After many delays, set-backs, and unknowns, the adventure continues...
Due to lack of interest, Mission Year is not going to be sending a team to New Orleans for 2012. This was shocking news to me. Many of you may already know this and see this as old news but in some ways, I am still coming to terms with this revelation.
Upon first receiving the news, I was shocked. Almost all of the preparations had been made for my 2012 Mission Year term. Forms filled, letters sent, belongings winnowed. On top of that, there was the mental preparation for leaving the world I know for a world almost wholly unknown. I have never been much of a city person and I had come to realize how much I would miss the Northwoods. And the silence.
Over the last year, my life has changed dramatically. The year has required me to come to terms with what I view as important and what I can do without. For the most part, this included decisions being made about what exactly I need to survive. How much income do I really need to make? How many possessions do I really need to keep around? I don't consider wealth to be evil but it is not something that I will spend my life pursuing. We are called to be content whatever the circumstances and I am content with how things are. Then another string of questions hit me.
What about the things that I am attached to? What if I was required to give them up? Am I in a place where I can truthfully say that I am willing to choose God no matter what it costs me? What if I have to give up my godly dreams in order to truly seek God's Will for me? What if I never get to use what I think are my best talents? What if I am called to never settle but to spend my earthly life planting seeds that others will reap the harvest from? Would I still seek after God if everything I set my hands to becomes a failure?
God is love. He blesses His children above and beyond anything we can comprehend. The trouble comes in when I not only try and comprehend it but go a step beyond and try to predict it. I have no idea what God has in store for me. Though I am ready to settle down and have a "real" ministry and a "real" family and a "real" life, I know that this is where God has me. God knows where I am at. He knows what I need and when I need it. I need nothing beyond that.
Prayer:
A new series of support letters needs to go out. Informing everyone of the change that has taken place and how it will affect my work with Mission Year. Also, summer is coming, which means big things at Lake Ann Camp. I don't know in what capacity I will be serving but pray that I will use the summer to it's fullest extent for the Kingdom.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Bump In The Road
Have I not rightly called this an adventure?
For those of you who haven't heard (and I can't imagine that you haven't. But just in case) Mission Year : New Orleans 2012 has been cancelled. It just plain isn't happening. The deadline came up, and not enough people had signed up for the city-site.
I received this news in an email on Thursday. At first, I thought I was going to cry. Then I almost started laughing. Then crying again. Then, I recovered. It was a rough three and a half seconds. At first glance, I didn't know what to think. The most intriguing part of this recent setback is the timing of it.
There were a number of people that I had just recently talked to (in great detail) about MY. On top of that, I had just gotten my last day set in stone at Lake Ann (not that I wanted to leave but it was getting to be that time). Third of all, I came to a startling bit of personal discovery. Turns out, I was insanely jealous of the people who are returning to Lake Ann for the Summer of 2012. Going to MY would have kept me from doing that. A lot of work went into finally making peace with the fact that I was moving on. My time in Rivendell has been wonderful. But there is darkness gathering. It's time for me to move on.
Bringing me finally to the decisions I have to make. One decision is what new city-site to apply to. MY hasn't closed down completely, just the city I was planning on going to. I now have five other city-sites to choose from. The choice isn't made for me this time. On top of that, the other city-sites don't start until September 2012. So, I have NINE MORE MONTHS to account for in my so called "plans".
Another decision I have is whether to stay on at Lake Ann for the summer. Don't get me wrong, I love Lake Ann. God does great things here and Summer 2012 is going to be an AMAZING time. The catch, however, is that many options have revealed themselves. Going into Summer 2012, I could do virtually any position I want to (provided I cry and act dejected enough). Again, the decision last year was to be a counselor. It was already made. Now, I have a handful of program director positions to try and apply for. Or High Adventure Director. Or Cleaning Crew Supervisor. And believe it or not, decisions are already being made.
Thirdly (lastly), I have quite a bit of time that I won't have work up here. My departure date is already set. There just isn't work for me right now. This, however, seems to be the least of my concerns (hence, it's last). Out of everything going on, I think this is what I have "figured out".
Mission Year is still happening. I intend (note the wording) to attend MY in one of the other five city-sites in September. A lot is going to happen between now and then. My plans have changed, God's hasn't. May my plans continue to fail in the face of His unchangeable Will.
For now, I am not choosing. I am not planning. I am not moving. The next seven days will be spent seeking counsel. I will be discussing my future with many people. I will be praying about it. I will try to make my heart be still and hear God's will in all of this. If you have any input, please let me know! No matter what it is, I will at least pretend to listen and be interested!
Prayer:
Is it not obvious by now? Or did you just skip down here? Re-read it again, and see if you can come up with things to pray for...
