Are you a crock-pot?

I shared with our youth last Sunday night something I came across at the Barefoot Ministries site. The question I asked the youth to consider in response to our Advent discussion on waiting was, "Are you a crock-pot or a microwave Christian?" In preparing for the discussion, that question struck me as silly and powerful at the same time (always a good combination when speaking with teenagers). It also struck a chord with me personally. I am a crock-pot Christian and I don't want to be any other kind. I am glad that the journey is slow and steady and I embrace the hope that God will cause the flavors in me to bubble as my relationship with him comes to maturity. I am glad that God is not finished with me yet and that my faith is enough to get me through while He is working.

This "crock-pot" idea also reminds me of recent discussions I've had with a youth pastor friend named Tom about youth ministry. It seems that much of youth ministry is centered on the microwave approach (instant, ready and complete with no waiting) instead of the crock-pot approach (slow and steady, a process toward maturation). Youth ministry is doing a disservice to teenagers by not focusing on the process of God's transformation of lives. A realtionship with God is too important to seek instant results -- we need to invest in the long journey that brings transformative maturity. We need to let the flavors simmer!

What does it mean to be a pastor?

I came across an interesting article over at the Leadership blog, Out of Ur, that got me to thinking about what it means to be a pastor. Being a pastor is not just about God's calling on my life to be a shepherd/leader, but it is about God's calling on the community in which I serve. I am not ordained. In fact, I've probably resisted ordination because I haven't felt comfortable with everything that being "ordained" means. I don't want a title. Plenty of people, especially youth, see me as their pastor whether or not I have the title "Reverend." For others, not being ordained causes me to be seen in a different light--not a bad light, but somehow not completely a "pastor." My pastor has encouraged me to consider ordination not only as part of God's calling on my life, but also because it would be good for our church. Although he didn't use these words, ordination would be a part of God's calling on our church community. I think I feel comfortable with that view of ordination. After all, being a pastor is about living out a shared calling with my church community--it's our calling!

Welcome!

This is an exciting day! I've been pondering whether to try blogging for some time now and today I just decided I might as well give it a try. I expect that this exercise will do more for me than for anyone else, but if you are touched by this in some way, all the better. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to spending time with family, friends, and football! I'll continue this journey of blogging after the holiday! Happy Thanksgiving! Gig 'em Aggies!! Go Cowboys!!!