Week of July 13th to 19th
7/13- E. Chicago Fundraiser: 7 hours
7/15-Worship Band Bible Study: 2 hours
7/15-Counseling: 1 hour
7/15-Lunch Program/Office Work: 5 hours
7/16-Mentoring/Hang Out Time: 5 hours
7/16- Mission's Team Meeting/Bible Study: 2 hours
7/19-Sunday Morning/Worship/Youth Group: 8 hours
Ministry
Missions Trip
God is so good. He is the Great Provider. We have raised ALL of the money for the missions trip! Praise God! Not one of the youth have to put down their own money towards the trip! We raised $3300! ($300 per student). I am just so thankful. Also, the meeting this week went so well. I got them all journals to start writing in. We went through the book of Ephesians focusing on chapters 2 and 5. I talked about how God has taken us from death to life. We were once dead spiritually, but when Christ came into our lives we were made alive. If we saw someone arise from the dead, would we not share that with others? Of course! One of the main reasons for going on a missions trip is to share how God wants to bring us all to life. I also taught from chapter 5 on how we are to rid ourselves of all sin...we must be a fragrant offering. We are to be a light in the darkness, a sweet smell amongst that stink! Living in sin is like keeping on our stinky grave clothes. This week I want them to prayer journal about this. They are to answer the question, "What sin is keeping me in darkness?" Also, "What sin does God want to rid me of?" Then they were to read all of Ephesians and write down what God was speaking to them through it.
Counseling/Mentoring/Hanging Out
This week I had a good time in my counseling relationships. She is making great progress. On Thursday, I took on of the girls from my youth group shopping with me in Ft. Wayne (I was looking for a dress for my One year wedding anniversary!). The Sunday before, she had a break down with me during youth group over the death of her grandmother this past spring. She was extremely close with her grandmother. Before she came to youth group, she stopped at her grave for the first time. The idea of her grandmother being under dirt mortified her and broke her down. When I asked her what was wrong she began sobbing uncontrollably and kept saying over and over again. "Her body is in the dirt, in dirt!"
What could I do? I let her cry. I hugged her. I would try and say something but realized that I was to say nothing...she needed someone to listen to her. Dealing with loss is never easy and there is no set way on how to cope. As a minister, I realized that I must be so in tune with God in how to be the comforter in that situation. I am not to take away their grief, but guide them in the grieving process. In this situation...she needed someone to care and listen. So on our shopping trip....we had a great time of bonding and she was able to talk about what was going on in her life...like she did with her grandmother.
Personal
We had such a busy week. Heath preached this Sunday and we led worship (our pianists are both in the hospital). We ran all of the worship service in the morning and then had youth group at night. It took a lot out of us.
What was difficult for me was that it was our one year anniversary on Sunday. We celebrated Friday and Saturday...but I am sentimental...I would have liked to celebrate on the actual day. I realized that being a minister...I do not always get the luxury of having the days off that I would like to. I have to let go of sentiments in a way. God is working on me with that.
But, I am just so thankful for the work God is doing in the ministry of our church. He is giving me such a passion for Van Buren...especially their youth. I want to start a youth center in the middle of town...not sure of how that is going to work out but I know He will make a way.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Report #5
Week of July 6th to 12th:
Schedule:
7/7-Missions Trip Meeting: 1.5hours
7/7-Varsity Grill Karaoke: 3.5hours
7/8-Free Lunch Program: 3 hours
7/8-Office Time:2 hours
7/8-Worship Team Bible Study: 2 hours
7/9-Mentoring/Counseling: 2 hours
7/9-12-prepare sermon: 2 hours
7/12-Sunday Service/Sunday School/Youth Group: 6 hours
Personal & Spiritual
This week was a bit difficult for me being that I was fighting off sickness. Due to my irregular sleep patterns, my body has taken a toll. Despite my physical weakness, I still must allow God minister through me.
I found strength and solace in my time of solitude and silence with God. Jesus told us that we do not live on bread alone, but on the Word of God. That is where I got my energy and empowerment to do what He has called me to do.
Ministry
Counseling Relationship
As I have said before God has given me such a passion for counseling! This week I had a difficult time of scheduling our time to meet. I know she is enjoying this time of counseling, but I sense the enemy trying to keep her as far away from this experience and time of growth as possible. That is why prayer is so crucial (as it is in all aspects of our ministry....prayer is the foundation). While I am driving to pick her up, I pray. While we are talking, I pray.
Missions Trip
As the mission trip approaches, the busier I get. The church wants us to raise as much money as possible. It seems like they want us to raise all of it. I understand as many attending the trip come from tight financial situations. I trust that God is going to provide and make a way for us all. We have one last fundraiser Monday, the 13th at East of Chicago pizza. I am hoping that will bring in the rest of our money!
