Sunday 31 July 2011

10 years of youth work

10 years ago I graduated!

That is very very very scary, especially as it means I've been a full time youth worker (type of person) for 10 years now, and that scares me even more as in 24 days i become 31 and I'm currently going through "the change".

which change i hear you ask....

well (whispering it quietly) I'm ready not to be a youth worker any more.

I've loved every minute of my 10 years - even the bits which i didn't like at the time, and the young people I've had the honour to work with (and there are many) have been an important part of my life - i still pray for every one of them regualry, still check up on them on facebook to make sure im still a little updated, and well lets just say I miss everyone of them regualry from those from the church on the Hill in Sanderstead (my first full time job), the the Cube gang in Market Harborough, and the youth of Temple of Praise and Liverpool Lighthouse past and present.

when I moved to Liverpool I always saw myself as a youth worker - it was my definition - my identity - my career. Slowly since then my skills and abilities in other areas have been developed by God and I have fought him every step of the way.

The time I was told I was not going to be doing the church youth anymore I fought against it, only to see myself having other doors open to me.

The time I was told I was being promoted to a managers post and would not be doing any face to face youth work - I fought and pointed out I was a youth worker not a manager, and then ended up managing and enjoying it and becoming qualified in level 6 management and leadership at the same time.

The time I was told I was splitting my time between youth work and fundraising I fought against it as I was a manager and a youth worker not a fundraiser - etc etc

well now I'm finally realising what I've been told many times before.
I'm not a youth worker!
I'm not a manager!
I'm not a fundraiser!

I am a man with huge God given potential! That potential will be achieved - and the journey starts here!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not quitting my job - I will still be working at Liverpool Lighthouse and unless God has other plans I will still be doing youth work - HOWEVER, I will not be defining myself as a youth worker.

as for the future, I'm not sure what but I know God has great things in store for me.

I believe that I will (within the next year) have my own business - having developed some of the ideas that I am currently developing. (probably part time - evening and weekend type of thing)

I believe that I will be progressing and growing personally, spiritually and financially.

I believe God is leading me into a new ministry, and now is the time he is getting me ready for whatever the call is.

Every time I've been called to something I've fought against it - God this is me saying I'm ready and willing for the next call - and I'm waiting for your time.

anyways for now, thanks for reading - pray for me if you are a prayer

BUT

don't just think about me, think about yourselves - what are you called to be? what is your potential? and do you need to lose a label?