... if not, my request is this. I need wisdom. I need discernment. Above all, I need to be still and allow God to be God. He is leading me on an adventure. And believe me, it's EPIC.
For those of you who haven't heard (and I can't imagine that you haven't. But just in case) Mission Year : New Orleans 2012 has been cancelled. It just plain isn't happening. The deadline came up, and not enough people had signed up for the city-site.
I received this news in an email on Thursday. At first, I thought I was going to cry. Then I almost started laughing. Then crying again. Then, I recovered. It was a rough three and a half seconds. At first glance, I didn't know what to think. The most intriguing part of this recent setback is the timing of it.
There were a number of people that I had just recently talked to (in great detail) about MY. On top of that, I had just gotten my last day set in stone at Lake Ann (not that I wanted to leave but it was getting to be that time). Third of all, I came to a startling bit of personal discovery. Turns out, I was insanely jealous of the people who are returning to Lake Ann for the Summer of 2012. Going to MY would have kept me from doing that. A lot of work went into finally making peace with the fact that I was moving on. My time in Rivendell has been wonderful. But there is darkness gathering. It's time for me to move on.
Bringing me finally to the decisions I have to make. One decision is what new city-site to apply to. MY hasn't closed down completely, just the city I was planning on going to. I now have five other city-sites to choose from. The choice isn't made for me this time. On top of that, the other city-sites don't start until September 2012. So, I have NINE MORE MONTHS to account for in my so called "plans".
Another decision I have is whether to stay on at Lake Ann for the summer. Don't get me wrong, I love Lake Ann. God does great things here and Summer 2012 is going to be an AMAZING time. The catch, however, is that many options have revealed themselves. Going into Summer 2012, I could do virtually any position I want to (provided I cry and act dejected enough). Again, the decision last year was to be a counselor. It was already made. Now, I have a handful of program director positions to try and apply for. Or High Adventure Director. Or Cleaning Crew Supervisor. And believe it or not, decisions are already being made.
Thirdly (lastly), I have quite a bit of time that I won't have work up here. My departure date is already set. There just isn't work for me right now. This, however, seems to be the least of my concerns (hence, it's last). Out of everything going on, I think this is what I have "figured out".
Mission Year is still happening. I intend (note the wording) to attend MY in one of the other five city-sites in September. A lot is going to happen between now and then. My plans have changed, God's hasn't. May my plans continue to fail in the face of His unchangeable Will.
For now, I am not choosing. I am not planning. I am not moving. The next seven days will be spent seeking counsel. I will be discussing my future with many people. I will be praying about it. I will try to make my heart be still and hear God's will in all of this. If you have any input, please let me know! No matter what it is, I will at least pretend to listen and be interested!
Prayer:
Is it not obvious by now? Or did you just skip down here? Re-read it again, and see if you can come up with things to pray for...
... if not, my request is this. I need wisdom. I need discernment. Above all, I need to be still and allow God to be God. He is leading me on an adventure. And believe me, it's EPIC.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
For the Love of Mike
Who is this Mike character? And why do we love him? Good questions, if I do say so myself.
Here's what we know about Mike. He is made in God's Image. He lives just outside of Traverse City and he walks to the grocery store two miles away (to get candy for Halloween, but that's beside the point). It was just starting to rain as I passed Mike on 72. First glance showed that he was expecting to be walking. Mike was definitely dressed for the occasion. As I passed, I glanced at my passenger seat. It was full of various odds and ends. "I have no room" I thought to myself. "My passenger door doesn't even open all the way" "If he were to see what I have in my passenger seat, he wouldn't ride with me because he would probably think me to be a murder" (I happened to have a pair of hedge-clippers, a rubber-mallet that was working it's way off of the handle, a large screwdriver, an impromptu set of lockpicks and a set of garbage bags, off the top of my head). This began the mental argument that I had. The brief overview follows:
Steve: "I don't have any room to pick him up"
Steve: "You are driving by yourself, you've got more than enough room"
Steve: "But their is stuff in my front seat, I don't want to have to move it"
Steve: "It's the right thing to do to at least stop and offer"
Steve: "But he's all dressed up. He probably WANTS to be walking"
Steve: "If it were Jesus, you would at least stop and ask how he's doing"
Steve: "I'm on my way to church and I would be late if I took ALL that time to turn about and ask"
Steve: "Screw you, Steve! You're a hypocrite and you always have been. You talk about loving people and serving God, but you drive right on by. It's people like you who give Christians a bad name. You're all talk"
Steve: "FINE!"
At this point, I turned around in a side street, cleared my passenger seat (for a passenger!), and set a course in the opposite direction. Mike gladly accepted my offer and within a few seconds, we were headed to the local grocery store. By car, it took us about 4min to get there.