Along with fund raising, I have been working on all the forms, sending them in, and preparing Bible studies for the group. This weeks meeting focused on information about the trip. Next week, we will begin our Bible study.
Janet White, missions trip leader from the other church we are teaming up with, let me know that I can pick one other student to go on the trip for free. After I gave me sermon, I felt God leading me to one student in particular. He said he had been wanting to go but did not know he would pay for it. Praise God...he is going on the trip.
Preaching
I will be leading the preaching the next couple weeks since Heath will be preaching Sunday mornings. This week I used a Nooma video to jump start my sermon. The sermon was about being a sold-out Christian...not one that just shows up every week on Sundays, but one who is pursuing God and allowing God to change them. This means, that our hearts begin to beat with God's, our passions become His passions. They all were attentive and seemed effected by what God was speaking through me.
Schedule:
7/7-Missions Trip Meeting: 1.5hours
7/7-Varsity Grill Karaoke: 3.5hours
7/8-Free Lunch Program: 3 hours
7/8-Office Time:2 hours
7/8-Worship Team Bible Study: 2 hours
7/9-Mentoring/Counseling: 2 hours
7/9-12-prepare sermon: 2 hours
7/12-Sunday Service/Sunday School/Youth Group: 6 hours
Personal & Spiritual
This week was a bit difficult for me being that I was fighting off sickness. Due to my irregular sleep patterns, my body has taken a toll. Despite my physical weakness, I still must allow God minister through me.
I found strength and solace in my time of solitude and silence with God. Jesus told us that we do not live on bread alone, but on the Word of God. That is where I got my energy and empowerment to do what He has called me to do.
Ministry
Counseling Relationship
As I have said before God has given me such a passion for counseling! This week I had a difficult time of scheduling our time to meet. I know she is enjoying this time of counseling, but I sense the enemy trying to keep her as far away from this experience and time of growth as possible. That is why prayer is so crucial (as it is in all aspects of our ministry....prayer is the foundation). While I am driving to pick her up, I pray. While we are talking, I pray.
Missions Trip
As the mission trip approaches, the busier I get. The church wants us to raise as much money as possible. It seems like they want us to raise all of it. I understand as many attending the trip come from tight financial situations. I trust that God is going to provide and make a way for us all. We have one last fundraiser Monday, the 13th at East of Chicago pizza. I am hoping that will bring in the rest of our money!
Along with fund raising, I have been working on all the forms, sending them in, and preparing Bible studies for the group. This weeks meeting focused on information about the trip. Next week, we will begin our Bible study.
Janet White, missions trip leader from the other church we are teaming up with, let me know that I can pick one other student to go on the trip for free. After I gave me sermon, I felt God leading me to one student in particular. He said he had been wanting to go but did not know he would pay for it. Praise God...he is going on the trip.
Preaching
I will be leading the preaching the next couple weeks since Heath will be preaching Sunday mornings. This week I used a Nooma video to jump start my sermon. The sermon was about being a sold-out Christian...not one that just shows up every week on Sundays, but one who is pursuing God and allowing God to change them. This means, that our hearts begin to beat with God's, our passions become His passions. They all were attentive and seemed effected by what God was speaking through me.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Report 4
Timing is Off
Since Heath started third shift, I have been unable to sleep during the night. It started out as me being a scaredy cat not used to being alone, especially in Marion. Now, I am on Heath's schedule: staying up all early morning, going to bed at 7am and waking up around 3pm. Yet, some days I have to wake up earlier than that because of counseling appointments with youth, church activities, and time spent in the office. Right now, it is 5:30 in the morning, and I am WIDE awake. So, I am trying to make the best of this new sleeping schedule, but it is taking a toll on my physical health as well as how I used to go about my summer days.
Despite the awkward schedule...
Sports Ministry?
We had another successful week with the youth group. Sunday, June 28th was our Softball Sunday but due to occupied fields we ended up playing kickball. Whenever we walk town to the softball diamonds or the elementary school fields to play a game, we bring in so many more kids and teens from the community. These areas are central spots. We realized this last summer. It is such a great way for the un-churched or non-churchgoers to realize that we are not all that different from them. We'll get kids that are rough around the edges (cussing, bad attitudes, etc.) but they quickly learn there is no need for that. Heath and I as well as the youth group always enjoy these times (we have such a competitive and athletic group!)
This past Sunday, July 5th, we played Ultimate Frisbee as our last activity for the youth evening. Our group has come a LONG way with this game. Heath and I realized that this is more of college age played game than it is for teenagers. Yet, they have grown to like/ove it very much! This week, due to lack of sleep on Heath and I's part, we did the game after worship time and the message. We know this is generally not a good idea since they need to get their energy out before sitting and listening to a sermon, but they did pretty good!
