National Youth Workers Convention 2016

I thought I would give a short recap of my time spent at the National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC) in Cincinnati, Ohio over much of the last week. The NYWC is an annual event put on by Youth Specialties, who specialize in all things Youth Ministry. They do everything from article (blog) writing, to curriculum, fun and games and they are also the designers of YouthWorks, the mission trip organizers that took us to Niagara Falls two years ago.

The conference was packed with people from all over the country, as far away as Florida, California, Maine, New York and also Canada. There were volunteers in Youth Ministry, part-time Youth-Workers, full-time Youth pastors and everything in between. There were those who had worked in Youth Ministry for 2 months, all the way up to 50 (yes, 50) years! It's hard to say how many people were there, but it had to be close to 3,000 by my best estimate.

Each day would feature "big room" events where the whole conference would come together to hear speakers and preachers alike give talks on topics that are important to those who work in Youth Ministry. These sessions would often feature music from a DJ to a house band to Rend Collective, an international touring Christian Band from Ireland. In the big rooms, we heard topics such as missions, school volunteering opportunities, world hunger fasting events and so much more.

In between the "Big Room" events, there were one and a half hour sessions on a range of specialized topics. They were hard to choose between because so many of them sounded interesting. They were categorized by focus, such as Youth Worker self-care, managing personalities, fun and games, mission focused and so on. I went to as many sessions as I could fit in to the four days, and I learned a lot. Many of the things I heard reinforced ideas I'd already had, which made me feel like I might actually be doing something right in my job. Others introduced new concepts to me, or made me think about my ministry in a whole new way. This reminds me that I still have a long way to go, to grow, even, and that I'll never be perfect, but I can always learn to do better.

The topic that struck me the most was one on doubt. There was a great presenter who talked about how faith-based doubt exists in all levels, and about how it's changed over the years. He posited that doubt in the 19th century might sound like someone saying "God's favor does not shine upon me" or "God doesn't care about me." And, doubt in today's world might mean saying "There is no God." We face a tougher challenge than many of our ancestors because they grew up in a world where everyone (publicly) believed. He also talked about how Jr. High is the absolute hardest time to struggle with these feelings. This was especially poignant for me, as this was my time of greatest struggle, when I really pulled away from the church and questioned everything I'd ever been taught. The most important point I took away from this session was that we should not shy away from talking about our beliefs and our dis-beliefs. To doubt, to question is one of the strongest ways to grow in ones faith. It can certainly be a scary thing to talk about, and it's hard to imagine doing it in a church setting, but that's why it's so important. We can't ignore the hard questions, and we can't send young people away for asking. We are in a journey together. Faith is not a test with right and wrong answers, what we believe tomorrow might not be what we believe today.

I was able to learn so much in such a short amount of time, and I'm very excited to get back and be on this journey again with the young people of St. Mark's.

Thanks for reading!
Have a blessed day,
Rob

Niagara Falls, Post Mortem: Planting a Seed

One of my favorite take-away messages from the mission trip "club" (evening worship) was that of the parable of the mustard seed. In this familiar parable, Jesus tells us:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” - Matthew 13:31-32

They related this parable to our week at this mission trip experience, reminding us that what we did throughout the week may seem small, but days, weeks or months after that small act, that small deed may turn into something big and amazing. Each of us worked in our own way to help improve the community. Some of us pulled weeds. (So many weeds!) That may not, on the surface, seem like something that's going to last long, after all, they're weeds, growing back is what they do! But maybe by pulling the weeds, a potential donor was so impressed with the church we were serving, and the job that was being done to run it, that they decided to give, or get involved.

Some of us painted, and paint fades. Some of us played with kids, and kids forget. Some repaired fences and painted and painted some more. These are all temporary things, but the effect that they may have on that community may last years, or decades, or generations.

Mission trips are a funny thing. We go in, not knowing at all what we'll be doing for the week. We don't know the people were working with, and sometimes, we don't even know why were doing it. It's all so intense, and at the time it can feel like the week drags on forever, but then it's over. We go home, never to see most of the people that we were with all week ever again. You get home and you reflect on the time you spent there, not knowing if what you did made a difference, but you have to trust that God has nurtured the seed that you have planted. That God will cause that effort to bloom and to continue to bless the community that you have served and us! 

We can't forget the seed that was planted in us! Who learned that they were more than capable with a hammer? Who learned that they were good at conflict resolution? Who found a strength inside of them that they didn't know they had? So we must continue to nurture the seeds! Praise God! May it indeed be so.

Rob

Niagara Falls, post-mortem: Larvaepocalypse

Now that we've been home for some time, and had some time to reflect, (and unpack and do laundry) I thought it would be a good time to go over some of the highlights (and low-lights) of the trip. I'm not that excited to start here, but I think I can hardly avoid the most talked-about moment of the whole trip: Larvaepocalypse.

