When I was in high school I tried to be as actively involved in youth ministry as possible. I planned to go to college and get a degree in youth ministry and, after four years of being discipled and trained, would go and change the world through teach and praying temptation and suffering away. I was "on fire" for God and had a vision that one day the proverbial clock would strike the right proverbial hour and suddenly there would be a "third great awakening"!
The zeal of the young.
College was my real test. It was a spiritual incubator as well as the fiery furnace that burned up all the chaff. I grew so immensely, and the make up I used to hide my flaws and struggles was stripped off. My eyes were opened...and I realized that I had no idea how the world works or who God really is.
My world changed and my paradigms were torn down. It was no longer black and white. It was no longer "us" (the Pentecostal community) vs "them" (none-Pentecostals and sinners). And ran away.
I stayed in the faith, but I ran in fear of who God was and who I was (or wasn't). I ran from ministry because I knew I was too confused and too broken. I was too wounded to help others heal effectively, and my family situation was a struggle at best.
I looked for other work experience, none of which seemed to satisfy any of my family and only a few of my friends. Isn't it interesting how involved and opinionated people can be about your life? You may even like the job you have, but you could have a parent say "So when are you going to get out there and get a real job?" and suddenly you feel completely inadequate.
After two years of running, God came a knocking again. Like Gandalf marking Bilbo's door and sucking him into an "adventure", God began dropping hints from all around me; the next thing I knew I was moving the mid-west!
Today marks 16 months of working (and living!) at Shelterwood. it's been a long 16 months, but at the same time it has flown by. I can't believe I've been here this long, but It's harder to believe I haven't been here longer either! I have learned more about ministry than in all my years of volunteering in youth groups and leading small groups.
It's discouraging, it's painful, and it is vastly rewarding.
I had the joy of visiting one of students yesterday who is fighting to do what's right; to get on his feet and be someone in the world. I had a phone call from another one of my students shortly after that and got to speak with him about life and be encouraged by him; to listen to him speak about life and family and his attempt to make sense of the world. These are two students that I've been privileged to stand beside and be involved in their growth.
Truth be told I believe I've learned more from them than they have from me. I learned about more about myself, I learned about people and the world, and I learned about God.
There is a lot of struggle in the life I lead, but without struggle there isn't growth or over coming. Without the hardship I would not be stronger. It is only through Shelterwood that I have learned that God did not give me strength to keep other people from pain and hurt, but instead to help them grow strong too. That's what discipleship is. Not to prevent bad things from happening or to rescue people form responsibility or pain. No, it is following Christ and showing Christ. It is teaching others how to follow and to grow strong through the pain and the heartache.
Youth ministry is rough, but I wouldn't trade it for the world
It's discouraging, it's painful, and it is vastly rewarding.
I had the joy of visiting one of students yesterday who is fighting to do what's right; to get on his feet and be someone in the world. I had a phone call from another one of my students shortly after that and got to speak with him about life and be encouraged by him; to listen to him speak about life and family and his attempt to make sense of the world. These are two students that I've been privileged to stand beside and be involved in their growth.Truth be told I believe I've learned more from them than they have from me. I learned about more about myself, I learned about people and the world, and I learned about God.
There is a lot of struggle in the life I lead, but without struggle there isn't growth or over coming. Without the hardship I would not be stronger. It is only through Shelterwood that I have learned that God did not give me strength to keep other people from pain and hurt, but instead to help them grow strong too. That's what discipleship is. Not to prevent bad things from happening or to rescue people form responsibility or pain. No, it is following Christ and showing Christ. It is teaching others how to follow and to grow strong through the pain and the heartache.
Youth ministry is rough, but I wouldn't trade it for the world
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