Wanted: Student ministry Youth Pastor. Must be friendly, open, easy to talk to, have integrity, come to my ball games and/or soccer games, is funny when things are tense, not so serious all the time, sees the good in people always, nonjudgemental, preaches with passion, loves the entire student ministry but also love each person individually, is willing to have coffee at anytime that is needed, available to talk even in the middle of the night, is honest, young, able to talk to parents, that is willing to listen to even the longest of stories, loves life, smiles a lot, caring, nurturing, can encourage even when its not excepted, and loves Christ above all else. Hmmm, not sure if I am missing anything. That is a lot of responsibility. That is a lot of hats. That is why so often, pastors including student pastors and student ministry leaders are in such need of encouragement and are often down. There is not enough time in the day nor is there enough days in the week. There is not enough smiles and words of encouragement to sometimes make a difference. There are feelings of insecurity, failure, FEARs of all kind including letting someone down or losing a person that walks away. The worry of having safety nets in their lives so that someone doesnt see something out of context or a motive that was good but was taken wrong. There is the energy that must be found to continue to fill our own hearts with Gods love, grace, mercy and blessings but also enough to fill everyone elses cup in the overflow. Often times preaching in the mirror is a difficult thing to do when your life is being on display and examined and filled with, "You should do this or you shouldnt do it that way." Odd thing about all this - honestly, we all should be doing this and not just the pastors or student ministry leaders. We are all called to be ministers and share Gods word, love and grace to each other. Your walk with Christ is personal but it is not private. What you are saying and showing others tells others what and where you are with Christ. How important is he? How strong is God in you? Far too many of us live far below our potential. We have the potential but we are doing nothing with it. I have an ipad. I have begun preaching from it and using it in my messages, look up Bible scripture when I need it, check facebook, listen to music and sermons online and podcasts. I know there is far more it will do. Ipad2 is on order and that too - I will be using it far below its potential. Never fully reaching the capacity and helpfulness that it will bring to me. God gives us this strength through his power - otherwise its just potential. Psalm62:11 - One thing God has spoken, 2 things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. It was awesome last night hanging out with 17 of our students last night. It was awesome last night to give them a chance to talk and share their heart. It was great to leave them encouraged and knowing that no matter what is going on, whatever is happening or whatever they are facing, they can look in the mirror and preach the promise that God has given each of us through his power that he is STRONG and he is LOVING. When you can be at that place in your heart and know those 2 very important truths in your life through Gods power - you can turn away from that mirror and never lose sight of who you are and what you stand for. You will walk away carrying with you more than you ever dreamed possible because you will be living up to your potential, you will be aiming high and differently than so many others, and you will be doing something with all this for a higher purpose. Psalm 61:1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Ministry is a calling of extremes. This week like last week, there were no 2 days the same. I've ministered on both ends of the extreme, students taking giant leaps of faith and other students taking giant leaps backwards and making horrible decisions. Ministry is about asking folks to give total control over of their life to Jesus - something that is so foreign in our very nature and culture. Thats an absolute extreme but I see it every day. I see faith and Christ working so amazingly in the lives and hearts of some. Gosh, that alone keeps me fired up and that energy and encouragment from them enables me to spread it to others. Its extreme hours, extreme emotions, extreme drama, and extremely important. There is no higher calling, nothing more honorable, nothing more satisfying at times - why would anyone want to do this? Thats a question we each must answer for ourselves. I have my answer..... do you? Job filled and no longer vacant. Lonnie~