Hours this week
Morning worship: 1 hour
Evening Worship: 1.5 hours
Meeting with Pastor: 1 hour
Mid-week service: 2 hours
Prep-time: 4 hours
Activities this week
I must say that this week was AWESOME. Despite the general stress and anxiety of classes and the fact that we have two weeks before Christmas break, I am elated to write that one of the students in my youth group got saved 3 weeks ago and is now inviting a ton of friends to group. On thursday we had 7 kids (as opposed to our normal 3) and 6 of them were fairly newcomers. I am so excited to see what God is going to do in the future with these kids.
I am also terrified to work with these students too. My group went from being a few high schoolers to being full of junior-highers. I am also in awe that God would let me be a part of this. How do I help the girl that just became a believer grow into a mature follower of Christ? How do I harness her enthusiasm before she isn't excited anymore? What are the right words to say?
I am going to trust that God is in control of this entire situation and I am along for the ride, doing what He wants me to do and trying my best to be faithful. Praise the Lord!!
Spiritual Activity
This week I have learned a little bit more about spiritual warefare. When I say that I mean I have noticed that when God wants to move, the evil one is trying to combat that movement. I experienced this thursday night after youth group when things started to become hard for me in my walk. It is stressful but at the same time it supplies that much more evidence that God is at work in our church.
If you get a chance, shoot up a quick prayer for me about the direction of our group as well as strenght to keep up the fight and advance the kingdom.
Thanks friends. :)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Week 9
Hours this week
Office hours/planning time: 3 hours
Total Hours this week: 3
Activities this week
We cancelled youth group this week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. My wife and I traveled to our parent's in New York (I literally spent 48 hours in a vehicle), but before that I sat down to organize the paperwork I have been putting off in the office and made some bank deposits so I didn't have youth group money sitting in my house for the better part of a week.
Even though we didn't have service this week, I still feel like I had the chance to get some work done. I have been feeling as of late that I need to sit down and hash out what our purpose is as a youth ministry. I picked up The Purpose Driven Youth Ministry again (Thanks Russ for making us read it) and began asking myself the question "Why am I doing this"
As I was braindstorming for my students, I had some one-on-one time to talk ministry with my wife's father. At this point he is at a brand new church as solo pastor and he has alot of wisdom and experience to offer. I felt refreshed being able to bounce ideas off of him and I think he appreciated it to. Even though I didn't spend alot of time this week working on stuff, I felt like it was productive.
Spiritual Activity
While reading PDYM something really hit me. We need to focus on being people of God instead of trying to do the thngs of God. Talk about something that shoots right through you. I was immediately convicted about not setting aside a time to read and pray every day, and my ministry was suffering for it. I am so grateful that the Lord sometimes disciplines us so that we can grow.
Office hours/planning time: 3 hours
Total Hours this week: 3
Activities this week
We cancelled youth group this week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. My wife and I traveled to our parent's in New York (I literally spent 48 hours in a vehicle), but before that I sat down to organize the paperwork I have been putting off in the office and made some bank deposits so I didn't have youth group money sitting in my house for the better part of a week.
Even though we didn't have service this week, I still feel like I had the chance to get some work done. I have been feeling as of late that I need to sit down and hash out what our purpose is as a youth ministry. I picked up The Purpose Driven Youth Ministry again (Thanks Russ for making us read it) and began asking myself the question "Why am I doing this"
As I was braindstorming for my students, I had some one-on-one time to talk ministry with my wife's father. At this point he is at a brand new church as solo pastor and he has alot of wisdom and experience to offer. I felt refreshed being able to bounce ideas off of him and I think he appreciated it to. Even though I didn't spend alot of time this week working on stuff, I felt like it was productive.
Spiritual Activity
While reading PDYM something really hit me. We need to focus on being people of God instead of trying to do the thngs of God. Talk about something that shoots right through you. I was immediately convicted about not setting aside a time to read and pray every day, and my ministry was suffering for it. I am so grateful that the Lord sometimes disciplines us so that we can grow.
