Great Conversation

Yesterday my senior pastor and I went out to lunch. We spent 2.5 hours talking about a lot of questions i had, how the ministry is after me being here 3 months and a whole slew of other things. I learned, observed & was reminded about 3 significant facts.

1- Ministry is meant to be enjoyed and you should be a part of a team that loves you as much as the ministry.

It was great to know and feel that my senior pastor was intently listening and also caring for the core of what is going on in me. It was great to know that any question i asked was going to be greeted with honestly and even a sense of fervency of getting to the bottom of the concern. But also the willingness to celebrate with me about the successes that we are experiencing.

I feel & sense that i am a part of the team and part of the leadership. I love ministry, but i also love the team i am sharing life with. They show care, love and respect to me & my family on a daily basis. I know a major part of this is because it is modeled by my Sr. Pastor.

2- Communication, Communicating & Communication are the key elements to making any relationship start well and last.

It was a very rewarded and calming feeling that no matter what was said at this lunch that things were in confidence and both sides were truly going to listen to one another.

Since being in ministry it has been very clear that what you say & how you say things needs to be well thought out. Being a visual and prominent leader people will create a view about you from hearing what you say.

This ministry setting I am currently in, I have the complete freedom to speak me mind- IN THE RIGHT SETTING. This lunch was that right setting. I had the complete freedom to express myself, ask questions, but also LISTEN TO WHAT WAS BEING SAID.

Too often i hear & see too many youth workers 'speak their mind' and wonder why they are never heard. Most of the time those youth workers express their mind in the wrong setting and/or they never take the time to listen to the voice(s) of those they need to.

I loved being able to ask a simple question and listen to the other side of the conversation. I loved being able to ask a question in freedom that my opinion of viewpoint wasn't going to be ridiculed. I also know that when i do communicate questions, ideas or concerns i need to be clear in what i say and make sure i have thought it through before i offer it out loud.

3- Life brings a lot of uncertainties. Ministry has a lot of uncertainties. Having friends to go through both with you can make either a little easier.

Life right now is not the most joyous for myself or my senior pastor, but we both know we are in this ministry together and here for each other with what is going on in our personal lives.

I am very thankful that God has allowed us to serve at Mission Hills Church and am thankful for 2.5 hour lunch meetings~