Over the course of the conversation, I learned this. His name is Mike. He lives at the top of that hill (yes, that one -.-). He has lived in Traverse City for about four years now. That's it. Nothing deep. Nothing revealing. Nothing divinely inspired (seemingly). But the rest of the trip (and the rest of the night), it got me thinking.
Why did I turn around? Was it really my love for Mike or my love for God? Was it a sense of guilt? I like to think that my action glorified God. In doing this, I showed love to someone. Through out the whole four minute conversation, I never once mentioned God, Jesus, the fact that I was going to church, or even said "Bless you". Did I really impact Mike at all? Was that opportunity wasted because I didn't say "Jesus loves you" or casually mention the fact that I was on my way to church?
Any of those things seemed unnatural to the flow of the conversation. It was short. It was shallow. Mike didn't ask me a single question about myself or my intentions. Would it have cheapened things if I would have thrown out a "Jesus loves you" or a "God bless"? The whole encounter would have seemed so forced to me.
Steve: "Need a ride?"
Mike: "Sure"
Steve: "So, where are you headed?"
Mike: "Toms"
Steve: "That's cool. I'm headed to church right now"
Mike: "Oh?"
Steve: "Yeah, cuz I love Jesus and all that you know?"
Mike: "That's nice"
Steve: "Yeah, I only stopped because Jesus told me to"
Mike: "Does Jesus always talk to you? Can I get out of the car now? Seriously, we're close enough, please slow down. Or at least unlock the doors..."
This post isn't really leading anywhere. More than anything, I am posing a question. Was it a waste? Should I have tried to slip something in there to let Mike know that I was more than just a friendly neighbor, I was concerned about his eternal soul? Did this impact Mike for Christ at all?
Here's what we know about Mike. He is made in God's Image. He lives just outside of Traverse City and he walks to the grocery store two miles away (to get candy for Halloween, but that's beside the point). It was just starting to rain as I passed Mike on 72. First glance showed that he was expecting to be walking. Mike was definitely dressed for the occasion. As I passed, I glanced at my passenger seat. It was full of various odds and ends. "I have no room" I thought to myself. "My passenger door doesn't even open all the way" "If he were to see what I have in my passenger seat, he wouldn't ride with me because he would probably think me to be a murder" (I happened to have a pair of hedge-clippers, a rubber-mallet that was working it's way off of the handle, a large screwdriver, an impromptu set of lockpicks and a set of garbage bags, off the top of my head). This began the mental argument that I had. The brief overview follows:
Steve: "I don't have any room to pick him up"
Steve: "You are driving by yourself, you've got more than enough room"
Steve: "But their is stuff in my front seat, I don't want to have to move it"
Steve: "It's the right thing to do to at least stop and offer"
Steve: "But he's all dressed up. He probably WANTS to be walking"
Steve: "If it were Jesus, you would at least stop and ask how he's doing"
Steve: "I'm on my way to church and I would be late if I took ALL that time to turn about and ask"
Steve: "Screw you, Steve! You're a hypocrite and you always have been. You talk about loving people and serving God, but you drive right on by. It's people like you who give Christians a bad name. You're all talk"
Steve: "FINE!"
At this point, I turned around in a side street, cleared my passenger seat (for a passenger!), and set a course in the opposite direction. Mike gladly accepted my offer and within a few seconds, we were headed to the local grocery store. By car, it took us about 4min to get there.
Over the course of the conversation, I learned this. His name is Mike. He lives at the top of that hill (yes, that one -.-). He has lived in Traverse City for about four years now. That's it. Nothing deep. Nothing revealing. Nothing divinely inspired (seemingly). But the rest of the trip (and the rest of the night), it got me thinking.
Why did I turn around? Was it really my love for Mike or my love for God? Was it a sense of guilt? I like to think that my action glorified God. In doing this, I showed love to someone. Through out the whole four minute conversation, I never once mentioned God, Jesus, the fact that I was going to church, or even said "Bless you". Did I really impact Mike at all? Was that opportunity wasted because I didn't say "Jesus loves you" or casually mention the fact that I was on my way to church?
Any of those things seemed unnatural to the flow of the conversation. It was short. It was shallow. Mike didn't ask me a single question about myself or my intentions. Would it have cheapened things if I would have thrown out a "Jesus loves you" or a "God bless"? The whole encounter would have seemed so forced to me.
Steve: "Need a ride?"
Mike: "Sure"
Steve: "So, where are you headed?"
Mike: "Toms"
Steve: "That's cool. I'm headed to church right now"
Mike: "Oh?"
Steve: "Yeah, cuz I love Jesus and all that you know?"
