people back to Himself. I continue to pray for revival in this dry town, and I am blessed to see that I am not alone in this prayer, nor is God slow hear us.
Tonight is our second 5th Quarter. Got to be completely honest on this one, I don't really want to go tonight. I'd much rather be in bed or working on homework. But I know, I know, that this is an important aspect of ministry as well. We are providing a place for kids to be themselves, to build relationships, to be safe and independent and have fun. Having a party within the doors of a church blasts away the lie that God is dull. There are more opportunites for teachable moments in daily living together. It provides a bridge to welcome them to our regualr youth meetings, where they are sure to have the gospel preached to them again and again.
Whenever I need assurance that I am doing good here, God is faithful to provide it. At youth group last night, one of my students had a shining moment. We were in small groups discussing how religions are not all the same, and that Jesus really is the only way to God. One student respectfully disagrees, insisting that if I were Muslim, for example, then I would get to God by being a good Muslim. After trying and failing to use words to prove to him the law of noncontradiction, I ultimately pick up my pencil and draw a simple stick-figure sketch, illustrating man, God, and the cross in between. "God would be very cruel or very stupid to let his Son die if there was any other way." And the lightbulb went on. Beyond finally understanding, this student's face lit up, in excitement he raised his voice: "Oh! I get it now!! I've always wondered that!" Of course Jesus is the only way! Armed with this new conviction, we went on to discuss who he could share the good news with and why it makes a difference.
I've been told that if you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I love this job, but that is not true. It's hard work to love. It's not easy for this reserved introvert to work up the energy to pour out enthusiasm and joy whenever its required of me. And sometimes, even when I lightbulbs do go off, I'm not automatically filled with energizing joy that carries me thorugh the rest of a long day. But it is absolutely worth it. Beyong a doubt, loving God's people is always worth it.
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