going the Second Mile...

This week my life has been consumed by one thing (mainly) - - The Second Mile Institute. Everyone that's a part of the Second Baptist team walks through a series of classes developed to ground us in what we believe, and flesh out how this great church functions as a family. It's a great way to learn about the DNA of the organization that is Second; a place that's not so much a big church, but a small town!

As I walked through this week's classes here are a few things I noticed:

• You never arrive - You can always find new ways to strech/strengthen your relationship with Christ. I was in classes on my spiritual life with interns as well as members of the executive team here at Second. Always growing, always learning, always striving to look more like Christ should be our number one goal. To boil it down to one word - humility.
  
• Accountability is not an option - If you truly want to grow, minister effectively, and do so over the long haul accountability in life is key.
  
• Great organizations are shaped - it was great to notice the guiding values that drive Second, and that have driven them from 30 years. Our vision is clear, our mission is direct, and because of that our focus is fine tuned.
  
• Teamwork is vital
  
• AND - People trump programs

It was a great week! I met new friends, was challenged in my walk, and learned a great deal.

running the race,
Brian H.

passion and position

I love what John Maxwell once said:

“A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”

Tonight, Erin and I had the Youth Team at the North Campus out to our place to eat some great food, have some fun, and dream about Student Ministry. (we would have watched the World Series if Bud Selig has not postponed it yet again!)

It was great to see the passion that our team posseses for ministry to students. We are asking God to give us a grand vision for reaching Kingwood's teenagers, connecting them in meaningful relationships, and growing them up in Christ, and what's more; for the courage to go after it!

Isn't is curious that it's passion not position that launches leaders and teams toward a great vision of what could be... if that is the case we are poised for God to do great things!

expectantly,

Brian

Kingwood Mustangs Football

Tonight Erin, our daughter Olivia, David Wilson (one of our students from Second/North) and Jonathan Gray, North Campus HS Pastor, all went to the Kingwood v. Nimitz football game. Met tons of students and some great families - proof that going where the students are is always a key to building relationships. Jonathan has been amazing as he has relationally connected me to many students.
Kingwood brought home a win with a 34-28 victory...all in all a great night!

Night's take aways...
- God grew my heart for our ministry in this school to explode and bear fruit - huge potential!
- Saw an opportunity and open door to minister to the Kwood HS B-ball team as we are hoping to join them for open gym over the next few weeks.
- Enjoyed the joy of community!
- Praying for the Lord to go ahead of us and open doors.

Keep running the race
Brian

Letting Go...

Yesterday was a big day for me. My wife and I dropped off our daughter, Olivia, at Second's pre-school for her first day ever. I was thinking…”this should be routine.” After all, she’s only 3 and we're confident in our little girl's social skills (she has truly never met a stranger). It wasn’t.
As I let go of her hand and “released” her to the “world,” I was filled with a surprising conflict of emotions. On one hand, I knew she was ready and excited to begin her journey that day. On the other hand, by letting go, I no longer felt in “control.” The school lobby represented the first step into the great unknown; both for Olivia and her emotional father. Livi would be meeting and interacting with other kids (even boys..ugh!). She would no longer always be in the safe little world we had created for her.
If you’re a parent, you know exactly what letting go feels like…whether you have a child, middle school, or high school student. As I walked off the school campus that day with my wife Erin, I reflected on what I had just experienced. God gently reminded me that He loves my daughter more than I ever could. On my best day, I could never love her the way He loves, pursues, and surrounds her.
I’m still uneasy today, but God’s “whisper” to me comforted me in a way that nothing else could. I know I will never be able to completely manage the world around my little girl, but God sees her. He cares. And He pursues.

Brian Harris
Student Pastor and Dad

Out of the Gate

1st day on the ground here in Kingwood was this Wednesday…learned a great deal and had a blast meeting everyone!

A few high points and my first impressions...

1. Watching and Learning: Brian Mills, Youth Pastor at the West Campus, has mentioned before that learning is so important when you are working on building a long term successful student ministry. It is good to set back and watch what happens and determine what you need to do. I'm learning a great deal about what it means to reach students in Kingwood for Christ and I can't wait to see what the Lord does as we seek His face!

2. Community, Community, Community: When it comes to reaching students the team here is knocking it out for the park they have seen many come to Christ over the last few weeks and many waiting to be baptized . Over the next few weeks we I will be pushing our team toward intentional events to not only meet students where they are, but also to get our presence out into the community here in Kingwood. Tailgates, breakfast on campuses, serving on campuses etc..

3. You can't do it alone: My heart is to see many in the church body here catch a huge vision for students and the next generation, and to have them team up with us to reach the future for Christ! This will be key as we move forward!

4. First impressions: What is the first impression students get of our ministry when they come through our doors? What is said about us in the community, in schools? What can we do to create an environment where students feel welcome and decide within the first 20 seconds in the building that they want to come back? These are just some questions I'm asking right now...

shifting student ministry
Brian

Times of Transition

The last few weeks the Harris household has been in the process of migrating from Austin, TX to Houston. We are extremely excited about all the God has in store for us as we join the Second Baptist family and begin to pray some bold prayers for the students in Kingwood!

I just spent the last 2 days with some of the Youth Staff at Second in Birmingham, AL. During that time did some reflection on what I have learned so far in this time of transition. (still much more learning to come!) Here is what I have found:

1. Leave Well: Many of my mentors have shared with me during this process to be sure to take time and make some final solid investments in those I have poured into over the past few years. Take friends to lunch, remind students and their parents how much you cherish them, affirm your friends on staff, and thank those over you in leadership. Be intentional, be affirming, and remind them you are still interested in their lives well beyond your location in their city. Don't burn bridges.
2. Protect Your Family: You're not the only one in transition. Be sure to give you family extra special attention because you are not the only one in limbo. Everyone is changing homes, saying goodbye to friends, and shifting schools. It's a great time for Dad to draw near to the wife and kids and bond the family together.
3. Practice Patience: It takes time to transition, and that's after you've taken the time to get a clear message from God on the direction you need to go. Be patient - trust His timing.
4. Be a Learner: When a new leader derails, failure to learn is almost always a factor. Listen, observe, hear what others have to say before you speak up to much. You can learn a great deal that will help you later as you lead if you will listen. Effective learning calls for figuring out what you need to learn, and Efficient learning means identifying the best available sources of insight.

back from Bama,
Brian