Change, Change, Change

No, I am not talking about the kind in yor pocket, or the stuff you find in the couch cushions. I'm talking abotu the change we keep hearing about in the world of politics and even change that occurs in our churches.

Change happens. There's no way around it. Some people like change and adapt very well to it. I like to think I am that kind of person, but in some instances I am like those who HATE change. I guess it's my own fault really, I just get comfortable with how things are and fall into the "This is how we've always done it" routine.

Would I like to see change in this world? Absolutely, but with that comes the clean up process. In all honesty, I don't believe this world...this country will be canged by one single candidate. So all of you Obama and Clinton supporters who have this vision of the US being changed within 4 years need to get your head out of the clouds. It simply is not going to happen. It will take years. Now, I know you will all laugh and say "Well it didn't take Bush long to screw things up." But let's be honest here. All that is wrong with the world didn't happen in 4 short years. Presidents and leaders before Bush also helped make things as bad as they are today.

Not acknowledging responsibility for actions of political leaders of the past is a step in the wrong direction for this country. No one is perfect and I think it is safe to say that many of our leaders have screwed up. The problem from my standpoint? Supporters who want so badly to be RIGHT about how their candidate is going to change things, that they will excuse, deny or even dismiss the wrong doings of 1. Their own political party 2. Their so called "Golden Child".

This happens in ministry as well. In fact It happens all the time, and I too have been blinded by the Truth. Don't believe me? Then I will happily share my examples with you.

Example #1: The Perfect Youth Minister-Or so we thought.
In my 11 years of volunteer ministry I had 2 Youth Ministers that I volunteered for. For any of you that have spen t any extended time in Youth Ministry, you know how rare this is. My first 9 years in ministry were under the leadership of my own Youth Minister. She's the reason I am in Ministry, and was an exceptional leader. Yes, she was stuck in the "this is how we always have done it" mindset, but was always open to change. However, at the ripe age of 55, she felt called to retire and pass the torch.

Her torch was passed to a vetran youth Minister who, on paper, and yes in person was the best possible person for the job. He was exceptiobnal in getting youth to come to Yotuh Group, he drove home the message of the Gospel, he introduced the most Amazing retreat I have ever been on...however. What kind of leader, brings forth change but is not reliable? There were times where we would be depending on this person to be at an event...THE YOUTH MINISTER OF THE CHURCH...and we never knew if he was going to show up. Sometimes we'd be left hanging on retreat, or even on Confirmation Day. We were told that the Pastoral Administrator approved one thing, only to find out we'd been lied to. Being lied to was a common occurance with this leader. Someone we were supposed to trust. I understand delegating responsibility to your leaders, but when we needed this person, he wasn't there.

I found myself becoming angry as the years went by. Angry that when I needed to deal with issues going on, I was feeling blown off. I also began to feel used. I was only good for providing one thing: An outlet for this person to use my talents, which left him time to goof off and not do his job.

His changes were good, but the execution and leadership he brought forth were HORRIBLE. It has taken almost 3 years to get the program back on track and into a good working routine.

Example #2: The new pastor
At one of my ministry jobs, our pastor had become burnt out. Well, you try leading a flock of over 2000 families single handedly and tell me how enthusiastic you are after 4 years. I digress. So in walks the new guy one day. He came to meet with us all. I was looking forward to meeting him. Word on the street was that he was very supportive of the youth, which was something I was very happy to hear.

When he arrived officially as the pastor he began to make so many changes, and brought on so many people to help, that the entire church and different ministries began to look messy. No I am not talking about thekind of Messy that Yac speaks of. I mean a literal shambles. He questioned the leadership of every ministry and wanted to replace them with "his people". Meaning he wanted to bring people from his former church and employ them in our places. He wanted more change than our church could handle. Again, change is good, but not when you are hurting and using people. He hired someone to run the entire formation aspect of the church, only to fire her a year later because he got what he wanted from her (a decent foundation for Religious Education) and then dropped her on her butt.

What kind of leadership is that?

I am happy to report, that although the church has gone through alot of drastic, unnecessary changes, somewhere out of the ashes, the Youth Ministry program has risen, and thrived. I can only say that it is because of the Youth/young adult leaders who were there before I got there and the ones added during my 2 yrs as YM, that this has been possible. I am so proud of them....yet so disappointed in the adult leadership currently in place.

Change. It's good, but please, please don't be decieved. Look at the big picture. Sometimes the best leadership can be hurtful, deceptive, and manipulative. I am sure Bush-haters around the world will attest to that. So will the Nixon Haters, Reagan haters, etc etc. Well, let's not forget the Clinton Haters...we have our own issues with him too.

Look at the leaders of every aspect of your life and ask yourself if their change they promise really is for the better of the people. Will their change bring good or bad to the world around you. If you can answer "Yes, yes they can." I'd like to meet them and shake their hand(direct me to their blog, website etc too while you're at it). The world needs more people like them.