06/04/2022
When our family first arrived in Vienna, I was approached about taking over the youth ministry because the youth pastor at the time had just taken another position at another church. I had worked with children’s ministries and with the preschool chapel in our previous churches, and I thought to myself, “how different could this be?” My own son would be entering the youth, and the youth that were active in Vienna would be without any leadership, if no one stepped up. Prayerfully, I considered the position, and as I did I felt a tug on my heart that I was to step into this role.
Feeling completely out of my comfort zone, I saw the need in our new church and jumped in head-first. I was so incredibly grateful for the youth that embraced me as their new leader, but boy was I in for a shock as to how different children’s ministry was from youth! I had never worked with youth, nor had my children reached the age of youth until this season. The struggles and hardships a kid goes through at this age are real, and magnified to the nth degree as they are growing into young adults, while also trying to find their place in this world. We learned together how to grow in Grace.
If you only knew me ten years ago, you would know just how much this church and the youth group have challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and closer to Christ. Ten years ago I was the wife of an newly Licensed Preacher, and I was shaking in my boots about what my husband’s call would mean for me, exactly. I grew up in the Methodist Church, and I was never required to step up and pray aloud or lead in any way. I was one who took for granted those who were more comfortable in those rolls, those who in my eyes were born to lead. Never would that be me. Goodness gracious, I couldn’t even pray out loud in front of my own husband when we were first married.
I look at ministry in a new light these days. We all need to be challenged in order to grow. That’s what Christ seeks from us— to grow closer to Him, and in the process, we are witnesses to others. The struggles we encounter only make us stronger as we work through them by God’s grace alone.
The youth have taught me so much about how to live into this role. I’m forever grateful for this position. We as a youth group have laughed, cried, and navigated through some wonderful moments together, and we’ve also shared some very difficult and trying moments. But when I look back at our time here, I choose to remember the laughter and fun we’ve all had as a group and just how much these youth have taught me about myself and my faith. I thank each one of you.
So as we say our goodbyes, I’m going to challenge each of you to step out of your comfort zones and ask God to help you recognize where you could be used, whether it’s within the church walls, in our outreach ministries, or in our community. If this scared little girl can do it, so can you. God will equip you with the right tools and words if you seek them. You will grow and be given a true blessing, as well as the church and community that surround you.
Finally, I will continue to hold you all in my prayers, and the church as well, until we meet again.
Love,
Miss Clare
