May 2011

An Inside Look

A couple of months ago, the night before our certification ceremony for the Class of 2011, Janell Lockhart, the youth minister at First UMC Lutz said to me, “I need to talk to you.” That phrase sets off the red alerts in my head. In the 30 seconds it took for us to move to another part of the room that was a bit more private, I considered all of the possibilities of why she would “need to talk” to me. 

            *          Was the assignment that they completed earlier that day not specific enough?

            *          Did someone hurt her feelings when we were giving oral evaluations of the projects?

            *          Is she having a problem with one of the other youth ministers?

            *          Is she having a problem with me? Did I say something to offend her? Did I fail to hear something she was communicating earlier?

As you can tell my brain, in a very short time, started spiraling and become hyper focused on me, not her. Luckily, I didn’t try to guess what she wanted to talk to me about. By the time she started speaking I was able to clear away my selfishness and listen.

“I have breast cancer.”

This was not what I expected. I was shocked by the news. Now, what Janell said next didn’t surprise me because she is a very low key person who never seeks attention. Most everyone I know with these qualities can be summed up in one word: humble. That is Janell. She said, “I don’t want anyone to know today because that will take away from the accomplishment of the people who are graduating.”

We agreed that I would let people in YMI know once she had some more information. A lumpectomy and biopsy were scheduled in the next few weeks. She would have more news then.

Six lymph nodes contained the cancer. Janell, being the optimist stated, “8 lymph nodes are clean! I have the most "popular" type of cancer (the one time it really is important to be in the "in" crowd) and so there is a standard regimen of treatment.”

She has been truly inspirational in the last couple of months. She created a prayer chain on Facebook called My Prayer Posse. There she gives updates as to her progress. She has completed her second round of chemotherapy. She has six rounds to go, ending the last week in September. That will be followed by radiation and hormone treatment. Her frequents posts on My Prayer Posse always makes references to what she is thankful for. She shares scripture that is inspiring her. Of course, it is inspiring to others who read all of what she writes.

Janell shaved her head a couple of weeks ago so that she might avoid the gradual thinning of her locks. She posted the picture on Facebook. I am increasingly moved by her picture. First of all, the look on her face communicates an iron clad resolve. And, I couldn’t help to think that posting a bald version of herself on the internet speaks to her self confidence and understanding that God is more about what is inside of us than what is projected by our outward appearance.

Janell is well known in my circles of friends even though she doesn't know all of them – the guys I play basketball with on Wednesday and Friday mornings, the guys I meet with every Friday morning for accountability, the staff of my church and, of course, my YMI family. Janell has received a great outpouring of love and support.

In fact, after just mentioning Janell’s situation without using her name in last month’s newsletter, a YMI donor e-mailed me and told of how her daughter had just battled cancer and won. I believe her daughter has joined Janell’s Prayer Posse and is offering the support from someone who has been there and done that. Your love and support of Janell is welcomed in whatever way you are moved to give it.

Most Recently

Last month I reported about our upcoming first Intensive on the Old Testament with Brian Russell instructing. Last week we met.  It was an unbelievable success. Our students gave Brian and his three day class (21 hours plus 12 hours over three previous retreats) rave reviews. Many commented on how he was able to connect the dots between Old Testament theology and faith formation for young people. He made the class very practical and academically engaging, values for which the Youth Ministry Institute strives.  Thanks, Brian, for a very good beginning!  (a bit of Genesis humor for our OT prof)

Partner Highlight

Solidifying partnerships has to be the most difficult work I have undertaken. It isn’t hard, like digging ditches. It is hard as in staring at a clock waiting for the right time. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not really staring at a clock. I don’t have time to do that!

Currently, there are three partnership agreements that are in varying stages of development. In every case, the potential partners are excited and interested in connecting with the Youth Ministry Institute. It, evidently, just takes a while. Proposals need to be drafted. Counter proposals are usually made. With each proposal, there is an approval process on both sides that is sometimes tedious. I find it difficult to wait to share with you the future.  But, I want to be sure that all parties agree on the future I share.

All of this creates the best scenarios for the Youth Ministry Institute and those that are considering the partnership. So, it is not time wasted. It is just…. Time.

So, this column is intending to report on each of these partnerships when they are fully realized. Stay tuned. But don't watch the clock.  It ticks too slow.

Coming Soon

Well, it happened the other day. Another youth minister was let go without an explanation. Now, I say this like it is standard fare in my world of youth ministry. I fully realize that it is not standard, nor is it unusual.

People are released from their work assignments all the time for any number of reasons. Some are downsized out of a job. Some simply fail to produce the results that were expected. This happens in all industries under all sorts of circumstances.

But, I believe there is one thing that is a constant in all termination proceedings. One sheet of paper draws all professions together. What is it?

It is The List. 

I’m a big fan of The List. It is the two minute warning of the working world. It means that you better get it done now in regulation time or your time here is over. 

Again, let’s go back to my world of youth ministry. Many churches do a poor job of communicating expectations. They begin with a job description that outlines the duties of the job. But, very rarely does a job description communicate the expected outcomes of those duties. Therefore, it is not unusual for a youth minister to check off on the job description while at the same time not meet the expectations of his or her supervisor and the rest of the church.

That is why I like The List. It always clearly communicates the outcomes desired. Unfortunately, The List comes into play way too late. It is usually the result of a great deal of frustration and the unmet goals of the rest of the church (not the youth minister). When somebody gets served with The List, there are but two choices.

1.                  Do everything on The List, exceeding expectations where possible.

OR

2.                  Go and find another job ---- quickly!

Because if one doesn’t fulfill the expectations on The List in the time frame in which they are requested, The List is then used to justify one’s termination.

So, there are a lot of ways to look at The List. One could see it as the enemy. “What do they know about how I do my job?” “I’m the one hired to do this. Why are they telling me what to do?”

One could also use it as a wake up call. “Hmmm. I guess I need to get to work here if I want to keep this job.” “Am I well suited for the job they are asking me to do?” “What kind of help do I need – more training, counseling?” And, in some instances, “Do I need to seek legal counsel? This doesn’t feel right.”

What if the church started laying out expectations from the beginning? Produce The List early before things start going poorly. Or, (this is even better) how about developing The List with the youth minister's input at the outset of their employment? The List could become a dynamic set of goals that are reevaluated and assessed periodically.

Why am I a big fan of The List? I just think it needs to be used differently. There is nothing wrong with communicating clear expectations and reviewing the outcomes as they happen. There is a great deal of health in knowing strengths and shortcomings before things get difficult.

And, finally, an employee can be proactive here. Produce The List yourself. Show up to the next board meeting with a well thought out set of goals and outcomes. Be sure to make it realistic. You wouldn’t want to be fired on account of your own list. I have yet to see that happen, however. People in leadership are always impressed when someone develops and lives by their own metrics.

So, here’s hoping that the only list you will ever see is The List you write or help write yourself!!! I bet you’ll keep your job if you do.