When we were in Haiti back in February we were the first group of people to come upon two camps called Marassa 14 1 & 2. At that point they had not received any aid. In February Adventures in Missions said that they would help and they have kept that promise. This video shows $15,000 worth of food donated and dropped off at the village. I watched the video and realized that it seems like forever ago that I was in Haiti serving. It was 2 and 1/2 months but feels like a lifetime. I'm so glad to know that something we started is continuing. Several team members have gone back and will go back this summer. I'm glad to know that Marassa is not forgotten.
Archive - April, 2010
Skateboarding in Texas
Chaplaincy: The second half
I'm more than 1/2 way done with my Clinical Pastoral Education. It's been a pretty grueling time working a full-time job as well as being at the hospital 20 hours a week. I had a few trips in the middle of it which helped but now I have to make up those hours. But, overall I've learned a ton.
Here's a couple things I have learned that apply well to Youth Ministry:
1. Hospital: More often my words get in the way of what I really need to do which is sit with people and enter into their pain with them. It's the "Place Sharing" that Andy Root talks about so much.
Youth Ministry: In the Youth Ministry world I have to recognize that my best ministry to students can be in this space where I am just with them without any programs.
2. Hospital: I don't always have to know what I'm doing to be a chaplain. It would be helpful if I knew exactly how to do all things in the hospital but it just isn't realistic. Every day I work I end up doing something I've never done before. I just pray a lot and recognize that God is using me and I'm ok with my limited knowledge of all things.
Youth Ministry: In the Youth Ministry world I have a hard time admitting when I don't know what to do but I think I'm willing to do that more now.
3. Hospital: Sometimes I have long chunks of time with people and sometimes only a few hours. There have been a few times when I thought I was going to see a patient the next day so I held back from some of what I was going to talk to them about and the next day they've been sent home or worse they have died.
Youth Ministry: In the Youth Ministry world we sometimes get a long period of time with students but often it's a pretty short interaction. I want to treat all times as special and important.
4. Hospital: We have a bunch of different chaplains in the hospital and none are the same. I am finding that who the chaplain is really isn't as important as the heart the chaplain has.
Youth Ministry: Same deal. You can be young, old, cool, nerdy. The external characteristics of the youth worker are way less important than the heart.
I'm sure that there is a ton more that I'll keep learning in the next bunch of weeks. But, that's it for now.
Turkey Bacon and Eggs: Part 2
I'm not always sure how the internet works. Over two years ago I posted a blog with the title. "Turkey Bacon and Eggs and Who I am becoming" and it's been one of the most googled thing that ends people up at my web page.
I just read through the comment section of that blog and there was one comment that basically questioned the amount of "feelings" I have. Well a lot has changed in the last 2 years. I'm a different person. Or more to the point I'm the same person but more in touch with the feeling side of me.
I still like breakfast but now I like it with more people. I value time at the table with people. I told someone today that I don't know very well that I could sit at a table and kick around ideas for hours.
I'm just hoping that someday you google "Breakfast" and you find my blog.
That's me.
Rood
What seminary class would you want to take?
I was recently asked to submit a proposal to teach two online seminary classes. Not a surprise they want me to focus on Youth Ministry. I generally think that a ton of the skills you learn in the Student Ministry world translate pretty well into the rest of the church so I’m trying to broaden the potential scope of at least one of the classes.
Here’s where I could use some help. The class that I think could have the greatest reach outside of the youth Ministry world is the class I want to call “Technology in the Church: the changing world and how we interact with it.” I want this class to be more than just a Facebook primer though. You can help me by giving me some things you would want to learn in a class like this and what types of books and learning outcomes you would most be interested in. I’m specifically looking for project ideas and what books you have read that might fit.
Amazing family time
Had an amazing time yesterday with my family at the wedding. Only wished I hadn’t been wearing a suit but as a pastor you sometimes have few choices.
Blog posted here.
A Right of Passage: Double Double
Here it is. Major milestone in the life of my boys. They both powered down a Double Double yesterday.
Blog posted here.
Introverted Youth Pastor
Pretty good title because it sums up who I am in a nutshell. I'm an introvert. For a long time I felt that was a pretty negative thing and I didn't know what to do with it. I'm also pretty sure that not everyone is aware that this is who I am. You see I mask it pretty well most the time. I can be a lot of fun and sometimes find myself at the center of the exciting things going on. My wife laughs and says that when I have a mic in my hand I become a totally different person. I can come across as confident and comfortable around people I don't know.
But it wipes me out.
I go home after Church on Sundays just drained from being that guy who is masking who he really is.
So how do I do it? I'm pretty sure I've always been an introvert. I love people and value friends but I also need alone time. Recently I was with one of my closest friends for 5 days and just was wiped out afterward because I didn't get enough time to recharge.
And that's it really. I just need to recharge after and to focus and prepare enough in advance. I can do what I need to in order to be outgoing and relational it just takes a lot out of me.
I've been a youth pastor for about 20 years so obviously I've learned how to cope. I still go on missions trips, sleep in cabins with kids and manage to maintain sanity. But, I also give myself a ton of slack and grace. After a long day on the missions filed I feel absolutely no guilt for taking a nap or putting on headphones when we get back to camp. I don't feel like I need to be with teens 24/7. I prepare myself and give what I can but I also recognize who I am and what my needs are and do what I need to do.
I'm really thankful that Adam McHugh wrote "Introverts in the Church" this year. I feel like he is finally giving a voice to so many of us who love the church and have worked in it for a long time but don't always feel comfortable being ourselves in it. Adam does a great job of providing a voice and a hope to those of us who love Jesus, love church but don't always fit the model of the gregarious personality who tends to do well. I felt vindicated when I read his book and wanted to hand it to people and say "Read it you will understand me better"
Adam and I have never met but we interact in the social media world. I know that he's an ordained pastor in the PCUSA which gives me great hope because I'm in that process too. He interviewed me on his blog for a series he's doing on people who are introverted and working in the church. I think his stuff is worth reading so check him.
Inspiration: Would you be able to live like this guys does?
This is one of the most inspirational videos I've seen in a while. Thanks to Bryan Dunagan for posting this first. It has a pretty powerful message and I didn't cry at all I was stoked for this guy who in the midst of a tough situation is doing something great.
BIRTHRIGHT from Sean Mullens on Vimeo.
