Published September 1, 2016
Northridge Church, Rochester, New York
Aaron
Ministry Highlights
Counseling Situation – My wife and I have had the privilege of working with a couple that needed marriage counseling. We’ve both taking courses on biblical counseling (as well as attended the BCTC at Faith Church in Lafayette), however, nothing prepares you for sitting across from a couple that is leaning toward ending their marriage. In the last month, however, by God’s grace, they have made dramatic improvements and are enjoying their marriage like they never have before!
SGL Training/Recruitment – Small group leaders are the core of our youth ministry. Over the last month, I’ve done a lot of recruiting and training of those SGLs. This year, we added 15 new leaders to our group, bringing us to 40 for the coming year. It is humbling to see people get passionate about making more and better teen followers of Jesus.
Volunteer Relationship Mended – I had a key volunteer who was struggling under my leadership. However, we were able to work it out over time, and he has returned to being the most high capacity leader on my volunteer team. This was both a personal and professional victory this month.
Saying Goodbye/reflecting on Summer Interns – My two summer interns left this month, and it was a bittersweet experience to look back over all God did through them over the summer. Truly, they stretched me like no leadership experience has to date – and I’m better for it!
Key Prayer Requests
Kick-Off – We kick off our fall programming this week! Looking forward to what God does this year.
Pregnancy – My wife is expecting our first child. We will be navigating weeks 19 to 23 this month. Praying for healthy baby and mom!
People-Focus – I am task-oriented by nature and by culture. I need to work on seeing people in the midst of activity.
Team Management – I manage three employees and 40 volunteers. I need to get better at leading others both personally and administratively.
Prominent Lessons
People have to be the focus – because of my task orientation, I often see people as a means to an end, rather than the end! I have to remember that Jesus was the most people-oriented ministry leader of all. He never allowed tasks or agendas or pressure to allow Him to miss the people God had called him to minister to. I must be the same.
Relationships are built by time-spent. The conflict with my key volunteer taught me this. I had made a lot of assumptions about where we were relationally, but they simply were inaccurate. I cannot presume on relationships unless we have spent the time to make them deep and trustworthy.
Teams are better when you say, “You Decide.” I’m a micro-manager, and I don’t empower those I lead to make good decisions because they have learned I “undo” their work through my evaluation. I must learn to watch people grow through doing it differently than I would, and then figuring it out along the way.
My wife needs my intentionality. At work, I’m very intentional in my growth, but I tend to take my wife for granted. I learned that she needs my intentionality as much (or more) than anyone else I lead. She is my primary responsibility!
Key Goals for the Next Month
Finalize everything with my projects for the internship. I need to get that proposal for each one submitted!
Lead well at the start of the school year. First impressions and expectations are everything. We need to get off on the right foot for this year!
Love my wife well in her pregnancy. This is a unique time in our life, and I don’t want to miss it or squander it!
Begin reading for my development again. I’ve been reading for pleasure a lot since finishing my normal course work. However, I need to get back into the discipline of reading for my development as well. Leaders are readers.
Lauren
Ministry Highlights
This summer we had seven college interns join us at Northridge, two of which were specifically assigned to the youth ministry throughout the week. However, for retreats and weekly youth group, all seven interns were assigned to help us. It was amazing to see the excellence increase with so much more help and watch the interns step out of their comfort zone to do things they never thought possible. It was very encouraging to both Aaron and I to have their help, passion and young energy!
Key Prayer Requests
Aaron and I are expecting our first child on February 3! This is an unexpected joy that comes with many rewards and challenges! Pray for my physical health, as well as our decision about whether or not I go back to work. We do not have family here in this area to help with childcare.
Prominent Lessons
My pregnancy has really affected what I am able to handle physically, emotionally and mentally. I am very sensitive to not wanting to be a weak person who is uninvolved or needs to rest. But I have learned that in order to best serve my husband and our ministry, that resting is key. It is ok for me to take a nap, to sit instead of stand, to stay home from a meeting or say no to a social engagement. When I take care of myself physically, I feel more mentally and emotionally prepared to support Aaron and our ministry.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Fall is an extremely busy time for our youth ministry. There are multiple training sessions, kick-offs, camps and retreats that happen between September and October. I would like to find ways to help Aaron in tangible ways with the planning and execution of these events.
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