It’s been brought to my attention recently that I’m getting stuck in my ways (patterns, thinking, etc.). I have 8+ years of full-time experience, I know what I am doing. I don’t need to read or listen to what other people are doing. I still experiment and try new things, but only to the comfort level I deem is comfortable for me. Part of it is I am managing my time and ability to pull off various things or initiatives. But that’s no excuse.
With our introduction and proliferation of small group ministry in the middle school youth environment, I’ve been seeking wisdom because “I didn’t know.” I pulled youth ministry text books off my shelf, dusted them off, and started re-reading them. Woah! What I critiqued and shelved years ago are still relevant and true today (seemingly more relevant now for me than it was years ago). I’m learning that they “experience” I have helps me learn more because there’s more raw material to work with. It’s like I’m re-learning youth ministry all over again. It’s humbling because I should know this stuff and be on the road to mastering it, right?! I need to always be learning…
