The Best Laid Plans
There are so many things swirling around my head as we launch another year of ministry here at Faith UMC. We are currently working on the numbers for the end of year report that evaluates how last year went. We are planning our Mission calendar and commitments with some exciting new ideas and people who are stepping up to lead. We had a vision and reflection gathering of all those serving on committees to reflect on how we are doing and dream about what is possible. Patty is compiling those responses so that we can set ninety day, six month, one year and three to five year goals. One of the things that we know will not change is our mission and our values. The culture of Faith as a warm and inviting place of grace will not change. The hard work that the staff puts into programming and developing disciples will not change. The development of leaders and the empowering of the Holy Spirit to lead us will not change.
One of the many blessings that I think we have at Faith is that we have a staff of people that have served in Youth Ministry. Why would this be a benefit you ask? Let me tell you.
People who have served in youth ministry know that you have to have lots of plans to fill in the time and to reach your goals.
Youth Ministers and volunteers realize that regardless of your best laid plans, sometimes you have to stop and hear where the hearts of your participants are and respond to a need.
Working with youth teaches you patience because often things take a massive detour that you never saw coming and you have to be able to roll with it with love and grace.
And working with youth has taught us all to step in when someone else on the team has a big project or might be overwhelmed. Job descriptions do not matter at times of great need.
And lastly, one of the things that I see in people who have spent time in the trenches of youth ministry is that you can be both vulnerable and incredibly strong at the same time. Youth want to be with people who are authentic and honest.
This forging of talents and experience that comes with working with teenagers is benefiting Faith and me as the Senior Pastor. Our team is wonderful and gifted in so many ways. So as we begin 2025, I want to affirm that we will be doing life together again with grace, truth and love. Our impact on each other and the world around us is significant and I hope that we never lose that. In a broken and weary world, we need more places like Faith United Methodist church. God has planned great things for us and we are listening!
Love,
Link to last week’s Service Tracker. Click here. I had some technical difficulties uploading last week’s blog and the link didn’t make it on to the duplicate blog. So sorry!