I come from a long line of men. I’m talking about rugged, leather skin, strong as an ox, men. I’m a 5th generation water well driller. We work outside all day every day, rain or shine, winter and summer. It’s hard, dirty and more than a little dangerous.
You might say I put in my time as a well driller. I started in the shop in early middle school and finished up at 23. I’m actually very proud of the 11 wells that bear my name in the Michigan water well database. Never mind that my dad probably has a couple thousand under his name. What’s a couple extra zeros?
To be honest, I was never going to make it has a long-term well driller. I’m about as mechanically inclined as a sloth. I can’t fix anything. Also, my frail body was already starting to fall apart after only a few years of full-time drilling—tendonitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, etc. It’s a little embarrassing but who’s going to argue with weak genes?
Obviously, I diverged for the family tradition path but not because I didn’t like the work or the industry. I’m actually very grateful for my heritage and experience drilling wells. Much of what I learned has impacted who I am as a youth pastor. Let me explain:
- Ingenuity
I know this sounds a little like “My dad can beat up your dad” but when it comes to problem solving my dad is a genius. He never gives up and he thinks outside the box. Our family business wasn’t exactly rolling in the deep so we often had to create our own solutions. My dad built his own tools and gadgets. He was always tinkering with his systems to push for more speed and greater accuracy.
Like I said before, I can’t “fix” my way out of a wet paper bag but I did learn ingenuity from my dad. I love to evaluate our programs, systems and strategies. Never be satisfied. Always push for greater effectiveness.
- If You’re Not Having Fun, You’re Not Doing it Right
Here are some things that don’t mix well: water, wind, winter, me. But that’s exactly what being a well driller during the winter is like. When it’s freezing cold and you’re standing out in a field exposed to the biting wind getting repeatedly splashed by water you can either hate your life or laugh.
For years I worked on a drilling crew with a guy named Dennis who was hilarious. We spent all day every being ridiculous, joking around and generally having a great time. What I learned is this, don’t take your work so seriously that you can’t laugh and have a ridiculously good time. It’s just not worth it.
- Work Ethic
There’s nothing about well drilling that is easy. My dad taught me to work and to work hard. Sadly, most of us in youth ministry aren’t known for our killer work ethic. Working hard and being accountable for your time are great ways to build trust among parents and church leaders. My recommendation to anyone studying to become a youth worker is to learn how to work. If necessary, get a “real job” before launching out into student ministry. It might be the best ministry training you ever get.
To summarize, what many would consider a lowly, undesirable, manual labor job has taught me valuable lessons about what it means to work. I’m immensely proud of my heritage. Sometimes I think my time as a well driller may have even been better training than my degree in youth ministry.
