There are some moments when I really miss working for a church, full-time. I miss the people who just pop in to say Hi or the conversations about faith and humanity that occur randomly. I miss the freedom and flexibility of the days schedule. I miss late night conversations in the parking lot after youth group and the impromptu meet ups at the local Tacqueria after a youth group event. I miss water balloons and messy night and small groups and worship team rehearsals where we worshiped freely without the eyes of the congregation on us. I miss the relationships with people and the conversations where the layers fell away and we could get real about our lives, our doubts, our hopes and dreams. I miss that stuff.
I do not miss the people who sit through the music, the prayers and the sermon and don't hear what is being said but only focus on the ONE thing that irritates them. I don't miss those people then proceeding to corner me after the worship service to express their displeasure about the one thing that bothered them. I don't miss ending worship on a high only to be brought back down to earth with a jarring thud. I don't miss the never ending conversation about hymns or "those praise songs" and projectors or hymnals. Serving communion by passing the plates or intinction (not sure I spelled that correctly). I don't miss the conversations about the allowing people to bring their beverages into the sanctuary or making them drink them outside the doors. I don't miss hearing the complaints about "those children" being too loud during the worship service. I just don't miss that kind of stuff.
But I do miss a lot of the rest.
1 comment:
Yep. My lists aren't identical to yours, but I have my lists. For me, the longer I'm out, the more I think about the "do miss" list, and the "don't miss" list sort of fades. And both of them in the best way. I don't get so agitated when I think about complaints about the kids and/or drums being too loud, and the memories of the good stuff are happy memories (as opposed to the "my life used to have purpose!" kinds of memories).
Mostly, I miss being with the kids. And crucial programming meetings with my 3 favorite youth leaders. And having "watch high school sports" as an actual part of my job description.
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