Worship Band
Last week we had our second meeting with the worship band at Ivanhoes (yes, it was glorious...). In this meeting we discussed our experience with our time of fasting. Everyone was successful in this discipline. They realized how much our bodies depend on food whether we need it or just feel like eating it. This was all of theirs first time fasting. What we hoped they will gain from this experience again is to use that time to focus on God. Many of them did not set aside designated time during the fast to be with God.
Being that it is summer, it is so hard to get everyone together. There were only two members (out of the four) that showed up for practice and youth group this past Sunday. These two are the ones that really started the worship team and their own band. They are improving, but they have a LONG way to go. Heath and I try to let them do it all on their own, but when they ask for advice, we give it to them. I advised the worship singer/leader to not fill time between songs with meaningless chit-chat and drawn attention to himself (I did not word it like that, though!) Instead, I advised him to fill that time with silence, prayer, explanation of the next song, or scripture. It seems more like a concert than a time of worship when they are up rambling. Also, they like to play one of their band songs (not worship songs) at the beginning to show off their newest and latest song. I suggested that they consider holding off band songs for special youth groups and not every single one. A lot of the teens told me they were confused if it was worship time or not. I think by not having them have personal band time will lessen the confusion and ease the whole worship time transition in general.
Counseling Time
God, I praise you for what you are doing through this counseling relationship. Thank You for speaking through me to speak to your beloved daughter.
Last week, I had a wonderful time with the girl I have been counseling/mentoring. She as come such a LONG way this past month. I do not want to give the details in respect of her privacy and our counseling relationship, but I will say that she has grown SO MUCH. She is hungering after God. She is realizing the footholds that Satan has in her life. She is asking questions that not even our consistent, long-time devoted youth are even asking. God is revealing Himself to her and showing her what reality is. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of this process. Through this God has confirmed my passion for counseling and mentoring. I look forward to the time counseling her more than anything in the week. God and I are so in tune that I can literally feel His presence with me.
Hang Out Time
As usual, we spent time at softball games. They are wonderful times to just be with our teens. However, we are not sad to see the season winding down. They involve a lot of driving around and coordinating schedules.
Another good time of hanging out was at the Varsity Grill in Marion. Every Tuesday from 5 to 9 they have karaoke. Our youth have really enjoyed this time!
Board Meeting Sunday
Sunday morning we attended the monthly board meeting. I realize that I have blogged a great deal! I could get into all the details of this meeting, but for the sake of whoever reads this, I will put it in a nutshell. Like all other board meetings/elder meetings, this is a time where we play catch up with what is going on in the church (health concerns, ministries, missions trips, fundraisers, personal lives...). I prepared information on where we are at with the missions trip to Cincy at the end of the month (funds, meetings, students, etc.). After that the rest of the meeting got into a discussion about setting up another outreach event--there was a debate between how to collect money for it and how to give this time to prayer and consideration. What I gained from this experience was how little our church leaders pray. Their focus was on the financial aspect than on God's prompting and leading. Heath and I even spoke up on this matter and it seemed to go completely through one ear and out the other. These next four weeks Heath and I will be preaching and leading services since our senior pastor will be away on his honeymoon. We have made a vow to cover these services in prayer as well as ourselves.
Hours for June 29th to July 5th
Hang Out/Extracurricular Activities-6 hours
Pastoral Counseling- 2 hours
Preparation Sunday- 4 hours
Board Meeting- 1.5hours
Sunday Services/Youth Group-4 hours
Personal/Spiritual Reflection
This schedule is really throwing me off. I am not sure how to discipline myself on this schedule spiritually. I feel weak and tired quite often. Right now if not a good time for me to reflect because that is now what I am feeling! I know that the time of fasting was truly good for me in realizing how much more I need God. As I guide, counsel, and direct others, I am constantly reminding of how much more I need to spend time with Him. My prayer for this week as I spend time in silence is truly listening to how God wants me to spend more time with Him.
Since Heath started third shift, I have been unable to sleep during the night. It started out as me being a scaredy cat not used to being alone, especially in Marion. Now, I am on Heath's schedule: staying up all early morning, going to bed at 7am and waking up around 3pm. Yet, some days I have to wake up earlier than that because of counseling appointments with youth, church activities, and time spent in the office. Right now, it is 5:30 in the morning, and I am WIDE awake. So, I am trying to make the best of this new sleeping schedule, but it is taking a toll on my physical health as well as how I used to go about my summer days.
Despite the awkward schedule...
Sports Ministry?
