From The Back Pew:

Last week I mentioned that I would be going to a devotional gathering of one of the younger religions in the world. It turns out I’ll be going to a devotional gathering andand what is called a fireside at the service in a home in La Crescenta on Thursday evening.

The fireside is designed to educate visitors on what this religion is about. I get the feeling this is an inviting, warm place to worship, and I look forward to attending.

Also, a point of clarification is needed. In last week’s column I alluded to the red candle that is part of services at the Ananda Ashrama in La Crescenta. I mentioned that this light reminded me of the perpetual light seen in some churches symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the light symbolizes that Christ is ever present. I knew that. I was just making sure you were paying attention. Thanks to a reader for clarifying.

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This week I have been facing some challenges as our regional archdiocesan young adult ministry undergoes a transition in leadership. Sometime in mid-2008, our regional coordinator stepped down to begin a new career, leaving me with the task of rejuvenating the ministry.

However, I feel that I am being tugged left and right by too many people making too many decisions about the ministry I am trying to bring back. I feel that heads are about to collide any minute.

But I try to pause and think, for whom am I really doing this? Am I doing this for myself, for the young adults? Or am I doing this to spread the word of God? If so, what purpose does it serve to send e-mails back and forth that argue how I want to do things? Should I not make this about myself, but to spread the word of God to our young adults?

Honestly, I am still answering that question as I type this.

On one side, I have the devil of experience telling me how to do things and when. I like to call it my “official” side, because like an official, I go by the book when I am in this mode. On the other side, I have the angel of faith, telling me that this isn’t about you, it’s about spreading the word of God to your young adults.

So which one do I choose?

In my years in various ministries, I’ve often found it’s easy to throw out the faith and bring in the book, as opposed to throwing the book at the devil and bringing in the faith.

I guess as human beings, that’s one of our precious flaws.

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Next week is Thanksgiving, but I want to turn the community this week on to two events that caught my attention.