Well we just got back from SITS yesterday and it was an incredible week! We took 31 kids and had 8 adults (it was pretty awesome to have that many adult volunteers), so each adult was assigned a certain number of kids to watch over and be like a shepherd for. That ended up being a really awesome experience, and I learned a lot from it. The worship band was phenomenal, as were both speakers. Throughout the week we talked about how everyone is pursuing something, how we've been torn from God, how we've been torn from each other, and also how we can get back to God and back to having great relationships with others. All the kids loved it, and I think all the adults got just as much out of it as any of the kids. One of my favorite things about the week was that they didn't really try to use emotion to get the kids to come forward, when they used emotion it was to show us how we need to change our lives.
Nick also lead a workshop this week on how to develop spiritual habits that last and I helped with powerpoint and all that fun stuff. We did a terrible job of planning for the number of kids coming each day! When we left the church we were ready for about 45 each day and we ended up with an average of about 165+ everyday, but we recovered and it ended up being an awesome workshop.
Today I made the mistake of going to a half price book store to pick up a book, I ended up coming out with six books and spent nearly two hours in the store. Tomorrow I am doing the communion meditation in "big church" so I am trying to finish that up right now.
Next week I have to send in my discussion questions and possibly an outline to the dean of the JR High camp I will be teaching at (July 4-9), and I will also need to get my lesson done for July 11th in The Awakening. So a lot of stuff going on and coming up, but I am learning a ton and am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities I am getting to actually do stuff!
Here is a great thought about programs role in Youth Ministry:
"Programs only exist to build and strengthen relationships with God and with one another"
-Doug Fields
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
My head is beginning to spin...
Last Friday night we had our lock-in, it went really great. I did the shopping to pick up snacks, drinks, and other supplies and learned a great lesson at 11:30 when I was headed back out to get more drinks...kids can flat out drink Mountain Dew! We ended up having around 65 kids, and plenty of adult volunteers.
Sunday we began a new format for The Awakening, we had the students sit at tables and we would have around 10 minutes of teaching, then table discussion, then more teaching followed by more discussion. I really liked it a lot, and the kids at my table really enjoyed it.
This week has been really crazy, we go to Summer in the Son next week so we have been trying to get stuff ready for The Awakening for the next two weeks. Tuesday I had a meeting with the worship minister and ran errands with him, it was good to sit and talk ministry for a while, but it also did not help in getting stuff ready for The Awakening and SITS. Today I finished up the computer program for both weeks, got papers ready for The Awakening, and did some editing to my lesson for Jr. High camp. I also received a couple of cool emails that add to my workload over the next couple weeks, the Recreations Director for the second week I'll be at camp can no longer go, so I am now in charge of that which means I have to come up with 5 activities in the next couple days. I also found out that I'll get to do the Communion and Offering meditation on June 27th in "big church". Though this adds to the already crazy schedule, I'm really excited to get these opportunities.
Yesterday we took the Jr. High students to Cedar Point, it was a lot of fun! We had 31 people go total 31 people, 25 of which were students, only 4 of which were boys. So 2 and a half hour van rides with Jr High girls = not one of my favorite things, but it was a good experience.
Last night for an unknown reason I just started feeling really down, I really had no idea why but I just sat and talked to God for about 30 seconds, then just sat in silence blocking out any thoughts for a long time and felt an incredible peace. God is amazing, and the love, peace and grace I receive from Him never ceases to amaze me!
I have a few prayer request:
1. SITS next week. Pray that it is a spiritual refresher for students and sponsors (we have 40 people going total)and that it is not merely a spiritual high, but something that we all build upon.
2. Preparation for Camp. Both teaching at Jr. High camp, as well as getting all recreation activities put together for the second week.
3. Preparation for communion meditation. Please pray I speak God's word and bless Him with this meditation, and also for my nerves.
4. For me to stay focused. Pray that I keep my relationship with Christ as my main priority.
-Bondo
Sunday we began a new format for The Awakening, we had the students sit at tables and we would have around 10 minutes of teaching, then table discussion, then more teaching followed by more discussion. I really liked it a lot, and the kids at my table really enjoyed it.
