As I predicted in my last blog post (last month/year), things are
finally beginning to pick up as far as job postings. It's still very slow and many fewer postings than we will no doubt see later in the spring, but at least there are some potentially compatible churches that I have sent my resume to. Nothing has gone beyond initial contact so far as many have only posted in the past week. A few have graciously responded to let me know they will be looking at resumes by the end of February - which is actually fairly quick for church search committees. I don't expect to have many - if any - interviews before late February, but at least it is encouraging to have some potential contacts.
The long, slow process of ministry placement can be discouraging, especially coming off of a disappointing ministry experience with the church leadership at my last church. But God has a way of keeping us encouraged even when we're feeling down. I received this awesome email from a good friend and former youth group student not too long ago. Here is an excerpt from the email he wrote when he found out about us leaving our last ministry posting:
I am sorry to hear that. I must say that I too share your surprise and sadness.
I will say this, though. Your unyielding trust in God's good and perfect will over the years is truly inspiring. It's the kind of "rubber hits the road" faith that is wonderfully encouraging and admirable. I don't know why God keeps throwing you guys around to this church and that, but your relentless pursuit of Him is a blessing.
Just know (and you obviously have to already know this, but it bears repeating) that your work in these students' lives has certainly not been in vain. My life and faith in those critical junior/senior high years is due largely to your love and effort to raise up a young man with the truth of the gospel. I cannot thank you guys enough for being the church and giving me such a gift.
*Begin cornball section*
It's like that story about all the starfish being washed up on the shore, and the girl keeps throwing them back in and then the dude comes up to her and is like, "Hey, what the heck are you doing? There's like, a million of these things. You can't possibly think you're making any kind of difference." To which she replied as she tossed another starfish back into the ocean (and you know the ending): "It made a difference to that one."
Even if you had yielded nothing in your ministry over all these years (which is certainly not the case), just know that I am that "one starfish." Your love, education, time, effort, etc. has made a world of difference to me.
*End cornball session*
I will pray that God sends you exactly where He needs you. And I will pray that exactly where He needs you will be exactly where you want to be.
Love you guys.
That's the kind of thing that keeps us going in youth ministry in spite of the sometimes daunting challenges. I know how God has worked in the life of this young man and it's a humbling privilege to know He used Rosalie and me to minister to him through the years. It's amazing how much encouragement and blessing can be received from just a quick little note.
So who can you encourage today with a quick little note?
One other highlight of this past week was Jordan's first speech meet. He is in the Great Speeches category and delivers Robert F. Kennedy's speech in Indianapolis following Martin Luther King's assassination. Part of the speech has to be Jordan's own researched commentary. He did an excellent job - in spite of some nervousness - and received an A- from both judges (he had to devlier it at two different times). I'm very proud - as always. Congratulations, Jordan!
