So at the staff retreat I gave everyone on staff a Nerf Ball. I told them a story of my first ministry-
“I was doing an internship at this church and there was a Nerf Ball lying around. We would throw it at people’s faces, try as best we could to hurt one another with it- we had a blast. One day I asked the pastor who headed up my internship, ‘Why do we have that ball in here anyway.’ He responded, ‘You know how you go through the honeymoon period in ministry? People, programs, and life is just great… but, somewhere in the mix you end up having a day that makes you want to ball up and cry. Or better yet, you want to send a hateful email or pick up the phone and give it to them. Well, one day I had that for the first time and I remember coming back to my office and squeezing the life out of that stupid little Nerf Ball. You know what I didn’t do? I didn’t make any stupid phone calls or any poor emails. I let God process it with me. It helped.’”
So, I figured I would keep that going with the staff. Gave them each one along with some little things I hold dear, and a little thank you gift for the holiday season. What did it turn into instead? Well let’s just say I am now scared to death of Barbara Austin if there is ever a Nerf Ball around, or I want to be on her side- Enjoy the following video.
