I believe that I am returning to this blog. I have been gone for awhile but it is time to get back to writing here. I am not sure how much time that I will have to devote to it, but I am going to give it a try. Alot has happened since I departed.
I have resigned from my ministry position at Christ The Savior. I am currently working three part-time "secular" jobs. I am working night shift at Marsh (a grocery store) as a night stocker. I am working at Metro Plastic as a machine operator. Then recently, I have partnered with Children International. They do child sponsorship's in 11 countries and I try to match kids and donors. If you would be willing to partner with me/them; let me know. Your gift of $25 a month will do amazing things.
I am also interviewing for various ministry positions across the country. I am not sure where we will land. Also, I am now able to visit numerous churches. I visited 3 last Sunday. It is definitely interesting to see how everyone "does church".
So, in the up-coming weeks, I will share about Child International, my job search, church experiences and life in this transition time.
Jeff
The thoughts and writings on this blog are the thoughts of Jeff and do not necessarily represent the views of Grace First Parish of Russell and/or Lutheran Campus Ministry of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ministry Blog
I have not been active here at all even though that I have had intentions to be. I am going to try to focus on blogging for a month but do it with a purpose - ministry. So, I decided to create a new blog with that purpose. With it being new and intentional on what I will be writing about, maybe I can do it. We will see. If you stop by here and see this, maybe you wanna check out what is happening there:
Thoughts On Ministry
Thoughts On Ministry
Monday, July 25, 2011
Free Ice Water --- NOW !!!
A few days ago, I was on a mission trip with our pre-teens. We joined four other churches and overall it was a grerat experience. Here is a picture of our team:
The group is not what I first expected. I thought that we would be taking 15-20 students from our 5-6 grade ministry. But, that did not happen. However, what did occur was that we took three families and having three families do a trip together was awesome.
Now, onto the free water.
On Wednesday, we decided to go and get some ice cream at the local place to get the best ice cream intown. When we went in to the store, we were the only ones there. We were ordering for us and we were also treating the 4 staff members back at the church, so we had 11 ice cream orders to fill. There was one teenage worker in the store and she did fantastic putting all 11 orders together. We decided to make life easy on her to put it all on one ticket. Honestly, I think it was the obvious church.
While we were in there, another church group came in. They all had their money out individually and was very apprehensive while we were in there. As soon as our oder was complete, we exited the store and went back to the church.
Thirty minutes later, I hear an adult minister complain about the teenager who was working the same store. He was upset because he wanted a free water and she would not give it to him (store policy). Now, I will also remind you that he was the one leading the group that was paying individually, he did not order a thing and they sold water bottles for .69 cents (I do believe). It was hot out and he could not believe they would not give out free water and he let her know about it.
As I listened to the story from a distance, my heart broke. A minister lamblasted a teenager for following store policy. I could not let it go. I went to worship time with my group and after the worship experience, I excused myself.
I went down to the ice cream store where she was still working and the store was still hopping. I waited in line and when it was my turn, I said to her:
Thank-you for serving us so graciously earlier. I heard about what happended after we left with the water, is it true. She confirmed. I said, I want to apologize on their behalf and for the trouble that they gave you, I want to give you a tip.
She was speechless and grateful.
I am amazed at times how rude we can be to others and it breaks my heart that it is fellow ministers who are the cause of pain at times; to me it is unexcuseable.
I did not spend time with her to hear her story because of how busy she was. I am not sure if she is a followe of Christ or not. But, I cannot imagine what her thoughts may be when she got a rude awakening from a minister.
Think before you speak and act ---- anytime. Not to mention when you are on a mission trip.
The group is not what I first expected. I thought that we would be taking 15-20 students from our 5-6 grade ministry. But, that did not happen. However, what did occur was that we took three families and having three families do a trip together was awesome.
Now, onto the free water.
On Wednesday, we decided to go and get some ice cream at the local place to get the best ice cream intown. When we went in to the store, we were the only ones there. We were ordering for us and we were also treating the 4 staff members back at the church, so we had 11 ice cream orders to fill. There was one teenage worker in the store and she did fantastic putting all 11 orders together. We decided to make life easy on her to put it all on one ticket. Honestly, I think it was the obvious church.
While we were in there, another church group came in. They all had their money out individually and was very apprehensive while we were in there. As soon as our oder was complete, we exited the store and went back to the church.
Thirty minutes later, I hear an adult minister complain about the teenager who was working the same store. He was upset because he wanted a free water and she would not give it to him (store policy). Now, I will also remind you that he was the one leading the group that was paying individually, he did not order a thing and they sold water bottles for .69 cents (I do believe). It was hot out and he could not believe they would not give out free water and he let her know about it.
As I listened to the story from a distance, my heart broke. A minister lamblasted a teenager for following store policy. I could not let it go. I went to worship time with my group and after the worship experience, I excused myself.