Week 8
Hours This Week
Morning Worship: 1 hour
Evening Worship: 1 hour
Mid-Week Service: 3 hours
Prep-time/Office: 5 Hours
Total Hours: 10 Hours
My Activies This Week
This week we didn't have traditional services during the mid-week service. Instead we had our annual thanksgiving dinner. Turkey was good as well as the fellowship, and this week I had to prepare a devotional for the church because my pastor has had the opportunity to act in the civic theatre production "It's a Wonderful Life." My devotional was an adaptation of a sermon I heard by Dave Ward a while ago on Deuteronomy 6:6.
I really liked being able to do this devotional because it gave me a little bit more face time with the rest of the congregation instead of just the teens. Sometimes I wish I had a little bit more responsibility in the church, but I am afraid I will not have time to fulfill all of them. Also, It is really hard to change your schedule in the middle of the semester when you get so used to doing other things with your time.
I am really excited about going to lovemercy. This week at church someone handed me a check for a large amount of money; which covers the costs of all of the students in my youth group!! Praise the Lord that He has provided a way for all of us to go!
Spiritual Activities
I mentioned last week about loving God and loving neighbor, which was the topic of the devotional I gave during thanksgiving dinner this week. I feel like we don't really (at least I don't) understand the implications of the verse and the seriousness that God has called us to. The Jews were called to write the memory of the Lord on their doorposts and all kinds of ceremonial stuff...do we do this? I have again been feeling like I am trying to survive...maybe this week I will try to change some habits spiritually.
Morning Worship: 1 hour
Evening Worship: 1 hour
Mid-Week Service: 3 hours
Prep-time/Office: 5 Hours
Total Hours: 10 Hours
My Activies This Week
This week we didn't have traditional services during the mid-week service. Instead we had our annual thanksgiving dinner. Turkey was good as well as the fellowship, and this week I had to prepare a devotional for the church because my pastor has had the opportunity to act in the civic theatre production "It's a Wonderful Life." My devotional was an adaptation of a sermon I heard by Dave Ward a while ago on Deuteronomy 6:6.
I really liked being able to do this devotional because it gave me a little bit more face time with the rest of the congregation instead of just the teens. Sometimes I wish I had a little bit more responsibility in the church, but I am afraid I will not have time to fulfill all of them. Also, It is really hard to change your schedule in the middle of the semester when you get so used to doing other things with your time.
I am really excited about going to lovemercy. This week at church someone handed me a check for a large amount of money; which covers the costs of all of the students in my youth group!! Praise the Lord that He has provided a way for all of us to go!
Spiritual Activities
I mentioned last week about loving God and loving neighbor, which was the topic of the devotional I gave during thanksgiving dinner this week. I feel like we don't really (at least I don't) understand the implications of the verse and the seriousness that God has called us to. The Jews were called to write the memory of the Lord on their doorposts and all kinds of ceremonial stuff...do we do this? I have again been feeling like I am trying to survive...maybe this week I will try to change some habits spiritually.
Week 7
Hours this week
Sunday Morning Worship - 1 hour
Evening Worship - 1 hour
Mid-Week Service - 2 hours
Prep Time/Office Work - 5 hours
Total Hours this week: 9 Hours
Activities This Week
This week over all was pretty uneventful. I met with my pastor to talk about where the teens are at and how we are doing financially with lovemercy. I really appreciate being able to pray with my pastor and get his input about things.
We just did our date night last week and it went very well, but getting everything back in order after the actual event was stressful. Can anyone offer some tips on organizing finance, inventory stuff, and general cleaning up procedures for events in the future?
I spent alot of time this week doing errands: make a bank deposit, write some thank you notes, find stuff to do for youth group, etc. It was a fun week but I wish I had some more volunteers to help out.
Spiritual reflection
This week I have been thinking about the two greatest commandments: love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strenght and Love your neighbor as yourself. My pastor asked me to give a devotional next week and this is what has been on my heart so far. I spend alot of time trying to survive classes and get menial things done, but am I really fulfilling the greatest commandments that God has set before me?