Mike: "That's nice"
Steve: "Yeah, I only stopped because Jesus told me to"
Mike: "Does Jesus always talk to you? Can I get out of the car now? Seriously, we're close enough, please slow down. Or at least unlock the doors..."
This post isn't really leading anywhere. More than anything, I am posing a question. Was it a waste? Should I have tried to slip something in there to let Mike know that I was more than just a friendly neighbor, I was concerned about his eternal soul? Did this impact Mike for Christ at all?
Prayer:
A blister is starting to develop on my middle finger from all this writing! It has been good to take time out and thank each one of you for your input into my life. There is SO much work involved, but it's been such a blessing. Please pray that I have a VERY productive day tomorrow.
May the God of Peace be With You All!
Steve
Monday, October 24, 2011
Let's Talk About Sports...
Sports? Really? Come now, Steve. You don't know ANYTHING about sports! You don't even know how many teams are in the Big10 (That's a joke, by the way. I know there are 12).
The college group I am attending has been holding discussions on social justice for the past month. Through out this series, we have met in smaller groups to discuss what social justice is, what our responsibility is, and how we make it happen. It hasn't been a practical discussion at all. We are all still throwing around ideas on the concepts and definitions but one things for sure, something has to be done. To further add to that, we Christians should be the ones to do it. Whatever it ends up being.
Now, I am far from idealist (in a perfect world, I would be idealistic, though). The total eradication of poverty, suffering, or even inequality will never happen this side of Heaven. Our calling, however, is to advance the Kingdom of God here on Earth. Through God's Power, we will see this done. The work is great, the workers are few.
What does all this have to do with sports? Nothing (outside of my crazy, connotative mind, that is)! Ok, maybe a little. Here's my line of thinking...
Religion is kind of like sports. Each of us pick our teams (Team Baptist, Team Catholic, Team Apostolic, Team Non-Denominational [Team no Team?]), learn all about the game, cheer (and sometimes pray) for our star players, and sit around watching and high-fiving one another. We have a group of friends that we can sit around and talk about Christianity with. We even buy bumper-stickers and t-shirts about Christianity. But how many of us actually play?
Are we even in the right condition to get in the game? Sure we can talk big. We might even get in a little scrimmage with one another every once in a while. What about DOING what Christ called us to? Are we willing to go out into ALL the world and reach the people? To find justice for the widowed and orphaned (and the millions enslaved in human trafficking or the millions who die of hunger around the globe)? What about even playing in the local league and fighting the corruption and injustice that's close to home?
Nope. Let's leave it to the pros. Let's pay some guy to do Christianity for us. Let's sit in the pews and cheer from there (for that matter, we should start selling popcorn at church).
Now, I am not going to go on the record as saying that I don't know any Christians who are fighting the good fight. There are more amazing people out there loving the world and bringing the light of Christ into darkness than I have enough time to appreciate. Far be it from me to set myself up as the example here either. If anything, this post was directed at myself. I don't live up to this standard.
This is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind recently. God is giving me a burden. It's working. I need to be doing. I need to be doing...
Half the letters are getting dropped in the mail tomorrow! The other half still need personal notes to go with them. This week should be slow enough to allow me time to finish them up! But, it's in God's Strength I am relying. Not the wittiness of my notes.
Love you all! (Yes, even you!)
The college group I am attending has been holding discussions on social justice for the past month. Through out this series, we have met in smaller groups to discuss what social justice is, what our responsibility is, and how we make it happen. It hasn't been a practical discussion at all. We are all still throwing around ideas on the concepts and definitions but one things for sure, something has to be done. To further add to that, we Christians should be the ones to do it. Whatever it ends up being.
Now, I am far from idealist (in a perfect world, I would be idealistic, though). The total eradication of poverty, suffering, or even inequality will never happen this side of Heaven. Our calling, however, is to advance the Kingdom of God here on Earth. Through God's Power, we will see this done. The work is great, the workers are few.
What does all this have to do with sports? Nothing (outside of my crazy, connotative mind, that is)! Ok, maybe a little. Here's my line of thinking...
Religion is kind of like sports. Each of us pick our teams (Team Baptist, Team Catholic, Team Apostolic, Team Non-Denominational [Team no Team?]), learn all about the game, cheer (and sometimes pray) for our star players, and sit around watching and high-fiving one another. We have a group of friends that we can sit around and talk about Christianity with. We even buy bumper-stickers and t-shirts about Christianity. But how many of us actually play?
Are we even in the right condition to get in the game? Sure we can talk big. We might even get in a little scrimmage with one another every once in a while. What about DOING what Christ called us to? Are we willing to go out into ALL the world and reach the people? To find justice for the widowed and orphaned (and the millions enslaved in human trafficking or the millions who die of hunger around the globe)? What about even playing in the local league and fighting the corruption and injustice that's close to home?
