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.