Church jobs

[Theygaveutheirworst]

As someone who has been teaching youth the past 12 years, trying to get middle school students to understand how important having a relationship with Christ is frustrating at times.lol Thankfully I've had the pleasure to see young kids grow up to become young adults who love and follow Jesus.

 

[Lanolin]

Bibles in Schools only went up to year 6 so am not sure theres any kind of sustained school minstry to teens after that. I do recall christian fellowships in high school lunchtimes and things like christian music festivals.
Other than that there doesnt seem to be much movement with teens or maybe its all gone online. I do recall there was one childrens minsistry that tried to make a bible video game, not sure it suceeded. I think the way to go with that is youtube and personal podcasts.
i think theres heaps of untouched misnitry opportunities with teens like how about scriptutre chalk grafitti that could take off and mass demonstrations. Flashmobs used to be a thing but thats a bit passe now. If you can get a bunch of bored disinterested teens passionate about something they can really make a difference, because they have the energy and the zeal to speak out about it. But i think many are just crushed by the weight of school pressure to succeed in the world and the drive to make money. And their parents arent helping any either, cos they are thinking whos going to fund my retirement.

 

[Lanolin]

I dont know if teen challenge is still going or YWAM is still the exciting ministry it used to be.
The last church I attended didnt even really have a youth group, they would never meet in church even on sundays cos high school was demanding on their time, and would only go to organised combined church events every so often.

I cant recall the last thing they did, maybe it was a rally, but anyone whos not young doesnt go to those rallies unless they are helping with the catering.

I think theres simple things youth can do to show they love Jesus and care. Like car wash for all the church cars parked there on sundays. They could be washing the other church members cars or or doing the garden. They dont have to be sitting bored in the pews. They can get their sermons on podcast and yout tube. They can be praying with people waiting for the bus.

 

[mar09]

I dont know if teen challenge is still going or YWAM is still the exciting ministry it used to be.
The last church I attended didnt even really have a youth group, they would never meet in church even on sundays cos high school was demanding on their time, and would only go to organised combined church events every so often.

I cant recall the last thing they did, maybe it was a rally, but anyone whos not young doesnt go to those rallies unless they are helping with the catering.

I think theres simple things youth can do to show they love Jesus and care. Like car wash for all the church cars parked there on sundays. They could be washing the other church members cars or or doing the garden. They dont have to be sitting bored in the pews. They can get their sermons on podcast and yout tube. They can be praying with people waiting for the bus.

Thanks for the interesting thread, lanolin. Sometimes ppl may be too stuck in our comfort zones, we are startled-- or shocked when shown ways we can reach out! Not many really think of the little things or ways, i guess, where we can serve or help. We may look for or want to serve in missions trips, medical missions, evangelisms, which are all good. But we can also serve our families and others in the really small ways, sewing patches, helping a child or elderly cross the street, giving (or reminding) someone to drink who we know drinks sparingly, watering plants, visiting or writing an elderly relative, praying for other passengers even quietly on our own, etc.

The youth esp have to understand first before they can really reach out both to the lost and those just lukewarm or sleepy=). But they have so many opportunities to serve wc they havent realized the importance of. We can help them understand. When the children were small, i so wanted to go out and share w/ others, where i was 'hindered.' But as i see them with better focus on achieving good in school, and not too engrossed w/ dating, and other stuff that young ppl are hooked on, i am thankful i persevered being patient w/ the menial tasks as they were growing, and can now serve more with the children's ministry, the music team, women's, also some writing ministry! If we are patient w/ ourself and learn to wait on the Lord while He places us someplace, He is faithful to grant us what we desire and bless our prayers.

God bless all who seek to go to the Lord's house and serve, for better is one day truly in God's courts than a thousand elsewhere!

 

[Lanolin]

Amen

Writing minsitry is something people can consider thats often overlooked, many people think you need to go out and preach and do stuff but hey here online you can write, you can write a blog, you can write encouraging messages on facebook...you can send cards or write actual letters on paper. Half of the new testament is letters that Paul wrote to the church. You can keep in touch with missionaries and those imprisoned often the only way is through letters.

