Help me.  It seems I can't go to church now without leaving frustrated and confused.  I'm having some really "interesting" Pastor/Youth pastor relationship issues.  I'm not even sure what to write tonight.  Maybe I'll just start by sharing what happend tonight.

Being a true Southern Baptist church ;) tonight was business meeting night. (joy)  Three months ago my pastor told me that I needed to be in the business meeting (which I agree I do, but Wednesday nights are also the time of Youth Worship).  I have gone happily to each business meeting each month without complaint.  For the past two months I have interuppted the meeting to give a youth report because the Student Ministry never seems to make the agenda.  Tonight i thought for sure that he would recognize the Student Ministry so that I could share that the youth room has no heat.  It hasn't had heat since last year. And had very little air conditioning during the summer.  But, alas, before I knew it the meeting was over and the Student Ministry had not been recognized to even give a report.  This and many other instances makes me feel that the student ministry is not even on the radar of importance to this pastor and the congregation.  I feel like an overpaid babysitter (even though I do know the difference). 

I just don't feel like I'm a part of the team.  I feel like I was never part of the team.  I'm not wanting praise or . . . . . . nothing like that. . . . That's why it feels so weird to be typing this.  I'm a servant.  I don't care if anyone knows. . . . . but my student's need encouragement.  They need to know that they are a part of the church.  They are some wondeful kids doing some amazing things and the Pastor doesn't seem to even know.

I'm venting.  I'm complaining.  But I'm frustrated and I'm ready to resign.  I need some advice. 

I'm considering and praying about full-time ministry.  Could this be God's way of moving me out of where I am?  Seems like an awfully strange way.  I feel like if I left now I would be leaving defeated and terribly unsuccessful. (Although I know that we don't measure our success by things like I'm talking about)

I know that people are people and sometimes personalities are different.  I know that there is no such thing as a perfect church. But is this what I have to look forward to in ministry?  Is it against the law to feel like your on the same page/team with your senior pastor?  Aren't we serving the same God? 

 Aaaarrrrrggghhhhhhhh!!!

I suppose I should tell everyone just a little about myself.  I'm relatively new to blogging so. . . . here it goes.

 Let's see. . . . Who am I?  Gee, now there's a question.  First and foremost I'm a follower of Jesus.  Everyday He amazes me with His grace, His Love, His patience.  I've been on this "journey" with Jesus for 17 years now.  I placed my trust in Him at the age of 15 during a particularly difficult family time.  I decided I needed the Rock and Foundation in my life, and He wanted me. . . . . That's still a little hard to believe :)

I've been married for five years.  My wife is incredible.  I don't deserve her. God is good!!  I have a son, Caeden.  He will be two in March this year.  He is simply amazing.  I love being a dad.  I still have to pinch myself from time to time just to remind myself that it's really happening.  To watch him play, grow, learn.  He has already taught me more about myself than I thought possible. 

 I teach high school history, government, economics, and Bible at a local Christian School.  I've been there for seven years now.  I really enjoy U.S. History and have even been known to dress in 1860's clothing and attend living histories to teach and to experience.  One of my hobbies is to visit Civil War battlefields and study the sacrifice the men and women of our country made during it's most severe trial.  Teaching in a Christian School is also a tremendous ministry.  I have been participating with the missions club and have been on missions trips with students to Gulf Port, Mississippi, Winchester, Kentucky, and I'm excited about going to Honduras in February of this year.

I am the "part-time" youth pastor at a small church here in Birmingham.  I've been at Brewster Road for over a year now and it has been one of the most challenging ministries I've been involved in. It's a very small group in a very small church.  I will have to go into more detail later about the challenges. . . . but I don't have the room or time right now. :)

On top of all of this, I am also attending the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's extension courses here in town.  With all I'm involved in it is a slow undertaking but I'm enjoying it.  I tell others that I'm on the ten year plan at the rate I'm going.

Well.  I just looked at the time and realized that I've got to go.  Maybe I can get the hang of this blogging thing. 

Following Him,

Jonathan