Blog My Sojourn Live

Well, tonight was interesting to say the least.  I met with parents and students in the new MAC building at Fairhaven Church.  I must say that Kevin and the team did a great job setting up and getting everything ready.  David Smith did a great job telling the group (200 or so) the make up of the “New” team which I am a part. 

Now, I must say that the Vibe was very interesting.  The vibe—you know the atmosphere from my perspective was a little shall I say cold.  My guess is that many are still feeling the departure of the former youth guy, and that is understandable.  The vibe toward me?  Now that was a little more ummmm shall I say disheartening.  For I felt as if some of the people that new me back when I was at Fairhaven have already prejudged me.  Some of my “old friends” were aloof or stand offish if you will.  I don’t know if that is because when I was at Fairhaven back then they really didn’t care for me—that is they really didn’t care for what I stood for or in reality who I am—and they were never honest.  Or if they are jazzed about the former guy and aren’t happy with the new—and I am lumped into their hurt, angst or what have you?  

I don’t know, but I didn’t feel too embraced.  I guess that may well be what it means to do ministry in this day and age.  For if I am judged by my past—which I thought and will continue to think was a pretty down to earth, real student ministry--- then I am o.k. with that.  I did the best that I knew how and am actually proud of the ministry years back then.  If people were happy with the direction of the student ministry over the past couple of years and didn’t want a change—that is not really my problem.

I was asked to come in set a new direction and build a new student ministry.  So?  Well, I can understand to a degree their trepidation.  I can understand their fear to a degree.  What I don’t understand is the kind of disdain that I felt.  The disdain that says—“I don’t care for you.”  “I am not interested in what you bring to the table.”  “I certainly don’t know you, but people have said this or that about you and you will have to prove yourself to me.”  "Your reputation Don is this or that and we don't care for a guy like you."

You know, I am a little ummm not real good with that kind of stuff.  Really.  I guess only time will tell.  My fear?  The only fear is that people may not be trusting God in this.  I saw it at Far Hills over time.  People didn’t trust leadership, which was a reflection of their trust in God or lack thereof-- and that ultimately made leading very hard for the board and the staff.  It also made it very hard to get people to engage in the right stuff ultimately missing out as they stood on the sidelines and said—“prove it.”

That very well may be the sentiment of the students and the parents at this time.  So?  So what to do? 

First, I will serve like I know to do.

I will pray and pray and pray for a breakthrough for the ministry.

I will do as unto the Lord and not worry about being liked or cared for.

I will live my call to ministry no matter what.

I will do what is right.

I will care about people all people.

I will let His light shine through me.  I will continue to build the team to minister to Students and adults.  I will go for it regardless of the doubters.

Father—the ministry at Fairhaven is yours—work in the hearts of student and parents to release them of all the fear and help them to trust in you.

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13 Comments

Hey! My name is Sarah Jacobs, I just moved to Ohio July 3rd from East Lansing Michigan. I am going to be a senior in high school this comming school year (but I am trying to be completely graduated by end of december through an online school). I am super siked to get involved with the youth group at Farihaven! I enjoy singing a lot (I sing just about all the time! haha). My parents went to the meeting last night and said that there is going to be a youth band for Sunday nights??? I was wondering if there are any openings in that or if I could get more info about it??? I look forward to meeting you and making Fairhaven my home church!! Blessings and Prayers, Sarah Jacobs

Hey there Sarah-- oh yea- there is room for you-- I have to connect you with Andrew-- so come and see me asap Sunday. Thanks Don Psalm 40

Don, As a parent that attended I have to say I agree with your assessment. I can't speak for the others, but I believe you were probably picking up on some of the hurt and uncertaintly generated by how the leadership change went down. For myself I can only trust that God's hand is in everything and claim his promise through Paul that He works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called to His purpose. I believe with all my heart that is the case here. God is at work at Fairhaven and with the Fairhaven youth. I've told Dave on several occasions I trust his leadership and the vision he has for Fairhaven. I also trust you and the vision that God has laid on your heart to reach the youth of the community. I share your "enthusiasims" and am excited to see God go to work. As a parent and fellow believer - count me in!

Thanks Pete. I know without a shadow of a doubt, as painful as the change may have been-- the road ahead is going to be a great great endeavor for all! Student Ministry is my heart-- and God is going to do HUGE things! Huge! Don Psalm 40

We haven't met yet, but I ended up right in the front row for the "first meeting". That's never my favorite place to sit (I like the back row), but my daughter Sophie was already there with a friend and they invited me to sit with them...how do you ever refuse a request from your teen to have you sit with them! Perhaps my uncomfortableness with my location was cold but I want you to know my heart was warm. At the beginning of this summer, I wrote something that I learned about the word enthusiasm on our family chalk board. "Enthusiasm: from the Greek, means 'filled with God'". You are definitely full of "enthusiams". To you and your family, welcome to Fairhaven from the Lockharts. You are a blessing.

Thanks Val! I so appreciate your sentiment-- with much enthusiasm! So looking forward to God's movement! Psalm 40 Don

As a former Fairhaven student from back in the day I can say that God is gonna rock their worlds with your vision and leadership, just give them time, they will warm up to you quickly. As long as you are still calling students "freakin buttlickers!" my all time favorite don solin phrase. Glad you are back at Fairhaven, I miss that place so much. It set up the foundation of my relationship with God for the rest of my life, and if it weren't for youth ministry workers like you and Marcie, Debbie, Annie, Scott Carlson, Joe Owens, and Tom McBride I wouldn't even be a Christian today. I'll be praying for you as you take this next step in life!

Don, I am sorry I could not be there Friday night. I was in CT with all three of my daughters (we had a great time!) . I am excited for you and for the ministry and look forward to working with you and supporting you as you do (and we do) what God calls us to do, as best we know how and as best we can. Talk with you very soon! Chris

Oh Alexis-- you are the best! Blessings on you today! Thanks for your encouragement-- God is going to Rock this joint! Chris, Thanks for the note-- looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you. Don

Mr. Solin, my name is Sophie Lockhart. You had a meeting with my brother Jackson this morning...he just got back from it actually and he said everything went really well. I just wanted to send a little love and encouragement your way and let you know that I am extremely glad to have you and your family at Fairhaven. I haven't really talked to you or anything, but I'd love to get to know you more. You won't see me in the high school ministry at Fairhaven considering I'm going into 8th grade, but I'm there a lot so I hope that I'll see you around! Once again, welcome to Fairhaven. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you, and I think that once everyone else warms up to you, they'll be glad to have you here as well. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. :-) God bless!

Thanks so much Sophie-- all good for sure-- No worries-- moving along-- glad you could send a note. Don Psalm 40

Solin - you wack packer! I'm thrilled beyond belief to hear that you're back at Fairhaven after some journeys elsewhere. I know we haven't touched base in a good many years (maybe 10? maybe more?), but it's nice to see that time has treated you and the family well. By all means, hold your head up high in the weeks ahead and your return will be as memorable to the students there now as the times were to those who were there in the mid 90's like myself. And, worse comes to worst, break out your "fake a seizure on the first date" story and they'll love you just the same.

Dude-- Cullers-- how fun to hear from you. It is going to be great really-- it was a tough first week, but shaping up. When you come into town next week-- holler at me for lunch or dinner Blessing on u thanks for your encouragement. Yep-- you all were awesome Don

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