Theres lots of ways to show you care. I think. Lot of churches only focus on what people need to do in the sunday service, such as ushering, sunday school, morning tea, the music and the sound. But they dont really suggest what people can do outside of that and assume everyone is too busy during the week at work to be a christian. Some workplaces that are big enough have lunchtime fellowship and prayer, and if they dont, you can set one up nearby, with other workers in your area, my workplace just happend to be near a bible store and the lady offered to have prayer every wednesday lunchtime, she advertised it and many people came. We would pray and have devotions and spend time sharing.

The church jobs dont have to be AT Church i.e the place of worship. Its bringing the church out to the people.

 

[Lanolin]

Church signs is a good one Ive seen some really thought provoking church road signs. And funny ones too. Thats a job for someine to do each week...be creative.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

I think the closest thing will be soon I'm gonna be helping with children's class.

 

[tourist]

I have moved around a bit in my 63 years, most of which I was very active in church ministry. I grew up in a Baptist church in Michigan. In the late 70's and throughout the 80's I taught children's Sun. School, Jr. High youth group, various ages in Pioneer Club, and sang in the choir, in that same church. Also in the 80's and 90's my husband and I had a ministry that included magic, puppets, chalk art, and clowning. In the early 90's I was employed by a UMC in Ohio as Youth Minister, for about 3 years. For the remainder of the 90's, about 5 years, my husband was a UMC Pastor also in OH, making me the Pastor's wife where I led a youth group, led a children's choir, and taught a ladies Bible study group. In 1999 we divorced (his choosing). I remarried in 2000 and the 2 of us taught a Pioneer group. In 2002 we moved to Maine, I ended up working most Sundays for several years so we never settled in or served in a church. I did work with mental health clients, and later with families of domestic violence. He passed away in 2017 and I returned to MI, but not an area I knew. I found a church to attend regularly, but as of yet I have not joined. I do help out with their activities. I have been struggling physically, mentally, financially, etc. since his passing and am hesitant to make any commitments. I loved our family ministry and we served in 9 states and 10 denominations. I also enjoyed working with teenagers, but they are so different now, and with my physical issues, I don't think I could handle it.

You have a most impressive resume and certainly made well use of your time.

 

[Dino246]

Church signs is a good one Ive seen some really thought provoking church road signs. And funny ones too. Thats a job for someine to do each week...be creative.

That's a great thread topic: come up with a sign for your church ... or another one.

 

[Mii]

Sorry what is UMC?

As for me...
Library, bibles in schools, church gardens, community meals.

Other projects involved in contributing to include samaritans purse and prison ministry with the angel tree but just when they need helpers.

My favourite role is getting people into reading the Bible, I helped and taught in public schools and now do full time librarian role in public schools, but library work is outside of that to, I produced a books radio program and now do community gardening too and produce a radio broadcast

My favourite roles are the ones God calls me to do..my least favourite is when Im roped in to do something just cos there arent enough people lol. I dont mind ushering, but Im terrible at counting money or tithes..or babysitting lol. I did flowers for a whole year for the church (rostered) and while I enjoyed that for while it got hard because that church refused to allow much of a flower garden. Well flowers are pretty expensive to buy we could have grown our own. So i stopped eith that commitment if they want you to do something I would rather have full support that half hearted support or have to fight church boards to get things going.

I would be interested in tuning into the band that your on. Is it podcasted or online?

 

[Mii]

I would love to go to a church that had a choir but many dont have one they just have a band. I have guitar but am no musician an you wont ever find me up front. I can sing along with everyone else but in many churches you just havea few singers on microphones its not really a choir like they dont make any distinction between altos, sopranos and tenors. Its just like ordinary secular music rock band with religous twist. i cant get into that.

My Step-dad is big into choir. He also laments the shift away from church choirs. He does choir at a somewhat small baptist church in Ga, about 10-15 people. We've had a good few discussions about it. His masters is in choral conducting so it makes sense for him. For me, it's more organic and I like it more to disperse the focus off of one individual or a small group.

Church of God phased it out for the most part. That was what I was used to as a child, but then the worship leaders kind of took the spotlight, then the bands and just a group of probably 5 people with choirs being back up.


Liturgical churches (like presbyterians) still have choirs...so if you wanted to just sing and be a part of one that'd be a good place to look, if you can get past the theological differences (if any) you might have and just meet some people...sing...and share your walk in a way that you might just find an open door


It is regrettable because it's a cool way to meet people as well as to give back to others if you are a good singer. Not saying it's just about talent or anything...

 

[Lanolin]

In the older suburbs there might still be liturgical churches but I dont live anywhere near them, the last church i attended was actually a presy but they went in for hillsong mostly. While I enjoyed some of the fellowship in the end some, of the theological differences become a problem for me to reconcile with. You end up coming against a brick wall on some issues and they are just not going to change for one person who has a different view and equal conviction.

I tried out a regular choir a few years ago and it was enjoyable the only thing is I wanted some other friends to come sing with me but they were all busy and then I got busy too. To join though you had to pay a membership and be quite committed. I liked learning something new though and they actually had music sheets not just chord charts giving out to people....I know a bit of basic music, can follow the notes and tempo and can kind of read it but dont ask me to play anything! I am an alto I definitely cannot reach those high notes without straining but its lovely to hear some people who can. I had voice lessons once and learned all about breathing etc but, singing along with a rock band to me isnt even really SINGING I just feel everyone is competing against the bass and drums, sometimes its just chanting and waving your arms around.

I think I am one of those people who need to be challenged a bit musically rather than dumbed down. A lot of church music is just all rather samey. The same songs are played each week and the same kind of songs. I think theres only so many times you can sing How great is our God and not be bored out of your tree.
And why sing that when How Great thou .art is a a way better and more satisfying hymn.

 

[Lanolin]

I would be interested in tuning into the band that your on. Is it podcasted or online?

Its a local community station but also its online. Just google Garden Planet Fm.

 

[TheLearner]

I enjoy serving food and donuts.

 

[Lanolin]

I enjoy serving food and donuts.

Do you make the donuts yourself? I dont think any of the churches ive been to have a deep fryer...

 

[Lanolin]

well I went back to the first thread I posted on the singles forum and it was this one!

Funny as because of lockdowns the church jobs have changed somewhat with everyone now doing their 'homework' as it were.

Definitely something that had been overlooked before was online ministry and now its really come into its own.

 

[TheLearner]

Do you make the donuts yourself? I dont think any of the churches ive been to have a deep fryer...

When I was in the USAF at David Grant Medical Center, they had a donuts maker I was allowed to use for Church. The Church supplied the materials and did the clean up better than airmen did.

 

[TheLearner]

Do you make the donuts yourself? I dont think any of the churches ive been to have a deep fryer...

Serving serving food and donuts at church is how I met my wife.

 

[Lanolin]

Church had a new kitchen put in a year ago it definitely made it easier to serve. I have worked in some poky kitchens. My jobs have been cutting up veges, loading the dishwasher, and sorting the cutlery.

If there are TOO many people in the kitchen though, it gets chaotic.

You need to be careful when there is knives and fire involved! I find working with others you need to respect peoples personal space. Also some people are extremely territorial about their jobs. They might also not even let you help them because they feel only they can do that job. (the right way- their way!) And they dont want to teach or train you.

 

[TheLearner]

Church had a new kitchen put in a year ago it definitely made it easier to serve. I have worked in some poky kitchens. My jobs have been cutting up veges, loading the dishwasher, and sorting the cutlery.

If there are TOO many people in the kitchen though, it gets chaotic.

You need to be careful when there is knives and fire involved! I find working with others you need to respect peoples personal space. Also some people are extremely territorial about their jobs. They might also not even let you help them because they feel only they can do that job. (the right way- their way!) And they dont want to teach or train you.

Back when I was in the USAF doing diet technician therapist at Travis AFB, I was a very scary person that even the Officers called me Sir. I still had habits of being in war of NAM. I did have the sense to ask for help when I needed it. If anyone had a problem with me I invited them go join me at the Gym for boxing. I was a golden gloves champ --- all knock outs, forgot how many. Opposing bases put their best my way in hope of defeating me.