This week has been really crazy, we go to Summer in the Son next week so we have been trying to get stuff ready for The Awakening for the next two weeks. Tuesday I had a meeting with the worship minister and ran errands with him, it was good to sit and talk ministry for a while, but it also did not help in getting stuff ready for The Awakening and SITS. Today I finished up the computer program for both weeks, got papers ready for The Awakening, and did some editing to my lesson for Jr. High camp. I also received a couple of cool emails that add to my workload over the next couple weeks, the Recreations Director for the second week I'll be at camp can no longer go, so I am now in charge of that which means I have to come up with 5 activities in the next couple days. I also found out that I'll get to do the Communion and Offering meditation on June 27th in "big church". Though this adds to the already crazy schedule, I'm really excited to get these opportunities.
Yesterday we took the Jr. High students to Cedar Point, it was a lot of fun! We had 31 people go total 31 people, 25 of which were students, only 4 of which were boys. So 2 and a half hour van rides with Jr High girls = not one of my favorite things, but it was a good experience.
Last night for an unknown reason I just started feeling really down, I really had no idea why but I just sat and talked to God for about 30 seconds, then just sat in silence blocking out any thoughts for a long time and felt an incredible peace. God is amazing, and the love, peace and grace I receive from Him never ceases to amaze me!
I have a few prayer request:
1. SITS next week. Pray that it is a spiritual refresher for students and sponsors (we have 40 people going total)and that it is not merely a spiritual high, but something that we all build upon.
2. Preparation for Camp. Both teaching at Jr. High camp, as well as getting all recreation activities put together for the second week.
3. Preparation for communion meditation. Please pray I speak God's word and bless Him with this meditation, and also for my nerves.
4. For me to stay focused. Pray that I keep my relationship with Christ as my main priority.
-Bondo
Thursday, June 10, 2010
and the craziness begins :)
Well this week has been really good! I had four graduation parties to go to this week which = a ton of free sandwiches and cake (which I took full advantage of.) In the office I have prepared a bunch of stuff for SITS which is only a week and a half away, then I built the computer program again, worked on my lesson for July 11th, which is extremely exciting. I have also finished the first draft of my lesson for JR High camp which is only three and a half weeks away now, all there is left to do is go incubate and revise. I have also been working with the youth minister on his SITS workshop, which I may get to teach a day or two of. Last night I had the opportunity to do a devotional for the leadership meeting, and that went really well, it was a really good opportunity. Other than that this week has consisted of a lot of Lock-in prep, the lock-in is tomorrow night and we're expecting 50+, so it should be a ton of fun.
A big thing that I did last week and got to talk to the Executive minister about yesterday was a "Ministerial Interview" which is kind of like an application from Willow Creek that evaluates "the three C's" which are Character, Competency, and also Chemistry. This was an awesome opportunity to evaluate myself, and something that I would suggest everyone to look into. It consists of questions that many churches will ask, and is great experience.
Today I had my meeting with the Youth Minister to discuss "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry" and we discussed the chapter that covers "how do I stay spiritually fresh?" This was a phenomenal meeting in which I learned a ton. It made a lot of things that have happened to me spiritually while at school made a lot more sense.
Well I hope you all are having an awesome summer, I am praying for you all, and even though this is for a grade just remember Galatians 1:10! We are doing this for Christ, not to please the ministers above us, or for Dr. Baldwin. If getting a grade, or pleasing a minister becomes the most important thing to us (anyone doing internships) this summer, we are completely failing to do what we are called to do.
I will close with a couple quotes from the chapter on staying spiritually fresh:
When talking about the two commandments that Jesus said were the greatest Fields writes: "Faithfulness to the first command (loving God) results in obedience to the second (loving others)." (67)
"Failure to see the difference between loving God and loving others (doing ministry) can result in a ministry-focused life rather than a God-focused life." (67)
"God is much more concerned with your being than your doing." (66)
A big thing that I did last week and got to talk to the Executive minister about yesterday was a "Ministerial Interview" which is kind of like an application from Willow Creek that evaluates "the three C's" which are Character, Competency, and also Chemistry. This was an awesome opportunity to evaluate myself, and something that I would suggest everyone to look into. It consists of questions that many churches will ask, and is great experience.
