Not Again

As a youth pastor, how do you be what your students need when THIS happens?

Student Ministry Getting Love

ALL IN: We’re Not Done with Students from ALL IN on Vimeo.

From ASBO

Thanks again, Jon.

Ministry on Zero getting love

From the AZ Republic.

This happened

… an actual conversation in my junior high guys small group last night:

Student #1 : “Hey I heard that Noah’s ark is on a mountain in the Sahara Desert…”

Student #2 : “What?! I heard they found a piece of it and it’s in a museum in Russia…”

Student #3 : “Yeah, I heard that too!”

Me : “Really? Well, I heard they found Megatron buried in ice in Antarctica.”

*confusion, silence*

Wow! Worship

Advice?

I have been commissioned with putting together a creative planning team (CPT for you industry insiders) at my work. Our goal will be to come up with macro-level plans for upcoming message series and events a few months in advance of their execution. I have served on creative teams in the past, but I have never been asked to lead one…

Do you have any advice for me? What have you experiences (good and bad) been with CPT’s?

I know this is old news…

…but I just watched this for the first time.

A few thoughts:

First, I think Jordin Sparks rocks. She seems as thought someone just plucked her right out of her youth group and like many teens, she isn’t afraid to speak her heart, even on the biggest stage. Love it.

Second, the next time you hear people lamenting how awful times are today and how “those teenagers” just aren’t like they were when I was one, blah, blah, blah remind them of things like this. Teens have and always will be rebellious, its just that today, their rebellion is broadcast live via TV, the Internet, and phones. Those same teens are also rebelling against cultural norms that are harmful and reckless.

Third, notice how Hannity basically says that the opposite of Christian is Liberal at the beginning of the interview. This is EXACTLY what I am talking about when I say that political hard liners are trying to hijack and pimp Jesus for political gain. Its a disgrace.

Worth Repeating

I was perusing old messages from my church and came across this nugget from lead pastor/rock-star Mark Connelly that really stuck with me:

There’s this myth floating around in Christianland about what spiritual maturity is. Some people seem to think ‘really being fed’ is about someone rooting out the most obscure observations from the bible. They think that’s what mature believers do, they master the obscurities. I don’t see Jesus teaching that way. Jesus was the master of taking the complex and making it simple.

You listen to the message HERE.

How blessed are you?

Here’s my answer.

I have an amazing woman as my wife who loves me and I never doubt it. I have two great kids who also think I am pretty cool… normally. I have a great job that pays me to serve my God and do what I love. I work at a church that allows me to grow and think and learn and be challenged. I have friends who like me despite knowing all my faults. God provides for my family financially and we never go with our needs unmet. I have eternal, abundant life because Jesus Christ forever changed human history 2000 years ago. Ultimately, my hope is in the One who is greater.

Next Page »