Seniors... don't waste your year.. or you're life!

It's your senior year.. where did all the time go? Just yesterday you were a wide eyed freshman wondering where your classes were, shopping for a church and ministry; making friends and finding your way.

As a freshman you ran around getting involved in all sorts of activities.. ate way to much mac and cheese and went to every football game.. yeah! You were poured into by upperclassman and adults who cared about your spiritual health. You saw godly people of the opposite sex and got giddy but decided to just be with Jesus..

As a sophomore you dove (or were pushed) into leadership, led folks and served and got overwhelmed but leaned on Jesus.. and still ate way to much mac and cheese in that kitchen you loved in your off campus apartment. You held parties for way to many occasions,and had a blast. You wondered who your future spouse would be..

Junior year you got your rhythm, felt much older and wiser, and began to think, huh.. holy crap I'm a junior! You wished you were a wide eyed freshman who could just sit and soak and listen but knew you had so much to give back so you tried to balance the two. You were asked about summers and internships and jobs and loss some sleep over that.. You think or thought you found your spouse.. and wondered why it was so easy/hard.

Senior year.. yessssss you've arrived. You are legal. You are the leaders of the school, church, life etc. You are tired, yet giddy for this year. You wonder what your place is at church or ministry. You are busy interviewing for jobs, trying to get motivated for classes, trying to not get overwhelmed with future stuff. You feel burned out. but have learned so much and have so much to give.. But don't know how best to balance it all. Did I mention your legal now too :) and planning how to date long distance or get engaged or how you can meet someone before the real world begins..

I hear you! I understand!! I've been there! I came to know the Lord in college.. sat and soaked.. led small groups.. was put in leadership.. felt overwhelmed and burnt out.. then went into ministry full time!!!! I saw all 8 of my roommates get married within their senior year and 2 years after college. I went to more weddings my first 5 years out of college then in my entire life time combined!!! Ha!

Here this:

I want you to have a great senior year!
I want you to love Jesus more!
I want you to find great jobs!
I want you to find a godly spouse and have an amazing marriage!
I want to see Jesus move and transform you and those around you!

But you have been through so much! You do have so much to give to those bright eyed underclassman! But you do need to think through what happens in the next season. You do.

So I have a few nuggets of wisdom for you. For this your senior year.. And the next season of your life! You may disagree with some things.. super.. Just ask the holy spirit what you should hear or not. Holy Spirit on 3!!

Senior Year Nuggets of wisdom:
- Be with Jesus.. However you do your relationship with your savior thing.. do it.. make time for it. Or you just won't.. and you will suffer for it.

- Be careful with your new found freedom. You got wisdom, life experience, time and the law behind you. Just be wise. Don't peak to soon :) Pace yourself with your fun zones ok?

- Give back to those younger than you. Take some freshman through scripture; go on a weekend mission trip and spring break trip; Take some underclassman to HEB or Walmart.

- Serve in the church. Don't be the guy too cool for school. Be a greeter, help plan events, hand out bulletins.. Don't ask to lead, just be a servant!

- Begin to Live missionally in your neighborhood and at your job (if you have one) - this is where your future missional community will be! Get some practice investing in these places!

-Join a community group.. You're not too cool for school. Meet in a small group with other believers each week. After graduation, when all the weekly ministry meetings pass away, this is where your spiritual community will be.. a small group through your church

- Get more involved in your local church. If you've been a para church ministry person during your four years.. fantastic.. but there aren't many para church ministries for folks after college.. Your local church is where the action will be. Get a taste of it now!

Future planning- Life after college.. a few things to think about...

- Find a church and THEN find a job... there is not a good church everywhere.. the salary, insurance, benefits.. its not enough.. your spiritual life is the most important thing... it is.. so before you sign the dotted line.. do a church search.. please please please...

- Before you move somewhere new for a job, grab some friends to go with you. Starting somewhere new is hard.. especially after college where you had great community and were known. How about taking your community with you to that new city.. and start over together?

- Do your homework before you sign up.. Make sure the company is one you want to work for.. one you want to tell others you work for. Are they shady?? Don't be shady :(.

- Make sure you have a life. Work is not life, but a part of your life. Your weekends, hobbies, vacations etc. are important. Make sure this new job allows you to be you.. and not consume you.

- Don't start that new job until July/Aug. Give yourself time to sleep, play, recover, travel, etc before you start a job that gives you two weeks vacation a year. Take a break. You have the rest of your life to work.

- Establish some credit. Get a credit card.. Start buying gum with it. Pay it off every month. It will help you later (car loan, rent, mortgage etc).

