What can I say. 1100 miles east of Abilene and with my g-baby Caleb. How sweet it is.
Ministry is still messy. It always will be. Vivian needs your prayers. Four weeks ago she was abandoned by her three-year live-in boy friend. He came with her to Abilene for Thanksgiving, went to the convenience store for some smokes and never came back. Left her with three kids and nothing else. And as if that isn't bad enough, she was forced into living with her alcoholic mom and step dad and now got kicked out of that house. She's back in Arlington, staying wit a friend. Her life is very tough right now!
Melanie Shaffer has worked diligently to help this family. I pray that her heart will see the good she has done through even the mess that life has thrown at these folks.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
A scare
Today started wierd. Somehow my watch was an hour ahead of real time. I started out thinking I was late. Then after a rush of activity I found out I was early. Oh well, that's better that the other way around.
I arrived at the office to the news of the Palmers being in the ER with carbon monoxide poisoning. After 5 hours in the ER everyone was released. Today could have been very different.
I had a long talk with Jonathan Reding today. He's great! He bought a 600 Honda and will be returning to school with it in January.
Company tonight. Must help my sweetie get ready. I'm cookin' tonight! I smell steak! UMMMMMMMMM Good!
I arrived at the office to the news of the Palmers being in the ER with carbon monoxide poisoning. After 5 hours in the ER everyone was released. Today could have been very different.
I had a long talk with Jonathan Reding today. He's great! He bought a 600 Honda and will be returning to school with it in January.
Company tonight. Must help my sweetie get ready. I'm cookin' tonight! I smell steak! UMMMMMMMMM Good!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Rejuvenation
The past year has been full of new challenges. I have REALLY felt the clock ticking this year. Elders are asking about "when I am planning to transition" or what are you planning after youth ministry. They have already warned me that I may be "already at the peak of my financial earning ability at this church". Another asked me, "do you still think you have a fire in your belly for youth ministry?" The same elder said that the youth ministry annual plan looked "stale". I asked if it was effective. He said yes, but stale. Geez! Others have been asking how my completion of the Masters program at ACU was going and when I was going to start teaching. Geez! I think there is some "continuing education in my future. I may get a prize for the longest time taken to finish a masters level degree.
It seems that the median age of youth ministers is far enough away from my present age that questions are being raised. And to make matters worse, they hired me for the same reason they seem to be frustrated… age, experience, and maturity. Now there's a two edged sword that will definitely leave a mark.
I remarked to a good friend today that I felt like a dog at the pound. A while back, I might have been the pick of the litter, they made sacrifices to get me. I have been a faithful hound, even when neglected. Now I wake up and I'm at the pound. Some are remarking that no one should ever pay that much for a dog (I'm not sure they ever liked having a dog). I'm stuck in this cage, hoping my owner would remember that I had been a good dog, not pee'd on the carpet often, never bit anyone who didn't deserve it, and did not mean to have run off, but might possibly be feeling a little neglected. And that's why I'm at the pound. I was cute and fuzzy at one time. Not so much anymore. Somebody may have to claim me soon. My euthanization may only be a few days away. (tick tock, tick tock)
Did you ever see that scene in Monty Python, Search for the Holy Grail, where the guy is going through the streets calling out, "bring out your dead, … bring out your dead". And this guy comes out of the house asking the cart of bodies to wait while carrying his elderly father over his shoulder. The father is obviously not dead. In fact, he's protesting and saying he's not dead, yet, and as a matter of fact he proclaims that all of a sudden he's feeling better. Yeah, that's me! Put me down! I ain't dead yet. I'm sure they could hire a guy half my age at half the salary.
In all seriousness, I believe that one of the kisses of death that is the ACU salary survey. The reason I say this is because my guys (leadership) read the thing, like many folks do. So, they look and assume (no comment) that there is a good (±100%) representation on the list. I believe that anyone with a good salary is hesitant to put the fiancial information on the survey. So anyone with a salary packet that bespeaks tenure, longevity, and career, gets (potentially) hammered. I doesn't matter whether I answer the survey or not, they obviously know what I make. Plus I guess its easy to find me when you look at the data requested (How long at present congregation - 12 years; How long in ministry - 24 years; Present age - 50) A stranger with three fingers and a ten year old computer, could locate me with his eyes closed.
