The Turkey Trot and Being with Jesus
9/10/2007
December is a unique month in youth ministry. For some, their youth ministry either shuts down or slows down, while other youth workers find themselves very busy; selling Christmas trees to raise money, overseeing musical productions, planning camp during Christmas break and then coming back from camp just in time to create a New Years' program that may actually kill them. Regardless of which is true for you, December is usually a natural time of reflection and planning for the new year.
This fall, I had the privilege of speaking at 3 National Youth Worker Conventions hosted by Youth Specialties. They are huge, fun, powerful, refreshing, insightful, challenging and depressing.
For those of you who went, you might stumble on that last description. Maybe you're thinking, "It was the highlight of my year! How could it be depressing?" Let me explain. First of all, no one does a finer convention than Youth Specialties-they are the best! But, what was depressing for me was the conversations I had. I spoke with so many hurting youth workers…good people…no, great people who are broken, sad, and defeated by their ministry situation. This wasn't true with everyone, but the dominate theme I heard was, "Ministry is hard…I'm hurting."
There are no easy answers for these friends…I'd return to my room late at night and tell my wife Cathy, "I wish I could simply say, 'Read chapter 7 and call me in the morning.'" But, all I could do was listen to people and pray for them. During this time of listening I was also learning. The learning for me was profound, yet simple. Actually, it's so simple that when you read what I'm about to write I wouldn't blame you for thinking, "Fields must be a little slow…if that's what he learned." Here is what I wrote in my journal; "I NEED to be with Jesus."
That's it… "I NEED to be with Jesus."
After listening to all these conversations, I didn't come away with the collective learning that I need a new program, I need an intern, I need to create better messages, I need to get students in the Bible. I walked away feeling very strongly that I NEED to be with Jesus.
This learning was strong because it "felt" like many of my youth ministry friends weren't being with Jesus. During conversations I would ask… "Tell me about your current spiritual journey and your time with Jesus." Common answers were, "What?" "I'm so busy." "It's been better." "I'm a little dry right now." "I'm so easily distracted." Not only had I heard them before, I'm embarrassed to admit I've said those exact words as well. What blew me away was that many of these youth ministry friends told me that they worked at churches where being with Jesus wasn't talked about, prioritized, and even valued. Ouch! No wonder there's so much pain.
Last week, on Thanksgiving Day, I ran a 10k race (6.4 miles) with my friend Dan. It's called the Turkey Trot (the 2nd largest Thanksgiving Day race in country-- which we heard about 1000 times as we waiting for the starting gun). Dan has run in it for 15+ years and he's invited me to be with him for the last 8 or so. Every year he signs me up and at the end of the race (every year) I say it will be my last. It's painful. I have to get up at 5am. I don't train throughout the year. During the race, it seems that everyone passes me. And, for the next two days, I can't cross my legs and I can barely walk. But, I forget about the pain for 363 days and I run again the next year.
I share my running story with you because it's one that gives me a clear picture about my need to be with Jesus. Being in ministry is a lot like a race. When you are in shape and prepared for the race it's typically not a painful experience. There can actually be some fun elements of the race (I can't think of any now…but, I'm sure a runner could). The race can be enjoyable.
Being with Jesus is preparing me to be in ministry. Being with Jesus shapes me for the race. I can run a 10k on my own energy, but I can't do ministry on my own effort-not fruitfully and for longevity. Being with Jesus is more important than anything I can do next year.
As you reflect over your last year…take some time to write your thoughts to these questions and Scriptures*
**In 2002 was it apparent that I was someone who was with Jesus?
**In 2003 what do I need to rearrange in my schedule, church, lifestyle that will allow me to be with Jesus?
**Acts 4:13; "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus."
**John 15:4-5; "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
**What might it look like if my life, my church and its leaders were people who made it a priority to be with Jesus?
I'm not suggesting that being with Jesus will make all the ministry pain go away. Jesus was perfect, he spent time with His Father and he was misunderstood, talked about, criticized, etc… Being with Jesus won't make your next year pain-free, but it will make some aspects of the race more enjoyable and rewarding.