- Start saving a bit. Start giving a bit.

- Spend a year volunteering and giving back.. to your campus church or ministry. :) Get a job that pays the bills and be a volunteer campus minister. We need you.

Seniors.. have ONE of the best years of your life!

Is one church and/or one ministry enough? a college students question....

are you a believer on a campus? then you're probably in the midst of church/ ministry shopping right now.. which i applaud you for. you need a community of believers around you; you need to be taught the word; have people praying and care for your soul; using your gifts to build up the body; being help accountable; yes yes yes.. if you're not seeking out a church to call home while you're at school.. please check your spiritual pulse.. and preach the gospel to yourself.. holy spirit on 3 :)

but, alas, some of you have your shopping cart full of churches and ministries, and are ready to jump in and be a part of multiple ministries on a weekly basis. 2 churches on sunday; 2-3 different bible studies; serving here and there and everyone; multiple social circles in multiple communities..

yeah no beuno.. while i appreciate your zealousness for heaven points.. and your desire to find community and not miss out on any opportunities.. it is not wise to be a part of multiple ministries and multiple churches at once.. yes i said it. committing to less is better.. for you and for them.

why? you just want to know god more.. you just want to worship more.. you just have so many interests and gifting.. you'll be missing out.. they'll be missing out on you :) i know i know.. how can you just pick one church or one ministry and go all in.. why should you?

well giddee up..

1- consumerism..bad- the more churches and ministries you're in.. the more you consume.. yes.. but as you take take take.. how much do you give back- with your time, talent, $$, etc.. you sit at the table and eat.. and then get up and go somewhere else for another course.. leaving your dishes behind.. leaving other people to serve you.. but you're not serving or investing there..

2- relational quota- how many relationships can you maintain..well? the more communities, bible studies, groups, etc that your in, the more relationships youll try to maintain, how deep can you go with so many folks vying for your time? will you really be known, or just be the guy who comes, says hey, and then leaves.. to run to the next group.. dont be that guy :)

3- serving- yeah, see # 1, are you giving back? are you using your gifts to serve the body? or just taking?

4- do you leave room for margins in your life? are you so busy running to and from different christian activities, that you don't have time to stop, reflect, pray and see god at work around you? hamster wheel life? just keep running.. noooooooooo

5- how many people that don't know jesus yet do you know.. like really know??.. and how many know you? the more churches and ministries you are involved in.. the less ministry you're doing.. yeah.. not what jesus taught. investing in peoples lives takes time... time

so one church.. one ministry is enough. and best. one small group. one serving team.

don't be a consumer.. go all in.. be taught, be cared for, be known, be trained and equipped, be sent out, be called to worship... one church!- one stop shopping!!!!

College students- pick a church and go all in

New campus, new city, new friends, new church ?? I have met with a ton of college students these past few weeks, all shopping for a church to atend while at UT. I welcome thoughtful shopping.. I do. But there comes a time to commit.. Yes the word all students love to hear..

Here are a few suggestions on how to find a church that's your flavor:

1- you hear about Jesus alot-
gospel, gospel, gospel

2- you like the worship-
if you don't like the music.. Or it's too loud.. Or whatever.. Stop moaning and go somewhere else.

3- the teaching helps you know Jesus better...
Do you leave church thinking wow.. God spoke to me? Again if your complaining or comparing.. Leave

4- getting connected and involved is a simple process..
Simple.

5- you can use your gifts and serve
- you should be able to serve where your gifted, not just where there are needs

6- you are known there..
The shepherd knows his sheep- the church should know and care for it's flock. Which means they should know who walks in and out of there doors.. If your church doesn't know it's people... If someone doesn't know you, your joys and your struggles, leave.

7- they don't just let you sit there
- you come on Sundays, sing, pray, learn, then leave and return next Sunday... Yeah no bueno.. You should get involved.. And the church should pursue you to get involved. If your just sitting there.. And the church let's you do that.. Bad news bears

8- they are reaching folks that don't know Jesus..
And training you to do the same..

9- they don't fill your life with Christian activities-
if it's a Christian country club - that fills your schedule with Christians , there not listening to Jesus

10- they acknowledge they are jacked up and in need of the gospel too

So shop yes, ask questions, but then, pick a church, commit, and go all in.

Side note- being involved in multiple churches and ministries is not wise. Yes I said it. That'll be my next blog.. :)

Heather Lodovico
College Director
www.hcbcut.com

... if we ever leave a legacy, let it be that we loved eachother well...