Oceanview!

Over the past few weeks I've had some pretty neat times at Oceanview Community Church. Different things that I have been learning in the Kaléo program have influenced my view of ministry and my perspective as I get involved. 


From "Camp and Youth Ministry" with Sid Koop we learned about the honour and responsibility it is for leaders who instruct and work with children. God holds us to a new standard and that needs to be taken seriously. This reminder has encouraged me to lift up the children and youth I see every week in prayer.  

On another note, Makayla found out that October is Pastors' month so we thought it would be sweet idea to get Pastor Darrin a fun gift. I work with his wife, Lori, in Children's Ministry so I got the scoop on what he likes to snack on. After trying to break into his office at youth two weeks ago (fyi: if a bobby pin fails, boldly ask the elder who's in the office next door for a key), we cleared a spot on his table and made a pyramid out of three cases of Dr. Pepper. (Why get only one, when they are on sale, right?) He loves dark chocolate so we decorated the pyramid with chocolate bars and placed a handmade card on top with an inspiration poem I wrote:

"Roses are Red
 Violets are Blue
 Because you're our Pastor
 We're not a Disaster. . .
 or something like that!
 Happy Pastor's Month!"

(Okay. I understand that I could have come up with a better rhyming scheme. It's the thought that counts?!) We had leftover cans so we hide them around his office room. Who doesn't want to find a warm Dr. Pepper in the paper shredder or behind your family picture frame in 2 months?  

I'm realizing the dedication and sacrifice of leaders in the Christian church. A little encouragement can go a long way. Encouragement and apprecaition is something I can pass on. Giving is always better than getting. 


If you were looking for me last Thursday evening I was at the "Ladies Fall Tea" with Stacey and Makayla at church. We had the wonderful privilege to lead the group in a few worship songs. Earlier that morning while we were preparing, it was very clear to us that Stacey was still getting over her cold and I had just caught one. I was reminded from reading about Jesus being tempted by Satan in the dessert in one of our "Spiritual Formation"class books (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero) that--although we could have sounded a lot better--our identity wasn't in our performance or what others thought, but rather God’s incredible love for us. "Thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul."

 

Purposes

This week we are about to wrap up the first section of our Camp and Youth Ministry class with Sid Koop. We have been learning a tremendous amount in a miniscule amount of time; it has been full and fabulous! With that being said, we've been exploring the ways that Jesus has commanded the body of Christ to live by looking at Matthew 22: 36 - 39 (The Greatest Commandment) and Matthew 28: 18 - 20 (The Great Commission). 

These passages give us five primary points:

Worship

Service

Evangelism

Fellowship

Discipleship

Church and Camping ministries are exceedingly important because they are awesome settings where our “purposes” can flourish in action.

Although it is vital for every demographic to be included, camp and children/youth ministries have an overwhelming opportunity and challenge to take hold of these special age groups who are at a critical yet receptive stage in life.

Growing up as a “churched” and “camped” young person, I have seen how God has used both of these backdrops to develop me as a follower of and leader for Jesus Christ.

Church - more specifically, Sunday School - added to my biblical foundation as a child and church has given me a larger family (and a closer Bible Study cell) with whom I can experience fellowship and discipleship.  In the same way, camp began as a place to learn and meet other peer Christians, but also became a setting for me to serve and worship God.

It is my craving that I will be able to demonstrate and facilitate these purposes in the midst of my camp and church settings here on Vancouver Island.