On Wednesday evening, just about lights-out time (11:00 PM) I get word from one of the adult leaders in our sleeping room, "Rob, you are needed on the girls' side two minutes ago!" This is highly unusual, as we are told early and often, in no uncertain terms never to cross over into the "girls' side." I step out into the hall and someone asks me to grab some of the guys and help out in the girls' sleeping room because "there are maggots!" One of our young ladies had opened her sleeping bag and was about to get into it when she noticed little worm-like bugs crawling on it. It was all downhill from there. Other girls started to notice bugs in or near their bags and suitcases, and pandemonium ensued. By the time I got there, most of the room was evacuated and girls were piled in the hallway, shaking, crying, or sometimes just half asleep on their feet. Most of the adults and a few brave Youth started the process of going through everyone's sleeping bags, pillows and everything else that was on the floor, checking for bugs. When each item was cleared we would hand it to the Youth who would move it to a different room.

It came out after a while that these were not maggots, exactly but were some other kind of fly larvae. I'm still not sure what kind, and I'm not about to Google it, for fear of what I might find :) They were gross, no question about it. Some were more grossed out by it than others, understandably so.

It took some time to get everyone to calm down enough to get back in their rooms and into bed. Some, reportedly, never did sleep that night. I've included the only picture I could find of our host site below. It doesn't show much except, perhaps, the age of the building. That does not explain the larvae, however, as that could only be explained by the bacon hamburger we found on the shelf in the girls' room! You should have seen that thing, it was teeming!

Life goes on, we survived! The staff were really great about helping to clean up. The site director was not pleased, as you might well imagine, but she got over it. So, if your Youth is still having a hard time looking at a hamburger, please grant them some grace!

Blessings,
Rob

Niagara Falls!

Days 1 2 and 3 (and possibly 4 and 5)

Well, I apologize for the lack of blog posts. We've been on the Niagara Falls Mission trip for three+ days, and we've been BUSY! It's great to be busy, it means we're accomplishing tasks, making friends, doing worship and devotions and just generally being the church where we are. The problem, of course, with all this is that it leaves little time for updates for those back home. I hope you all have been checking out the pictures we've managed to get up on Facebook, but they stlil only provide a glimps into what it has been like here this week. (and only from my perspective)

Even now, there are only a few minutes before the next event, which is a worship service/bible study at a local church called "The Potter's House." I will try to give a snapshot of our week so far as quickly and efficiently as possible. Please forgive the spelling/grammar.

We arrrived at Niagara Falls on Sunday afternoon after two long days of travelling, a bit road-weary. We were very excited to arrive and see the town. Our first impression was a bit of a shock. The  city of Niagara Falls is not a beautiful resort town, it's not a thriving anything. It's a city that has lost 50% of its population over the last 50 years, and it shows. There are many areas that are worn-down, boarded up, or just generally old.

We divided up into work groups as soon as we arrived at our host site and found out that the 19 of us would be divided into 4 crews. I would be with a crew that was going to an old (Polish) Catholic church, Holy Trinity. It is a historic site on the state and national historic registry. They are preparing for a concert this coming Sunday, so we helped by cleaning up the sanctuary, moving a piano and weeding the front walk. On Wednesday we went to NACC, an old closed-down local high school that has been turned into art studios. We got a tour of the old (supposedly haunted) high school and learned a lot about its history, as well as the history of the city of Niagara Falls.

There is a lot more to tell, I'm going to have 2 of the Youth who were in different groups tell a little about their experiences:

Hi, Rachel here. This week I am working at a kids club wih 5 other youth and two adults along with a few teenagers from the area. It has been a very moving experence for me. The kids are from below the poverty line most from boken homes and yet the surpase my expectations everyday as they are always happy and some of the most loving people I have met. Everyday we play outside and do a craft in the morning then eat the provided lunch. Next the kids watch a movie as the teenagers clean. After the movie we read a Bible story and do a corisponding craft. We sing a lot and the kids love it! About 15 minutes before the kids leave the teenagers pick a "camper of the day" who is the child that was the most respectful that day, that kid then gets a small prize and a necklace. After that we detangle ourselves from the kids and go shower. The kids are great and I am having a great time!

Hi, this is Megan. This week I have been working in a nursing home, food pantry, free lunch, shoe place. I had the chance to talk with a participant at the free lunch today and I found his story incredible. He got into some trouble and was in jail for quite some time. He now has changed to a man studying the bible in his home and has realized what it means to serve the lord and how important it is. Even though I have had a rough week with homesickeness, medical issues, and the heat I have really loved being around my crew and the people we are serving. I have shared many laughs with my youth group friends and crew too. 

