The Leader
The Leader
|
G |
reetings, my fellow
co-laborers of Christ. As we look
toward the future, I bring you a warm welcome to The Leader. This
newsletter is designed with you in mind and provides a forum for us to exchange
ideas and thoughts. Please share with
us, let us know what your club is doing, offer suggestions for future
direction, or just keep in touch with what's happening in your area. In addition to the features outlined in this
issue, The Leader will also provide
information on your club's point standing. All this and more will be available
to you through our newsletter, so, again, welcome to The Leader .
Yours in Christ,
love ya!
Pastor Claude Harris, II
Director, Youth Ministries,
Pathfinders &
Adventurers
PS: I'll look to seeing you at the next
pathfinder event. And remember, at next year's United Youth Congress, a
Pathfinder track is being offered.
What would our opening words
be? There were so many things we wanted
to share. But then we thought about it
just for a second, and we all agreed immediately. We would ask you to pray for us.
Pray for us as we embark on this endeavor—the AEC Pathfinder Association
Newsletter. Pray for us as we allow God
to lead and use us in His ministry.
This
is our newsletter—yours and mine, and what does that mean? It means that we—that’s you and me—can make
it the best in the Union. The
newsletter will be produced bimonthly, so send us your ideas, suggestions,
stories and yes, even your criticism.
In
upcoming issues, we’ve reserved space for each of the Area
Coordinators—Baltimore, Bay, Delaware Valley, Metropolitan, New Jersey, and
Virginia—to get the word out, share thoughts, jokes, whatever.
In
addition, we will have a Q&A section, 'Thoughts from The Old School'. Here we’ll have an opportunity to tap into
the knowledge of our, shall we say, elder statesmen.
'Today’s
Child' faces many challenges; and while we do not have all the answers, we know
Someone who does, and the Newsletter can provide an arena for what we hope will
be lively discussions.
'Pathfinder
Achievements' will provide an opportunity for us to showcase our young people,
whether they have been honored in the community or church or have quietly
performed a good deed.
By
now, we hope that you are thinking, ‘Okay, but how do we get the information to
the Newsletter Team?’ Your submissions
can be sent via e-mail to:
aec_pathfinders@hotmail.com
By
now you are probably also asking, "So who's the Team?" The following individuals have graciously agreed
to give of their time and talents:
Renée Achille, Angela Bonner, Judy Pollock, Althea Skeete, and Colleen
Swaniger.
October
6-9 w Outdoor Skills Staff Training
Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, Maryland
8 w Association Constituency Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland
December
9 w Emmanuel-Brinklow Pathfinder Day
Brinklow, Maryland
April 2001
4-8 w Regional Youth Congress
Indianapolis, Indiana
July 2001
w Allegheny East Conference Pathfinder Fair
"Let all
things be done decently and in order."
– 1 Corinthians
14:40 –
"Don't equate
activity with efficiency"
The story is told
of the manager of a minor league baseball team who became completely disgusted
with his center fielder's performance.
From where he sat in the dugout, all he saw was a lot of running around
and missed catches—activity, but not much productivity. The center fielder always seemed to have
"faded" to the wrong side of the field—there, but not having any
effect. The manager eventually ordered
the player to the dugout and assumed the position himself!
The first ball
that came his way took a bad hop and hit the manager right in the mouth. The next hit was a high fly ball to center,
which the manager lost in the glare of the sun. It bounced off his forehead.
The third ball that came his way was a hard line drive that he charged
valiantly, only to have the ball soar just above his outstretched glove.
At that, the
manager ran back to the dugout, grabbed the center fielder by his uniform, and
shouted, "You've got center field so messed up that even I can't do a
thing with it!"
Efficiency isn't a
matter of excessive motion. It's a
matter of doing only the motion necessary to get the job accomplished.
One of the attributes
that makes a leader, a leader, is knowing which motions to perform.
—From
God's Little Devotional Book
In this issue, we’ve
highlighted two websites:
w
The
North American Division has updated its pathfinder website. In the site, you'll find that the AY Honors
requirements are online and are searchable by type and skill level. There's news about recent changes to honors and even information on submitting
recommendations for new honors. The
site, http://pathfinders.nadadventist.org/,
is a work in progress, and it's worth a look.
w
The
second site is http://www.rei.com,
Recreational Equipment Incorporated, aka REI. In addition to its brick and mortar locations throughout the
United States, REI is a good online resource providing not only catalog
shopping but also tips for outdoor living.
And did you know that REI, which is actually a cooperative:
ü provides grants for
environmental and conservation projects;
ü repairs gear and rents
equipment; and
ü offers training and
community exchange—experienced folks come in and share their experiences in hiking, camping, etc.?
If you would like a change of pace and location and
are in desperate need for an outdoor
destination in the Washington, D.C. area, send an e-mail to: mnelson@rei.com
Pathfinder
Leadership
What does it take to be
a Pathfinder club director, counselor, or instructor? Or how does one become
one of these? Perhaps a more meaningful and direct question would be; "Why
does one become a leader of young people? I would venture to say that the
answers to the above questions are among the most important issues confronting
the S.D.A. church at this time.
On every hand issues of
vital interest vie for time in our busy schedules. We scarcely have time for
personal or family devotions before rushing off to whatever provides our source
of income. Upon returning from the job, there's always a 1,001 things that must
be done before we fall exhausted upon our beds, only to repeat the ritual
tomorrow. In all of our comings and goings, how often do we take time to
analyze what we are doing, where we are going, and what is happening to our
families.
Time spent teaching,
loving and leading our youth is like money in the bank or invested in good
stocks or securities. It will pay a good dividend if we invest enough and are
patient enough to wait for the investment to mature. No one ever made a great
sum of money by investing a mere $5.00 or $50.00 and then withdrawing the money
after 6 months. No investment so meager
will enrich one's account significantly. Greater interest will be paid
if a long period of time is permitted before withdrawal.
When investing in youth
it works in a similar pattern. The more you give of yourself, both in personal
service and in time, the greater the rewards will be. However the greatest
rewards will come to those who invest without seeking the rewards. The lives of
those that you touch and influence will be a testimony of your care and
training.
In these times of rapid
change and mobility, it is essential that parents and church members provide an
"anchor", something that the youth can grasp and hold onto. As we
read the "Signs of the times," we must prepare the youth for the
momentous days which are just ahead.
Much can be done through
active involvement in the Pathfinder club. So in answer to the opening
questions, let me indicate that what it takes to become a leader is dedication
and determination. There must be a sincere desire to work with young people.
One good way to become a leader once you have made a commitment is to associate
with those already involved in Pathfindering. Learn all that you can from them.
Read the manuals and attend every training course that becomes available. Study
the development of junior age youth (you must know the product you are working
with). If you desire to become a leader, there is no reason that very soon you
too may be a trained leader of youth—A MASTER GUIDE.
November
15th ê December 1 issue
January
15th ê February 1 issue
One
Final Note: Look beyond the trial and
see God's victory, until next time . .
.