During Confirmation class we used to play this game called Stump the Pastor. The object of the game was for a confirmand to ask the pastor a question he was incapable of answering.
Among other things, we learned that our pastors know their stuff! We also learned they're good at being put on the spot.
During games of Stump the Pastor I don't remember ever seeing a pastor be truly stumped. On a related question, of course. No fair asking how many ridges are on the side of a quarter.
However, since that instance, I have seen two pastors stumped.
I thought it was a simple question. Nothing about eschatology or an Old Testament prophet. Nothing that requires an M. Div. or a D. Min. It's a question I'm asked regularly and usually I come up with a suitable answer. The same question has stumpt two different ministers.
The question, you ask?
How can I pray for you?
Pastors spend so much time being the prayer warriors and encouragers, that sometimes they don't know how to respond when asked how how others can pray for them.
Take a minute today and pray for your pastor, divinity school student, or spiritual leader. Ask them how you can best pray for them. Encourage them; tell them you appreciate them. It's such a simple task that's all too often forgotten.
Friends, how can I pray for you?
<>< Katie
PS: Blogger killed this post, so I re-wrote it to the best of my ability... Sorry if it reads differently then it once did.
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Live to Worship
We were told to expect thirty middle and high schoolers for our youth retreat. Most of the time there were five.
I think guys are pre-wired to play sports. It's an unfair advantage they have for a bonding activity. Our guys jumped right in with their guys and commence the weekend-long Knock-Out tournament. We ladies had a bit of a more difficult time.
I was God-placed in the right place at the right time. When two sisters walked in, I happened to be near the gym door.
The younger, a very thin middle school student with hair just past her ears, was less than thrilled about playing basketball. She picked up the volleyball and tossed it to herself. I asked if I could join. She nodded yes.
I'm not any better at volleyball than I am at basketball. But, it's easier to play one-on-one than eight-on-one. We bumped the ball back and forth. I was kind of impressed with myself for knowing how to hold my hands, to get under the ball, and for not getting hit in the face. There still might have been more running than bumping.
By dinner time, my arms were bright red. They hurt. Hers matched.
In that volleyball time, she became my buddy. For the next two days, she clinged to me.
We sat together at meals and played volleyball during free times. Since there were five youth and eight college students, I could focus my attention on her. And sometimes she needed all of my attention.
The lively girl I saw when we were playing ping pong and listening to the same two Skillet songs on repeat was not the same girl who slowly scooted her chair next to mine during Bible lessons.
The only time she actually opened her Bible all weekend was during the lesson I taught. She was not interested in playing group games and much preferred to organize the preschool Sunday School room all day Saturday rather than participate in our planned activities.
I prayed a lot for God to show me how to reach her. None of my tricks of the trade seemed successful, so I did the same thing I did with the Nicaraguan niños, I loved her. I made a point to always know where she was. I offered to help her organize and when she declined, it I sat with her while she worked. I put my arm around her when she rested my head on her shoulder. I told her I loved her with my words and my actions.
As seems typical, we had to leave before I could see what God was doing in that girl. But I saw Him work in me.
Our theme of the weekend was: Live to Worship.
One thing God taught me was that even though the middle schooler and I didn't have any deep conversations, my time spent with her was still worship.
I'll be honest, it felt a bit more like babysitting than it did a youth retreat. But it mattered. It was the ministry of presence.
On Saturday night she gave me a piece of construction paper with my name written on it and decorated with glitter. I hung it in my dorm room as a reminder of our weekend and to pray for her regularly. It's a reminder that sometimes even what feels different than we expected can be worship, can be a ministry, can make a difference.
How have you worshipped today?
<>< Katie
I think guys are pre-wired to play sports. It's an unfair advantage they have for a bonding activity. Our guys jumped right in with their guys and commence the weekend-long Knock-Out tournament. We ladies had a bit of a more difficult time.
I was God-placed in the right place at the right time. When two sisters walked in, I happened to be near the gym door.
