i love my job

Our generation is told to find what we're passionate about and do it. We don't often work a job just for the money. I wonder if that's part of the pressure and worry that young adults have because they see others finding their "dream" job. So we assume there's one perfect job for us out there. And we won't be happy until we find it.

But I do believe God has gifted us each in different ways. There are things we're naturally good at and really enjoy. And when those gifts line up with a job that helps make a difference, our hearts are happy.

Starting June 1, I get to be the communications coordinator for our three campuses at Stillwater. I get to work with an incredible staff who are all figuring out how to be a multi-site church together.

I get to help us communicate better with each other and our community. I hope that leads to helping people connect more with God. I could do this stuff the rest of my life!

One of my inspirations is Kem Meyer over at Granger. She's awesome. I also love Church Marketing Sucks, Church Communications Pro and the Center for Church Communication.

those who say it can't be done

rick warren thoughts

"Every conflict is the byproduct of immaturity."
"You cannot have control and growth."
"Art needs a frame."
"Be a proponent of the new not an opponent of the old."

One of the things we talked about was the importance of decentralization. He talked about Saddleback's transition from a mid-week service where about 1000 people would attend to small groups. They have 26,000 people plugged into 3400 small groups that span a 100 mile stretch from LA to San Diego. That is the power of decentralization. I think multi-site is another dimension of decentralization. Launching locations keeps you from becoming too centralized.

Another topic that came up was criticism. Rick made some fascinating observations. We live in a day and age when anybody can say anything and the criticism is global, instant, and permanent thanks to Google. Rick shared some wise advice.

"If you wrestle with a pig you'll both get dirty."
"Define yourself or others will."
"Bless those who curse you."
"Separate fact from opinion."
"Hurt people hurt people."
"Insults are insecurities."

- Mark Batterson on Rick Warren

sean & malinda

friday thoughts

Today my younger brother graduated from Colorado State! I can't believe he'll be 23 next week and has a great job and bought his first house in Anchorage. I'm so proud of all he's doing.

This morning Aaron and I got to help at the food pantry with the AIDS Resource Center. It's such a good reminder that AIDS has a face right here in Dayton. It's not just these beautiful kids in Africa. AIDS is not just a distant problem in another country.

So many people have realized this. Thank God.

I start some new responsibilities at Stillwater in the next couple weeks for my second year of school. I'm SO excited. really excited.

seriously. you have no idea. :)

umc young clergy project

Time for an update on this UMC Young Clergy project. My school is working to give me elective credit which is great. I do work study for our IT department and from the minute I mentioned this idea, they told me to drop the other things I do for them and work almost 100% on this.

They've lent me equipment, given me office space and my own dry erase board! What a blessing...

Meg Lassiat at GBHEM (ordination, young adults, etc.) is interested in supporting this project. I can't wait to meet with her and others in Nashville to see how to get this in the hands of lots of people.

The overall project has developed into two sections. I've put out the call to the over 200 young clergy that signed up on Facebook to submit photos and videos.

I want to publish a photo essay book that has photos answering the statement "I want to be a pastor because ______." I also want to include "a day in the life of a young pastor." I hope high school and college students will get this book and really SEE themselves as a pastor.

One reason we have a young clergy shortage is because many churches stopped voicing a possible call in youth. Adam Hamilton at Church of the Resurrection mentioned they get their 150 7th grade confirmands together and ask them to point to others who might be a good pastor. Then anyone who might be interested fills out a card and they're trained as they grow up. By high school, they're speaking and doing visitation. They have a goal to send out 200 people for ministry in the next 5 years.

The second part of the project will be the documentary. I'm overwhelmed with all the great footage as I try to wade through it. I'm starting to see a story emerge that will be fun to convey.

I need a 2-3 minute preview done by next Wednesday to show our Board of Trustees. So hopefully you'll see something soon. :) Well, if I can ignore my computer long enough to finish an exegesis essay for Dr. Watson!

children of the world choir pictures

speak it into existence

Attending General Conference has renewed my hope in the Methodist Church.

I spent ten days worshipping with my brothers and sisters from every corner of the world. Our different cultures wove into worship, voting procedures, volunteer situations, the food court lines, asking directions, taking the airport shuttle and in the elevator.

We are part of a global church. We so often get bogged down in the local church world that we forget how effective our church is on a global scale. No other church is as well connected as the UMC.

It has been difficult to return and hear the cynicism and dripping sarcasm when United Methodists ask me if they got anything done at General Conference. Until someone personally sees 1,000 faithful Christians try to agree on matters of faith, they won’t understand how difficult the process can be.

It is dangerously easy to critique our denomination’s leadership from our comfortable vantage point in our local church. Change seems so slow. I was guilty of that very perspective until last week. Yes, I saw that it is a political and at times, underhanded process.

But I choose to spend my energy on the incredible movement of hope rising in the Methodist Church.

I got a chance to interview Adam Hamilton, the senior pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Kansas. He is dedicated to renewing the Methodist Church and he’ll talk and talk until he speaks it into existence. I believe if more and more young people see the same hope I do in the Methodist Church, our generation will lead the church to come out of decline.

Does anyone else dream things that seem so impossible it's almost silly to type it?

We can speak it into existence. We will. God will.


First round of videos from Young People's Address at GC are posted here...