“You have nothing to do but save souls.  Therefore, spend and be spent in this work.” -Francis Asbury

What is Kent's vision for this ministry?

My vision for this ministry is three-fold:

• Evangelize:  Develop new contacts & bring them to Christ

        “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matt. 28:18-19

• Educate & Edify:  Help bring current members to a deeper relationship with God

         “… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:20

• Equip & Encourage:  Assimilate members into areas of ministry that utilize their spiritual gifts- especially recruit and train those who have the gift of outreach and discipling  (Eph. 412-13; II Tim. 2:2

I hope to accomplish this through a variety of methods:

Evangelism:

• Tracking and Organizing Evangelistic contacts

• Call and/or visit new members and visitors
• Create packets for visitors and new members
• Ensure that new members get a directory, name tag, mailbox, assigned to a care group, and complete a ministry inventory form.
• Coordinate the Recovery Center Ministry

Education & Edification:  

• Working with the current education deacons to improve our education program and facilities (better upkeep of our classrooms and supply room)
• Be intentional in our teacher recruitment and have a plan in place a year ahead of time (curriculum and teachers)
• Continue to promote the “Son Seeker” class (make this a  requirement for new members; potentially taught by the elders)
• Work with our education deacons on our attendance accountability
• Coordinate resources for special adult classes (videos, speakers, etc.)
• More teaching (all ages)
• Growth group participation (get to know adults better)
• (potentially) Work with VBS to bring it back to a useful evangelistic event (This would depend somewhat on the youth minister and his level of interest)

Equip:

• Use the ministry inventory forms to assimilate members ASAP. 
• Increased presence in the homes of members and visitors
• Increased presence with “fringe” members (Recovery Center, new members, those not plugged in)
• Pair “veterans” with newer members in various ministries in a mentoring relationship. 

• Develop a system of hospitality that will get new members connected with current members to further help new members “plug in.”

Misc.:

• More active role in UpWords/Down Home (articles, promo., etc.)
• Continue to lead singing (possibly work with the other leaders so we were more intentional in our approach?)
• Additional preaching (in cooperation and coordination with Dan)
• Continued visitation of those in the hospital and nursing homes
• Stay involved with Camp Kurios (board member, direct one session, teach, speak, etc.)

Q and A:

“Does Kent just want this position because he’s tired of youth ministry?”

The short answer is no.  However, I have felt for some time that my effectiveness in youth ministry was coming to an end.  Hopefully, the kids have not sensed this.  I do love these kids and want to see them do well.  I have had no altercations with kids or parents that would leave me with a “bad taste in my mouth” or resent any member of this congregation.  However, I think the group deserves some “new blood.”

The larger my family grows and the older my boys get, I do not want to be away as many weekends during the school year, not to mention the weeks away during the summer.  This has much less to do with me wanting to get out of youth ministry and much more to do with me spending more time with, and not away from, my family.  Having said that, I know this new position would require some late nights during the week but this is a trade that our family is willing to make. 

“Will we lose momentum in discipleship or youth during the transition?”

I believe that a smooth transition is essential and I am willing to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that this happens.  To aid in this transition, I have taken a hiatus from my responsibilities such as:  grad school, chaplaincy, Hannah Medical Center, Texarkana youth minister meetings, etc.

“Will he be able to give up youth ministry (stay out of the new guy’s way)?”

Yes and no.  I would be lying if I said the transition would be easy for me and my family.  I have done youth ministry full and part time for the past 14 years.  This is all my children know.  However, I am willing to help the new guy to the degree he wants it.  I think I have a lot to offer, but I would like to think I would know my boundaries. 

-Kent

12-25-2007

College Avenue