Legendary

Last week I had my first experience at Mt. Hebron UMC Rock Solid Student Ministries Bovotions...  Bovotions is where the students meet at our local Bojangles restaurant on "Late Arrival" Wednesdays for breakfast, prayer, and a devo to get the day started right! I have always been a big fan of Bojangles food and sweet tea.  As I walked over to get my sweet tea last week I noticed that not only the sweet tea said "legendary" but also the unsweet tea said it was legendary...which made me think....
Sweet tea takes some work and perfection to make.  You have to add the right amount of sugar to give it that perfect Southern Flavor.  But then on the other hand, how can unsweet tea be as "legendary".  It really takes no effort to make it.  You just put tea bags in hot water and take it out at the right time.
So here is my analogy and deep thought...blog post of the day...and also the Bovotion that I gave this morning.   For us to be "legendary" in our lives, we must be the sweet tea as Christians.  We must take the extra time and effort to be Christians.  Too often we are just the unsweet "legendary" Tea.  We just show up, give little effort, but label ourselves as "legendary".
My Challenge for all of us is to be "Legendary"  Sweet Tea Christians!  Take the time to listen to God for His right recipe for you life, add his sweetness daily, and don't settle for unsweet tea!

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

Boxes are everywhere!  They are packed and stacked in my office!  They are in our garage...they are all over our house!  We are moving in a week! And there are more empty boxes than packed boxes in our house.

Packing and moving days are on the top of my list of what I do not like to do.  Even though we are very much looking forward to our move to our new church and new city...I have always hated the process of going through things, finding things, throwing away things while preparing to move.

Moving in ministry is emotional.   While packing my office I have found pictures, retreat flyers, books, skit supplies, and more.   Each have brought a memory of that event.  I think of the lives that were changed.  I think of the smiles and the tears at each event.   

Too often, we box these memories up never to be seen again in our spiritual lives.  We go on a retreat, go to a concert, have an amazing night at youth, and box up the awesome gift that God gave us.  We never reveal it to anyone else.  We do not share the Good news.   We sometimes never speak of it again.

I challenge you to unpack your spiritual hiding boxes.   Share what God has done for you in your life with someone else today.   The gifts that God gives us should be shared and not boxed up as just another memory!

Transitions

As you know from my previous two blogs, I have accepted a new job in student ministry and stepped down from my current position.  Right now is a tough transition in ministry.  I am currently backing up files, reorganizing, typing passwords and accounts, laying out upcoming lessons for my adults, turning in receipts, finalizing the winter retreat for my current church.   As I do this I am talking with my new church, getting files, setting up email, and starting to plan December. 

Transition is tough.   There is a lot of emotions going on as I pack and prepare to leave.  I look back at all the great things that God did here.  I look at how the students have grown in their faith.  I look at the 20+ retreats I have taken this group on during the past four years.  I look at how many lives have been committed to Christ.  I look at the number of files of talks, small groups, and Sunday School lessons that have taken place.   It is so awesome to see how BIG our God is!

It is hard to see my current students hurt as my family is preparing to leave.  I know for them it seems like the end.  But as I look forward I see a group of students who felt the same way a couple months ago and I see the excitement in their messages on Facebook and their numerous friend requests.  I am reminded that my current students will feel the same way in a couple months when God sends who He is calling to take this group to the next level.

I am beyond excited about the new possibilities, the new friendships, the new ministries, and the new memories that will start at the end of the month. We are so excited about our new church family and are ready for a great transition into the lives of our new church!

Hard Saying Goodbye

Last night was a very tough night for me, as I resigned from my position as the director of Student Ministries.  Last Wednesday, I accepted a new job in student ministry in South Carolina.   It is a great opportunity for me and our family.  It also puts us closer to family and friends.   The past couple days it was very tough to know that I was going to have to tell my students and adults that I was going to be leaving.   I have invested my last four years in most of their lives.  How do you just tell them that you are leaving in less than a month?  There is not an easy way to do that.  


The scripture I used last night was Philippians 1: 3-³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
 ⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 

It is amazing to look back at the last four years here at Blair Road UMC and see how much the students have grown in their walk with God.  And it was very evident last night when they stood one by one and told of how they have grown.   They each have an amazing testimony.  I look at my favorite verses in ministry, 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it but God made it Grow."  In ministry we sometimes plant the seed, sometimes we are the ones that waters and nurtures it, but God grows it.  In ministry, people come and go.  There is always a transition in small group leaders, sunday school teachers, and other positions.   There are so many that plant seeds, there are many that water the seeds, and we never know sometimes which ones we are.   We must always keep our heart and eyes on God so that He can make them grow.

And when I look at both of those verses as I start packing my things to head to Columbia, SC, I know that God is in control.   I will always have a special place in my heart for the students and congregation here at Blair Road UMC.

Making a move

After much thought and prayer and discussion with my family, I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Director of Student Ministries here at Blair Road United Methodist Church effect November 28, 2010.  Our last Sunday will be November 21st.  I have decided to take a Youth Pastor position in Lexington, SC starting in the end of November.  The decision was very tough, but after many hours of prayer and talking with my wife bride Jessica, our close friends, spiritual mentors, and our family, I feel that it is the best decision and opportunity for me, Jessica, and Mallory.

I want to thank you for this opportunity to work with the youth at Blair Road United Methodist Church. They are our greatest assets, and I encourage everyone to continue to listen to them, talk to them, work with them, cheer for them, and-most of all-pray for them. I appreciate your trust and confidence in my abilities and your support. I am grateful for the opportunities and experience and for the many friends that I have made along the way.   

Thank you for your understanding and for the privilege of serving the youth and congregation of Blair Road United Methodist Church.  I have always said that God is in control and continue to believe that now.  My departing Scripture of encouragement is Philippians 4:6, 7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  I have every bit of confidence in our students and adults.  There is no doubt that this ministry will continue to excel.  I shall keep you all in my prayers.  I pray that you will do the same for me and my family.

In Christ,

Eric