Relection Paper

Being in the Intro to Youth Ministry course has really broadened my understanding of youth ministry. I always looked forward to spending time with the kids and building relationships. What I did not know at the beginning of the course was that there was a lot more to consider than that aspect. I learned a lot of valuable lessons and tips from being involved in the course and I have learned even more from being involved in my practicum. I am a very out going person and always initiate the conversation. This is a good aspect in youth ministry, but sometimes I can loose focus and be more a friend then a leader. At my practicum, there were about 30-40 people every Wednesday nigh, and I get to know more and more of then each time. There was one group that I wish I would have taken the initiative to get to know. These kids were the more disruptive kids, the kids that probably needed me the most. One hard thing that I am learning is to get involved with the students that aren’t involved and witness to them.
I also have learned to become more involved in activities going on with the youth group, like SNAC (Sunday night after church), and Friday night hangouts. It has been tough this semester since I have schoolwork, and track, plus not having a car but that’s no excuse. I need to sacrifice some things so I can spend time with the youth outside of Sunday night meetings.
The Pastoral interview really helped me. There was a lot of helpful advice shared that you can’t learn in a class. With every question I asked him he was open and had very good, informative responses. Also, during the face time that I spent with him at breakfast, we talked about what I would like to do in ministry and basically how I felt the ministry at Brookhaven was going. I have definitely grown personally and I feel that I have become more mature through this experience. I have grown in my communication skills as well as my spiritual life.

week 10

I had a good night tonight. it was different knowing this is my last night. tonight there were a lot of kids ,it was packed. I had a hard day of school including track, and having to finish a paper due tomorrow, did not make me want to go to youth but of course i do because it is my grade, (I know that is not the right modivation but it was today.)
Everything turned out to be good. also Pastor Adam, twenty minuts before, told us that we are going to share something to the kids, so that is all I could think about while youth was going on. I didn't know what to say untill Clatin handed me the mic. I first wa slow but then God kicked in and i was incouraging them with these last weeks of school and to remember God's grace though out the summer.
Then pastor Adam anounced that this was our last week, although it was already mentioned when us practicum studens spoke, but Adam asked if any of the kids would pray for us and that was a warm experience. It was sad to hear all the kids ask if I was coming back, because I do enjoy being with the students.
Since I am the drummer and now I am leaving I anounced that my possition needs to be taken. and I pray that there is one youth willing to take the possition.

week 9

This week was a little different then usual, Pasor Adam planned a cool little prayer service.there were seven different stations to go to, all with something different they all had a passage that is read to the group and then we read an instructional to the passage and have a little objective. one station, there was a pale of water and we had to wash the person's feet next to us the group. this was not something I wanted to do because these kids don't understand the meaning of it to take it seriously. Over all it went well but I couldn't get in the zone, I needed a better setting. I talked to mike about this on the way home and he agreed with me in several points. 1. I facility we were in was crouded, and there is to much backround destractions. It would be better if we would have moved to the bigger room so everyone is spread out. 2. the lighting needs to be toned down a little, i would prefer candles litting the room, spread them out all over and have some soft christian music playing. worship went good this week went better than before because Pator adam move over next to me on the drums, and he plays the djimbe. noe that he is by me we can stay together.
I was the leader of one group ands that was fun i enjoyed being the leader. I know that kids look up to me so i was comfortable, each week I do something new and I am feeling better everytime about this as vocation.