My Ten Commitments

I recently got accepted into Tim Schmoyer’s youth ministry mentoring program. I cannot express how thrilled, excited, and thankful I am for this opportunity! One part of the program is to read a couple of books which I recieved today. I started reading Doug Field’s “Your First Two Years In Youth Ministry.” He starts it off by going over the 10 Commitments he feels are most important. Here they are and an evaluation of where I am with them:

1. I will move slowly.

This one is so-so hard for me…I am a jump-in-with-both-feet kind of guy. However, I have been learning to step back a bit and survey the field before making my decision and throwing the pass.

2. I will regularly check my motives.

It isn’t hard for any of us to get selfish. We all want attention, whether we admit it or not. I’ve been doing OK with this one so far(I think), but want to be certain to keep an eye on things.

3. I will steer clear of the number’s game.

This one isn’t so hard. Our church is not really numbers-driven. We pay attention to our numbers, but I don’t think we obsess with it, or let it dictate how/why/when we do things.

4. I will not criticize the past.

This one should be easy….I am starting the youth minsitry here from scratch.

5. I will avoid the comparison trap.

OK….this is probably my toughest one. I am surrounded by giants in the youth ministry world. I have friends at Youth Specialties, recently volunteered at one of the larger youth ministries in Nashville, and was mentored by the best youth pastor I have met. I care a lot about my kids and want to provide the best possible. I want everything to be spot on. And will beat myself up to do it. So I need to watch this like a hawk.

6. I will focus on priorities

Another hard one…between Diabetes-brain, Fibro-fog, and ADD I can get lost in my agenda to the point I don’t know up from down. I need to remember to slow down(#1) and keep myself organized (I was voted Most Disorganized in high school and not much has changed)

7. I will pace myself.

This is a medium level one. I mean I am at the helm of a youth ministry for the first time at 36, so I’ve learned to wait on God’s timing for things.

8. I will serve.

Probably one of my easiest. I don’t know why, but I love to serve…especially the youth.

9. I will be a learner.

Another easy one. I live to learn. I am sponge. Almost to a fault. I tend to learn so many subjects that I became a “Jack of all trades, master of none”

10. I will pursue contentment

God taught me early on to be content with what I have. Whiel, I still long for many things, I have/am learning that it is all in God’s time.

I can’t begin to express my excitememnt over this program. God has been doing some incredibly amazing things lately and this is just one of them. To say that I am blessed doesn’t even begin to cover it!

P.S. My wife made a wonderful post over at her blog regarding some of what has been going on here recently! Check it out!