Priorities…
How they can change so quickly…
For the most part, things are the same. But one huge item has jumped up higher on my list. My eyes have opened to the problem I see coming soon to a world near me…
I need to be more active in recruitting, praying, seeking out volunteer leaders for my squad.
I have been stubborn about it for 2 reasons.
- I used to be on staff and that was part of my job, finding and building a leadership team. Well, since I have stepped down from the "paid" position and returned to the same position without pay, I see myself being stubborn and not seeking leaders because it is no longer a paid job responsibility. I don't want to do any admin stuff, collecting money for camp, organizing busses for camp, getting health forms in and basically anything else that doesn't directly involve with a conversation with a student has been a turn off for me. I dont want my role to be that stuff… Kind of why I chose to step down as a "paid staff" leader after a few years. I didn't want the responsibility that the title came with.
- In the past, we have had a ton of leaders hang with us, many good people, but also many for only a few months or month… But only a few that have had the heart for kids, had the strength to be in the trenches in the tough times when few or no kids show up. Only a few really want to do it for the kids and to further the kingdom. Many do it because they feel a need to give back. They need to volunteer somewhere… If this is the case: What is keeping you around if your intentions are to log volunteer hours or to have a community service type attidue. A student sees you walking with them, then 2 months later you find somewhere else to put in your "hours"… How do you feel if you are a student and that keeps happening? How do I deal with that when a kid asks why somebody who came and loved them for 4 weeks in a row, just left with no warning or goodbyes. So when people say they want to be a leader because they feel like they need to give back, I keep quiet. I won't give them a chance.
Answer to the first one…
I need to buck up and do the work. In addition I need to be in constant prayer for the fulfillment of the staff position. we have been without a full time staff leader for over 2 years and the ministry is at a point where I cannot carry it along further… Until then, i need to be open and in prayer about it. I need to ask others to pray, I need to get on my knees daily for the situation.
Answer to the second one…
I need to be in prayer about this too. I need to be open with people about our needs, I need people to hear our needs and not say everything is great! "You had 10 kids go to camp this summer! Things are just great!" Cause they are not… I need to be patient. I need to keep my eyes open to opportunities, people, and not have a negative attitude. I need to meet with more people who are interested and let them tell me their interests before I write them off as volunteers instead of leaders. I want leaders. I am scared of what this fall may bring. We had 10 campers come home last week all fired up for Young life, add the others who didnt go to camp and the friends of those who went to camp. I am scared that Alexis and I cannot do it alone. I know we can't do it alone and that is why it is great to have God on our squad, but I cannot have a solid relationship with more than 4-5 kids, I don't want to have kids be left behind and missed in the chaos…
Here's part one of the journey…
This friday we have an interview for a possible candidate for our staff opening… She has been a youth intern at a church and recently graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. Please pray for this interview and guidance of her heart and if she is being called to this ministry with us.
Here is a link to our site, I will be adding pictures from Frontier Ranch 2005 shortly. Please pray for leaders to rise up from people I know, people I don't know and anywhere else they may come from!
Abba, be with me during the chaos of gaining students' trust, friendship, time. Please send those you have chosen to come along side us. Please let me keep an open mind about those you send. Please let their hearts be shown by their actions, they way they carry themselves.
Abba, you drive…
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