Nope. Let's leave it to the pros. Let's pay some guy to do Christianity for us. Let's sit in the pews and cheer from there (for that matter, we should start selling popcorn at church).
Now, I am not going to go on the record as saying that I don't know any Christians who are fighting the good fight. There are more amazing people out there loving the world and bringing the light of Christ into darkness than I have enough time to appreciate. Far be it from me to set myself up as the example here either. If anything, this post was directed at myself. I don't live up to this standard.
This is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind recently. God is giving me a burden. It's working. I need to be doing. I need to be doing...
Prayers:
Half the letters are getting dropped in the mail tomorrow! The other half still need personal notes to go with them. This week should be slow enough to allow me time to finish them up! But, it's in God's Strength I am relying. Not the wittiness of my notes.
Love you all! (Yes, even you!)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Work, Work, Work
Let's start this post off with a praise! Last week, I traveled downstate to sit in on a missions meeting at Life Fellowship Chapel. The result? They agreed to begin sponsoring me for Mission Year! Yay God! I am officially 10% done with fund-raising! To those of you who helped make it possible, I would like to extend a HUGE thanks! You know who you are. You might get a shout-out later. We'll see...
Right now, I am taking a break from filling out envelopes for sponsor letters. It is a time-consuming process. But good will come from it. It has been an interesting experience to go through the list of contacts and take the time to write out an envelope and a card for each one. The people on this list are people who have touched my life in one way or another over the years. To see how many people there are on this list and think back on how I met and interacted with each one is humbling.
There are so many people that I owe. So many people that have shaped my life. So many people that have taught me various life lessons. Is this a bad thing? No. The humbling part is realizing that I am who I am today because of the people around me. I can't claim anything for myself (except my mistakes, I'll take those). God has been faithful to provide me with amazing family and friends and the incredible opportunity to have other people pour into my life and help show me what it means to love God.
Now for the most amazing part. I have the audacity to be asking you all for money (of all the nerve)! A huge part of this process has been learning to trust God completely. He knows who will provide. He is faithful. He has put each of you in the position to help me out in whatever ways you can. He will receive the glory for everything that happens through-out this next year. It's not my own doing. It's a God thing.
I have had my motivations called into question (not specifically). It would be nice to say that everything is for God but how does that look practically? How do I empty myself and allow Him to work through my weakness (I have plenty for Him to work with)? These are the questions that I am struggling with. My prayer is that I will be a man after God's own heart.
Peace and Blessings to all! (Maybe even shout-outs next time around)
Steve
Right now, I am taking a break from filling out envelopes for sponsor letters. It is a time-consuming process. But good will come from it. It has been an interesting experience to go through the list of contacts and take the time to write out an envelope and a card for each one. The people on this list are people who have touched my life in one way or another over the years. To see how many people there are on this list and think back on how I met and interacted with each one is humbling.
There are so many people that I owe. So many people that have shaped my life. So many people that have taught me various life lessons. Is this a bad thing? No. The humbling part is realizing that I am who I am today because of the people around me. I can't claim anything for myself (except my mistakes, I'll take those). God has been faithful to provide me with amazing family and friends and the incredible opportunity to have other people pour into my life and help show me what it means to love God.
Now for the most amazing part. I have the audacity to be asking you all for money (of all the nerve)! A huge part of this process has been learning to trust God completely. He knows who will provide. He is faithful. He has put each of you in the position to help me out in whatever ways you can. He will receive the glory for everything that happens through-out this next year. It's not my own doing. It's a God thing.
Prayer:
I have had my motivations called into question (not specifically). It would be nice to say that everything is for God but how does that look practically? How do I empty myself and allow Him to work through my weakness (I have plenty for Him to work with)? These are the questions that I am struggling with. My prayer is that I will be a man after God's own heart.
Peace and Blessings to all! (Maybe even shout-outs next time around)
Steve
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Beginning of an Adventure
Life moves on at a near-chaotic pace. Those events that we prepare for are quickly overtaken by the the events that we are given. There is much more at hand then I am capable of handling. In this, I have allowed some practices to fall into the background (many of which, I should not have). In the immediate future, I will endeavor to scrape together whatever spare moments I have and try to form them into an opportunity for production. I intend to increase my intentionality.
All this to say, I will try to be more consistent in my blogging. Mission Year is so close, yet there is so much to do on this side before I go.
Quick What-is:
All this to say, I will try to be more consistent in my blogging. Mission Year is so close, yet there is so much to do on this side before I go.
Quick What-is:
"What in the world am I looking at?" If this proceeding statement describes something you thought when you clicked through, then I apologize. I tend to get ahead of myself when I am excited. This January, I am scheduled to begin serving with Mission Year in New Orleans, LA. Just what is Mission Year? Read on!
