Today being Tuesday, I sent out Vol. 1, Issue 3 of our "Junior High Wi-Fi" e-newsletter, which goes out to most to our Junior High youth and their families. I gotta be honest, I'm pretty proud of it. It keeps our parents and teens up to date on everything going on in our new JH Ministry program.
I'm a person who likes to see the things I'm in charge of go well. If I feel like it's a success, honestly, I don't need anybody to tell me it was a good job or thank me. Really- I don't. It's hard to please myself, so when I do, having others tell me "good job" or "well done" is simply, like the title says, an added bonus.
Tonight I got an email from the dad of one of my Junior High teens. He was wanting his wife's email address added to my list for the newsletter, yet he also took the time to simply put "Thanks for all you do" in the email. Nothing fancy, just a simple, one-sentence bit of encouragement. But, for reasons I can't quite explain except to say I'm finally in a full-time job and seeing the fruits of my labor, it meant so much to me. I'm so glad I got to read it before I went to bed. It feels so GOOD knowing that even just one person took the time to thank me for what I do in our church ministries...I certainly didn't need it or ask for it, which makes it even better, really. To know that one of our dads is pleased with my new work with his kids...means an awful lot. An awful lot.
So, today's lesson...when you love what you do each day, compliments like these simply mean that much more.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Leson 5. The best memories sometimes come from the littlest things
Tonight was our 2nd night of VBS at the church. Just like last night, it was fantastic. The kids were excited, the classes went well, the Drama Team really got into the story of John the Baptist...everything went smoothly. But to be honest, my favorite part of tonight was not in the hustle and bustle of all the kids and events going on, but, instead, I found great fulfillment and true "ministry" when I spent an extra hour at the building, after everything was over, with 3 special moms getting crafts ready for tomorrow night.
Each of these ladies has kids in our youth group; all of them have busy jobs and other children, as well as spouses, waiting at home for them; yet each of them still stay late to make sure everything is ready to go for the next day's VBS craft. It was so much fun sitting and talking with them about all sorts of things...summer camps, memories with their kids, proper parenting. 2 husbands called within 3 minutes of each other to find out where they were, that gave us all a laugh.
It felt so great, though, to get out of my office and my "associate minister"-ness and just sit and talk with these 3 moms about all the things going in their lives and in society that influence our young people. I gained great perspective and helped solidify good, strong relationships with these parents of kids with whom I will be working for the next 2 or 3 years.
Sometimes the best memories and learning experiences come not in the rush of crowds and programs, but in the little, behind the scenes moments spent with just a few.
Each of these ladies has kids in our youth group; all of them have busy jobs and other children, as well as spouses, waiting at home for them; yet each of them still stay late to make sure everything is ready to go for the next day's VBS craft. It was so much fun sitting and talking with them about all sorts of things...summer camps, memories with their kids, proper parenting. 2 husbands called within 3 minutes of each other to find out where they were, that gave us all a laugh.
It felt so great, though, to get out of my office and my "associate minister"-ness and just sit and talk with these 3 moms about all the things going in their lives and in society that influence our young people. I gained great perspective and helped solidify good, strong relationships with these parents of kids with whom I will be working for the next 2 or 3 years.
Sometimes the best memories and learning experiences come not in the rush of crowds and programs, but in the little, behind the scenes moments spent with just a few.
Lesson 4. Kids make the job worth it.
This one doesn't need much elaboration. The last 4 weeks have been a flurry of VBS preparation, with meetings, shopping trips, scouring online catalogs, and decorating the building both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. It's been pretty crazy putting together a VBS in just under 1 month, but to see all the kids last night enjoying their snacks while learning Bible stories from our Drama Team, playing in relay races outside, laughing and yelling at Opening and Closing Assemblies in our auditorium, and wearing their new foam visors and "God's Team" pennants as they were picked up by parents made every minute totally worth it.
I also walked into my office this morning to find a popsicle stick with "VBS Rox!" and "UR Cool" in green marker written on it. It's the little thinks that make it all so very worth it :)
ON a random note, I was very excited to see this article today: DeLoreans Make A Comeback.
I also walked into my office this morning to find a popsicle stick with "VBS Rox!" and "UR Cool" in green marker written on it. It's the little thinks that make it all so very worth it :)
ON a random note, I was very excited to see this article today: DeLoreans Make A Comeback.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Lesson 3. Volunteers are really angels in disguise.
Today was Prep Day at the building for our Vacation Bible School that starts tomorrow night. After helping at a volunteer event in the morning, I arrived at our building around 12:30 PM, worried that there may have been many volunteers waiting impatiently since I figured I would be the only one who could let them in. Instead, I arrived to several families already hard at work inside on their classrooms and in the Teacher Workroom. Streamers, pennants, posters, and inflatable decorations were already being put up all over the place. I was blown away...they had taken matters completely into their own hands...and it was terrific! By the time we left, 5 hours later, the Auditorium and the classrooms we will be using looked terrific.
