What do you do?
This can be an awkward question we get. Some ask with genuine curiosity about the aspects of our job. Others, ask already coming with an assessment. When I did Young Life or even as pastor, people asked, “So what do you do with rest of your week?” Some folks were curious, some thought, “Dude get a real job.”
So, what do I do?
A phone call I was on this week explains a lot. I was on a call with one of our leaders talking about their goals for their team. As we discussed the steps, they were turned the conversation turned to a painful personal situation. They talked. I listened. My heart went out to him. Family problems heighten the intensity. …And he was in the middle of it. We chatted back and forth. We talked about how much of life requires faith like states Hebrews 11:6. Then I prayed for the tough episode in their family.
That 15-minute conversation speaks into what I do. I am a bit of a mentor, a coach, a counselor, a friend, a leader, a theologian and a cheerleader. My role includes leadership, administration, alignment, encouragement, and pointing people to Jesus. Yes, it is a bit of a different job and a really good one.
As I come the midpoint of my ministry year, I want to highlight a couple items that I am doing. My role with The Navigators has two parts my national and local roles.
My national role is the largest part of what I do. I serve on the Executive Team on one of the missions within The Navigators. I provide leadership to six ministries and their leaders. The 15-minute conversation was with one ministry lead. These six ministries are: 20s, I-58, Church, Missional Enterprise, Neighbors, Workplace.
• Our mission statement. Three meetings and multiple drafts with these ministry leads we endeavored to distill our purpose. We liked the result, because is nails our core aspirations. Here it is. We equip everyday people to make disciples in their everyday places.
• This January I pulled together a small team to ask our staff to give to our staff of color. We talked individually to other staff. Here’s the good news. Every call I made our staff were open. I had a chance to express the funding challenges for some of our staff. At the end of the month, we had raised over $15,000. I am intrigued to see how God will use this first step and what He will continue to do. See more about my what I call my Tonka Project.
My local role has encouraged me so far this year. This part of my ministry is what most would think of being a Navigator. …discipleship, one on one. Here’s two ways I’m serving.
• My Gospel of John groups. I prayed throughout the fall for the participants who’d 
join in on reading the Gospel of John. The six groups are my family, the Northeast Ohio staff, two local pastors, two from Akron Cooperative Farm, a youth pastor & a leader. They connect differently either on the phone or in-person but most text their discoveries on Fridays. I’m thrilled to have a first-time person in a study. To hear them read Scripture and discuss it is a privilege.
• Northeast Ohio Navs. Last summer we realized we have 22 staff when gathered our ministry stats. We have eight different ministry contexts. See the document with all the details below. We are learning how to encourage each other as Hebrews 10:24 & 25. “Let us consider how to stir up on another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together as so are in the habit but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.” ESV We have begun to live this out with each other. Through our monthly meeting we are growing closer, so we can encourage and cheer each other on.
Just this week I was going to a local event with another staff. What made it memorable was the encouragement. We talked through some pain points in our lives. We listened. We prayed for each other. It sounds familiar to my 15 minutes conversation. I get to be a cheerleader, counselor, encourager, mentor, and discipler. I am grateful the Lord is moving in my life and those I serve.
That’s what I do.
