What Do You Do All Day? As a Student Minister.

I have been asked numerous times lately what exactly I do all day. I planned to write this post three weeks ago to answer the question but I have just not had the time. I guess the obvious is that I study quiet a bit, planning lessons and preparing to teach. At the moment I am teaching twice a week with the occasional third time added in with preaching or men's breakfast. Each week I choose the set list for sunday, attempting to find songs that flow and lead us to a point or theme, print the music and put it out for the band. We typically practice wednesday night after Church. I also make the slides for the service, choose a offering scripture, and create a communion thought or find someone to do it. These are week in and week out things that must get done every week. On a larger scale I plan a lot, I call and book hotel rooms and find the best rates for events such as Believe, Big Creek Mission, CIY Move. Then I pay the deposits on time, print flyers with the information for students/parents and get it into their hands as much as possible. I also plan day trips, lock-ins, and Children's retreats. All these events require chaperones that I ask in advance (which is sometimes like pulling teeth). I worked on the budget this week to present to the Elder's with most of the large events for next year on it with an estimated cost. I find that I do a fair amount of construction through remodeling the youth room, and making props. I change lightbulbs and organize the stage when it needs it. I put up chairs and take down tables seemingly everyday. I visit Wal-Mart on a weekly basis for object lessons, food, or something for a game. I talk to homeless men who come in and want to share their story. I pray for the students I work with. I attempt to read and study to edify myself, so that my life may be an example of Christ love. I write this not to brag on all the things I do, but to answer a question that has been asked numerous times now that I have a minute.

I was recently asked by a student, "How do you get to where your natural response in a situation is not to sin?" This is a very good question, understanding that in many situation the first thought we have comes from our sinful flesh. How you change your mindset to love those who are mean to you instead of getting them back. How does one learn to have compassion for those in need instead of blowing them off and stubbing their nose? How does one conquer their lustful thoughts? How does one overcome their anger and not allow it to cause them to sin? I think the answer is simple to type and hard to live out. If we wake every morning to read the word of God and dwell on that, we will slowly change our natural response. When we read over and over about the love we are supposed to have for others, that will come to mind as our first response. When we read how to treat the poor, eventually we will be faced with opportunity to practice what we have studied. The only way we can change our natural response is to constantly be engaging ourselves in the scriptures.  As we study we learn how to conduct ourselves and waiting for the opportunity to present itself, so we may act on what we have read. Then and only then can we ever expect to be like Christ.

Shema

A month ago Emily and I started planning the theme for the fall retreat we will be taking the students on next week. We decided on the name "followers" and we are looking at the Matthew 22: 37-40. Attempting to answer the question what does it mean to be a "follower" of Christ mainly looking at the commands given here in Matthew. This of course led me into some more research of the Shema. I think that a very short summary of this is to love God completely with all your heart, soul, and strength. Basically with everything you have. I was aware of the custom to recite this when one woke up and went to bed and thought this may be really neat to incorporate into our retreat. Then I thought maybe I should start saying it before I go to bed and when I wake up as well. For the past few weeks I have been trying, not always remembering, but trying. It is crazy how refreshing it feels to wake up and the first words out of my mouth say "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might".   A reminder to me to Love God with everything I have in me today. Then to say the same thing we I go to sleep reminding me that this day I should have loved God with everything I have in me. 
Drew

Disheartened

Ministry is an interesting thing you tend to see sides of people that you wish you never knew. I struggle with whether or not it is acceptable to hit people over the head to make them understand the foolishness of their ways. It is hard to see someone who knows the truth of Christ and decides to reject it. It's frustrating to see adults be disrespectful to decisions made by the leadership. It is extremely hard to understand how one can view Church as purely a social gathering, a recreational event.
       The most disheartening part of it all is I sit here in my office acting somehow superior. I have struggles of my own that I have not completely conquered. Someone needs to hot me over the head allowing me to fall to my knees.

Dear God,
Have mercy on me, all of us. You are just and your ways above my comprehension. I can not fathom why you have chosen me to be a spokesman for you. Though I am confident you have please use me despite my weakness. Let the people I come in contact with smell your fragrance permeating through me. Keep me humble and lead me where to go.

"Life is Good"

"Life is good" is a popular saying that is on numerous bumper stickers and t-shirts but my life truly is good. After accepting a position at Berea Christian Church in March I moved to Georgia the end of May. It has been a whirlwind experience, we have bought a house, got another dog, and I started working full time in ministry alongside my wife. This is a unique experience that I know God has moved our family into. It has not been without challenges but that is to be expected.
        I am starting this blog to share thoughts about my journey through life and ministry. I do not claim to have all the answers and perhaps this is more for me to flesh out ideas that circulate through my head.
Drew