November '07 Youth Net: "Reach One More for Jesus"

After four months, we again had a Youth Net! Whoo!

I have already blogged about some preparations, so I’m talking about the event itself now.

There were many flaws, and from which everybody got lessons of various kinds.

I was on the technical team for the net so I didn’t lead the p&w. I actually haven’t been in any of their practices since they only had two informal rehearsals. Unsystematic, yes. Nevertheless, we have all learned from this net (you’ll figure that out later). They only sms-ed me with the line-up (I’m assigned on the DLP).
The turning point: The actual p&w proper didn’t turn out very well. Even the band got confused at some parts. Bottom line is that they’ve learned not to play with their parts. It’s never a joke to lead people in worship. On my part, however, the lesson was that I should be more watchful next time. I relied totally on them that they can do things like when I lead. I’m not blaming Jett nor Ptr.Phil for the disorganized practices. We all contribute to the flaws. We really shouldn’t be on our own. We are a team.

Next, I arrived at the church before 3 PM. I was expecting those who have parts to be there already, but there were only three when I came. In addition to that jumble, Grace, my classmate whom I have invited, came at around 3:05. Our bad she came ahead of the other young people from the youth ministry. We started at 5. Yaiks.

The turning point: We should be responsible enough to be ahead of time. We should reflect God in all our deeds, and that applies even on our time. We mean real business here!

Few minutes after 3 PM came other new (invited) young people.
That was the most annoying part was that others became too technical. Some were more focused on listing the names of the new comers than making them (the new ones) feel very welcome and well-received. I could have divided myself into 20 just to be acquainted very sound with the invited young people. I was having negative thoughts over my co-youth ministry workers those times since some piled up at the back, leaving the new ones unattended. Our shirt says JRC Youth Ministry: Reaching People for Jesus.

With disappointment, I even told one of my friends, “Bakit sila ganyan? We’re not reaching for drums, paper, or plastic. We’re reaching people (with emphasis on the last sentence).”

I went inside the church office and prayed.
On my quiet time, I have reflected that I need not be annoyed; I should help them, instead.
I asked God to clear all negative thoughts the devil tried to lay on me. We are a team, a youth ministry. We all are accounted for one another.

Instead of criticizing their mistaken deeds, I started to view it as an opportunity for growth. We all are learning. Not all lessons can be taught by pastors, or leaders, but also by situations as such. (I just hope we won’t wait for such instances to learn.hehe)

No one is to blame.
We are a team, a youth ministry. We all are accounted for one another.

Everything got okay when we went inside the office to have a brief talk with Ptr.Phil, our youth pastor, and prayed.

Thank you, Lord.
Because of You, we all are learning.
Because of You, we all are growing.
Because of You, we learn to understand.

I love my ministry. I love my co-young people. I love my co-youth leaders. I love my church. I love my God, above all.

Lord, we all are under Your construction. Mold us in Your likeness more and more such that others may really see You in us.

Positive thoughts = Positive things, so everything turned out well after combating with pessimistic notions.

**photos coming soon over my multiply