One more pre-script note:
Welcome newcomers to my blog! I have recently publicized it in hopes that my readership would grow. I am glad for everyone of you that is interested in my life and ministry (though they are one and the same, I feel the need to mention them individually). Above all, I desire your prayers. I will try and use this blog to inform all of you of specific instances that require prayer. Feel free to add any details or angles that I have failed to recognize. It's great to know that you have my back!
On to the fun stuff:
This is my first post on the official Mission Year blog site! Because of this, I will use this post to give a basic rundown of what I expect to give during Mission Year and what I expect to get out of it. As always, I will have a section at the bottom for prayer requests. So if you get bored, just skip down to the red header and pray away!
What I expect to give:
My Mission Year will focus on community. One of the things that I have been convicted about is the local church's interaction with the non-churched people that surround it. The church should be involved in outreach and support of the community that God has planted it in (God is the one who church plants, by the way). During this year, I will have the opportunity to attend and serve in a local church that I am assigned to (sounds scary but it's not really), serve in a local outreach that I am assigned to (again, God will direct my placement, serve the neighbor's that are in close proximity to the neighborhood I am assigned to (pray for them!) and serve my fellow housemates in the housing that I am assigned to (notice a pattern?). These four levels of community service will define my year. This will require a lot of intentionality and a lot of energy (sounds like a prayer request to me!).
What I expect to receive:
I will try and make this section smaller than the last one to make myself look more giving. But in reality, I will get SO much more out of this year then I will ever be able to put into it. I am at a loss as to how to express my excitement about this year. To put it in the most basic terms, I will gain experience in connecting in a neighborhood, getting to know the people and their needs, and then meet those needs in a Christ-like manner (without all the miracles, of course [unless...]). My goal for this year is to take what I learn and practice this year with me into youth ministry. To help the next generation of Christians to be a Church that loves God and loves people (SHOUT OUT!). Also, I will get to meet some amazing people and probably have soul-food (and pretend to enjoy it!).
The part you have been dreading:
Now, you are all reading this and saying "This is incredibly exciting news! There is nothing but goodness and sunshine and a general feeling of goodwill and happiness for mankind! Thanks for sharing Steve!" You're welcome. While we are on the topic of sharing, I need to raise $12,000 over the course of the year. Yeah, I know. Financial contributors are going to be what makes Mission Year a reality. My time will be spent ministering to others and not having a paying job. You as my friends and family (and friends I consider as family) are the ones that I am looking to for support. It pains me to ask but I do so humbly. I need your help in supporting my Mission Year. If you would like to donate online, you can do so immediately. You will only need to know that my name is Stephen Spencer and my number is 12-1001. (Donate online here : https://www.missionyear.org/donate/ )
As an added bonus, October is a match month. Anything I raise this month is doubled by other contributors. So, thanks twice!
(Mailings will go out, for those of you who prefer the cash/check route)
Thank you all for reading this far! I certainly appreciate your fortitude. We are back to prayer request and ALMOST at the end of my rambling!
Prayer requests:
Camp is busy. I LOVE ministering to the guests here and would have no problem continuing to do so. But, my busyness keeps me from making the proper preparations for my trip. I need to fund-raise and contact missions committees and the like. Pray for focus and wisdom in my actions. I am a PRO at wasting time and I hate that.
Love and peace be with you all!
On to the fun stuff:
This is my first post on the official Mission Year blog site! Because of this, I will use this post to give a basic rundown of what I expect to give during Mission Year and what I expect to get out of it. As always, I will have a section at the bottom for prayer requests. So if you get bored, just skip down to the red header and pray away!
What I expect to give:
My Mission Year will focus on community. One of the things that I have been convicted about is the local church's interaction with the non-churched people that surround it. The church should be involved in outreach and support of the community that God has planted it in (God is the one who church plants, by the way). During this year, I will have the opportunity to attend and serve in a local church that I am assigned to (sounds scary but it's not really), serve in a local outreach that I am assigned to (again, God will direct my placement, serve the neighbor's that are in close proximity to the neighborhood I am assigned to (pray for them!) and serve my fellow housemates in the housing that I am assigned to (notice a pattern?). These four levels of community service will define my year. This will require a lot of intentionality and a lot of energy (sounds like a prayer request to me!).
What I expect to receive:
I will try and make this section smaller than the last one to make myself look more giving. But in reality, I will get SO much more out of this year then I will ever be able to put into it. I am at a loss as to how to express my excitement about this year. To put it in the most basic terms, I will gain experience in connecting in a neighborhood, getting to know the people and their needs, and then meet those needs in a Christ-like manner (without all the miracles, of course [unless...]). My goal for this year is to take what I learn and practice this year with me into youth ministry. To help the next generation of Christians to be a Church that loves God and loves people (SHOUT OUT!). Also, I will get to meet some amazing people and probably have soul-food (and pretend to enjoy it!).