I went down to the ice cream store where she was still working and the store was still hopping. I waited in line and when it was my turn, I said to her:
Thank-you for serving us so graciously earlier. I heard about what happended after we left with the water, is it true. She confirmed. I said, I want to apologize on their behalf and for the trouble that they gave you, I want to give you a tip.
She was speechless and grateful.
I am amazed at times how rude we can be to others and it breaks my heart that it is fellow ministers who are the cause of pain at times; to me it is unexcuseable.
I did not spend time with her to hear her story because of how busy she was. I am not sure if she is a followe of Christ or not. But, I cannot imagine what her thoughts may be when she got a rude awakening from a minister.
Think before you speak and act ---- anytime. Not to mention when you are on a mission trip.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Milwaukee
Here is our "fun" group picture on the church steps of Unity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 18 youth and 4 adults converged on the city to team up with YouthWorks and 2 more churches.
More pictures and stories to come.
More pictures and stories to come.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
The New House
We have recently moved into a new town and a new house. We moved to Fishers where I currently serve at a local church. Below are four pictures of our new house:
The Front Lawn and House
Our Basketball Hoop / House from the Street
Our Side Yard: Swing / Patio
Inside Front Door
The Front Lawn and House
Our Basketball Hoop / House from the Street
Our Side Yard: Swing / Patio
Inside Front Door
Friday, May 27, 2011
Jacob: I Refuse
Jacob sings I Refuse at the school talent show. I am so proud of him that he had the courage to enter the talent show and then to enter the talent show with such a powerful meaning song.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Confirmation Sunday
This past Sunday (May 22nd), we had confirmation Sunday. We had a great group of students, peer guides, and adult leaders. Here is a picture of the confirmation class:
This year, I moved the confirmation service to the worship service and it went really well and the church seemed to appreciate the fact that we were there together.
This year, I moved the confirmation service to the worship service and it went really well and the church seemed to appreciate the fact that we were there together.
Monday, April 18, 2011
This Past Weekend
We had our "weekend" ministry in Indianapolis this weekend.
On Saturday, we went down to the Women Shelter to do a recreational night with the women and children. Then, on Sunday, we did our Meet Me Under The Bridge (feeding the homeless).
With everything that goes on at church and life in general; these make the weekends very busy. However, at the same time, it is so refreshing and it is so great to serve and it is so wonderful to see students willing to serve as well.
On Saturday, we went down to the Women Shelter to do a recreational night with the women and children. Then, on Sunday, we did our Meet Me Under The Bridge (feeding the homeless).
With everything that goes on at church and life in general; these make the weekends very busy. However, at the same time, it is so refreshing and it is so great to serve and it is so wonderful to see students willing to serve as well.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Rollercoaster: Serving In Indy
One of the things that I committed to doing when we moved to indianapolis was serving the city. My family lives in the city (technicaaly). We have an Indianapolis address and live in one of the townships but we live outside the belt.
Our church is in the NE suburb of Indianapolis. Thus, I have tried to connect our students to the city and help meet the needs of the city.
Well, this week was an interesting week and to me, it was a rollercoast experience. Unfortunately, it is the end of the week and I flew down the hill after a few "high" experiences.
Monday: i went to the Men's shelter with a few of my 6th graders and we served a meal and helped clean up. I also had the opportunity to listen to Shawn share his story.
Tuesday: My family went down to one of the local churches downtown who runs an afterschool program for one of the Indianapolis Public School. They only had a few kids there but it was great to read to them, eat with them, play uno and just share with them. I have been there a few times and there are two students there that I think that I am connecting with.
Wednesday: I met with the volunteer coordinator for our local refugee organization. I think that this will be a great opportunity for us as a church to connect and "adopt" a family. We should really know more about how we will connect early next month.
Today: We have been "kicked off" the volunteer list at the women's shelter because we did not meet our commitment today and they can no longer count on us. This makes me sad. We should be able to make the commitment.
Our church is in the NE suburb of Indianapolis. Thus, I have tried to connect our students to the city and help meet the needs of the city.
Well, this week was an interesting week and to me, it was a rollercoast experience. Unfortunately, it is the end of the week and I flew down the hill after a few "high" experiences.
Monday: i went to the Men's shelter with a few of my 6th graders and we served a meal and helped clean up. I also had the opportunity to listen to Shawn share his story.
Tuesday: My family went down to one of the local churches downtown who runs an afterschool program for one of the Indianapolis Public School. They only had a few kids there but it was great to read to them, eat with them, play uno and just share with them. I have been there a few times and there are two students there that I think that I am connecting with.
Wednesday: I met with the volunteer coordinator for our local refugee organization. I think that this will be a great opportunity for us as a church to connect and "adopt" a family. We should really know more about how we will connect early next month.
Today: We have been "kicked off" the volunteer list at the women's shelter because we did not meet our commitment today and they can no longer count on us. This makes me sad. We should be able to make the commitment.
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