I had worried about low turnout, little help, and trying to put everything up on my own. Never underestimate the work ethic of volunteers. They really will come through for you. I learned that today.
It's going to be a great VBS!
I had worried about low turnout, little help, and trying to put everything up on my own. Never underestimate the work ethic of volunteers. They really will come through for you. I learned that today.
It's going to be a great VBS!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Lesson 2. There's no such thing as an "organized ministry"...deal with it.
Our church is in the midst of a lot of transitions right now. Right now, we are:
1. Seeing our Youth Minister of 5 years retire and hand off the baton.
2. Adding on 2 new ministers, one coming in fresh out of college (yours truly) and one coming in after 3 years of previous youth work in Oklahoma. Neither of our job descriptions is quite settled or official yet. We started a month and a half apart from each other, with me starting in July and Blake starting the first Sunday of September.
3. Continuing to grow, as we have the last 2 years, from a church of 300 four years ago to one of over 700 today. This brings with it all the usual transition joys and challenges of more people to keep track of, care for, 2 services, more deacons, and less transportation for our increasingly bigger youth group. (We took 91 on our Fall Retreat last December and 75 to our summer camp this year.)
4. Preparing to really access the resources available to us through a giant software program for big churches, and attempting to get our members and ministry leaders caught up and on board with this shift.
5. Preparing to launch into Phase 2 of our building program in the next 2 years, and all of the effort that comes with that.
6. Making 2 Youth Programs where only 1 has existed in the past.
7. Moving all of our students up in grade levels in less than a month.
8. Saying goodbye to one of the most involved and terrific Senior classes we've ever had.
9. And to top it all off, the Budget cycle restarts in October for the next year.
I had a long conversation with our Preaching Minister today about ideas for the future, budget considerations, and utilizing our new software program. There's a lot to be done, and yet I'm still settling in, getting my office how I want it, learning names, waiting for necessary items (like a hard key to the building for example), learning how things work and who does what, and teaching myself patience as I realize the slower pace that churches work at. Right now I'm simply praying to get through our VBS next week, my first big "project" as a new minister here.
What I'm realizing is this- for me, a very detail-oriented but big idea person who is highly organized and slightly OCD, ministry is not always easy...at all. It takes enormous patience, time management, and facing the fact that nothing will ever really be perfect, and it's OK to let things "simmer" on the back burner while you address more pressing issues. I compare getting on board with a large church in ministry like learning to swim by getting thrown into a raging river. You may have read books on how to swim, but the real thing is much different. Much different...but also much better and more rewarding.
But with all the changes coming up and going on, I also see the enormous resources and blessings we have as a congregation- wonderful Godly elders who care deeply for the church and with whom I have a terrific relationship, fellow ministers who love what they do and see the need for change to adapt to our growing church, and church members who love to volunteer and enjoy being together in fellowship.
All in all, I've learned this- ministry is never as organized or as neat and tidy as you would like it. So deal with it, and plow through.
1. Seeing our Youth Minister of 5 years retire and hand off the baton.
2. Adding on 2 new ministers, one coming in fresh out of college (yours truly) and one coming in after 3 years of previous youth work in Oklahoma. Neither of our job descriptions is quite settled or official yet. We started a month and a half apart from each other, with me starting in July and Blake starting the first Sunday of September.
3. Continuing to grow, as we have the last 2 years, from a church of 300 four years ago to one of over 700 today. This brings with it all the usual transition joys and challenges of more people to keep track of, care for, 2 services, more deacons, and less transportation for our increasingly bigger youth group. (We took 91 on our Fall Retreat last December and 75 to our summer camp this year.)
4. Preparing to really access the resources available to us through a giant software program for big churches, and attempting to get our members and ministry leaders caught up and on board with this shift.
5. Preparing to launch into Phase 2 of our building program in the next 2 years, and all of the effort that comes with that.
6. Making 2 Youth Programs where only 1 has existed in the past.
7. Moving all of our students up in grade levels in less than a month.
8. Saying goodbye to one of the most involved and terrific Senior classes we've ever had.
9. And to top it all off, the Budget cycle restarts in October for the next year.
I had a long conversation with our Preaching Minister today about ideas for the future, budget considerations, and utilizing our new software program. There's a lot to be done, and yet I'm still settling in, getting my office how I want it, learning names, waiting for necessary items (like a hard key to the building for example), learning how things work and who does what, and teaching myself patience as I realize the slower pace that churches work at. Right now I'm simply praying to get through our VBS next week, my first big "project" as a new minister here.
What I'm realizing is this- for me, a very detail-oriented but big idea person who is highly organized and slightly OCD, ministry is not always easy...at all. It takes enormous patience, time management, and facing the fact that nothing will ever really be perfect, and it's OK to let things "simmer" on the back burner while you address more pressing issues. I compare getting on board with a large church in ministry like learning to swim by getting thrown into a raging river. You may have read books on how to swim, but the real thing is much different. Much different...but also much better and more rewarding.
But with all the changes coming up and going on, I also see the enormous resources and blessings we have as a congregation- wonderful Godly elders who care deeply for the church and with whom I have a terrific relationship, fellow ministers who love what they do and see the need for change to adapt to our growing church, and church members who love to volunteer and enjoy being together in fellowship.
All in all, I've learned this- ministry is never as organized or as neat and tidy as you would like it. So deal with it, and plow through.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Lesson 1. In ministry, you don't "replace," you can only "follow."
Today was a very special day for my congregation. It marked the last day in the office for our Youth Minister of the past 5 years. He was technically part-time, in that he taught in public schools full-time and spent Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings at the church office. But to look at the youth program today, you'd never know he held down 2 jobs. In 5 years and in the midst of major church transition (namely, "small church" to "big church"), he has established a vibrant, healthy, sound youth ministry for over 130 kids. He's directed our older kids camp for 2 years, led retreats every fall to Jan-Kay, and been heavily involved in LTC, Iron Springs, NETSYS, and a host of other youth ministry programs.
In short, he's done what most Youth Ministers can do in 5 years full-time...in "part-time" mode. Impressive.
I first met Keith 4 years ago, during the summer before I went off to college. He and his crew came to both of our summer sessions at Iron Springs Christian Camp. I got to know Keith and some of their teenagers. We got along well and I enjoyed getting to know him and his wife, Vickie. At the end of our second week of camp together in that busy summer of 2003, Keith offered me an internship with his church and the youth group for the following summer. I eagerly accepted, and after completing my freshman year at Harding University, I began my first internship with the Rockwall-Lakeside church of Christ (now Eastridge church of Christ) in Rockwall, TX. This fantastic summer quickly led into a second term in the summer of 2005, where I also took on the duties of a preaching internship. Summer 2006 found me filling the role of a Summer YM for a congregation nearby but still in close contact with the Rockwall church.
To make a long story short, there are 2 of us joining the staff here at Eastridge...not to "replace" Keith in anyway...no one can be replaced, especially not this man. No, we're here simply to follow...to take the next steps in the life of this church and its youth. A congregation is a living organism, and ours is simply in the next stage of development. Several fellow Youth Ministers whom I consider valuable mentors and role models told me one night at our camp this summer that there is no "replacing"... only "following." Don't try to replace, they told me; only follow and do your best to both carry on and add to what has been before.
So, for my first post (finally!) on this blog about ministry, I dedicate it to what has been before, and to what will be. I dedicate it to a very dear friend, colleague, and brother in Christ, who has done much to further the Christian walks of so many young people; who will still be there every Sunday, only in a different role; and who has impacted my life almost more than anyone I've ever met.
Keith Thomason, this one's for you. I pray that you know you can never, and will never, be replaced...we can only follow in the grand footsteps you've left behind.
In short, he's done what most Youth Ministers can do in 5 years full-time...in "part-time" mode. Impressive.
I first met Keith 4 years ago, during the summer before I went off to college. He and his crew came to both of our summer sessions at Iron Springs Christian Camp. I got to know Keith and some of their teenagers. We got along well and I enjoyed getting to know him and his wife, Vickie. At the end of our second week of camp together in that busy summer of 2003, Keith offered me an internship with his church and the youth group for the following summer. I eagerly accepted, and after completing my freshman year at Harding University, I began my first internship with the Rockwall-Lakeside church of Christ (now Eastridge church of Christ) in Rockwall, TX. This fantastic summer quickly led into a second term in the summer of 2005, where I also took on the duties of a preaching internship. Summer 2006 found me filling the role of a Summer YM for a congregation nearby but still in close contact with the Rockwall church.
To make a long story short, there are 2 of us joining the staff here at Eastridge...not to "replace" Keith in anyway...no one can be replaced, especially not this man. No, we're here simply to follow...to take the next steps in the life of this church and its youth. A congregation is a living organism, and ours is simply in the next stage of development. Several fellow Youth Ministers whom I consider valuable mentors and role models told me one night at our camp this summer that there is no "replacing"... only "following." Don't try to replace, they told me; only follow and do your best to both carry on and add to what has been before.
So, for my first post (finally!) on this blog about ministry, I dedicate it to what has been before, and to what will be. I dedicate it to a very dear friend, colleague, and brother in Christ, who has done much to further the Christian walks of so many young people; who will still be there every Sunday, only in a different role; and who has impacted my life almost more than anyone I've ever met.
Keith Thomason, this one's for you. I pray that you know you can never, and will never, be replaced...we can only follow in the grand footsteps you've left behind.
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