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September 24, 2007
This was my day off. So, I started thinking about how I spend my time. Obviously, like most people, a large percentage of my time is spent working and sleeping (of course, not at the same time). I spend a lot of time just trying to make myself better or to make this church better. Once or twice a week I will work on Greek so that I will not forget what I have learned in Seminary. Almost every week, I spend three or four hours reading books about ministry, theology, and spirituality just so I can be a better minister. To make a long story much shorter, I spend a lot of time doing things that are important and that I may enjoy, but don't always have FUN at.
On the other hand, how much time do I spend playing? Probably not as much as I should. Last weekend, I went home to Roanoke to see family and run in my favorite race ... the Marine Mud Run to benefit Toys for Tots. I have included some pictures below. I told Lisa that I love this race because it is so fun. The course winds through fields, hills, obstacles, mud pits, the Roanoke River, and through a final fifty yard mud pit crawl. For twenty-seven minutes I remember how it feels to be a kid, playing in the mud.
I see a lot of adults who have forgotten how to have that kind of fun. They become too serious and lose touch with their "Inner Child." Find some time this week and do something child-like. It will give you joy and laughter unlike anything else.
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September 14, 2007
Today, I had a chance to visit with Ethel W. from our church. I really had a good time talking with her. She has seen things and been places that many of us only see on TV. As I left, I kept thinking about how long I had missed out on talking to such an interesting person.
I hope that the other young people in the church will take the chance to talk to some of the church's older members. Our older members hold the keys to our history as a church. They can tell you about the good, and the bad, days of our church. The stories they could tell you would give you a greater sense of appreciation for how much time, work, money, and passion has gone into this 155 year old church.
I don't know about you, but I have only been here for three years and two months. That means I have missed out on 151 years and 10 months worth of Louisa County and Louisa Christian Church history. Don't let this chance to learn about our history pass you by.
September 7, 2007
I recently started reading a book, authored by Mark Yaconelli, titled "Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry." I have to say that I have long looked for a book like this ... a book that would address doing the heart of youth ministry. So often youth ministry is just about entertainment and numbers. Often, youth ministers and the churches that hire them only want to have entertaining activities for the youth, a praise and worship band, and growing numbers of youth. In other words, they forget what is really important about Youth Ministry: bringing the youth closer to God.
I would not be completely honest if I did not confess to getting caught up in the youth ministry game from time to time. In the past I have been guilty of focusing too much on activities and meanwhile avoiding matters of the Spirit. Let's face it, having great activities will grow a youth ministry quicker than contemplative retreats and lessons on prayer.
Someone once said, "It's okay to mess up, just get yourself right." Okay, I said that. I am taking my own advice. I am going to work on keeping spirituality our focus here at Louisa Christian Church. We still need fun activities and all that stuff. We just need to get ourselves right.
In his book, Yaconelli quotes Thomas Merton, the semi-famous monk. Merton once said, "Contemplation (spirituality) cannot be taught. It cannot even be clearly explained. It can only be hinted at, suggested, pointed to, symbolized." I cannot teach the youth how to make that connection with God. I can make suggestions and give guidance, but it has to happen internally within a person.
Here is the good news. Merton also said this, "somewhere near the centre of what you are ... at the very root of your existence, you are in immediate, constant, and inescapable contact with the infinite power of God." As it turns out, I don't have to teach anyone how to connect with God. Like Merton said, we are in constant contact God in the most inward way. However, I have to teach the youth (and others, including myself) how to be more aware of that connection that we already have with God.
I can sense it when I am around the church ... a deep sense of spirituality is not always present. That's ok. We're going to get ourselves right.
August 28, 2007
From time to time, things have to be done just to keep up with the times. Our church did not necessarily need a web site, but we did need one to keep up with the times. As I peruse youth ministry web sites, it seems like everyone has a blog. I am not sure why, but they do. It is not really a necessary item. So, I am not attempting to replicate this idea because it is necessary.
There are two reasons to offer this blog up. First, web sites become boring after a while. They need new content to be truly useful. Second, I hope it will give everyone a better chance to know me.
Two more things should be mentioned in the outset. I don't like the word "blog." It is a meaningless word. A blog is really just a journal that is posted on the web. It is a web journal. That is what I will call it. The other thing is a technical matter. There are many things that I am good at. Grammar is not one of those things. Usually, my English Major wife will dutifully check whatever I place on the church web site or newsletter. However, I will not bug her for the web journal. There will be mistakes. Sorry. In particular it drives her crazy when I use "..." in my sentences ... if you know what I mean. Hopefully, these errors and idiosyncrasies will just show you my human side.
Hope this web journal helps you in some way.
~ Matthew