There is a lot of truth to the old saying, "There is no better place to start than the beginning" which is basically where we will start this journey. Well I say we... I don't really know why anyone would sit and read this but I think it is a good idea and a positive way to chronicle this time in my life. So in this blog I will speak of two sets of we. First will of course be my family we, my wife Rachel and Daughter Lily and shortly my baby boy Justus Eugene. The second we I will speak of is myself and the probably fictional readers of this blog.
Anyway back to the start, Effective February I will no longer wear the title of youth guy or pastor or leader or whatever you like. Instead I will become title less which sounds like titleist which is my favorite kind of golf ball. I will become church goer guy which is a title that I am actually looking forward to. Since I am 12 years in Youth Ministry at 30 that means I pretty much went from sitting in youth to leading it. I have never gone to an adult class, Sunday school get together or a small group. My church experience has never really left the youth room which is why church goer guy sounds pretty good.
That is not to say that my time as youth guy hasn't been awesome... it has been incredible and the memories made are too awesome to ever forget. I loved being youth guy, I really did! But like most seasons of life it had to pass. Now with a few weeks left I face the bitter sting of change as I spend time with those I am making a decision to leave. I hope they understand but kind of get it if they don't, hopefully in time the years of love and my life I gave them will help them to remember me fondly when they are older.
So this is it... I wish I could tell you more about what will be discussed on this blog, I figure it will be filled with my thoughts on church and other spiritual matters as well as questions posed to you to see how my loyal blog followers (no one) feel about the current topic of the day. Overall this will be a place that I will discuss the spiritual part of my life so if you were here to know my favorite band or movie... well it is The Beatles and Cool Hand Luke... but from here on spiritual.
So in the words of a beer commercial... Here WE Go!
Wow!!! I'm excited to see where God leads you. I enjoyed the time i was able to spend in your youth group and I know the kids did too.
ReplyDeleteIm following ya! So no more fictional followers you officially have TWO! LOL! Leaving youth ministry after so long is a CRAZY transition, and a hard one! But the 30 something small groups, when you find a good one, are amazing! People who know exactly what you are dealing with, because they are in the same stage of life! Sometimes that is exactly what you need for a bit... then God will move you to your next level of ministry! LOL!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, man. I'm glad you’re getting out when you think you should. I've seen too many pastors collect checks when they shouldn't be. That's not a slight at how you did your job because my pops only has good things to say about you. It's just an observation about how hard it is to stop being "pastor."
ReplyDeleteIt was hard for me to switch my major in college from youth ministry to English education. I felt like I was letting God and all of the people who thought I was going to be a youth pastor down. Good luck being laymen in church (sounds dirty). And keep writing: it's good for the mind and the soul (even if no one reads).
Hey Buddy Im glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI have your back buddy and I'm praying for you!
Blog on buddy.
All my previous comments were meant to be uplifting, and I wasn't trying to compare my changing of a major to the decision you made about life in the ministry. I was just making an analogy to let you know that I, in the smallest way, have an idea how hard it is to stop being in "the ministry."
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to make sure everything was clear because of who my dad is.
Classy Heating and Air Sucks!!!
Hey Andrew, I totally get what you are saying. I think all transitions are really basically the same... no one likes change especially big changes. Yes, Indeed Classy Heating and Air Sucks!
ReplyDeletei am guessing the TASmo2 is Allison but that is the best I can figure but thanks for the support whoever you are!
Cory and Rick, hopefully this change will allow me to be a better friend in the future.Love you guys!
Justin,
ReplyDeleteI have loved being there with you every step of the way. You have truly been an amazing youth pastor and have touched the lives of so many kids. I know that God has big plans in store for you, and our family. I love you and am so proud of you.
Justin,
ReplyDeleteI hope you know we all appreciate you, Rachel, and Lily doing everything for us. You all have been there for us from the beginning. You were my first youth pastor, honestly. I hope you know we are all attempting to understand everything, but it is hard for us all. Change is hard, we just have to allow the new person to come in and help us. You have helped me so much along my walk, everytime I stumbled you were there and I would come to church and you were teaching about it that night. I am so thankful and I want to let you know that I am proud of you. I am always going to think of you as my youth pastor, but we are all always going to be there for you. :)
Love you much,
Chels.