Sooo.....

New Paster guy is the first thing I want to blog about really.

He's a potential leader, nothing for certain, but he has alot of ideas, and is alot of the things we want and need for the church. I have a weird feeling about him, but i like him.

The thing is though, that I am very receptive to other people's feelings- they matter. Peoples opinions have often made me look at things in a different light, which is something I'm thankful for, but it all seems very very varied.

Some very muchly do not like him. And I can understand their viewpoint.

Some do quite like him.

And some, or one person in particualar, put the whole thing in perspective, when they said that he could only do as much as someone else could...which then someone else said, he may have the skills that we need for our youth work, but other people have those skills too- its what God wants.

Personally, I love how he changed the title. He was told Youth Work was his title for which he had to base a talk. He changed it to youth ministry, because it then meant he was providing a service rather than just working through a job.

I loved how he went on to talk about saying things in a language youth will understand. A tad patronising in places, but his key point was preaching the Gospel, as opposed to the lifestyle. You cant go up to someone and convince them to change how they live, and then show them why. You have to make it their decision- the Gospel is what is most important, and out of respect comes the lifestyle.

I was a little unsure when he came to rendezvous (Sp?!). He didnt really make a massive effort, but when he did, he was awesome. His wife didnt really talk to us/my group either. I dont know just yet.

The only thing he fell down on in my eyes was exactly what Helen said- He didnt mention anything about 'unchurched kids' as she put it.

When I asked him about it, he didnt really give an answer. He just said that he'd like to do whatever we want to do about it. We can come to him and he'll enforce a change, taking the brunt of it if he has to.

Which...Well. It didnt answer my question. But it is something I was looking for. Maybe this time when we have ideas about what to do with Church or youth or something, it'll get done rather than ignored.

Also, he talked alot about outreach. About doing alot of non-christian things to introduce them to the church in the first place. Which is great- i mean, RNA was how I became a christian. But if he's not prepared to follow that up, its a tad pointless- most parents wont be christians.

As it stands, I am undecided. Im going to church tomorrow though, as he's taking it, and I've been invited round the Sheffords for lunch with him tomorrow also. I'll form an opinion then.