Strutting around in longevity

This week I've been back reading water meters and positively strutting around like i own the suburbs of Cremorne Point and Cammeray.

Through my continuation at reading meters I'm now at the stage where I'm reading the same areas for a third time. By now i can almost walk up to the water meters without too much trouble and, so far this week, have been able to knock off a days work by 1 and 2 in the arvo.

This all got me thinking about a stat i may have made up and old guys with skullets.

I remember seeing a stat which said that a youth minister will have their most productive period at a church between years 4-8 (years 7-10 for senior ministers). Working this week reminded me why.

Both water meter reading and ministry are hugely cyclic. You do the same things time and time again (within reason). Reading water meters you (hopefully) read the same regions four times a year. In ministry you go through the liturgical year, school year, annual camps, bi-annual leaders weekends and the full lectionary every four years.

Now for the skullets (a mullet where the wearer is bald in the front... thus skull). At a youth ministry convention a few years ago, i remember the MC had those in ministry stand. Then those in the job for 5 years. Then 10 years. Then 15 years.

As the time in ministry expanded, those standing dwindled, until two long haired bald guys were the only ones left.

One of them said that the job gets easier the longer you are at it. It makes sense...

With longevity you inevitably repeat the same tasks. Your twentieth term planner should be much easier and faster to produce than your first. Your eighth camp should run smoother than your first. The mistakes you made in your first big event, should be ironed out (or at least identified sooner) by your tenth.

This all goes without mentioning the advantages of building trust and influence throughout the church and youth ministry as time goes on...