Today I had my meeting with the Youth Minister to discuss "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry" and we discussed the chapter that covers "how do I stay spiritually fresh?" This was a phenomenal meeting in which I learned a ton. It made a lot of things that have happened to me spiritually while at school made a lot more sense.
Well I hope you all are having an awesome summer, I am praying for you all, and even though this is for a grade just remember Galatians 1:10! We are doing this for Christ, not to please the ministers above us, or for Dr. Baldwin. If getting a grade, or pleasing a minister becomes the most important thing to us (anyone doing internships) this summer, we are completely failing to do what we are called to do.
I will close with a couple quotes from the chapter on staying spiritually fresh:
When talking about the two commandments that Jesus said were the greatest Fields writes: "Faithfulness to the first command (loving God) results in obedience to the second (loving others)." (67)
"Failure to see the difference between loving God and loving others (doing ministry) can result in a ministry-focused life rather than a God-focused life." (67)
"God is much more concerned with your being than your doing." (66)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
one more week down...
Well this week was another short week, I always have Monday off so the church made Friday my "memorial day" and so I got to come home and have a Wii Just Dance party with my little sister :) But that meant that I had to get a lot done in just three days, on Tuesday myself and Nick evaluated The Awakening(the service for the youth on Sunday morning) we talked about what went well, and what we completely failed at, which is always good. The rest of the morning was doing other little things and looking at what we needed to get done over the next few days. Then we met at lunch for our weekly discussion about "your first two years of youth ministry", these meetings have been awesome! I have learned a ton through these meetings and it has been great to just talk about a few different aspects of ministry. Following lunch we had a really awesome staff meeting, and then just finished up the day doing a few little things to get prepare for the rest of the week.
On Wednesday I spent the day building the SongShow program in the computer for The Awakening on Sunday and then I got the rest of the videos we would need for the next month or so into the program to cut down on time we will need to spend on the computer program this month. I also spent sometime preparing for the lessons I'm teaching this summer.
First thing Thursday morning I went to the store to pick some stuff up for church on Sunday and also a gift card for a couple of the volunteers. Then I put together my "ministry report" for the Elders and other leaders at the church, which I will paste into the end of this post. I had a lunch meeting with the sports minister to talk about some of the design of their different projects which was a very beneficial meeting. The remainder of my time was spent emailing and making connections with different campus ministers of schools which seniors in the youth group will be attending. I was attempting to get information on programs, location, mission statement, as well as contact people and will be putting together a packet for each graduating seniors. I had some quick, and very useful responses and will hopefully be having a meeting with a couple of the campus ministers in the next few weeks. This was an amazing learning experience, the church has had trouble with students going to college and disconnecting, so I contacted a youth minister that I know has done a fantastic job of keeping college students involved in church and he shared several things that they do. So contacting campus ministers was merely step one, there are several other things that we will now be doing to improve student connection, while in high school and well after if we do it right.
Here is my "Ministry Report" (each staff member sends one of these out the week before the monthly leadership (elders, deacons and staff) meeting)
Intern Report
June 2010
Submitted by Andrew Bondurant
I am now finishing up my third full week at WCC, I am starting to actually remember some names and get some work done. So far I have absolutely loved working here, the leadership has been amazing and the congregation has been very welcoming. Here is what I have coming up this summer:
UPCOMING
June 6 - Promo & Parent Sunday w/Cookout. I will be doing the communion meditation and getting to know the parents and kids.
June 11-12 – Lock-In. I will merely be helping out where I can, possibly running a couple of tournaments.
June 16 – Jr. High Cedar Point Trip
June 20-25 - Summer In The Son.
June 30 – High School Cedar Point Trip: Is there a better way to spend a birthday???
July 4-9 – Jr. High Camp @ Round Lake: I will be teaching one morning and just doing whatever I’m told the rest of the week.
July 11-16 – Camp with Greg: I will be a family leader/dorm dad. Looking forward to another great week of camp!
July 11-August 8: Teaching series in the Awakening entitled “Paul”: I will be teaching three of the five lessons on Paul.
July 17 – Service Project
July 23 – Friday Night Live: Night of Fun. I will be planning and leading this event, it will mainly be an outreach event just to allow the kids to have fun in a great environment.
