I guess I'm saying that there is a lot going on but I hardly have time to write. It forces me to give you the uber quick highlights of what I'm thinking.
1. I have been on the job at Gateway for about 16 months.
2. Moving from a church with small groups to a church of small groups is a tough transition.
3. The questions asked of me are totally different. Example: How many students attended at each service? vs. How many leaders and students are in a small group or triad?
Cool stuff...
1. 16 months ago there were 25-30 middle school students... tops, today there are 140 to 150. We had 35-40 high school students today about 95 to 100. The entire community went from 55-70 to 235-250.
2. We have four times the amount of small groups and leaders for middle school then we did 16 months ago. Some of which are high school and college age students who have raised up in leadership.
3. Our high school program had no small group community... today 55-60% of our global attendance is in weekly small group community.
4. I have seen our leadership community grow and unify around building a ministry focused on relationships and being Jesus to students.
5. We do not get high school students from Gateway. We just don't have families with high school kids yet. Our church and community is so young. 90% of our high school kids come on our their own and their mom and dad are not attenders at Gateway.
Other thoughts...
1. It is was so much harder to pop the 100 attendance bubble for middle school than it was for me to pop the 200 attendance bubble in my previous church.
2. Being a high school pastor is totally different than be a high school director. At our previous church I directed about 150-180 high school students but I had to live vicariously through leaders. Here I am getting to be on the front lines but at the same time preparing and pushing our leaders to be the shepherds as our high school program goes over 100.
What it all means...
1. I see us hitting 150-180 middle school kids and having 125-150 high school kids soon.
2. I need more leaders.
3. My staff... me = only one full time. Jon = middle school pastor is 5-8 hours part-time. Andy = campus ministry director 15-20 hours part time. I have volunteers every where else for small groups, worship, admin, events but I'm gonna need a full time middle school director soon.
So this zombie is out. Pray for me as I troll through Austin and the interwebs looking for students!
1 comments:
I have to say, of the past year bothering you for advice...I have been following what is going on at The Uprising and your blogs and have seen some great things.
I try to emulate your leadership style and I like learning from your old blog posts and games. The kids in Austin are lucky to have a great Youth Minister like yourself, your dedication and creativity is amazing.
We have used your games, skunk works series, and video ideas because they are so amazing. I am truly blessed to read your blog and to learn different lessons that you share.
Thanks,
Noah
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