The Snow in Baltimore looks like Rain

Hey, so it’s raining in Baltimore, while it’s snows in the rest of the North East…but then again is this the north east? Anyway, another night of programming…I apologize to all my blog readers, I have not posted in a while, but it’s been hard. I feel like as Christmas approaches it becomes very difficult to find time to myself.
This weekend I flew up to New Hampshire to spend some time with Kate’s family. The part of flying that I have really begun to enjoy is the time I have to read. Now don’t get me wrong I would love to get into a conversation with someone about Christ…but it’s hard when you can’t figure out how to break the ice. But anyway, I’ve picked up this new book called Growing Souls (I think) by Mark Yaconelli. Anyway, it’s given me some new insight about programming. So often I try to think about what theme, topic or how to wow these kids. It goes great, the program is running smooth; however, at this time it’s hard to see that the program is going well. It’s really hard.
Now let me clarify, middle school is strong looking and feeling, so right now I’m talking about high school. And sorry another tagent but high school ministry is very very very difficult for me because I don’t have the same natural talent with them as I do with middle school. High school, I haven’t quite figured out…and maybe never will. Anyway, the aspect or approach that I’m missing at this time is taking the teens that I have and empowering them to make waves in the world. Last week at the Confirmation meeting I told parents and teens we were here to cheer them on…I need to make sure I do that, I need to make sure I’m held accountable to that. But anyway, with high school we need to take the teens we have now and really give them the habits and tools to take the next step. We need to figure out how the “activities” we provide become more contemplative.
I become afraid at times of asking people their thoughts because they immediately jump to small groups as the solution…we have small groups…I’m trying to figure out worship in a large setting. And maybe I’m all wrong, maybe we don’t need large worship, maybe we just need small groups…but then where would youth go for worship? Mass works well…Father White does a good job, the teens seem to like him…is Uprising competeing with Mass…it shouldn’t be.
But anyway, I look forward to sitting down with a few of my leaders to figure this out. I haven’t quite figured it out…God’s got this figured out…I just need to figure out what He wants me to figure out…oh God, you are amazing, I love you, but I need you…and if anyone has some ideas out there that God is telling them…let me know.