I'm sure I needed this reminder more than you…
This fall, I had the privilege of speaking at 3 National Youth Worker Conventions hosted by Youth Specialties. They are huge, fun, powerful, refreshing, insightful, challenging and depressing.
For those of you who went, you might stumble on that last description. Maybe you're thinking, "It was the highlight of my year! How could it be depressing?" Let me explain. First of all, no one does a finer convention than Youth Specialties-they are the best! But, what was depressing for me was the conversations I had. I spoke with so many hurting youth workers…good people…no, great people who are broken, sad, and defeated by their ministry situation. This wasn't true with everyone, but the dominate theme I heard was, "Ministry is hard…I'm hurting."
There are no easy answers for these friends…I'd return to my room late at night and tell my wife Cathy, "I wish I could simply say, 'Read chapter 7 and call me in the morning.'" But, all I could do was listen to people and pray for them. During this time of listening I was also learning. The learning for me was profound, yet simple. Actually, it's so simple that when you read what I'm about to write I wouldn't blame you for thinking, "Fields must be a little slow…if that's what he learned." Here is what I wrote in my journal; "I NEED to be with Jesus."
That's it… "I NEED to be with Jesus."
After listening to all these conversations, I didn't come away with the collective learning that I need a new program, I need an intern, I need to create better messages, I need to get students in the Bible. I walked away feeling very strongly that I NEED to be with Jesus.
This learning was strong because it "felt" like many of my youth ministry friends weren't being with Jesus. During conversations I would ask… "Tell me about your current spiritual journey and your time with Jesus." Common answers were, "What?" "I'm so busy." "It's been better." "I'm a little dry right now." "I'm so easily distracted." Not only had I heard them before, I'm embarrassed to admit I've said those exact words as well. What blew me away was that many of these youth ministry friends told me that they worked at churches where being with Jesus wasn't talked about, prioritized, and even valued. Ouch! No wonder there's so much pain.
Last week, on Thanksgiving Day, I ran a 10k race (6.4 miles) with my friend Dan. It's called the Turkey Trot (the 2nd largest Thanksgiving Day race in country-- which we heard about 1000 times as we waiting for the starting gun). Dan has run in it for 15+ years and he's invited me to be with him for the last 8 or so. Every year he signs me up and at the end of the race (every year) I say it will be my last. It's painful. I have to get up at 5am. I don't train throughout the year. During the race, it seems that everyone passes me. And, for the next two days, I can't cross my legs and I can barely walk. But, I forget about the pain for 363 days and I run again the next year.
I share my running story with you because it's one that gives me a clear picture about my need to be with Jesus. Being in ministry is a lot like a race. When you are in shape and prepared for the race it's typically not a painful experience. There can actually be some fun elements of the race (I can't think of any now…but, I'm sure a runner could). The race can be enjoyable.
Being with Jesus is preparing me to be in ministry. Being with Jesus shapes me for the race. I can run a 10k on my own energy, but I can't do ministry on my own effort-not fruitfully and for longevity. Being with Jesus is more important than anything I can do next year.
As you reflect over your last year…take some time to write your thoughts to these questions and Scriptures*
**In 2002 was it apparent that I was someone who was with Jesus?
**In 2003 what do I need to rearrange in my schedule, church, lifestyle that will allow me to be with Jesus?
**Acts 4:13; "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus."
**John 15:4-5; "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
**What might it look like if my life, my church and its leaders were people who made it a priority to be with Jesus?
I'm not suggesting that being with Jesus will make all the ministry pain go away. Jesus was perfect, he spent time with His Father and he was misunderstood, talked about, criticized, etc… Being with Jesus won't make your next year pain-free, but it will make some aspects of the race more enjoyable and rewarding.
I'm sure I needed this reminder more than you…
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A glorious reminder
A glorious reminder
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