Class Response One: Jan Workman

I absolutely loved this session with Jan Workman, the children's pastor at Christian Life Assembly! Even though I watched over video, I could still feel her passion for being used by God to creatively disciple and evangelize. Every time Jan's words speed up and she rubs her hands together, the wheels start turning faster in my head about how I can be more creative in my ministry at Gettysburg Master's Commission.

There were two topics Jan discussed in depth that are really sticking to my heart this afternoon. The first was a program called 'Adopt-a-block'. This idea was borrowed from Tommy and Matthew Barnett who founded The Dream Center in Los Angeles. Jan's son in law, Tommy Arnold, and his young adults ministry "adopted" an apartment complex near Harrisburg. God has really opened doors up to this community as the young adults ministry, youth ministry, Jan and her team, and many other people from CLA have faithfully gone and just loved the people there without asking for anything in return. They were very purposeful in the way they began to reach out to the people of Orchard Springs. They had a Mega Sports Camp event that would draw families and eventually open doors to ask the parents to allow their kids to come on Wednesdays, being picked up by a CLA church member. I loved Jan's simple approach to outreach here. She stressed that outreach doesn't have to be a big "once and then done" event.  Choose a low income neighborhood, a place in distress, or any where that obviously needs help and just go. No matter where you are, there are always people you can reach and love for Christ.

The second subject that grabbed my attention was the topic of team building. Izetta asked Jan who she would put on her staff if she was starting a children's ministry from scratch. Jan was very aware, and confident, in her gifts and I think that makes her a great recruiter! She knows what God has gifted her and called her to do and she doesn't try to take on more than she should. Instead, she has built into her life the principles of delegating jobs and building teams. She recognizes the value of recruiting people that are different than her, too, because it brings balance to a team. I was really encouraged when Jan said she would also look for the young people with a spark in their eye who had a passion for the ministry but just needed some training. I feel like that is so me right now! This is something I always want to do... speaking life into the dreams and vision God is giving young people for ministry.

Some key concepts I gained from Jan's session that I'll apply include...
1. Being real. In any place in ministry it is so easy to think you have to have all the answers and act perfect or your ministry will fall apart. This was a good reminder that humility, honesty, and accountability go a long way.
2. Go after the heart of God. Don't over work yourself or over complicate things. Just start at the place the Holy Spirt has led you and trust that he'll keep leading you. Be faithful when he opens doors.
3. Be creative! It makes ministry and building relationships with your students a lot more fun and opens doors for students to see they can be creative in the way they reach people, too!
4. Take good care of yourself! Ministry will burn you out if you let it. Exercise, eat well, guard your day off, laugh and have fun with friends and family.
5. Jan's philosophy about children's ministry did something great in my heart... "Kids are capable of glorifying God, understanding scripture & and articulating it, and Kids can receive spiritual things from the Holy Spirit (capable of walking in the Holy Spirit)."

It was such a joy to watch Jan's presentation. I'm not sure I can express in words even half of the things she said that are really stirring my heart and getting my creativity going today. :)