I am working on a project that is designed to assist young people and their youth programs to become better instruments of ministry. This project, hosted by the Ministry Training Source, will hopefully open a new door in how we train folks to be the best Youth Ministers EVER...
I'll share more about the final project when it's ready, but for now I am working on my little part of the big picture, which is simply communication skills, and how they move us from Point 1 to Point B. :) In my prayer this morning I read, "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12: 2) This calls us to move from the place where we are, to a place that is better; to always strive to achieve perfection! One such process is to move through a series of steps as you attempt to relate with others, or with that "thing" which you are attempting to achieve... The buzz words are FORM, NORM, STORM AND PERFORM*!
(*Added July 14, 2011... The "Tuckman Model" that I am quoting actually places the 'Storm' Stage before the 'Norm' Stage... I would argue that they could be interchangeable based on the overall purpose of the group. Whether the storm comes before the norm or vice versa, every group and relationship must find ways to work through the challenges to get to the prize.)
We begin relating with people or things as we FORM our place within the relationship. In other words, we initiate our role within the relationship, group or system which we hope to be a part. Next, we NORM, or settle into that place or role. We get comfortable with what we are being asked to do, and we begin to test what it is that we hope to achieve, or gain from the process. With all journeys, however, come the surprises, or the unexpected. This STORM, if you will, seemes to knock us off a course that we are so sure of, only to set us on THE course that we have decided to follow. We had a storm here at the house last night. Like a summer thunderstorm, it just popped up and did what storms do... Blew, rained, and offered some amazing lightning. All of this was out of my control, but this morning, the sun is bright, the grass is green, and the flowers are confidently reaching towards the sky. That's what the STORM in this process is all about, it rights the course and helps us see past our comfort zone. Finally, in our journey to understand our place in relationships or within groups or systems, we begin to understand our true role, and our true purpose, and hence we become better able to PERFORM, or do what it is that we need to do!
Be open in your down time this summer, to setting your own course to PERFORM your faith, or live out your role within your relationships better... Allow the STORMS to come and blow where they will, so that you can "be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.".
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A New Transition of Sorts...
Dear Friends,
As of this month, I am beginning a new phase in my ministry life! As some of you know, I have been serving the Catholic Faith for almost 23 years in Youth Ministry. Recently, I have been accepted as a Candidate for the Diaconate in the Church, and beginning in August, my wife Karen and I will embark on a 3 and 1/2 year journey that will focus on my becoming an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. With God's help, and many prayers, this journey will become complete in December of 2013.
Relating with this step in ministry, I have also accepted a new position at my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. I am transitioning my role on the Parish Staff from Youth Minister to Director of Liturgy and Music. I will be assisting in the welcoming of a new YM, and helping guide the new program, offering any help I can. My new role is actually a continuation of a significant part of my job description that has evolved over the last couple of years. Liturgy and music, and the planning that goes with it, is a new adventure for me, and one that I think will begin to open another facet of ministry opportunity. I am excited to apply my gifts and talents to this new area, and I know I have a lot to learn! Please pray for patience, and an openness to new possibilities... I am ready to give this my all!
With respect to my 23 years in Youth Ministry, I humbly offer that I am NOT leaving! I have always felt God's call to serve the youth of our world, and I will continue to BE one who loves to bring the Faith to our young people. My journey into serving the Church's Liturgy and Music will expand my foundation in ministry that is very much grounded in "The Vision of Youth Ministry". While I may be handing off the role of Youth Minister in the parish, I am always a Youth Minister, and will continue to apply and adapt all that I have learned about ministry in my future journeys in serving and working for the Church.
With respect to the GregCast, I will continue to focus my efforts and attention to expanding this aspect of my personal ministry, for this is my LOVE; and the blogging and podcasting that have become "The GregCast" will continue to be a special part of my daily grind in the understanding of God's challenge for us all! The goal of the GregCast has always been to share the Faith "out loud", and that's just what this little extravert needs! So, stay tuned to the same 'ol "little guy", and his goofiness, as we all wrestle with the "meaning of it all"!
Thanks for everything, and we'll see you soon. The next GregCast is on the horizon! BTW, my vacation this summer was my first ever CRUISE... Wow! I saw really deep blue water, and beautiful sea green shallows. Snorkeling opened up a whole new world for me, and putting me in front of unlimited dining just might have stunted my vertical growth for good... My gut, on the other hand, grew just fine!
Peace,
Greg
As of this month, I am beginning a new phase in my ministry life! As some of you know, I have been serving the Catholic Faith for almost 23 years in Youth Ministry. Recently, I have been accepted as a Candidate for the Diaconate in the Church, and beginning in August, my wife Karen and I will embark on a 3 and 1/2 year journey that will focus on my becoming an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. With God's help, and many prayers, this journey will become complete in December of 2013.
Relating with this step in ministry, I have also accepted a new position at my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. I am transitioning my role on the Parish Staff from Youth Minister to Director of Liturgy and Music. I will be assisting in the welcoming of a new YM, and helping guide the new program, offering any help I can. My new role is actually a continuation of a significant part of my job description that has evolved over the last couple of years. Liturgy and music, and the planning that goes with it, is a new adventure for me, and one that I think will begin to open another facet of ministry opportunity. I am excited to apply my gifts and talents to this new area, and I know I have a lot to learn! Please pray for patience, and an openness to new possibilities... I am ready to give this my all!
With respect to my 23 years in Youth Ministry, I humbly offer that I am NOT leaving! I have always felt God's call to serve the youth of our world, and I will continue to BE one who loves to bring the Faith to our young people. My journey into serving the Church's Liturgy and Music will expand my foundation in ministry that is very much grounded in "The Vision of Youth Ministry". While I may be handing off the role of Youth Minister in the parish, I am always a Youth Minister, and will continue to apply and adapt all that I have learned about ministry in my future journeys in serving and working for the Church.
With respect to the GregCast, I will continue to focus my efforts and attention to expanding this aspect of my personal ministry, for this is my LOVE; and the blogging and podcasting that have become "The GregCast" will continue to be a special part of my daily grind in the understanding of God's challenge for us all! The goal of the GregCast has always been to share the Faith "out loud", and that's just what this little extravert needs! So, stay tuned to the same 'ol "little guy", and his goofiness, as we all wrestle with the "meaning of it all"!
Thanks for everything, and we'll see you soon. The next GregCast is on the horizon! BTW, my vacation this summer was my first ever CRUISE... Wow! I saw really deep blue water, and beautiful sea green shallows. Snorkeling opened up a whole new world for me, and putting me in front of unlimited dining just might have stunted my vertical growth for good... My gut, on the other hand, grew just fine!
Peace,
Greg
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