The younger, a very thin middle school student with hair just past her ears, was less than thrilled about playing basketball. She picked up the volleyball and tossed it to herself. I asked if I could join. She nodded yes.
I'm not any better at volleyball than I am at basketball. But, it's easier to play one-on-one than eight-on-one. We bumped the ball back and forth. I was kind of impressed with myself for knowing how to hold my hands, to get under the ball, and for not getting hit in the face. There still might have been more running than bumping.
By dinner time, my arms were bright red. They hurt. Hers matched.
In that volleyball time, she became my buddy. For the next two days, she clinged to me.
We sat together at meals and played volleyball during free times. Since there were five youth and eight college students, I could focus my attention on her. And sometimes she needed all of my attention.
The lively girl I saw when we were playing ping pong and listening to the same two Skillet songs on repeat was not the same girl who slowly scooted her chair next to mine during Bible lessons.
The only time she actually opened her Bible all weekend was during the lesson I taught. She was not interested in playing group games and much preferred to organize the preschool Sunday School room all day Saturday rather than participate in our planned activities.
I prayed a lot for God to show me how to reach her. None of my tricks of the trade seemed successful, so I did the same thing I did with the Nicaraguan niños, I loved her. I made a point to always know where she was. I offered to help her organize and when she declined, it I sat with her while she worked. I put my arm around her when she rested my head on her shoulder. I told her I loved her with my words and my actions.
As seems typical, we had to leave before I could see what God was doing in that girl. But I saw Him work in me.
Our theme of the weekend was: Live to Worship.
One thing God taught me was that even though the middle schooler and I didn't have any deep conversations, my time spent with her was still worship.
I'll be honest, it felt a bit more like babysitting than it did a youth retreat. But it mattered. It was the ministry of presence.
On Saturday night she gave me a piece of construction paper with my name written on it and decorated with glitter. I hung it in my dorm room as a reminder of our weekend and to pray for her regularly. It's a reminder that sometimes even what feels different than we expected can be worship, can be a ministry, can make a difference.
How have you worshipped today?
<>< Katie
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Be intentional
This semester, the theme on campus has kind of been "Be Intentional." Be intentional in spending time with God. Be intentional in your friendship. Be intentional in sharing Christ. Be intentional in loving others... It took on a whole new meaning for me tonight.
As part of the college ministry at my Baptist church, John, Keith, David, and I went out on Friday evening. It was a little weird because I was the only female among three guys. Before coming to college, my only brother was the tractor. I didn't have a lot of male friends. I was pretty much clueless as to how guys work. Well, ok, I still am but I'm learning. Last night was a nice challenge for me.
Putt putt was fun. I won! I had the highest score! Unlike in soccer (which I still call futbol), you can use anything and everything including my proper end of my golf club, the handle end of the club (like a pool cue), my feet, my hands, and even my mouth (I blew the fall into the hole). Yes, I rock at mini golf! However, I did have one advantage: the guys kept complaining about the nasty water/fish stench. I grew up on the shore of a great lake... I smelt it but it didn't bother me. :-)
After mini golf, we went to the coffee shop and shared life. All four of us are bloggers, students, and Christians, but that's about where the similarities end. Sure, we're less than ten years apart in age, but we're all at different stages in life. The first time I ever worked with each of these guys individual, it was in various ministry settings. I see them as wonderful men of God and in their presence I don't feel the need to constantly be concerned with my appearance (or anything else girls fret about in a co-ed environment). Last night, we were each open with how we were doing academically and (more importantly) spiritually. It was great to hear what God is doing in the lives of these gentlemen. I know He's got great things in mind for them.
David, Keith, and I had each shared, and we were about ready to wrap up. Keith looked at John, "And how are you doing?" Keith and I are a lot alike--same double major, same germ-phobia, same thesis topic, same short attention span, etc.--but his conversation-starting ability is much better than mine. Sometimes it's a simple, "How is Katie today?" Other times, "What have you read lately?" Or, my personal favorite yet the most intimidating, "How are you and God doing lately?"