Another friend asked where 50 year old youth ministers went… I thought there was a punch line to follow. He was stinkin' serious! I coulda' killed him! HA
April 15th 2006 will mark the completion of my 25th year in full time youth ministry. The only time I wasn't doing youth ministry in that time was between jobs from October of 1993-March of 1994. I wonder if that's the train at the end of the tunnel that I hear?
It seems that the median age of youth ministers is far enough away from my present age that questions are being raised. And to make matters worse, they hired me for the same reason they seem to be frustrated… age, experience, and maturity. Now there's a two edged sword that will definitely leave a mark.
I remarked to a good friend today that I felt like a dog at the pound. A while back, I might have been the pick of the litter, they made sacrifices to get me. I have been a faithful hound, even when neglected. Now I wake up and I'm at the pound. Some are remarking that no one should ever pay that much for a dog (I'm not sure they ever liked having a dog). I'm stuck in this cage, hoping my owner would remember that I had been a good dog, not pee'd on the carpet often, never bit anyone who didn't deserve it, and did not mean to have run off, but might possibly be feeling a little neglected. And that's why I'm at the pound. I was cute and fuzzy at one time. Not so much anymore. Somebody may have to claim me soon. My euthanization may only be a few days away. (tick tock, tick tock)
Did you ever see that scene in Monty Python, Search for the Holy Grail, where the guy is going through the streets calling out, "bring out your dead, … bring out your dead". And this guy comes out of the house asking the cart of bodies to wait while carrying his elderly father over his shoulder. The father is obviously not dead. In fact, he's protesting and saying he's not dead, yet, and as a matter of fact he proclaims that all of a sudden he's feeling better. Yeah, that's me! Put me down! I ain't dead yet. I'm sure they could hire a guy half my age at half the salary.
In all seriousness, I believe that one of the kisses of death that is the ACU salary survey. The reason I say this is because my guys (leadership) read the thing, like many folks do. So, they look and assume (no comment) that there is a good (±100%) representation on the list. I believe that anyone with a good salary is hesitant to put the fiancial information on the survey. So anyone with a salary packet that bespeaks tenure, longevity, and career, gets (potentially) hammered. I doesn't matter whether I answer the survey or not, they obviously know what I make. Plus I guess its easy to find me when you look at the data requested (How long at present congregation - 12 years; How long in ministry - 24 years; Present age - 50) A stranger with three fingers and a ten year old computer, could locate me with his eyes closed.
Another friend asked where 50 year old youth ministers went… I thought there was a punch line to follow. He was stinkin' serious! I coulda' killed him! HA
April 15th 2006 will mark the completion of my 25th year in full time youth ministry. The only time I wasn't doing youth ministry in that time was between jobs from October of 1993-March of 1994. I wonder if that's the train at the end of the tunnel that I hear?
I'm not dead yet!
Dave Blanchard and jonathan Reding have both applied for some form of internship here at UCC. Both guys are visionary in their own right. Dave is a seasoned youth minister from Portland, now at ACU to do grad work. Jonathan is a gifted student with a heart and reputation for ministry. Only God knows what we need. Maybe both?
I attended a luncheon today for the upcoming "Reality Conference" that will take place in February. Jeff Berry is the guy behind the plan and last year's conference was incredible. Last year I was asked by some kids from Jim Ned High School to lead their group in discussion and process after the main sessions. I was blown away. So honored to be asked. Jeff Berry rocked the house. Wes Hamilton brought the wood from the Word. Awesome. February 3-4 of 2006 will be even better. I hope we can muster a group.
After two additional conversations with my leadership I am feeling beter about the prospect of my future. My shepherds are great. I've been redeemed from the pound. I'm excited about ministry. Never lost that thought. But was afraid others thought I had.
Working on the Christmas spirit. Really don't want to hang lights this year.
I attended a luncheon today for the upcoming "Reality Conference" that will take place in February. Jeff Berry is the guy behind the plan and last year's conference was incredible. Last year I was asked by some kids from Jim Ned High School to lead their group in discussion and process after the main sessions. I was blown away. So honored to be asked. Jeff Berry rocked the house. Wes Hamilton brought the wood from the Word. Awesome. February 3-4 of 2006 will be even better. I hope we can muster a group.
After two additional conversations with my leadership I am feeling beter about the prospect of my future. My shepherds are great. I've been redeemed from the pound. I'm excited about ministry. Never lost that thought. But was afraid others thought I had.
Working on the Christmas spirit. Really don't want to hang lights this year.
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