this week i learned

it's been awhile....

*i require a certain amount of self-care

*i love, love, love getting my nails done

*i am inspired by Jessica Schroeder's sense of fashion

*LIGHTS is one of my favorite artist's to see in concert

* rest is essential

*a good lesson doesn't magically appear - it develops

*exercise energizes me, makes me happy, and gives me a generally good outlook on life

*i should exercise more often

*ways of doing ministry vary

*these guys are awesome

Youth Minister Tidbits

Youth Minister Tidbits

In this year and a half (almost 2 years) that I have been the Youth Minister and in the past 6 years as a "youth person" in general I have learned some things about youth ministry.

Hopefully these little tidbits will encourage and inspire you.

For those of you who have been/are in youth ministry - heck in ministry I'd love to hear some of the things you've learned!

*Most importantly: students need to know you love them - it may be out of your comfort zone (as it is mine) to hug or to say "I love you" but they need to know this. Ministry in general is about relationships

*Retreats are a great time for students to grow together as a group - and to learn more about you!

*Creativity can't be stressed enough. In our world today we compete with other organizations that are creative. If what we do doesn't grab their attention - something else will.

*A well rounded youth ministry (fellowship, faith, service, fun) is important. If one aspect is off - the whole ministry seems a bit wobbly.

* Don't be reactionary! I learned this the hard way. It is important in any situation to take time to breathe and think through the situation. It often serves to teach a better lesson when one thinks through it

*Don't let the one student who needs to be "fixed" take away from the whole group. If one student out of 20 is misbehaving/disrupting constantly - there are 19 others who are eager and ready to learn.

* Take time to rest! We all need to stop and take time to rejuvenate.

*Take time to grow spiritually. Just because you're teaching lessons about Jesus all the time doesn't mean you're learning and growing from those lessons.

*Did I mention that relationship is key?

This week I learned

*how difficult it is to drop my dog off for training.

*that i was blessed as a teen

*some people just need to talk

*I just need to talk

*know your context

*always have a sermon in your pocket

*Holy Week is great for intentional spiritual growth

* communication is important

*some people don't possess necessary communication skills

Good Friday

I have been following several friends as they "blog their way through Lent"

What an awesome (and modern day) practice.

You can see Mal's here. And Michael's here

I have been inspired today to reflect on Good Friday by my friends:

As a person deeply moved by music I have found a several songs that remind me of this day - Good Friday.

Recently Mallory shared a new music group with me: Needtobreathe

I have loved their music. Especially this song The Garden. (it starts at about 1 minute) I encourage you to to reflect on it this Good Friday.

Andrew Peterson was introduced to me in college.

Silence of God - Another good song to reflect on.

Both of these songs speak about what Jesus must have felt on this day

As we "celebrate" this Good Friday, (I quote my mom - "I know Good Friday is Good, but I don't like it.) let's remember what happened.

I imagine Jesus experienced abandonment that we all experience at times.

He experienced betrayal

Loneliness

Hopelessness

He executed because of sinful people.

He suffered

He died

He was placed in a tomb - buried.

Dead

That is Good Friday. A leader brutally executed and buried.

The End

Except for those who follow Jesus - those who believe that Jesus was in fact more than a man, we have hope that this is in-fact not the end. Now I'm not going to jump into Easter quite yet. Because we are not there. Save that for Sunday and for Easter.

We need to stop and reflect on what happened on that Good Friday.

Good Friday is the death of a leader, it is the realization that sin is still ever present. And that a man who was perfect - was placed on a cross - and died.

All because: We. Are. Imperfect. People.

I leave you now with that feeling... incomplete, uncomfortable, awkward, feeling.