Can I still be a "Lifer"?

So, I good friend of mine remarked the other day upon hearing of my new position, "I thought he was a lifer" referring to a career in Student Ministry. I always thought I would be. If you had asked me two years ago if I could see myself doing something other than Student Ministry I would have given you a resounding and heartfelt "NO!" I understood my calling as one to love students and help them develop a love relationship with our Lord. And I still do. My call has simply expanded. When the opportunity for this new position came up, however, I knew that the Lord was in it. Some difficult discussions were needed and a time of waiting was inadvertently established. Throughout those trials (and they were) my wife and I wrestled with this new calling. I realized that God had been preparing me for this moment all along. What a joy these last few months have been as I dove right in to the new responsibilities. Thank you to FBC for challenging me with these new responsibilities. I pray that you will grow with me as we expand this two-fold ministry before us. We will strengthen what is already in place and we will also embark upon new endeavors. I offer this one word of advice, "Hang on, it's gonna be a wild ride!"

What a difference a year makes!

I can't believe it has actually been a whole year since my last post. I guess one of my New Year's Resolutions ought to be to blog more consistently. Maybe I will. As some of you know I have transitioned in the last few months out of Student Ministry and into another passion of mine, Missions. My title is actually Minister of Missions and Faith Development. I like the charge I was given by my pastor to help our church recognize these two aspects not as a dichotomy, but as two sides of that same coin. As we develop our faith this leads to a desire to serve others at home and abroad (Missions) which in turn helps us to develop and deepen our faith. You can't have one without the other. Thanks to James for a great discussion on the relationship between faith and works. Pray with me as I charge ahead into this new calling of God.