RussHutto.com

2 of my favorite Weird Al Yankovic vids.

Enjoy…

http://mandythompson.wordpress.com/2007/10/04/when-did-i-grow-up-and-an-update-on-sis-in-law/

Mandy has a great question going on over at her blog. Stop by and chime in!

Ok, so I’ve heard about this twitter dealio and I decided to give it a whirl. If you care to know what I’m up to at any given moment, check out my Twitter. (Man, that feels awkward even saying, heh)

I’ve been working on series graphics and invite cards all week. You can check out my past stuff here: http://picasaweb.google.com/hojruss. Definitely learning the ropes as I go. I’ve got no official training in graphics and I do most everything in Photoshop, want to add in Illustrator eventually. Anyways, I enjoy it and one of my 2 main responsibilities as Music/Media guy here at HOJ.

-russ

http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=2881

I want one of those!! Nice tat, Carlos. If you haven’t seen Carlos’ appearance on LA Ink, check out his blog for more info.

I have an announcement to make! Most of you know that I am involved in the Student ministry here at House of Joy, Valdosta, GA. And those of you who have spent a few minutes with me know that I am also pretty involved in music and media ANYWHERE I am.

With that being said, I’ve officially transitioned roles here at HOJ to Media & Music Coordinator. I’ll no longer be working directly with the students, though I’ll pop in occasionally because the kids are great!

This has been a transition about a month in the making, well maybe a year, so it’s great to finally be able to announce it to my friends and family in the blog world.

Long story short:

I came on staff in Aug 06 to work primarily with middle/high school students. For the last 10-12 years before I had worked with both students and music in volunteer, part-time, and eventually full-time capacities. When i made the move to Valdosta, it was kind of weird, because I took a position that didn’t include music at all. Although, the fine folks here at HOJ quickly found out that I’ve got a nice skill set in the creative arena as well. So, I got leaned on pretty heavily to help in leadership with the music and creative areas (website/graphics for mailers/etc).

Fast forward through a year of spreading myself thin over those 3 main areas, and I found myself a little disenfranchised with the student ministry. Not that I didn’t love the kids, they’re awesome, but just feeling a little burned out trying to maintain a Sunday morning, Sunday night, Monday Small Group, Tuesday Small Group, Wednesday Music rehearsal schedule just begin to wither US away (my wife and me).

Add to that my wife’s extremely busy grad school schedule and we’re getting toasted as a family.

So, God steps in and works everything out. Unbeknownst to me, our lead pastor (the guy I report to), basically begins to observe that my passions and strengths are not being correctly utilized. It appears to him that I’m way better at Music/Media than working with students. Which, as much as the ego in me hates to admit, is actually really true :)!

My wife and I are having this ongoing conversation about how we’d be more than willing (when she graduated and got a fat job) to half my salary and let someone else tackle the student ministry and move me to music.

Well, in an almost coincidental conversation it all came out and Kelly (lead pastor) and I begin to process it all out. He’s willing to move me to where my strengths are, and I’m willing to move!!

End result: Same salary; I feel valued as a friend, a partner, and a person – not just a commodity as a position filler; and my wife and I have our life back!

We’re excited about the possibilities! I know that by focusing in on what I truly love to do everyone benefits. The music (although still team led) will have a point person to administrate and coordinate everything. The website can get more TLC and more often. And our mailers and presentations will benefit because I’ll be spending most of my days just being creative!

The way I look at it is that I benefit personally, my family benefits, my relationship with my friend (and lead pastor) gets stronger, and House of Joy as a whole benefits from having what could possibly be a great Music & Media guy instead of a mediocre to maybe good Student Guy.

We’ll be approaching the Student Ministry as a team-led approach in the interim, and the team of youth coaches that is already in place will continue to be what they are: awesome!!

Praise God for a faith family where people are valued for who God created them to be and that challenges people (even in leadership) to be honest with themselves and to go for the gusto when it comes to God’s Kingdom!