MIM Ezine April 18, 2006

Table of Contents--

    -The Reconstruction of A Youth Worker, Scott’s Ramblings, “El Shaddai Just Doesn’t Work” by Scott Miller

    -“Interviewing for Ministry Employment” by Rebekah Hanover

    -Book Review – "Why Men Hate Going to Church"

    -Classifieds

The Reconstruction of A Youth Worker

Scott’s Ramblings

“El Shaddai Just Doesn’t Work”

rscottmiller1@aol.com

In my last article (see ezine archives for March 21) I began a roller coaster ride of starting at a new church as the youth minister.  My first assignment was to design a worship service that youth would want to attend.

Learning Who’s In Charge

I had a few things against me.  First, in seminary I completed a Masters degree in Christian Education.  Outside of the required worship class I attended, I avoided taking any other worship or preaching classes.  In my mind God had not called me to preach.  My calling was to hang out with kids.  Boy, did I learn that God is much more in control of my life than I do!

Three Months of Planning…

For three months – in addition to moving in and getting settled, learning about the church, and planning a summer mission trip -- I had a self-taught crash course on putting together a worship service.  I began searching the net, looking at the local bookstores, and talking to other youth workers.  I soon realized that there were few to zilch resources in the area of Youth Worship.  This is especially true for developing youth worship in a mainline denomination church.  There were lots of ideas for putting together “Worship Experiences” in your youth group program but nothing for churches trying to do a weekly youth worship service. 

July 1^st finally came.  We had our first service.  Arghhhhh!  It was horrible.  About 30 kids and a few daring adults showed up.  Our music was done by a group of youth leaders and our choir director.  I have tried so hard to block out most of that service, but the one song I remember we sang that morning was “El Shaddai.”  I know in most of our churches that is one of the more contemporary “hymns” in the hymnal, but would any teenager in their right mind think this is a worship song for them? 

Back to Work

At that moment everything hit me at once.  If we were going to do youth worship, the youth had to be intimately involved in the development of the service.  If this worship service was going to live, the music had to be done much differently than doing an “adult contemporary service” adapted for youth.  It had to truly be a youth service.  It had to have different characteristics.  First, I had to gently work with the adults to include some kids in the band.  Secondly, we had to change the music.  Thirdly, I had to be willing to not be IN CONTROL.  If this was going to work I had to be willing to be FLUID in my development of the service.  This service was going to change as much as the youth culture changes. 

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“Interviewing for Ministry Employment”

Rebekah Hanover

Worship Director

Crossroads UMC, Ashburn, VA

The Interview

I have a friend, Will, who has never interviewed for a job that he has not been offered. On one occasion, he was even offered a job far higher on the hierarchical ladder than the one for which he had interviewed. When asked about the secrets of interviewing, he generalizes some vague answers. I have never been in a position to interview him.  However, when left to observe on my own, and having now been in a position to interview others; there are a few striking similarities to those who interview well.

Confidence

Will, and others like him, exude confidence. This does not mean arrogance. I have found that those who come off as arrogant are usually overcompensating for a lot of insecurity. Know yourself, have confidence in your abilities and calling and never be afraid to give your self wholly to your unfolding call and the call of the community you are supporting. This is the type of confidence to which I am referring.

Preparation

If you have not already done so, know as much as possible about the organization with which you are interviewing. For more information about the leg work of preparation, see the article:  “How to Find Ministry Employment” in the March 21, 2006, issue of Ministry in Motion ezine (www.ministryinmotion.net/MIM_Mar_21_2006.html).

If you have a portfolio, bring it. Also bring extra copies of your resume.

Whenever possible, send or bring something you can leave with your interviewer. I have spent my entire career working with the arts.  I compiled and sent a dvd containing samples of my work with an opening menu containing my contact information. You want to be remembered. Give your interviewer something that will help them do so.

Adaptability

In many of the traditional job interviews I have been in, the question has always been asked: "What is your greatest strength?" Or rephrased, you might hear: "What is the greatest asset you bring to this organization?"

I have heard a lot of different answers. I have given a lot of different answers. Regardless of your answer to any of the questions asked, the overall question in the back of the interviewer's mind is: "Is this person trainable and adaptable?"

Any organization that turns into an institution has numbered days. Ministry and the Church, in particular, are more like a living organism. At Crossroads, we jokingly say: “The only constant is change.” It is true in your life. It is true in the dynamics of family and growth. It should always be true for the Church as it grows and adapts to the moving of the Holy Spirit.

If you struggle in this area, you may want to spend time with others who can mentor and help you grow in this area or you may want to reconsider the position for which you are interviewing. If the changing dynamics excite and challenge you then be sure to express an openness to learn and grow.

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