Sunday Morning Worship - 1 hour
Evening Worship - 1 hour
Mid-Week Service - 2 hours
Prep Time/Office Work - 5 hours
Total Hours this week: 9 Hours
Activities This Week
This week over all was pretty uneventful. I met with my pastor to talk about where the teens are at and how we are doing financially with lovemercy. I really appreciate being able to pray with my pastor and get his input about things.
We just did our date night last week and it went very well, but getting everything back in order after the actual event was stressful. Can anyone offer some tips on organizing finance, inventory stuff, and general cleaning up procedures for events in the future?
I spent alot of time this week doing errands: make a bank deposit, write some thank you notes, find stuff to do for youth group, etc. It was a fun week but I wish I had some more volunteers to help out.
Spiritual reflection
This week I have been thinking about the two greatest commandments: love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strenght and Love your neighbor as yourself. My pastor asked me to give a devotional next week and this is what has been on my heart so far. I spend alot of time trying to survive classes and get menial things done, but am I really fulfilling the greatest commandments that God has set before me?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Week 6
Time Spent this week
Sunday Service - 1 hour
Evening service - 1 hour
Mid week - 2 hours
Prep time - 4 hours
Date night - 15 hours
Personal Reflection
This week has gone extremely well. We had our bi-annual date night and I have to say it went awesome. The students were extremnely helpful and the patrons of our little restaurant were happy with their service. It was a success.
It was also a growing experience, as well. I have never been the 'manager' in charge of anything, so running around to make sure everyone was in their place and had a job to do was a stretch, but I really learned from it. One of our students didn't want to do the job assigned to her, which shocked my confidence for a bit, but a little bit of prayer and some support from friends helped me keep going. We didn't receive any complaints from our guests, so that makes for a good event.
Spiritual Reflection
I have been thinking lately about the quality of my life and work. You see, there are alot of things we can get away with by doing them mediocre and no one will notice, but sometimes I feel my conscience tugging at me and saying "you know you can do better than this, Jon." I struggled to find the balance between perfectionism and quality work which is what the Lord has been challenging me with this week. What is considered a 'good' job? What is considered 'quality"? Your comments are appreciated.
Sunday Service - 1 hour
Evening service - 1 hour
Mid week - 2 hours
Prep time - 4 hours
Date night - 15 hours
Personal Reflection
This week has gone extremely well. We had our bi-annual date night and I have to say it went awesome. The students were extremnely helpful and the patrons of our little restaurant were happy with their service. It was a success.
It was also a growing experience, as well. I have never been the 'manager' in charge of anything, so running around to make sure everyone was in their place and had a job to do was a stretch, but I really learned from it. One of our students didn't want to do the job assigned to her, which shocked my confidence for a bit, but a little bit of prayer and some support from friends helped me keep going. We didn't receive any complaints from our guests, so that makes for a good event.
Spiritual Reflection
I have been thinking lately about the quality of my life and work. You see, there are alot of things we can get away with by doing them mediocre and no one will notice, but sometimes I feel my conscience tugging at me and saying "you know you can do better than this, Jon." I struggled to find the balance between perfectionism and quality work which is what the Lord has been challenging me with this week. What is considered a 'good' job? What is considered 'quality"? Your comments are appreciated.
Week 5
Activities this week
Morning Service - 1 Hour
Evening Service - 1.5 hours
Midweek Service - 2 hours
Lesson prep time - 2 hours
Meeting with Pastor - 2 hours
Total time spent: 8.5 hours
My Experience this week
My experience this week was alot better than last week's. Last week I mentioned an issue with a teenager and having to sit down with him to intervene. On saturday night he moved out of his parent's house and is living with a friend. I wasn't expecting this to happend, but my wife and I have managed to make contact with him, but at this point it doesn't look like he is going to come back to church. We are praying for him. In the group however, things have been starting to happen. We have had the chance to talk more with the students since this episode and simply get to know them more.
This has been a good week as far as general church stuff is concerned. I was asked to write a propsal to turn the Sunday night service into a small group setting for a short run and present it to the church board. Exciting things are coming!!