July 25-30 – Camp with Lisa: I really don’t know exactly what I will be doing, but it’s with Lisa and Becky so I know it’ll be fun!
August 1-3 – Senior Send-Off
August 5 – Zoombezi Bay
August 15 – My last Sunday
PRAYER REQUESTS
Summer in the Son: That the students (and adults) that attend do not merely have a “Spiritual high” but that the week has a lasting impact.
The entire month of July: as you can see I will be spending 3 out of 4 weeks at RLCC, so just pray for endurance and that the kids that attend the camps will be impacted in a way that lasts. I will also be doing a lot of teaching, so please pray I can say what God wants me to say and point all those that hear to Him.
Entire summer: that I can learn as much as possible and still keep eyes and ears open to God’s leading regardless of how busy everything gets.
Thank you all so much for being so welcoming and allowing me to come be a part of the church this summer!
On Wednesday I spent the day building the SongShow program in the computer for The Awakening on Sunday and then I got the rest of the videos we would need for the next month or so into the program to cut down on time we will need to spend on the computer program this month. I also spent sometime preparing for the lessons I'm teaching this summer.
First thing Thursday morning I went to the store to pick some stuff up for church on Sunday and also a gift card for a couple of the volunteers. Then I put together my "ministry report" for the Elders and other leaders at the church, which I will paste into the end of this post. I had a lunch meeting with the sports minister to talk about some of the design of their different projects which was a very beneficial meeting. The remainder of my time was spent emailing and making connections with different campus ministers of schools which seniors in the youth group will be attending. I was attempting to get information on programs, location, mission statement, as well as contact people and will be putting together a packet for each graduating seniors. I had some quick, and very useful responses and will hopefully be having a meeting with a couple of the campus ministers in the next few weeks. This was an amazing learning experience, the church has had trouble with students going to college and disconnecting, so I contacted a youth minister that I know has done a fantastic job of keeping college students involved in church and he shared several things that they do. So contacting campus ministers was merely step one, there are several other things that we will now be doing to improve student connection, while in high school and well after if we do it right.
Here is my "Ministry Report" (each staff member sends one of these out the week before the monthly leadership (elders, deacons and staff) meeting)
Intern Report
June 2010
Submitted by Andrew Bondurant
I am now finishing up my third full week at WCC, I am starting to actually remember some names and get some work done. So far I have absolutely loved working here, the leadership has been amazing and the congregation has been very welcoming. Here is what I have coming up this summer:
UPCOMING
June 6 - Promo & Parent Sunday w/Cookout. I will be doing the communion meditation and getting to know the parents and kids.
June 11-12 – Lock-In. I will merely be helping out where I can, possibly running a couple of tournaments.
June 16 – Jr. High Cedar Point Trip
June 20-25 - Summer In The Son.
June 30 – High School Cedar Point Trip: Is there a better way to spend a birthday???
July 4-9 – Jr. High Camp @ Round Lake: I will be teaching one morning and just doing whatever I’m told the rest of the week.
July 11-16 – Camp with Greg: I will be a family leader/dorm dad. Looking forward to another great week of camp!
July 11-August 8: Teaching series in the Awakening entitled “Paul”: I will be teaching three of the five lessons on Paul.
July 17 – Service Project
July 23 – Friday Night Live: Night of Fun. I will be planning and leading this event, it will mainly be an outreach event just to allow the kids to have fun in a great environment.
July 25-30 – Camp with Lisa: I really don’t know exactly what I will be doing, but it’s with Lisa and Becky so I know it’ll be fun!
August 1-3 – Senior Send-Off
August 5 – Zoombezi Bay
August 15 – My last Sunday
PRAYER REQUESTS
Summer in the Son: That the students (and adults) that attend do not merely have a “Spiritual high” but that the week has a lasting impact.
The entire month of July: as you can see I will be spending 3 out of 4 weeks at RLCC, so just pray for endurance and that the kids that attend the camps will be impacted in a way that lasts. I will also be doing a lot of teaching, so please pray I can say what God wants me to say and point all those that hear to Him.
Entire summer: that I can learn as much as possible and still keep eyes and ears open to God’s leading regardless of how busy everything gets.
Thank you all so much for being so welcoming and allowing me to come be a part of the church this summer!
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