I love and respect the fact that their are parents that are very supportive and trust us in ministry with their precious students. They are great sources that support our ministries with prayer, time, money, and who knows what else.
But some of them can be very frustrating sometimes.
I just had an incredible time at Jr. High sumer camp. It was a great week where I grew a strong connection with the students, and they grew closer to God. One girl came to know Christ for the first time. It was amazing.
I came home excited about ministry. For the first time, I felt like a successful youth pastor. Nothing could stop me or get me down.
I came home and had numerous emails and phone messages from a couple parents with concerns about how I handled camp. They gave me their 2 cents on how to be a better leader and how I could of handled different issues better.
It actually took me a while to even remember what they were talking about becasue there was nothing in my mind that I thought I did wrong.
Is this normal? Am I going to have to get use to this?
I guess its just part of the job.
2 comments:
OK, I hope this doesn't turn out to be long. It seems like it might be in my head.
First, I have found in my ministry life, that most of the time, the times of greatest joy are immediately followed by the times of biggest discouragement. I think that this is both biological (caused by endorfin rush, then withdrawal) and spiritual (the enemy attacking us at our most vulnerable: when we're emotionally, mentally, and spiritually spent). One thing that I'm trying to work on right now, and I know you would benifit from too, is learning how I should deal with my discouragment. Maybe we can suss this out together.
Second, Parents will always give their opinion. Sometimes it will be one that gives you praise. Sometimes it will be one that offers criticism. Patrick Lencioni says that most people don't mind not getting their way. But they HAVE to have their opinion HEARD and CONSIDERED. Once that happens, they feel valued and don't mind so much that their idea didn't get picked.
Third, know this: you love kids. Kids love you. You're going to mess up. You're still new at being "the man". Learn from everything. Apply what you learn to your setting and become everything that God wants you to be! You're the man!
Is it Fields or Kurt that tells the story of the event he ran and thought was amazing...and then when he comes in to the office he is yelled at by his boss for breaking something and crazy kids...(I think it's Fields).
I think everyone has to go through parent crap.
Sorry friend.
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