‘Real’ Is The New ‘Cool…’

No…I did not attend the Catalyst Conference this year.

But, I did, however, read an article about ‘Christian Hipsters’ on cnn.com, and read a Twitter post this morning, saying that ‘We need to not be so focused on being cool, but be focused on being real (paraphrase).’

I was having a conversation with someone a few days ago, and we were talking about Christian Fashion. I, then, said that ‘I could spot most pastors out by what they wear.’ The @Starbucks (for the @twitter fans out there) that I resort to pretty often, is the hub for all the pastors in the city. They come here because its Starbucks…and because the other little coffee shop here sucks. As I’ve said before, I’m an avid people watcher.

I’m not a big fan of the ‘graphic tees.’ But I am a huge fan of American Eagle and Nike. I worked at American Eagle during the summer, and ‘swagged’ out with Nike when I started hitting the tracks and the weights. I don’t know what it is about the graphic tees…I just cringe a little when I see them. Even as much as I like American Eagle, I never got, and never wanted any of their graphic shirts. They’re a little too busy for me. Too much goin’ on on a shirt.

Being a young pastor, I feel a bit of pressure to put on my Sunday best on a Thursday. For example…

I went to a meeting on Monday at a barbecue restaurant. I wore a black button up shirt, a pair of nice, casual shorts, my cross trainers (Nike), and a haha…Nike hat. I didn’t know too much about this meeting, except that the bbq was bangin’!! I walked in there and most everyone was in designer jeans and dress shoes…and yes…graphic tees! There were some in full-out suits…C-R-A-P…what was I was thinking?!?! I really want to connect with these people…especially with the youth pastors that were there! Looking unprepared, and feeling a little embarrassed, one of the longest tenured youth pastors asked me how I became the student ministries pastor at Mustang Creek. I gave him the summary of my journey from Louisiana, to Houston, and now to Forney. I, also, shared my heart in desiring to network with the other youth pastors in our district, and desiring (even more) to network with the other youth pastors in Forney. I explained how I am convinced that we’re all going to the same place, and that we should work together. We have to work together…

I tend to buck the current trends. Honestly…I’m not called to be a trendsetter. I’m called to be a trailblazer. Who cares which Express graphic tee I’m wearing, or which new pair of crunk Jordans I’m wearing…or not wearing, if my life doesn’t match up with what I’m teaching these kids? If I’m right with God, it doesn’t matter whether I’m in shorts and a UT shirt, or Armani…people will listen. Realness has a better win percentage than relevance does.

Jesus didn’t ‘bedazzle’ his robe…

So, how does my ‘pearl-snap’ shirt make me more holy…?

Pastor…

So…I’m about 1000% sure that my calling is to pastor young people. I was convinced of this in January 2001.

2001…seems like an eternity ago!

Although I have been a pastor for nearly two months, it still doesn’t have the ‘ring’ to it that I had hoped. When I was in Lake Charles, LA, I don’t think anyone really called me, or addressed me as ‘Pastor.’ When I was there, deep down, that’s how I really wanted to be addressed. I introduced myself like that all the time. I felt like I had made the ‘Major Leagues.’ I was 22 years old and power hungry. I went in guns-a-blazin’! Changing things left and right, and not really building relationships with the people I was brought there to pastor.

BIG MISTAKE…

I was told, before I left the LC, that most of the kids didn’t like me at all. I understand that now. It wasn’t until a lot of responsibility was removed that I built the relationships with those students. The pressure was off, in a way. I didn’t have the pressure of planning and preparing for a service, or outreaches, or sermons, or events.

When I left the LC, I had very strong relationships with most of those kids. Some of which are still on my Facebook friends list! I saw a few of them this past weekend at the Coreluv Tour in Houston, TX. It was great to see them! I hadn’t seen most of them in over a year. It was just like old times…joking, talking, enjoying each other’s company.

When I first arrived in the LC, I was convinced that pastors had these superhuman…supernatural…powers. Weird…I know. But, seeing what I saw when I was living in Lafayette, LA, convinced me of that. You know when you tell yourself something long enough, you begin to believe it. I don’t know how intentional it was, but I began to think that way. So, naturally, I thought of myself in that way in the LC.

Hence…the way people felt about me.

I learned a lot about myself when I moved to Houston. Like I’ve said before, I went there to examine myself more than anything else. When I got there, the extent of the ministry I did was really just between me and God. I had to heal. I had to learn from my mistakes. I had to take care of myself. I got a job that wasn’t in the ministry or at Starbucks. An 8-5′er is what I got. Never had one of those before. That was a weird experience to say the least. Kinda hated it. Good money, though…haha.

Anyway, now that I’m here in Forney, TX doing the job I love to do, I have taken a different approach. I have decided to, at least, learn the kids names before I give some vision, or shake things up. I’ve got a second chance to do something great! But, this time I want to do it without the superpowers…and the attitude…and the arrogance. Its been quite the process to learn this. I never thought that I was real stubborn…until a few months ago. I’m an ox….

This time around…I don’t really care how ‘Pastor Brett’ sounds.