We had another successful week with the youth group. Sunday, June 28th was our Softball Sunday but due to occupied fields we ended up playing kickball. Whenever we walk town to the softball diamonds or the elementary school fields to play a game, we bring in so many more kids and teens from the community. These areas are central spots. We realized this last summer. It is such a great way for the un-churched or non-churchgoers to realize that we are not all that different from them. We'll get kids that are rough around the edges (cussing, bad attitudes, etc.) but they quickly learn there is no need for that. Heath and I as well as the youth group always enjoy these times (we have such a competitive and athletic group!)
This past Sunday, July 5th, we played Ultimate Frisbee as our last activity for the youth evening. Our group has come a LONG way with this game. Heath and I realized that this is more of college age played game than it is for teenagers. Yet, they have grown to like/ove it very much! This week, due to lack of sleep on Heath and I's part, we did the game after worship time and the message. We know this is generally not a good idea since they need to get their energy out before sitting and listening to a sermon, but they did pretty good!
Worship Band
Last week we had our second meeting with the worship band at Ivanhoes (yes, it was glorious...). In this meeting we discussed our experience with our time of fasting. Everyone was successful in this discipline. They realized how much our bodies depend on food whether we need it or just feel like eating it. This was all of theirs first time fasting. What we hoped they will gain from this experience again is to use that time to focus on God. Many of them did not set aside designated time during the fast to be with God.
Being that it is summer, it is so hard to get everyone together. There were only two members (out of the four) that showed up for practice and youth group this past Sunday. These two are the ones that really started the worship team and their own band. They are improving, but they have a LONG way to go. Heath and I try to let them do it all on their own, but when they ask for advice, we give it to them. I advised the worship singer/leader to not fill time between songs with meaningless chit-chat and drawn attention to himself (I did not word it like that, though!) Instead, I advised him to fill that time with silence, prayer, explanation of the next song, or scripture. It seems more like a concert than a time of worship when they are up rambling. Also, they like to play one of their band songs (not worship songs) at the beginning to show off their newest and latest song. I suggested that they consider holding off band songs for special youth groups and not every single one. A lot of the teens told me they were confused if it was worship time or not. I think by not having them have personal band time will lessen the confusion and ease the whole worship time transition in general.
Counseling Time
God, I praise you for what you are doing through this counseling relationship. Thank You for speaking through me to speak to your beloved daughter.
Last week, I had a wonderful time with the girl I have been counseling/mentoring. She as come such a LONG way this past month. I do not want to give the details in respect of her privacy and our counseling relationship, but I will say that she has grown SO MUCH. She is hungering after God. She is realizing the footholds that Satan has in her life. She is asking questions that not even our consistent, long-time devoted youth are even asking. God is revealing Himself to her and showing her what reality is. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of this process. Through this God has confirmed my passion for counseling and mentoring. I look forward to the time counseling her more than anything in the week. God and I are so in tune that I can literally feel His presence with me.
Hang Out Time
As usual, we spent time at softball games. They are wonderful times to just be with our teens. However, we are not sad to see the season winding down. They involve a lot of driving around and coordinating schedules.
Another good time of hanging out was at the Varsity Grill in Marion. Every Tuesday from 5 to 9 they have karaoke. Our youth have really enjoyed this time!
Board Meeting Sunday
Sunday morning we attended the monthly board meeting. I realize that I have blogged a great deal! I could get into all the details of this meeting, but for the sake of whoever reads this, I will put it in a nutshell. Like all other board meetings/elder meetings, this is a time where we play catch up with what is going on in the church (health concerns, ministries, missions trips, fundraisers, personal lives...). I prepared information on where we are at with the missions trip to Cincy at the end of the month (funds, meetings, students, etc.). After that the rest of the meeting got into a discussion about setting up another outreach event--there was a debate between how to collect money for it and how to give this time to prayer and consideration. What I gained from this experience was how little our church leaders pray. Their focus was on the financial aspect than on God's prompting and leading. Heath and I even spoke up on this matter and it seemed to go completely through one ear and out the other. These next four weeks Heath and I will be preaching and leading services since our senior pastor will be away on his honeymoon. We have made a vow to cover these services in prayer as well as ourselves.
Hours for June 29th to July 5th
Hang Out/Extracurricular Activities-6 hours
Pastoral Counseling- 2 hours
Preparation Sunday- 4 hours
Board Meeting- 1.5hours
Sunday Services/Youth Group-4 hours
Personal/Spiritual Reflection
This schedule is really throwing me off. I am not sure how to discipline myself on this schedule spiritually. I feel weak and tired quite often. Right now if not a good time for me to reflect because that is now what I am feeling! I know that the time of fasting was truly good for me in realizing how much more I need God. As I guide, counsel, and direct others, I am constantly reminding of how much more I need to spend time with Him. My prayer for this week as I spend time in silence is truly listening to how God wants me to spend more time with Him.
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