The part you have been dreading:
Now, you are all reading this and saying "This is incredibly exciting news! There is nothing but goodness and sunshine and a general feeling of goodwill and happiness for mankind! Thanks for sharing Steve!" You're welcome. While we are on the topic of sharing, I need to raise $12,000 over the course of the year. Yeah, I know. Financial contributors are going to be what makes Mission Year a reality. My time will be spent ministering to others and not having a paying job. You as my friends and family (and friends I consider as family) are the ones that I am looking to for support. It pains me to ask but I do so humbly. I need your help in supporting my Mission Year. If you would like to donate online, you can do so immediately. You will only need to know that my name is Stephen Spencer and my number is 12-1001. (Donate online here : https://www.missionyear.org/donate/ )
As an added bonus, October is a match month. Anything I raise this month is doubled by other contributors. So, thanks twice!
(Mailings will go out, for those of you who prefer the cash/check route)
Thank you all for reading this far! I certainly appreciate your fortitude. We are back to prayer request and ALMOST at the end of my rambling!
Prayer requests:
Camp is busy. I LOVE ministering to the guests here and would have no problem continuing to do so. But, my busyness keeps me from making the proper preparations for my trip. I need to fund-raise and contact missions committees and the like. Pray for focus and wisdom in my actions. I am a PRO at wasting time and I hate that.
Love and peace be with you all!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Mission Year: What It Is and Why I'm Interested
As many of you may have learned from my last post, I have been accepted into Mission Year for 2012. This brings up the obvious questions: What is Mission Year? and Why am I interested in serving there? I will attempt to answer these questions as concisely as possible (this is in attempt to assure that as many people as started reading my post actually finish it).
What is Mission Year? This question seems so basic, yet there is a lot that goes into it. I wish that I still had the blurb that originally got me interested in Mission Year but a bit from the website will have to do...
"It’s an opportunity for anyone 18 - 29, to spend a year following Jesus' command to “Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.” By partnering with a local church, volunteering at a service site, and spending time with neighbors, Mission Year Team Members effectively impact their communities while catching a deeper vision for what the Kingdom of God is like."
Mission Year is committed to teaching the participants seven foundational principles. While there is much more that goes into a year of inner city outreach, these simple points cover the highlights. I will list them in the order and form that Mission Year gives and then go into detail with each point later on.
Relationships: The Christian life is worked out in relationships. I know some of you reading this may be surprised to hear all of this coming from me but I guess you learn something new every day. We are called to a life of love. You simply cannot have a functional relationship with God without having others around you. You must learn to love others how they are and how to accept love how they (appropriately) show it.
Community Living: This ties right into the first point (probably why it's the second point, I guess). We need other people around us to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds"( Hebrews 10:24). There is something about constant involvement in daily life with people that draws them together. This also has practical benefits that tie into other points. Simply stated, it is cheaper to stay with other like-minded followers and split every burden among you.
Community Service: This is probably the easiest to explain. We can practically show the love of Christ to others by filling their needs. The Gospel is all about love and you cannot have love without service. Servitude is vital to advancing the Kingdom of God here on Earth.
Discipleship: Again, another simple point. It's tons easy to have a solid walk with Christ when you are actually encouraged to do so. I have learned so much through out the last year about prayer and Bible study and it will be amazing to continue to add to this knowledge and experience of God.
Church Partnership: Often have I contemplated the church's role in an individual's walk with Christ. Even though we have all of the resources available to us without the church (EG: The Bible to study, God to pray to, bread and grape juice every month) our relationship with God would be severely lacking without the constant involvement of other believers. The easy way to get that involvement and to be that involvement that others need is to be actively serving in a local church.
Social Justice: Of all the points, this one caused me the most pause. Who's version of "justice" are we talking about and why should I care about it? Through my study of the subject, I have come to find that it is the very core of our calling to hate that which God hates. We are called numerous times to care for the "widows and orphans" around us. To me, this can just as easily be applied to those who's spouses/parents have abandoned them. And those aren't hard to find. There is no dichotomy between caring for Christians and caring for the World.
Simplicity: This is another personal calling of mine that I am excited to have a (continued) chance to live out. If I can live on less than $100,000, then there is no reason I need to draw that much pay. This applies especially to when you are being supported by others. Again, this is a person conviction of mine. I am not condemning anyone who makes more than I do. That is not my call to make and I would be foolish to try and make it. All I can speak for is myself. Honestly, Mission Year won't be too much different from living at camp for over a year.
