BWCA Review

The gang made it back from the BWCA in one piece. It was a very positive experience all around, and it was wonderful to bond with the 7 students that went along from Eidsvold. I do, however, not recommend that any one person have 7 teenage children in their household unless they employ super-nanny!

I am convinced of the efficacy of going on trips outside the congregation with youth. They provide a different space and offer the group a chance outside of their comfort zone. I can already see the positive effects from the trip as I communicate with the youth that were on the trip.

I had another experience with camping ministry as a result of this trip. Camps are interesting places. I was not satisfied with the bible study and spiritual discipline parts that the camp produced. It was as though they took so much time making everyone came back in one piece that they forgot to set up a daily schedule where we all could meet and experience Jesus. I have found a common thread and this is disappointing--through several camps. If these places are not intentional about their focus on discipleship and experiencing Jesus I don't know what place could be.

Thankfully I had the opportunity to share my experiences and feedback and they were accepted with gracefulness. I am starting to think that camps are places for training good young-adult theologians and I don't know if we take that seriously enough. I wonder if the association pastors could take more responsibility for helping and promoting this training?

I pray all is well in your lives and ministry paths. Have a blessed 4th of July week.

Paz,

Chad

pathetic

Ok, it's been pretty pathetic that I haven't posted since September. No excuses, simply a bit of breathing room. In short, ministry has been good, though exhausting at times. It is also a requirement, I have realized, to dig deep for self-confidence, and more importantly confidence that God is in the midst of it all.

Parenting of Holden Ehren (now 5 months old) has been wonderful and he actually seems to have taken a liking to his old man. Yesterday when I walked home from church he and mom were inside at the window and he was seemingly banging on the window saying hello.

I leave tomorrow for the Boundary Waters with a group of 7-10th graders. I have been in prayer that this would be a foundational experience for post-confirmation and even confirmation involvement in other activities.

Many blessings to each reader.

Paz,

Chad