As we change things up a bit we really don’t know what people’s reactions will be like. As we seek Jesus for wisdom and guidance we have to trust that he has tilled the ground before we can reap a harvest. The principle isn’t profound, but its profundity lies in our conscience application of the principle. We know, in our minds at least, that God is leading us to places that he has prepared for us, but, as we muster strength and courage to actually move, we aren’t ready to move because doing so forces us to become profound in action, not just in words or knowledge. And so, even if we believe in our minds that He is leading and guiding us, the little steps towards His goals for us become in the least scary, and in the real moments of stepping out over the real or perceived precipice we become petrified with fear.
I find myself in such moments… of fear all the time. Traditionally we have segregated all ages of people as we minister to them. Now we are attempting to blend ages together – this is scary. No, as I see unruly junior high and high schoolers intermingling with well-adjusted adults I feel as though I might faint, wet my pants and cry all at once. My heart so desperately wants to see these young people have positive interactions with adults, but my mind screams that it won’t work. I know everyone feels awkward. I know others are doubting our strategy. And I know that I cannot do anything but trust God’s leading.
Are we profound? Only when we put action to our words. And only as we stare straight into the chasm as we step…trusting that God will place something under our feet to land on.
October 6, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Seriously! And if it doesnt work out, what harm was done?
There might be some friction between young people wanting to do “their thing”, and adults wanting to do theirs. But it’s about God isnt it? And children seeing what it means to grow up in Christ, and adults being responsible examples to children.
I dont imagine anyone is advocating a complete abandonment of grown-up time, and youth-time (summer camps, men’s breakfasts, and so on)… but rather just more “family” time, right?
Like the birth of anything new/beautiful, it may be painful at first though right (or maybe “messy”).
Lets all chip in a buy Isaac some Depends!
October 6, 2006 at 1:38 pm
TJ –
I think you can hold off on the depends…this last Wednesday was much more successful and stress-free.
And yes, we are simply looking for more “family time.” Over the last five years most of the students (involved at all levels with Evergreen’s Youth Ministry) who have graduated from High School don’t feel a part of Evergreen. At most they keep loose ties to the youth ministry, but more often they evaporate into the great unknown…even if they do stay in the area.
Some have suggested that the answer lies in having a dynamic college-age ministry. I agree that we need to minister appropiately to college students, but the most appropiate thing we can do is to help the emerging students to feel a part of the ‘adult’ world.
So, don’t worry about me wetting my pants…but do kick me in the pants if you see me getting discouraged!
October 8, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Foolishness…absolute foolishness!
You expect multiple, distinctly different generations to love and respect each other; now you even want them to be unified, serve each other, and even to accept the very actions and attitudes that irritate the heck out of us. Come on — get real! You might as well just tell us to die to our own rights (happiness, ideas, desires) and that, somehow, magically, things will be totally better than if we just simply do what we want — whatever makes us feel best.
Next you’ll be telling us that, instead of eating our grain, if we throw it on the ground it will produce more than we had to start with. While you’re at it, why don’t you just tell us the one about the woman who gives up her life to love a bunch of diseased and dirty people only to find herself changing a nation and influencing a world (I think you said her name was Mother Teresa). Yeah, right.
Then there is my favorite one; the one about how God saved the world from sin. How he gave up everything in he had in heaven, became a human being, and then received on himself the punishment that I deserved.
Death is the pathway to life?
Giving will result in receiving more?
Suffering for another results healing for both?
What school did you attend to get this stuff?
Foolishness!
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” 1Cor. 1:18
October 9, 2006 at 9:19 am
Tommy Boy-
Thanks for the encouragment! I am blessed to know a man like you. Thanks for leading us and giving us permission and guidance to see our vision launched!
Isaac