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missional communion

Archive for category Student Ministry

I love working with kids…

Mar 23

Posted by Daryl in Church, Student Ministry | No Comments

Today, I got chatting with a kid on msn. I will leave him nameless, because he is more technologically advanced then I, so he will likely stumble on this site. On a sidenote, its so cool I get paid by a church to be free to love and care about kids. I would love kids no matter what. But the church helps me be available and empowered to invest in students. Anyway, back to my story.

As we are chatting he busts out an emoticon. And Im not talking the basic :) or something like that. Even fancier then the standard Yahoo or MSN emoticons. No its a flashing LOL with a symbol. Its huge. Takes up almost the whole chat window. And can you guess what the symbol is? It is the logo for Playboy. HAHAHA!

At first I expect him to catch himself and realize he is chatting to a pastor. Im also just plain confused how the Playboy logo and LOL are associated as an emoticon. But then he goes on like its nothing. Then he busts it out again at another point in the conversation that I made him laugh. It makes me laugh. Brings a huge smile to my face. This kid is just being completely real with me. He knows I care about him and will accept him for who he is.

Not saying Im a big fan of his Playboy love. And sadly, its cool to be into that kinda of stuff. Even though Playboy is contributing to hurting our kids to have unhealthy sexual ideas. But thats another topic.

For tonight I will just focus on this… we have the honour and privilage to love and care for the next generation. I was telling a former bible college roomate about my experience and I mentioned how thankful I am for students and how simple, real, and honest they can look at life. His reply to me, “And they are the future- thats more awesome!” Sometimes when I look at churches, and in the mirror, I lose hope for the future. But then I have a conversation with a kid, and I have hope. But I should know this… God came to earth in the form of a babe

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Awards

Jun 22

Posted by Daryl in Student Ministry | 2 Comments

Today I got to do one of my favorite parts of my job. I got to cheer! One of my students graduated today. One of the great aspects of being a pastor – is you are freed up to share life with others. I get to be a witness. I get to be one of the people who gives the high five and hug for the great victories. Not only did I get to cheer on my friend for graduating high school, but I got to watch as he won the Bishop W.A. Townshend Medal. This award is for, “the student who has demonstrated exemplary spiritual, physical, intellectual and social pursuits.” What an awesome award?! Like seriously could there be a better award to get?! It was so cool to watch parents, teachers, the church (not the building but people), all cheer him on. And we were all so proud. And better yet, to see his smile of victory… and he has an awesome smile.

I got to thinking – what awards/prizes would I want?

Well I do prize myself in eating – maybe the eating champ of Hillside? I remember my uncle Keith having the record at camp Kakeka for fastest water slide… I was always really proud of that. I’m partial to the slip and slide so maybe – farthest distance you go when racing on a slip and slide? I think I got a chance… I’m a fantasy baseball nut and have won my keeper league the last 2 years – maybe I can go for 5 years in a row? I asked one of my students what would be a cool award and she suggested – best pokemon immitation… Anyone in our youth group can guess who suggested that.

In all seriousness – I think I would want the Bishop W.A. Townshend Medal. First off because medals are shiny. But also because its for, “the student who has demonstrated exemplary spiritual, physical, intellectual and social pursuits.” I sometimes get treated as a student because Im a youth pastor. But, I am a student. I am a learner. I do like to have fun and get to know other students. And I do want to be a person who is living life to the fullest. Not just talk about life – but live it and demonstrate it to others! My whole being. My heart, soul, body, mind, and relationships.

What award would you want?!