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.

week 8

this week was a lot of fun! so there are these twins in the youth that are core students like they are involved and are the oldest. but they are in the band with Claton and I and one day after youth they TPed mike and claton's cars. and i can not let something like this happen expecialy from a GIRL.. so me with brillient mind brought a big roll of ceran rap to college at the beginning of the year just for something like this. yea.. we got them good, Mike Talor, Claton mitchell and I covered their silver mustang... I don't even feel bad... that was great they are still mad at us....

now to youth worship was good we did five songs and they went swell. Adam had a good message on "Fearing God". after he left the mic up for anyone to give thier testimony. everal kids went up and it blew me away to here some of the stuff they shared God is doing in their lives. Unbelievable one of the girls were crying up there while talking to the body. the three that shared gave their lives to christ with in the last month with "Aquire The Fire and Boot Camp"
Boot Camp was something that Pastor Adam put together and it was very affective. many students came to christ. after it was time to go home I quickly jumped onto stage gave a quick little something to the body. I said that regarding to the message, that an idea to remind the students of the message today to fear God is maybe write a message on their note book or get the bumper sticker or anything that will remind you that God is watching.
I though that was hard. I felt really good after I said that because it came from me and my words i just felt good thats all

then I went over to a student marquees who plays in the woship band, he was being very disruptive in youth and I had to shush him and those around him many times... and I went up to him put my arm around his shoulder and told him what I felt...I said that us being on the woship team we are leaders. people see us up on stage and so we need to represent christ. so if student are talking during the sermon you need to stand up tell them to stop and be a leader....I think I scared him and I hope he comes back to practice.

week 7

this is the first week back from spring break. It was good to see the kids again, things didn't seem any different. I did have a little incident with the student named taylor, he came and joined in on the volley ball game we were playing and i said "aren't you grounded from the gym" (with all joking matter.. like i would care if he was or wasn't) but he took it personally saying that was rude and walked away. i felt bad and didn't know how to respond to him but all went well.. he approched me when youth was going in and apologized and explain his day and then I opologized back for bringing that up.
For worship this week the practicum students get to lead. coming back from spring break and all we remembered the day of...but everything went great we all showed up early to practice and ended up doing really good.
I am really feeling part of some of the kids life, at least we can talk about whatever and they listen to me. I really wish I just knew the words to say sometimes when I have the great oportunity to minister to these kids issues. like this kid Bow, he is such a cool little kid but he is haveing family issue and he hates his dad. I have no experiance in this area. all I could say is sorry..(stupid, stupid me)

week 5

I got to hang out with Haydin tuesday it was a great time, the wheather was good and we went skateing around the area. e invited me to meet his family and see his "crib". His grandma was there doing the laundry and I felt a little unconfortable ust walking in and all. but the family was nice and sad I must come back .
Wednesday night we finally had some variety for the game. there was a volley ball net up and a ping pong table, that they brought down from up stairs. I felt good to see a variety of entertainment were everyone can be doing something that they want to do. when it is time for youth to start I sit in the same spot everyweek and with the same kids. i feel they are a little more open now and have grown to knows me.
I kept the beats agint this week for worship and over all i think everything was good. I saw students accually singing and not talking or missing around.
I really enjoy leading in a band and think that might be oething that I would want to do .as I am still in the rocess to soo if this is what I am called to do I will try every oppotunity that comes my way. on that please pray that my interveiwwent well...interveiw for a summer worship camp tour group.

week 4

The youth is growing each week, this week we had 62 students! that is the most we have ever had. I enjoy spending time with kids. We are starying to bring our skateboards and skate a bit before and after service. there are seeral of us that kate and many more want to join but don't have a board yet. For the hotter days I am planning a trip to the skate park.
I played in the worship again this week but I am encouraging a student there thats not involved to make it to practices so he can play and feel as part of the youth.
There is a student there named Haydin there that is really struggling in his walk and is school work. He had already been held back a grade and it doesn't look like he will graduate out of Jr. high this year. He problem is paying attention. I really want to help him but I caqn never get the words out, or I don;t know what to say. so if there is any suggestions tell me I would like to know. He is the only child so for noe I am being an older brother to him.
for this week I could use some prayer in studying for mid terms, because right now I am ot sure how my grades are doing.

week 3

SO you know the accountability partner, Haydin. Yeah well he came to IWU to hang out and then I would swipe him at Baldwin. Before going to meal, Mike Tayler joined us. It was cool to hang out with Haydin and show him the college life, (though sitting with other friends from our floor Haydin might have got to much of the college experience).
Monday their was a sponsor meeting. The talk was on a student who asked to get back on the worship band after being kick off for getting in deep trouble with the law. The dicussion was that he has been coming constantly for several weeks now but is still introvert to himself. The board asked if the band was a leadership in bringing people in or should it be a leatership position only.. also would it be fair to the youth of the band if he is back on. the finale conclution is to talk
to him and aech member in the band one on one.
This week Claytin and I filled in for the band. Emily asked if sometime Mike, claytin and I will lead worship wednesday nights.Youth behaved a lot better this week bacause Pastor Adam laid down the rules again. (I think he scared them). anyway youth is growing and I feel part of the kids more each week.
This week I have a little reading to catch up on but besides that I feel I am back an track. God had been telling me that if I don't get work done now than I am going to dig a hole I can't climb out.