The other day (okay, it was awhile ago) – someone described me with the label of “creative”. And to be honest, I really don’t think of myself in that way. Even when I was overseeing Communications at Family Life Church, I felt like I was more of a team captain leading a team of creatives.

See, I like calendars, lists, meetings and deadlines. Words like efficiency and productivity make me giggle (that was a hint of hyperbole, by the way). I actually enjoy cleaning and organizing (but don’t tell that to my wife).

And then I began to think about it.

I enjoy creating. And to a certain extent, I think we all do. And not that I want to “Jesus Juke” everyone, but I think it is because we were created to, in essence, create. One of my favorite things that Ed Young Jr. has said is that:

“We should be the most creative organization in the world (talking about the church), because of our relationship with the creator.”

Recently, I have been trying to lean in to this idea of creating. Sometimes, it is just for fun and other times, it is at my job.

From designing our new series graphic with the help of our Creative Communications Cohort to taking a step and publishing some poetry on a friend’s blog.

The thing about creating, although it can be cathartic to do individually, I think that it is an act intended to be enjoyed by community. 

So, where do you dabble in creativity? Have you written a song, created a short film or even written a blog post lately? I’d love for you to share it with us! 

Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at American University (aka #AUXA on Twitter) recently co-hosted an Open Mic Night with The Perch (a cool coffee shop on campus that is inside a dorm) and let me tell you, it was a night to remember.

From a rendition of Amazing Grace led by a trombonist to a singer/songwriter who auditioned on America’s Got Talent to some incredibly talented poets sharing their recent works – it was amazing.

I just wanted to share a few of my favorite moments from that night…

(more…)

Image Courtesy of: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/madmaven

[This is part of the Misconceptions About Ministry Series]

It almost sounds silly now, but I used to think that being a pastor (or being in ministry) was two-fold: the platform and the picnic. Let me explain. I honestly believed that most of what a pastor did was communicate from the platform (i.e. deliver a sermon). And then, I knew that the word “fellowship” was a pretty big deal and that the pastor tended to facilitate that. As I have thought about life in ministry and the things I used to believe about this whole thing, I began to wonder, where did I get these ideas?

Where it all began…

Then I realized that it all stemmed from one of the first pastors I had. This guy was an incredibly supportive and honest guy, I am so glad that I was able to sit under his leadership for a season. Well, as a young kid, I only interacted him in two environments. And you probably guessed it, in the church (I was in a pew and he was on the platform) and occasionally at picnics.

This isn’t a bad thing. And it is certainly not his fault. But when I felt God tugging my heart and really calling me to full-time ministry at the ripe (and very awkward) age of 11, I thought, I like speaking and I can get used to this picnic thing. But of course, I was wrong…

Those two things are very important parts of ministry (delivering the Word and being in relationship with those you lead, essentially) but after being on staff at Family Life Church for two years and being involved in Chi Alpha since I was a freshman in college, I would have to say those activities feel like they are only 20% of the pie.

My friend Justin Adams once said this about youth ministry (but I think it applies here too):

It is really about two things: moving chairs and putting out fires.

And although it is a bit of hyperbole, it is true. There are a lot of administrative tasks in ministry (especially as a missionary) and then, there is this idea of conflict which can run through families, staffs, volunteers and church attenders.

What Now?

I think it would have been helpful for me to ask more questions about what a pastor does and what ministry looks like pragmatically – but I have enjoyed the journey. And I am trying to be like Brother Lawrence, in that, if I am making copies or picking up coffee, I am doing it with a heart dedicated to God.

Am I the only one that had misconceptions about what being in ministry looked like? I would love to hear your thoughts! 

I am a pescetarian. Well, I was a pescetarian. 

It all started when Hannah & I met Meredith at the Chi Alpha Leader’s Dinner on August 18th. For the first time in my ministry/church life, at this dinner there was a vegetarian option. At first, I didn’t know what to say or think. But then I found out that Meredith and Liz (both student leaders) are practicing vegetarians.

Intrigued and exciting to be a part of a new sub-culture (having been nominally accepted by hipsters and starting to gain recognition as a big-city person), it was that night I too became a pescetarian. Why, you ask? Good question! It was a mix of several motivating factors: social experiment/I have weird stomach issues/humor/something I’ve always wanted to try. That goes to say I didn’t do it for moral or spiritual reasons…

Two days later, I admit. I slipped. I ate a turkey sandwhich and my excuse has always been that it was because I didn’t know there was a vegetaraian alternativfe offered by American University @ Move-in Days. Well, AU is one of the top-ranked schools for pretty much everything and vegetarain/vegan options is on that list too. Which made this life chance far easier than the options that Southeast GA offered in this area!

But until Monday, September 26th – I kept the streak alive. Then I decided, it had to come to an end like most great things. I have mad respect for people that live out their convictions three times a day. I enjoyed trying different foods and being associated with cool kids like Meredith & Liz.

But now, I think I am moving to a different subculture: ex-pescetarians and ex-vegetarians.