Leadership

From "Lean In" by Sheryl Sanderg

Thoughts from the Gym: Divestment

Just listened to another podcast that mentioned "divestment".  Why is this not something that the pro life and human trafficking movement look at?  It was divestment that ended apartheid.  Has this been discussed?  It seems that this idea of touring college campuses and getting them to divest of industries that fund planned parenthood could be an pro-life strategy that could lead to real change.  

Thoughts from the gym: Are we serving needs?

A woman I had chatted with last week called today.  I had mentioned I was looking for chia seeds...  We all complained how hard it was to find certain products in this area, where Trader Joes and Whole Foods was hours away.  She called because she had seen them & found them for me yesterday.  Amazing that someone would remember my request and look out.  Do we do that with more dire issues?  In ministry, are we just trying to do stuff, or actually address people's needs?

Thoughts from the gym: Saying No.

I'm at the gym by 5:15 today, which is pretty great for a Friday.  I wouldn't have gotten here if I hadn't said no to something, though.  Saying "no" is something I'm not good at, but it's truly a survival skill of those who work in ministry.  It's the hardest thing to do but the reality is, there will always be more awesome things that need your help...  But taking care of your soul...  And body... And sanity...  Are what will keep you in for the long run. 

Recent articles...

a few recent contributions I've made to the blogging and printed world:


The Crying Chair, a blog on healthy friendships for LifeTeen.com

Add Spiritual Regimens to your list of Resolutions in the Catholic Miscellany

Prepare your future college student...  in The Island Packet

Prom Tips for Parents,  Prom Tips for Teens at www.FamilyHonor.org

Mentors: thoughts from the gym

After reading Start by John Acuff, I'm inspired to try to post more thoughts on being Catholic, especially as a youth minister, here.  I'm also trying to find more hours in the day by being productive with the ones I have.  In an effort to combine those two things, here are some thoughts I had after reading Sheryl Sandberg's chapter on Mentors from Lean In:

Currently reading "lean in" by Sheryl Sandberg and just finished her chapter on mentors.  Great advice about not awkwardly asking for someone to mentor you, but asking pointed questions to those you respect.  I think, in youth ministry, we need more of this happening.  I've been blessed to have people that have been tremendous help to me- especially those who are not close friends who I'd regularly have coffee with but those who are more my senior in experience who have given me necessary- and difficult- advice in a single call, e-mail or conversation.  I think I thought a mentor was supposed to turn into a "BFF", and maybe I was doing it wrong, but Sandberg clarifies that not all relationships need to involve hours of sharing.  Valuable perspective.

Sandberg suggests in the next chapter that showing emotion in the work place is authenticity.  Not sure ill ever be down with crying in the work place.  

be a reservoir

Yesterday, I attended an afternoon Advent retreat hosted by Adam and Lori Ubowski and the Catholic Young Adults from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.  I feel like I'm still recovering from Thanksgiving, NCCYM and trying to pull off a few new Advent traditions with youth ministry at St. John's and by the time 2:45 p.m. rolled around, I just wanted to crawl back into bed.

Plus, between columns and programing, I felt like I had done nothing BUT write and think about Advent.  The second candle hadn't even been lit, and I was advented-out.  I crammed to come up with 172 more words for the Island Packet column due that afternoon and reluctantly trudged out the door.

I sat down to hear Father Chris LeBlanc begin the retreat and realized that in all the rushing of the past few weeks, I hadn't thoughtfully prayed or listened for God yet in this season.  Sitting there, without a pen or paper or laptop open for brainstorming and scheduling, I finally stopped thinking about how to explain or encourage others to engage Advent and actually think about the state of MY soul.

Duh.

In The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, OCSO, he states:

"Is there anyone who does not know St. Bernard's saying, to apostles [apostles here is used to describe all in ministry, both lay and consecrated]:  'If you are wise, you will be reservoirs and not channels.'...  The channels let the water flow away, and do not retain a drop.  But the reservoir is first filled, and then, without emptying itself, pours out its overflow, which is ever renewed, over the fields which it waters.  How many there are devoted to works, who are never anything but channels, and retain nothing for themselves, but remain dry while trying to pass on lifegiving grace to souls!  'We have many channels in the Church today,' St. Bernard added sadly, 'but very few reservoirs'."

As I work through the "second first year" at my new parish, the temptation to be seen "doing" is very strong.  I feel like it's important to be at the office for "regular office hours" and not be seen just sitting in Church when I should be working.  However, the relief and peace that came from taking time sitting and listening to a talk about my own spiritual growth (NOT the growth of a ministry or program, which is not the same thing) reminded me, once again, of the importance of being a reservoir.

For what good is it if you have the best ministry events calendar in the world, but in the process lose your soul?