Seasons

It is Friday night, 11:53pm to be exact.  It is the last night at Sr. High Camp 2011.  It has been a great week.  God has done some tremendous things.  Jerry Webb (JerryWebb2.com) who is the Pastor of Student Ministries at St. James First Church of God directed this week and he has done a fantastic job.  Being here this week has reminded me that youth ministry is awesome.  I mean even if God one day calls me to speak in an "Adult Service" on a weekly basis, I believe youth ministry will still be at the core of that.

So, why the title of seasons?  Well, it is camping season here at Camp Sharon for one and two, this year will mark the end of (for now) my responsibilities as a Camp Directer.  This will be my 6th year to direct the middle school camp.  Over those years, through this camp we have seen around 60 students come to Christ and around 300 re-dedications.  I have directed for one reason and one reason only...To bring Glory to the One and Only Lord and Savior, Jesus.  I have felt for a while that God has released me of this calling...at least for a season...The state is thriving right now with great young youth pastors who will be able to carry the torch.  After speaking on having Margin in our calendars at LifeQuest on June 26th (check it out at YourLifeQuest.org), I decided it was a great time to begin creating Margin in mine.  This is something that has been missing for several years now.  I believe that I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off...even though it looks cool by all the spectators...it is very unfortunate for the chicken...you see he doesn't even know he has lost his head...Even though the ministry of Camp and Youth Convention has looked cool to spectators and participants it has been very hard on me and the family in finding an adequate balance between ministry and family.  So in just 4 months I will just be an associate pastor again...no pluses...just LifeQuest...and I am really excited about it.  I am excited about carving out time to spend with family.  I am excited about not being so stressed around Abi, Clay, and Amanda.  I am excited about the new season.  I know in ministry this particular season is a rarity...Most new seasons in ministry involve more time commitment to ministry and less to family.  I am creating Margin.  I pray that you will take the time in your life to evaluate the headless chicken syndrome and choose to know where your head/mind/heart is.

3 days til Jr. High 2011 begins...I am excited once again about watching God work among middle school students.