I come from a small church in a rural town. My church is the type of congregation where everyone tries everything. We do not have enough members active in the life of the church to rotate elders; instead of leaving committees, people just get reassigned to a different church committee. Up until a year ago, this was my church experience, An exhausting but rewarding time of constant demands. It was great to see something I had worked hard on come to life, but at the same time, there was always something else that I needed to begin on once another project was completed.

A year ago, I became involved in the life of another congregation, in my college town, and at the regional level serving on a committee. Soon my opportunities expanded even farther when I was asked to join the newly formed Young Adult Commission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Student Eceumenical Partnership (STEP) Leadership Team. All of these experiences have been incredibly rewarding. As a college student and a young adult, I am extremely excited about the new possibilities for these two groups within the denomination. I know the Young Adult Commission is just beginning to take off, and I have seen the new energy being pumped into STEP.

Both the leadership team of STEP and the Young Adult Commission are composed of a diverse, talented group of individuals. The amazing thing is how well all of us on these two teams work together. We seem to strive off of the ideas the other members propose and constantly provide support and encouragement to our peers. Throw in the great support afforded to us by Disciples Home Missions and Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, along with the talented individuals who work in those general units and it is easy to see why so many great things are happening. In addition, working with students from the United Church of Christ on STEP initiatives incorporates views from individuals outside of the Disciples mindset.

It is through the work I have undertaken outside of my local congregation that has really given me a new perspective on my local congregation. I have come to a greater appreciation of those who have tirelessly served in leadership positions for years. I have always realized these people are not motivated by power — they are simply seeking to fill a need. Now I realize this is also their personal ministry and it takes a tremendous amount of courage, perseverance, and patience to work within the same structure for such a lengthy period of time. On the Young Adult Commission we are blessed with individuals with backgrounds in technology and campus ministry. This makes it easier to tackle situations that might arise. When a new type of problem arises in my home church we are unable to go and find someone to fill the void, instead a member, already overcommitted, must take on the challenge. Over the years so many have taught themselves new skills or applied their old skills in new ways to help meet the needs of the church. One particular example which comes to mind is one woman who agreed to learn a new instrument because the church needed her too. Today, she continues to play our organ each week.

While I appreciate the opportunity to serve in other various ways, I now, more than ever, am proud to serve as a board member, as the webmaster, and on the membership & evangelism committee of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Princeton, Illinois. For all the others who faithfully serve our congregation week after week, let me offer a sincere "Thanks" for work you to do further God's Kingdom. It is my hope that all of us gain a new appreciation for the local congregations that nurture the spiritual lives of all of us.

Beau Underwood is a member of the Student Ecumenical Partnership (STEP) Leadership Team and is a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Princeton, Illinois.