Youth Ministry in Progress - January Update

Christmas Tree Clean-up Fundraiser!

Yup, a January update in February. It's been that kind of month.

I was maintaining such a great blogging pace through the autumn, but seasonal ministry requirements have been ramped up and I've had to pull away from daily posts here at (Youth) Ministry in Progress. 

There's two big things that have occupied my time this month: 

1. January is budget-planning and vision-casting month at Arnold Community Church. As the Egg Nog buzz is wearing off and with New Years resolutions still fresh in our brain, we take time to consider what God wants to do through our ministries this year. We first look back at 2011 and see where God was at work and how we did at achieving the goals we set forth last January. Than we look ahead at what we'll need for the coming year (volunteers, resources, finances, etc) and set a plan. It's time consuming, but it's worth it.
   
2. I've been working on my Sabbatical plan. In the fall the elder team granted me a four-week Sabbatical that will begin at the end of February and I'm super grateful. I've entered my eighth year of serving at ACC and I see the need for me to take some time to address the wear and tear my soul has endured through the tragic deaths of my son and father in the last couple of years. It'll be good to take some time away to intentionally focus on me - the minister - without having the responsibility of ministering. I'm a leaking bucket these days and I need a season of filling up without pouring out. Planning includes preparing my ministry volunteers for four weeks without me, getting parents in the know, and then planning how I will be spending my time. Hopefully I will be able to blog some of my post-Sabbatical thoughts later this year.

Other things that have been going on this month:

• I started the month off by meeting with my Sr Youth and Jr Youth leaders (a great way to start the year!). We reviewed the previous 3-4 months, assessed where students were at, and discussed what we want to emphasize in the months ahead.
• We had a Christmas Tree Clean-up Fundraiser! Such a great event, I should really post it all here one day. After collecting trees (for a donation) we went to the home of one of our leaders and had a huge bonfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Definitely a highlight of the month.
  
• We went skiing: nothing like filling the bus up with 45 people and heading to the mountain for a day.
• The Jr Youth played a bunch of games that had to do with chocolate. It's a youth event that I've called Wholotta Chocolatta over the years. I should put the ideas on the blog some day because I think it's great.
• I've been reading Church: Why Bother? by Philip Yancey. Really good. He's easily one of my top ten favourite authors.
• The Sunday School class spent three weeks learning about spiritual gifts. We reflected on Bible passages, worked through an inventory, and discussed how we see these gifts reflected in our lives. Good stuff.
• The Sr Youth and Jr Youth continue to work through the book of John. We looked at John 8 earlier in January.
• I'm learning that I constantly have to evolve with the group. As group dynamics change, my leadership has to respond. So, in the case of the Jr Youth I'm learning that I have to make adjustments based on the size and 'rowdiness' of the group. What worked in the past with the large group isn't working now. In Sr Youth, I'm learning that it's awesome to have a smaller group and be altogether (last year we had to split up into smaller groups for Bible study). And in Young Adults I'm discovering it's a lot of fun - and rewarding - to ditch the lesson and discuss the issues that are on their hearts and minds.
• We had some epic snow days. Every couple of years the Arnold / Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford gets hit with some dangerously insane winter weather. My wife and I no longer live out in Arnold, but we had to cancel youth once and got to witness some unbelievable blowing snow conditions which lead to horrible roads and huge snowdrifts. So much fun.
• We're getting ready to attend RUSH this month. Going to be a smaller and younger group than in years past. It's been difficult for a number of families to set aside the $250 or so to attend, but we'll make the most of it and those who go will certainly have a blast. 
• I've been listening to Give Us Rest or (a requiem in c [the happiest of all keys]) by the David Crowder Band. A lot. And so should you.

While I have been writing here less, I was able to put up a few posts at my other blog, Josiah's Journey. If you're interested in my grief-related ramblings, head over there.

That'll do for now .

G&P

- Andrew