I have no fear of drowning, it’s the breathing that’s taking all this work. September 13, 2007
When I first started thinking about taking the job at the church, I asked around to people I know who work in ministry full-time. I wanted to know the good and the bad, what’s awesome and what sucks. I got a lot of helpful advice – take a day off, separate work time from home time, make sure you look after your own spiritual health.
But I don’t think I was prepared for how… on my own I feel. I thought being on staff at church and everyone knowing who I am would make me feel more a part of the community. As much as I love my job and love those kids and feel beyond lucky that I get paid to work with them every day, I didn’t know how hard it would be to be in charge all the time.
I feel like I spend all day every day looking after people, but no one is really looking after me.
I don’t know what I expect, exactly, or what could change that would help. It makes sense that people assume that I am always doing okay. Why wouldn’t I be? Every time they see me I am running around or talking to kids or teaching a class. I work hard to foster community within our youth group. And while I am definitely a part of that group, I don’t know that it’s so great that the bulk of the people I know well at our church are 18 and under.
We’ve been asked to start a care group for the young adult set – college students and singles and adults in thier twenties. On one hand we are really excited about it. It’s a hole that needs filling in our church. It will be good to have a church connection that isn’t kid-based. We really want to meet new people and build community with people our own age. On the other hand… it’s something else to plan and run. I’m not sure I want to be the leader. It might be nice to just go and hang out and go home.
I think we’re going to do it. It’s something we’ve talked about for a long time, and I think Aaron is especially well-suited for it. I really am exited about being a part of something that isn’t specifically youth related. I am hoping it will help me feel less like a worker bee and more like a person. We’ll see.
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You know when we started our small group/community group last year at Richard and Amber Nash’s (Grimes) house I really didn’t feel like leader either. I wasn’t even sure a small group was for me but I knew I wanted to build close friendships and community.
It’s been more than a year and I’m loving it. The relationships we’ve built and strengthened have been amazing.
And now I’m heading up community groups for our entire church? Crazy.
I hope you have a similar experience (maybe not taking over everything – but enjoy it as much as we have).
And if you’re looking for a cool way to promote your group check this out…
Although the best way we’ve found to get people to come is just simply asking them – sometimes more than once. But personal invites are WAY more effective than any video or anything we can say or do from the stage.
Keep me posted on how things go.
Good luck!
I….understand. Good thoughts…and I think you definitely need to find something to be a part of that you’re not in charge of. (Also – find those few people who you can be “not okay” with.)
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