Published December 9, 2016
Northridge Church, Rochester, New York
Aaron
Ministry Highlights
Ministry Fair – In the middle of the month a few members of our team went to Liberty University for a recruiting trip. It was a lot of fun to meet potential team members and bond as a Staff Team. However, the more important highlight for me personally was the ability to leave and miss youth group but trust that it would still run successfully. The volunteer teams that are in place a truly remarkable, and I appreciate them so much!
Preaching Opportunity – I had a chance to preach on Sunday morning, and it was an awesome experience. Because of our process here at Northridge, I was able to pre-preach the sermon about a month in advance and get lots of feedback. As a result, it got MUCH better, and was well-received by the church as a whole.
Party Night – On November 30, we had a Party Night which 157 students attended–12 of them for the first time! We first started party nights last year because we felt they could help us re-establish attendance momentum after holiday breaks, and we felt this was definitely achieved after Thanksgiving.
Key Prayer Requests
Our Pregnancy – My wife is 31 weeks along, and we are truly beginning to feel as if this baby could come at any time. I’m filled with anxiety AND excitement about a new stage with a child.
Family Time – December is a crazy time of year with family and parties and social gatherings. I would love to balance that well with my work responsibilities.
Personnel Issues – We have had a few small group leaders make some sinful choices that need to be addressed – I’m conflict averse, and I would love prayer as I attempt to work through those issues with my key leaders.
Prominent Lessons
This month one of my NYM (Northridge Youth Ministry) teammates returned after taking a few weeks off due to a miscarriage. Her return was much-anticipated (because of how much she brings to our team), but also because we wanted her to feel welcome. Not only did we have a chance to have multiple gifts ready for her on her desk, we all went and got milkshakes in the afternoon just to be together and celebrate her return. At the end of the day, she posted about how grateful she is for our team and the support. I share this as a significant lesson because of how much it reminded me that we have to be people who are in the struggles of life together—not just the struggles that occur inside the office, but outside of it as well. If we are not able to be present in each other’s lives, we won’t be able to function well when the high stress moments come. Relationships must be forged in FUN and SWEAT! A little bit of intentional investment on that single day made all the difference for our beloved teammate!
The third week in November was emotionally draining on a number of fronts for Lauren and I. We have some decisions that need to be made as a leadership team at church that have left Lauren and I praying hard and wading through some tough emotions. Also, with the death of her grandmother, there was very little that was “normal” about my week, and I crave rhythm and habits. Without those standard behaviors in my work week I feel very lost and unable to account for the various details I am responsible to manage. However, I found that relying on each other as a couple is a vital part of healthy ministry long-term. Also, stretching situations that require courage are AWESOME opportunities to be forced to rely on prayer in new and powerful ways. I’m grateful for the difficult season we just entered because of what it promises in the form of spiritual growth and development for Lauren and me.
I made some foolish decisions while visiting Liberty University regarding my sleep patterns (for which I paid the price over Thanksgiving). I stayed up late to have time with friends, but the results were significant fatigue and a fever. Often times, I will tell myself “I need to take advantage of this time with friends,” but in reality, I need to honor my body’s limitations. I know how much sleep I need, and I ignored that. Hopefully, I will be able to manage my time better in the future and not be drawn by social interaction to make those choices that affect my family in this way.
I spent a week on vacation with my family, and it was an awesome time to relax and recharge as a couple and as a family. I learned the importance of having people that can give you perspective in life and ministry. My family provided that perspective in a number of ways. First, my siblings both have kids, and seeming them function in their role as PARENTS was a refreshing reminder of the cycles that life goes through, and how I will soon have a calling to be a parent to my son. It is a TRULY life-changing and perspective-altering moment! Secondly, my siblings and parents are also all in full-time ministry. Hearing them discuss their different ministries and report all that God is doing in THEM is a good reminder of how God uses VERY different ministries to accomplish big things since HE is the one who gives the growth. That enables me to serve God with freedom and excitement (stress free) knowing that His mission is much bigger than my decisions (however important they feel to me in the moment).
Key Goals for the Next Month
Family Time – I will be with my family around Christmastime, and I would like to ensure my work does not interfere with my time there in New Hampshire.
Complete PT701 – I have STILL not gotten this done – I MUST complete it this month!
Complete PT702 – I still have also not completed the paperwork for this project.
Submit Applied Bible Analysis (ABA) #2 – I have preached the sermon; I just need to finalize the paper work and receive my evaluations before submitting.
Implement a Baby Plan – I need to ensure that my team is ready for when I’ll be out with the baby.
Lauren
Ministry Highlights
We broke an attendance record in our Middle School Ministry this month with 99 6th-8th graders!
Got to re-connect with a former student (now in college) over Thanksgiving break. Love sending our teens off and watching them grow in their relationship with the Lord and hearing how they are changing.
Key Prayer Requests
We recently found out that one of our adult small group leaders for youth group is pregnant out of wed-lock. This is a friend of mine who I used to work with outside of youth group, so there are lots of personal feelings as well as “professional” ones. Please pray for guidance as we work to bring restoration where needed and have her seek forgiveness from those it is necessary. Also pray for wisdom as we decide how to take next steps in all of her relationships with the teenagers.
Please pray for my immediate family. Most of them are not on speaking terms due to some serious misunderstandings/lies, and there seems to not be any hope of restoration.
Prominent Lessons
I’m not sure that I can think of something specific to answer this question. However, I truly have been deeply enjoying youth ministry this month, counting it a privilege to be involved in such a growing and exciting ministry. Ministry is a tough job, and it hasn’t always been something I have thrived on – the schedule is busy; the people are never happy, and the situations are dirty. But week after week God continues to show Himself faithful by providing encouragement through friends, family, a successful event, a recording breaking attendance, a baptism, a handful of new students coming to youth group for the first time, etc. And it’s that faithfulness that urges me to press onward. So thankful for the Lord!
Key Goals for the Next Month
I just have three more weeks of work before I am able to stay home to prepare for the baby to come! My goal is to stay focused and continue working hard even though I feel like mentally checking out.
I would like to get coffee with one of the girls in my adult community group, outside of our formal meeting time.
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