Life of a youth pastor .

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New places inspire new ideas.

August 20, 2016 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

 

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Amazon is on to something. Consider this leading “you want it, we have it” industry that can make something magically appear on your doorstep within 48 hours and now some items within the hour.

In reading a current article on their newest “office” in Seattle, I contemplated what this could mean for the church. Amazon is investing millions of dollars and hours of thought into something that won’t give an immediate return on it’s use. This outside the box idea for a creative space is pointing towards a larger idea and I think we can learn from it as the church. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: amazon, ideas, new places, work

Doing what you love will not always mean you love what you do.

March 10, 2015 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

Love Hate Computer Keys Showing Emotion Anger And Conflict

I love working in the yard. Many times glancing up at the sky I’m reminded that these 100+ year old oak trees have seen much more than I have. My four chickens (Gladys, Gertrude, Marilyn & Lucy) follow me around hoping I’ll stir up some kind of treat for them. In the heat of summer the native flower garden is in it’s prime. I LOVE working in my yard. It usually means I’m without my phone, my hands covered in dirt, sun shining, deciding which plants need water, along with figuring out the best height for the lawn mower. Oh, and if I may, I think blues/jazz makes for wonderful music while working in the yard. While I love working in the yard, there are things about it I don’t always love doing. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Leadership, Student Ministry Tagged With: dream job, hate, leadership, love, love what you do, stumin, work, youth pastor, youthmin

Think outside the desk.

March 25, 2014 by Chris Parker 4 Comments

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My task list is a million miles long and often find myself stuck. With a flooded inbox, too many people to meet with and tasks to complete, what does a work week look like? I don’t have to arrive at the church offices at 8AM. I have many meetings at my local coffee shop. Sometimes if I really need to get something done, I’ll turn my phone on airplane mode and work from my home office. Though these realities are true, the majority of my office time is spent in the church office at my desk. My desk is about 15 feet long.

This is the Next Gen desk. On a typical work day I can be found at this desk not alone but with everyone else that contributes to birth-high school. This is a shared work space with the team I belong to, and it works. Recently, I gave a church tour to two other youth pastors. I showed them my office space and our desk. There reactions were somewhat the same as mine when it was first mentioned to me, I was skeptical. I never thought I would get my task list accomplished or goals met. The truth is, sitting at a team desk has made things easier for me.

In my previous church I had a large office all to myself… many other staff had this set up. You would see others at lunch, or through a scheduled meeting. Sure, it’s nice to have a door to shut… I really do miss that sometimes being in an open area but the productivity of our team is much more than I think it would be. What could take hours to unfold in an email thread is decided upon and figured out in mere moments because everyone is at the desk. Even my boss sits at the desk.

Our team is accomplishing more than it ever has. I give some of that credit to the desk. Think outside your desk, what kind of working habits do you need to break or approach differently.

Filed Under: Student Ministry Tagged With: desk, nextgen, office, tasks, teamwork, work

Hey there, my name is Chris. I wake up every morning thinking youth ministry. If you are in the same boat, then I know you will identify with me, because you also live the life of a youth pastor .

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