If you have gotten to this point, congratulations! As for me, I have failed in my task of brevity. Every word that I continue to type is a further violation of our unspoken/unenforced contract. But, on I go. Thanks for giving me an inch!
PRAYERS: For me, this is the most important part of my entire post. I know, I know, I am needy. Honestly, praying is the biggest thing anyone reading this can do. Not as single one of you can provide me with what I need to make it through this year. Right now, I need to have a burden for people. I need to feel the hurt that God feels when He looks on the lost. I need to be moved by compassion every moment of every day. I honestly am not as disturbed as I need to be.
Much appreciated everyone!!!
What is Mission Year? This question seems so basic, yet there is a lot that goes into it. I wish that I still had the blurb that originally got me interested in Mission Year but a bit from the website will have to do...
"It’s an opportunity for anyone 18 - 29, to spend a year following Jesus' command to “Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.” By partnering with a local church, volunteering at a service site, and spending time with neighbors, Mission Year Team Members effectively impact their communities while catching a deeper vision for what the Kingdom of God is like."
Mission Year is committed to teaching the participants seven foundational principles. While there is much more that goes into a year of inner city outreach, these simple points cover the highlights. I will list them in the order and form that Mission Year gives and then go into detail with each point later on.
- Relationships: Building deep relationships based on trust and respect with your neighbors, seeking practical ways to show Christian love.
- Community Living: Sharing life in community with a supportive team of other Christians in an urban neighborhood.
- Community Service: Volunteering 25-30 hours a week at a social service agency that's providing vital resources to the poor.
- Discipleship: Drawing close to God by spending time deepening your own walk with Christ and developing spiritual disciplines.
- Church Partnership: Supporting God's work in the city by partnering with a dynamic local church that's engaging the community.
- Social Justice: Seeking justice by learning to identify disparities in power and working creatively to bring resolution.
- Simplicity: Living life without excess to better care for your neighbors and the environment around you.
Relationships: The Christian life is worked out in relationships. I know some of you reading this may be surprised to hear all of this coming from me but I guess you learn something new every day. We are called to a life of love. You simply cannot have a functional relationship with God without having others around you. You must learn to love others how they are and how to accept love how they (appropriately) show it.
Community Living: This ties right into the first point (probably why it's the second point, I guess). We need other people around us to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds"( Hebrews 10:24). There is something about constant involvement in daily life with people that draws them together. This also has practical benefits that tie into other points. Simply stated, it is cheaper to stay with other like-minded followers and split every burden among you.
Community Service: This is probably the easiest to explain. We can practically show the love of Christ to others by filling their needs. The Gospel is all about love and you cannot have love without service. Servitude is vital to advancing the Kingdom of God here on Earth.
Discipleship: Again, another simple point. It's tons easy to have a solid walk with Christ when you are actually encouraged to do so. I have learned so much through out the last year about prayer and Bible study and it will be amazing to continue to add to this knowledge and experience of God.
Church Partnership: Often have I contemplated the church's role in an individual's walk with Christ. Even though we have all of the resources available to us without the church (EG: The Bible to study, God to pray to, bread and grape juice every month) our relationship with God would be severely lacking without the constant involvement of other believers. The easy way to get that involvement and to be that involvement that others need is to be actively serving in a local church.
Social Justice: Of all the points, this one caused me the most pause. Who's version of "justice" are we talking about and why should I care about it? Through my study of the subject, I have come to find that it is the very core of our calling to hate that which God hates. We are called numerous times to care for the "widows and orphans" around us. To me, this can just as easily be applied to those who's spouses/parents have abandoned them. And those aren't hard to find. There is no dichotomy between caring for Christians and caring for the World.
Simplicity: This is another personal calling of mine that I am excited to have a (continued) chance to live out. If I can live on less than $100,000, then there is no reason I need to draw that much pay. This applies especially to when you are being supported by others. Again, this is a person conviction of mine. I am not condemning anyone who makes more than I do. That is not my call to make and I would be foolish to try and make it. All I can speak for is myself. Honestly, Mission Year won't be too much different from living at camp for over a year.
If you have gotten to this point, congratulations! As for me, I have failed in my task of brevity. Every word that I continue to type is a further violation of our unspoken/unenforced contract. But, on I go. Thanks for giving me an inch!
PRAYERS: For me, this is the most important part of my entire post. I know, I know, I am needy. Honestly, praying is the biggest thing anyone reading this can do. Not as single one of you can provide me with what I need to make it through this year. Right now, I need to have a burden for people. I need to feel the hurt that God feels when He looks on the lost. I need to be moved by compassion every moment of every day. I honestly am not as disturbed as I need to be.
Much appreciated everyone!!!
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