Support
I am currently on a journey - I am on my way to see someone who fulfils one area of my 'support structures'; helping me to reflect on my work and its delivery. I have found that time to think, away from the hecticness of the work space I inhabit, requires me to pause and reflect both on my own, but also with someone outside my immediate context that offers me perspective and challenge. It is so easy to live in a bubble and get caught up in our immediacy without looking out or even up!
My time this week with colleagues from our parish youth workers network was an enlivening but also challenging time. Feedback is interesting in itself and brings some surprises and challenges. A colleague made the simple observation "how is this meeting relevant to me?" I will be responding to develop this and have time over a drink/food. Which made me reflect what support do we give as well as receive? How do we look out and up, rather than our heads down to the ground, ploughing our part of the field?
We talk a lot in youth work and ministry about relationship. Our theology, practice and values are ringing with this. However, what does our support for who we are and what we do look like? What or how do we model this to our young people to not only develop in faith but journey in this thing called life?
Someone once said to me 'it is not only ability but availability' - there are two strands of support that need to be considered in the area of ministry. The balance can still sometimes be challenging either way!
Our Lord modelled receiving support in various ways - through prayer and solitude with God. Time with his inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John. With the 12 disciples, at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
It is with this in mind that I leave us with the following questions.
- What support might we currently need on our journey?
- What support might we give and where?
- What does this look like for young people whom we serve and the adults who serve amongst them?
Psalm 127 verses 1 & 2 says as I was reminded at meeting this week:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
Those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
And go late to rest,
Eating the bread of anxious toil;
For he gives sleep to his beloved.
Peace.
Dean
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Short links
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/support
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/928