I was not surprised when he turned John's question around back on John himself. John, on the other than, was a little taken aback by it.
"You know, it's been a long time since someone has asked me that. My pastor does periodically, but no one else. Be aware of that if you go into ministry, no one asks how you're doing spiritually."
Eventually he gave us an answer, and we closed in prayer. His words, however, stayed with me: no one ever asks you that once you become a minister.
Do me a favor, be intentional about making a moment to ask your pastor how he or she is doing. If you're not comfortable with that, ask how you can pray for him/her most accurately. Be sure you follow through with that prayer, too! And follow up.
Even if you don't have the opportunity to ask your pastor, be intentional about asking someone.
Let me ask you: how are you and God doing? How can I most accurately pray for you? If you don't want to comment publically, pull me aside in the caf, send me an email, do something. I'd love to hear about what God is doing in your life and where you need some extra prayer.
Learning to be intentional and how to play mini golf,
<>< Katie
As part of the college ministry at my Baptist church, John, Keith, David, and I went out on Friday evening. It was a little weird because I was the only female among three guys. Before coming to college, my only brother was the tractor. I didn't have a lot of male friends. I was pretty much clueless as to how guys work. Well, ok, I still am but I'm learning. Last night was a nice challenge for me.
Putt putt was fun. I won! I had the highest score! Unlike in soccer (which I still call futbol), you can use anything and everything including my proper end of my golf club, the handle end of the club (like a pool cue), my feet, my hands, and even my mouth (I blew the fall into the hole). Yes, I rock at mini golf! However, I did have one advantage: the guys kept complaining about the nasty water/fish stench. I grew up on the shore of a great lake... I smelt it but it didn't bother me. :-)
After mini golf, we went to the coffee shop and shared life. All four of us are bloggers, students, and Christians, but that's about where the similarities end. Sure, we're less than ten years apart in age, but we're all at different stages in life. The first time I ever worked with each of these guys individual, it was in various ministry settings. I see them as wonderful men of God and in their presence I don't feel the need to constantly be concerned with my appearance (or anything else girls fret about in a co-ed environment). Last night, we were each open with how we were doing academically and (more importantly) spiritually. It was great to hear what God is doing in the lives of these gentlemen. I know He's got great things in mind for them.
David, Keith, and I had each shared, and we were about ready to wrap up. Keith looked at John, "And how are you doing?" Keith and I are a lot alike--same double major, same germ-phobia, same thesis topic, same short attention span, etc.--but his conversation-starting ability is much better than mine. Sometimes it's a simple, "How is Katie today?" Other times, "What have you read lately?" Or, my personal favorite yet the most intimidating, "How are you and God doing lately?"
I was not surprised when he turned John's question around back on John himself. John, on the other than, was a little taken aback by it.
"You know, it's been a long time since someone has asked me that. My pastor does periodically, but no one else. Be aware of that if you go into ministry, no one asks how you're doing spiritually."
Eventually he gave us an answer, and we closed in prayer. His words, however, stayed with me: no one ever asks you that once you become a minister.
Do me a favor, be intentional about making a moment to ask your pastor how he or she is doing. If you're not comfortable with that, ask how you can pray for him/her most accurately. Be sure you follow through with that prayer, too! And follow up.
Even if you don't have the opportunity to ask your pastor, be intentional about asking someone.
Let me ask you: how are you and God doing? How can I most accurately pray for you? If you don't want to comment publically, pull me aside in the caf, send me an email, do something. I'd love to hear about what God is doing in your life and where you need some extra prayer.
Learning to be intentional and how to play mini golf,
<>< Katie
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Jesus Shoes
"It's so funny because guitar is one of the biggest things I'm going to use in India, and I haven't touched mine in almost a week," Jesus Shoes told us this afternoon.
