ok, so let me first off say i'm sorry. i have grand hopes to be one of those people who blog everyday; but lately my life has been running from one meeting to the next. all of this is due in part to my role shifting in June, when the leadership of mars hill asked me to join there executive team, oversee both kids + students, begin working to create a college ministry and continue teaching at the.element (our junior ministry at mars hill).
On paper this feels like a lot; but deep down i feel good about all of this because when this transition happened, i quickly promoted Annie Oosting to be our kids pastor and Josh Bishop to be our student pastor. these two are both young emerging leaders with so much to offer the church. it has been a blast getting to delegate the weight of these ministries to them...
funds for the college ministry was just approved two weeks ago and my in-box is just flooded with people who have thoughts, dreams, and concerns about this. i have so many thoughts on this, many i'll share here in the coming months; but right now the students team and i are just thrilled.
the junior high kicked off a few weeks ago and was just a blast. these students are incredible! last year we spent the whole year walking through the book of exodus and focussing on the places of egypt and sinai. this year we will continue on in the new exodus motif by walking through life in Jerusalem starting with the israelites begging God for a king and then spend the season of advent in babylon.
i'm pleased with how the fall has kicked off. i continue to be overwhelmed with gratitufe for the team of staff and volunteers God has surrounded me with. what a gift...
i'm getting a handle on all of the meetings and will make it a priority to begin posting at least three new blogs a week. thanks for your patience.
Wow, the switch is happening! You're so good for the new role. I can't wait to hear all about it as it unfolds.
Posted by: ryan guard | September 21, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Congrats Steve...sounds like our hands will be full, but I'm glad to hear you are still going to have some chances to engage directly with students.
Posted by: john chandler | September 21, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Steve,
Since I'm involved in college ministry myself out here in Idaho, I'm curious about all of the thoughts, dreams, and concerns you are receiving for your new college ministry responsibilities. Our college ministry has been in place since June 2005, so we're still relatively young in that sense. Our college ministry is trying to be a community within a larger community, that focuses on living out our faith. I guess I like to start up some dialogue with you on the subject if this particular niche of ministry. It should come as no surprise that several of your larger communities' ideas and philosophies are very intriguing and motivating to this generation of people that I'm working with who want to follow the way of Jesus. Get back to me when you can. - Worth p.s. good thoughts on "rythms not balance" as well.
Posted by: Worth Wheeler | October 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM