accountabilty

wow, it has been way to long since I have posted. "real" work has been on the front burner, so things like the blog have to get pushed back. I still have a lot going on, and probably the next 10 minutes I will spend blogging could be used for much better things, but, I had an interesting conversation last night with some folks and needed to throw out some of those thoughts and see what you think...

I have been at Suncreek UMC for a a little over 5 months now. I was charged with building the youth group up and creating a place of "radical hospitality" and community.

In my first 3 weeks at UMYF, we averaged 80+ (including one Sunday that was well over 100 youth). This was all good, but my experience has taught me that there was going to be a fall off, naturally. Youth (and their parents) were coming to "kick the tires" of the new youth director. I made it very clear that we would see fall-off unless there were more adults willing to step up and be involved. Well, 5 months later, here we are...(let me interject here, that we are averaging now, 60 youth on Sunday, so it is not a CRAZY drop off, but still need to address the issues)

I don't say this to be negative, or a "I told you so", or even as a guilt producing post to get people more involved...I say all this to give everyone the background for my conversation last night...

Last night I was talking with some folks who care deeply about the youth program, and we were talking about the drop in numbers. I said that the #1 reason why we are dropping in numbers is that there is no accountability. There is no one in place (adults specifically) to talk to the youth who were not there the Monday after they miss UMYF, there is no one who can connect with each individual when they walk in the door. This is where the role of adults in youth programs is crucial. There is no way for one person to connect with 100+ people every Sunday in the way that is meaningful. This is why John Wesley talked at great length about the importance of small groups and people who can hold each other accountable.

Much like this blog, there is no accountability to anyone when I do not post...when a youth misses a Sunday, there is no one to offer a "hey, we missed you".

Let me tangent for just a minute....I am CRAZY appreciative of the adults who are there every Sunday and are trying their hardest. I can see it starting to work and look forward to the journey together...ok.

I have some ideas for ways to get people to hold each other accountable, but want to hear you first. ideas? post in the comment section below - be sure and include your name so we know who you are. thanks!

oh, and I am going to try to post more often...seriously...