On Thursday he's headed to India for six months to be a witness for Christ and live up to his name: Jesus Shoes. That isn't his real name.
Last spring, my ministry team and I led a weekend youth retreat where we had a plethora of very similar names. For some reason, the youth could not get our worship leaders' names right. Instead of refering to them by instrument, the high school girls nicknamed both of them: Broken Arm Guy and Jesus Shoes. Jesus Shoes wore Chacos, and Broken Arm Guy proving it is possible to play piano while sporting a beautiful lime green cast.
At first neither one of our worship leaders liked their nicknames but didn't have the hearts to correct the youth; it was only for a weekend, after all. Personally, I think the nicknames were pretty appropriate, but I let Broken Arm Guy drop his nickname after the weekend. Jesus Shoes, however, has stuck in my mind.
As Jesus Shoes prepares for his journey to India, his name seems even more appropriate. After all, he's headed across the world to be Jesus' hands and feet. Jesus' shoes?
While what area of ministry exactly he's going to be working with in India is still being determined, he knows he'll be teaching guitar to some of the youth. This actually worries him because he doesn't have any idea how to teach guitar. Besides his putzing a little bit in my living room this afternoon, he hasn't played guitar in almost a week. When he gets to India, his guitar-playing hours will be almost unlimited, but due to time contraints he hasn't been able to play much lately.
Hey, Jesus Shoes, you're going to India to teach guitar but you haven't played this week. Hey, Jesus Shoes, you're going to India to preach the gospel, have you read it this week? I realize that's a dumb question. Or is it?
I think it's something we all need to ask ourselves on a regular basis. If we're here to be witnesses, have we showed God's love this week? No matter where we are, we're on a mission. Are we being Jesus' hands and feet?
Know you are loved and will be missed; riding the dolly through the storage unit in a tornado warning just isn't the same without you, brother. Represent our Father well. Be safe in India, but never forget that you are to be Jesus' Shoes.
With love,
<>< Katie
On Thursday he's headed to India for six months to be a witness for Christ and live up to his name: Jesus Shoes. That isn't his real name.
Last spring, my ministry team and I led a weekend youth retreat where we had a plethora of very similar names. For some reason, the youth could not get our worship leaders' names right. Instead of refering to them by instrument, the high school girls nicknamed both of them: Broken Arm Guy and Jesus Shoes. Jesus Shoes wore Chacos, and Broken Arm Guy proving it is possible to play piano while sporting a beautiful lime green cast.
At first neither one of our worship leaders liked their nicknames but didn't have the hearts to correct the youth; it was only for a weekend, after all. Personally, I think the nicknames were pretty appropriate, but I let Broken Arm Guy drop his nickname after the weekend. Jesus Shoes, however, has stuck in my mind.
As Jesus Shoes prepares for his journey to India, his name seems even more appropriate. After all, he's headed across the world to be Jesus' hands and feet. Jesus' shoes?
While what area of ministry exactly he's going to be working with in India is still being determined, he knows he'll be teaching guitar to some of the youth. This actually worries him because he doesn't have any idea how to teach guitar. Besides his putzing a little bit in my living room this afternoon, he hasn't played guitar in almost a week. When he gets to India, his guitar-playing hours will be almost unlimited, but due to time contraints he hasn't been able to play much lately.
Hey, Jesus Shoes, you're going to India to teach guitar but you haven't played this week. Hey, Jesus Shoes, you're going to India to preach the gospel, have you read it this week? I realize that's a dumb question. Or is it?
I think it's something we all need to ask ourselves on a regular basis. If we're here to be witnesses, have we showed God's love this week? No matter where we are, we're on a mission. Are we being Jesus' hands and feet?
Know you are loved and will be missed; riding the dolly through the storage unit in a tornado warning just isn't the same without you, brother. Represent our Father well. Be safe in India, but never forget that you are to be Jesus' Shoes.
With love,
<>< Katie
PS: My blogs are not pointless. Only some of them.
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