I remember when I first moved to Monroeville to serve as youth pastor. It was a bigger group than I was really accustomed to already, so I was somewhat satisfied to work with just the students that were already a part of the church. Beyond that, I had no idea of how to make an impact on students outside our church group.Then, one day Tommy Arnold invited me to hang out with him and a bunch of other students who would go out for wings every Wednesday after Crossfire. I reluctantly said yes, got in his car, and that's when something happened.
That night and many Wednesdays after that, I'd hang with Tommy and his friends from school. I met more people, and Tommy INVITED more people every week. It was the beginning of significant growth in several ways: 1) Our youth ministry grew numerically. 2) I grew because I stepped outside my comfort zone and met students on their "turf." 3) Tommy grew in boldness as he invited everyone he could to Crossfire.
Anyway, I was reminded of those times as I sat this morning working on a sermon for tomorrow morning at my Dad's church. I sat in the corner of McDonald's studying with my laptop, and watching people from the community just gather and talk about everything from the weather, to TV, to Wal-Mart. You name it, they discuss it.
It just got me thinking...if I was a pastor in Mifflin...I think I'd be at McDonald's on Saturday mornings...meeting people on "their turf."
P.S. Today Tommy Arnold is Pastor Tommy...and he hangs out with students...and eats wings.
1 comment:
that would b pretty silly if u were a pastor there
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