As you might have guessed, this is probably the only update you'll receive this week. We actually started writing this last night, and, true to form, I got called away in the middle, so I am finishing this morning. I'll do my best to keep posting pictures to Facebook, and I'm sure we'll have some time for reflection once we all get home.

I hope all is well back home! We'll see you soon!

Blessings,

Rob

Who are we trying to impress?

I've been reading a lot of blog posts by Youth Pastors and other church workers about spirituality vs. behavior modification. Starting with Youth Sunday this year, many of our conversations in Sunday School and Youth Group have been centered around being who you are, no matter your surroundings. We've already discussed at length how we all tend to moderate our behavior based on who we're with, but who are we trying to impress?

Psalm 119: 1-16
The Glories of God’s Law
1 Happy are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Happy are those who keep his decrees,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
5 O that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous ordinances.
8 I will observe your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me.

9 How can young people keep their way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
    so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
    all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Growing up in the church can be confusing. At least, I know it was for me. Why are there so many rules to follow? What makes a sin a sin? If we know we are loved and forgiven by our God, why not sin?

Psalm 119 says "Happy are those whose way is blameless,..."

So, perhaps the answer to the question "who are we trying to impress?" is us. We will never be perfect, but that doesn't mean we won't stop trying. To know that we have a relationship with God is to be happy.

Like any relationship, there can be stress, there can be disagreement. When we take a relationship for granted or when we stop investing our time into it, it can become strained, even unpleasant. When we forget to pray, or forget to be thankful for all of the blessings God has given us, we add stress to our relationship with God. So, do yourself a favor; talk with God, thank God for all you've been given. "...seek him with [your] whole heart." And Be Happy!

Rob

A New Chapter

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them. - Psalm 34:4-7

After many months, many letters written, and many meetings, it's (temporarily) official! Starting October 1st, I will be employed by St. Mark's U.M.C. full-time! The Executive Council voted last Tuesday to proceed with my proposal for the remainder of the year until the committee, which has been assigned the task of sorting through current employee roles, can make their official recommendation.

This is great news for me, as I was recently laid off of my "other" half-time position and was left looking for other part-time or full-time employment. I was concerned that I would not be able to find a job that fit with my current work schedule for the church, and I would be forced to make an unfortunate decision between staying at the church part-time, or working somewhere else full-time. Fortunately the Executive Council came through and I will now be spending all of my time working at St. Mark's in both the Music Ministry and Youth Ministry positions.

This (I hope) is great news for the Youth and Music ministry areas of St. Mark's as well! I will now have more hours to dedicate to the Youth of the church, which will increase the opportunities we have exponentially! Some of my preliminary ideas include: separate Jr. High/Sr. High meetings, (not all the time, just on occasion) and more one on one time with Youth and their families. The possibilities are really limitless.

I should, of course, say thank you to all of you who supported me in this time! I received some AMAZING letters of support from parents and Youth alike! I am not in the habit of asking people to write a letter telling me how great I am, so to say I felt uneasy about it is an understatement. But, wow! What great things to hear from such great people! To know how much support I have from the church community was probably the biggest blessing to come out of the whole ordeal. I cannot thank you all enough for your kind words of support!

I started working in Youth Ministry as a calling I felt. I didn't know when I started how long I would work in Youth Ministry. The average Youth Minister stays in the field for an average of 1.5 years, and frankly, if you had told me that's how long I would have worked as the Youth Director at St. Mark's when my time first began, I probably would have believed you. But now, more than three years on, I feel more than ever that I am in the right place. I am so excited for the future of this Youth Group!

Blessings,
Rob

Day ??

Another work day in the books! Most of us returned to our previous work assignments, but some got new assignments. Alexia, Libby and Ryan went back to the Boys and Girls Club, Megan, Annika, Trevor and Angie (mom) were at a retirement home; Rob, Leah, Duncan, Rachel and Maddy are at the New Wineskins Ministries' food bank; Jan and Ana are at a different retirement community, Michelle, Emily and Moose (Chris) returned to the Third Phase shelter and food bank.

Everyone seemed to have good days today. It rained really hard in the morning, and lightly for the rest of the day, which meant we all got to (or had to, depending on your perspective) stay inside. Tomorrow is the big day for the food bank and we're really looking forward to seeing the people that we've been preparing to help all week.

We came back to the church after our work assignments and grabbed showers and got ready for dinner. After dinner we had our evening program/worship time, followed by devotions.

Last night we got to have our free night, so we went downtown to check out the Circle Centre Mall. We ended the night by going to Dairy Queen and Youth Group Devotions before heading back to the church for the night. Below are pictures of the group at the War Memorial, My work crew and one other on the way to our site.