After what was undoubtedly one of my most productive days of work in a while, I am angry at myself for my shortcomings. I say productive, because I recorded a training video for our youth staff, had a good staff meeting with our pastor, met with Mule Day people about a possible fundraiser, met with two potential youth staffers, and got to catch up with one of our youth staffers with a short visit. So I was feeling pretty good about today. Then I get the text. "Can you please go lock up the church?" Sure. No problem. I live here on campus; it's no sweat. I go over, lock up and notice some lights left on. This always bothers me, but what can you do? I'm glad that ministry was happening all over our church with Upward! But I digress...
I'm going around turning out lights and I spot them. The one thing I had printed up especially to be passed out THIS week at school. There they were, stacks of our video game tournament handouts. I feel like I failed at explaining the objective for these: to bring friends that do not go to church to our video game tournament. Some people were just getting one for them. They're not to just remind you we're having it. It's for OTHERS. Well, tonight was just a big fat reminder of my need for clarification in my communication. Good gravy. God please help me to do better. And please stop all this ridiculous snow.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
We're not going to talk about anyone, good or bad, unless they're here.
Last night we looked at Matthew 18:15-17, where Jesus is giving his followers some simple instructions on how to correct another believer.
I began laying out a new guideline for Grace Student Ministries, a simple idea that can have profound effects if we'll stick to it (I'm pretty sure I borrowed the idea from someone else...can't remember who though); here it is: "We're not going to talk about anybody else, good or bad, unless they're here."
The reason is this, we want to kill as much he said/she said/they said as we possibly can. Out of love for one another, we want to build people up and not tear each other down. I'm really hoping and will be praying that this will be a year of healthy growth in our group. Our group is not unique in facing issues like this; this has been a common theme in every group I've been a part of over the years.
I know that it will be easier to not speak ill of someone than it is to speak well of someone. I get that. But the whole point is to keep triggering us to much more carefully think of how and when we talk about others. I know it will not be easy, I know that for me this will be a change; and I'll need God's help to do it.
I had one of our students (Kenan) record it on our camera. I wanted to test the new memory card we got and there were people unable to be with us due to the snowy/icy road conditions. If I put it up, it'll be on vimeo.com/derekwhitten.
I began laying out a new guideline for Grace Student Ministries, a simple idea that can have profound effects if we'll stick to it (I'm pretty sure I borrowed the idea from someone else...can't remember who though); here it is: "We're not going to talk about anybody else, good or bad, unless they're here."
The reason is this, we want to kill as much he said/she said/they said as we possibly can. Out of love for one another, we want to build people up and not tear each other down. I'm really hoping and will be praying that this will be a year of healthy growth in our group. Our group is not unique in facing issues like this; this has been a common theme in every group I've been a part of over the years.
I know that it will be easier to not speak ill of someone than it is to speak well of someone. I get that. But the whole point is to keep triggering us to much more carefully think of how and when we talk about others. I know it will not be easy, I know that for me this will be a change; and I'll need God's help to do it.
I had one of our students (Kenan) record it on our camera. I wanted to test the new memory card we got and there were people unable to be with us due to the snowy/icy road conditions. If I put it up, it'll be on vimeo.com/derekwhitten.
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