My spiritual life
God has been impressing the importance of prayer on my life lately. I struggle with praying because my thoughts are scatterbrained and I tend to get distracted easily, so I hav e been praying for others instead of myself, and God has been faithful to answer my prayers. I excited to see what He is going to continue to do in my life in the coming weeks.
Morning Service - 1 Hour
Evening Service - 1.5 hours
Midweek Service - 2 hours
Lesson prep time - 2 hours
Meeting with Pastor - 2 hours
Total time spent: 8.5 hours
My Experience this week
My experience this week was alot better than last week's. Last week I mentioned an issue with a teenager and having to sit down with him to intervene. On saturday night he moved out of his parent's house and is living with a friend. I wasn't expecting this to happend, but my wife and I have managed to make contact with him, but at this point it doesn't look like he is going to come back to church. We are praying for him. In the group however, things have been starting to happen. We have had the chance to talk more with the students since this episode and simply get to know them more.
This has been a good week as far as general church stuff is concerned. I was asked to write a propsal to turn the Sunday night service into a small group setting for a short run and present it to the church board. Exciting things are coming!!
My spiritual life
God has been impressing the importance of prayer on my life lately. I struggle with praying because my thoughts are scatterbrained and I tend to get distracted easily, so I hav e been praying for others instead of myself, and God has been faithful to answer my prayers. I excited to see what He is going to continue to do in my life in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Report 4
Record of Ministry this week
Morning Worship - 1 hour
Evening worship - 1hour
Mid week service - 2 hours
Office Hours - 5 hours
Total Hours this week: 9 hours
Personal Reflection
This is going to be a mixture of personal and spiritul reflection. Last week I talked about checking my perspective: Am I caring for souls or am I caring about politics? Unfortunately when we start to focus on what really matters in ministry (the care of souls) the Evil One starts fighting against it. During this week I started praying for the kids in the youth group and for direction in how to teach them. Throughout this process one of the teens moved out of his parent's house because of alot of issues going on. I don't know if this is legimately a result of spiritual warfare, but it certainly did come at an opportune time. Please keep this teen and his family in prayer as they transition.
We are well on our way to raising all of our funds for Lovemercy. It is so cool to work with these teens and learn about all of their different personalities as well as just have fun. I am having such a blast ministering to them and being ministered to.
Spiritual reflection
This week I have been trying to make some changes in my spiritual life. There is an old saying that whatever takes up the most of your time is what matters most to you, and most of my time has been spent in front of a computer or sleeping when I get the chance. I have been making the effort to leave the machines off in the house and read (the Bible or something else--right now it is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis) and spending time in prayer. I have especially been praying for my church and my youth group, because I feel like God wants to move in a mighty way.
I hope that all is going well where you are.
For His Glory,
Jon
Morning Worship - 1 hour
Evening worship - 1hour
Mid week service - 2 hours
Office Hours - 5 hours
Total Hours this week: 9 hours
Personal Reflection
This is going to be a mixture of personal and spiritul reflection. Last week I talked about checking my perspective: Am I caring for souls or am I caring about politics? Unfortunately when we start to focus on what really matters in ministry (the care of souls) the Evil One starts fighting against it. During this week I started praying for the kids in the youth group and for direction in how to teach them. Throughout this process one of the teens moved out of his parent's house because of alot of issues going on. I don't know if this is legimately a result of spiritual warfare, but it certainly did come at an opportune time. Please keep this teen and his family in prayer as they transition.
We are well on our way to raising all of our funds for Lovemercy. It is so cool to work with these teens and learn about all of their different personalities as well as just have fun. I am having such a blast ministering to them and being ministered to.
Spiritual reflection
This week I have been trying to make some changes in my spiritual life. There is an old saying that whatever takes up the most of your time is what matters most to you, and most of my time has been spent in front of a computer or sleeping when I get the chance. I have been making the effort to leave the machines off in the house and read (the Bible or something else--right now it is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis) and spending time in prayer. I have especially been praying for my church and my youth group, because I feel like God wants to move in a mighty way.
I hope that all is going well where you are.
For His Glory,
Jon
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