It’s alright. Most people just don’t know me. I’m not the easiest person to get to know. Some people think that one of the reasons I work with teenagers is because I am more comfortable with them. That is really not true. I am really a shy person and pretty equal opportunity shy with everyone.
Most people who get to know me find a different person from their expectations. The key there is that mostly its people who get to know me… I’m really bad at letting people in.
I’ve worked for three different rectors in the last eight years and they have all told me the same thing. Get out, talk to people, let people get to know you. Its hard for me to do. It really is.
Every youth ministry conference I’ve ever attended says that to recruit volunteers you have to go to them and talk to them. Articles don’t work, announcements don’t work, just hoping people show up doesn’t work. You have to go out and talk to people and get them excited about what you are doing. That’s almost impossible for me.
A lot of the youth ministers that I know are exciting, dynamic people who love to joke around and everyone likes to think of as a very outgoing person. I’m not that guy. This article isn’t going to be about how I am going to try really hard to become that guy… Its also not one of those “I like the way I am and if you don’t like it too bad” kind of articles. I guess I’m just trying to let everyone in on a little piece of me.
Every once in a while, my shyness “hides” and I talk to new people. Most of the time that happens when people talk to me first. That is very comfortable for me.
My oldest friends always joke about how in the world I ended up in a career that involves talking to people all the time, when I never really was known for ever talking to people. I have to tell you, its nothing short of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life that has gotten me as far as I am. And He’s not done with me yet, so if you haven’t gotten to know me yet, be patient, I’m still growing.
~Porter
Most people who get to know me find a different person from their expectations. The key there is that mostly its people who get to know me… I’m really bad at letting people in.
I’ve worked for three different rectors in the last eight years and they have all told me the same thing. Get out, talk to people, let people get to know you. Its hard for me to do. It really is.
Every youth ministry conference I’ve ever attended says that to recruit volunteers you have to go to them and talk to them. Articles don’t work, announcements don’t work, just hoping people show up doesn’t work. You have to go out and talk to people and get them excited about what you are doing. That’s almost impossible for me.
A lot of the youth ministers that I know are exciting, dynamic people who love to joke around and everyone likes to think of as a very outgoing person. I’m not that guy. This article isn’t going to be about how I am going to try really hard to become that guy… Its also not one of those “I like the way I am and if you don’t like it too bad” kind of articles. I guess I’m just trying to let everyone in on a little piece of me.
Every once in a while, my shyness “hides” and I talk to new people. Most of the time that happens when people talk to me first. That is very comfortable for me.
My oldest friends always joke about how in the world I ended up in a career that involves talking to people all the time, when I never really was known for ever talking to people. I have to tell you, its nothing short of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life that has gotten me as far as I am. And He’s not done with me yet, so if you haven’t gotten to know me yet, be patient, I’m still growing.
~Porter
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