Published January 11, 2017
Northridge Church, Rochester, New York
Aaron
Ministry Highlights
Student Leader Retreat – Lauren and I were able to take a handful of leadership students on a brief retreat in the beginning of the month. These trips are always some of the most rewarding parts of my job because it gives me quality, extended face-time with students (something we don’t always get because of our Small Group Leadership structure). Interacting with these students who are serious about their faith, loving others, and pointing people to Jesus is inspiring to me. I just wish I had been as spiritually focused as them in high school!
Small Group Leader Christmas Party – We had a Christmas Party for all of our Small Group Leaders and it was a lot of fun! We got to have that relational time that makes serving together such a joy. But, we also got to swap stories about how many wonderful things God is doing in students’ lives – THAT is the real joy of getting everyone together!
Christmas Eve Services – Across our three campuses and seven services, we had over 3,000 people at Northridge Church for Christmas Eve! It was truly amazing and the first time our church has broken that number. The gospel was clearly presented, and we are hoping to continue to watch God use that service in the circles of influence that are represented by Northridge Church.
Key Prayer Requests
Snow Camps – We have a snow camp coming in January and February. I’m praying God uses them in a significant way in students’ hearts and lives.
Baby Arrival – Our due date is February 3, but obviously he could arrive anytime in late January. There is much I want to do to be prepared for that, so prayers would be appreciated!
Self-Discipline in achieving my goals for 2017 – I’d love for this to be a year of intense spiritual growth. In order for that to happen, I’m going to have to be focused on honoring God in all aspects of my life, both private and public.
Prominent Lessons
We had a “Christmas Tree Lighting Party” with youth group this month, and it was a lot of fun! We had quite a few students attend, many of them for the first time. I was excited to see God using relationships between Small Group Leaders and students to have a real impact.
However, my lesson was related to something a little silly – we had a huge (16-foot) tree we needed to get standing in a secure way. It took quite some time to do this, and there were many failed plans. In the midst of this, I became very convinced we were not going to be able to get the tree to stand, so I was consistently verbalizing alternative plans so that we did not get too far along in the day without a “Plan B.” However, in the end we got the tree to stand up, and I realized that while my caution and planning is helpful at some level, in the midst of the stress of a moment, my team needs me to positive, encouraging and convinced in their ability. Instead, I was negative and assumed we did not have the capability to make their vision become a reality. That is a leadership flaw that I should work to overcome.
I had a significant conversation this month that was a disappointment – it represented a failure for a plan that I had outlined to be able to fruition as a result of a person being unconvinced that God would have them join in at this time. In the midst of the conversation, I found myself being frustrated and slightly angry because I felt that, while this person had prayed and worked through things with their spouse, they were “messing up” what I believed God would have us do. However, to be honest, I have had very few moments like this in my life when my “best laid plans” of this significance were thwarted in such a big way. Thus, it was really hard for me to get perspective on the fact that while I am personally surprised, God is not at all – He has a plan that will go forward without this other person.
There was another staff member who was with me during this conversation, and his stress-free ability to just release this person and entrust the situation to God was extremely challenging to me. He has had A LOT of experience having plans go “sideways” and having God reveal a much better future further down the road. Thus, he had GREAT confidence to let this person go. I realized that I must work to develop this kind of trust – this experience has given me that much more confidence to do so!
This month I had a chance to watch forgiveness and grace in action. One of our small group leaders made a significant mistake that resulted in her needing to step down from her role. We gave her the opportunity to speak with her small group of girls, confess her mistake and then ask for their forgiveness – each one of the girls expressed forgiveness, love and on-going support for their leader. We had a chance to speak with parents of the girls, and they were responsive and supportive of our handling of the situation.
The lesson I learned is that it is vital to always be open, honest and forthcoming with difficult situations (especially involving sin that will eventually become public). Parents, leaders and students need example of how to handle hard situations that require transparency and grace. Our world (and often the church) shies away from being direct in relation to serious mistakes, so we need to take every opportunity to balance truth and grace.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Internship Goals: Get PT703 further along and submit the proposal for PT704. Also, schedule Applied Bible Analyses #3 and #4.
Snow Camp – We have a Middle School snow camp that I want to make sure goes well.
Baby Readiness! – The baby could come at almost anytime. I want to be ready personally and professionally.
Personal Goals: Set up some annual goals for 2017 and get a plan in place to work those goals.
Lauren
Ministry Highlights
Every Christmas we put together a party for our adult Small Group Leaders to celebrate their hard work in investing in our teenager’s lives and bless them with a small gift of our appreciation. It’s always such a joy to spend time with these volunteers, listening to their successes and struggles, and casting vision for them to continue digging deep into the hearts of our kids.
At the beginning of the month, we spent one night away with our group of 12 Student Leaders. We do this twice a year for the purpose of building relationships with these specific teens, as well as train and teach them how to be leaders. Because our youth group is so large, this small group of teens is where Aaron and I really get to dig deep and get to know them. I treasure the moments that I get to sit on the couch with coffee and candy and make memories with the girls. I always walk away filled with joy!
Key Prayer Requests
I’ve officially quit my job and am spending the month of January at home awaiting the arrival of our firstborn son! Please pray that I will use my time wisely and fulfill the goals that I have made for myself.
This month is our Junior High Snow Camp. Please pray that God will work in the hearts of these Junior High-ers to shape them to be more like Him. Also pray that I will be able to keep up with the kids as I will be three weeks away from giving birth.
Prominent Lessons
The last two weeks of this month I became extremely sick, and since I am pregnant there is not much the doctors can give me for medicine. I am continually amazed at how blessed I am that God has given me such an incredible husband. He has cared so well for me over the last few weeks. Although this may not seem relative to ministry, working together and caring for each other as husband and wife is extremely significant in ministry. Without support from one another, it’s easy to feel abandoned and alone. I am so thankful for God’s provision in a loving husband; one who is easy to partner with.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Since I am no longer working, I would like to spend one day a week in the office with Aaron helping him with ministry-related things as much as I can.
I’d also like to get coffee with each of our Student Leader female students.
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