Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

Kind of like asking what came first the chicken or the egg? Does one have a relationship with their students prior to teaching or teach and build that relationship? I think it depends. You do have to earn the right to be heard, but a part of that comes from both sides of the idea of "RESPECT." Would a relationship result from the Biblical teaching? or does a relationship help give audience and opportunities for teachable moments? We should be offering relationships in Ministry but as Group magazine Sept/ Oct 2006 but it in their Main article "Don't Buy the Lies"; Lie # 3 pg. 78 "Close relationships are the goal of youth ministry" Relationships are a means, not the end. We've tried to do different types of ministry methods including: Student-led, family-based,relational, postmodern, anti-games, pro-games, etc. But somehow we miss the point. That of it being about Jesus. I think relationships are good, but recognize that some youth workers pride them

Seems there are alot of people bitter, cynical and well almost self-righteous in their evaluation of the Church. Phrases like "Oh, the church is in bad shape" "We need to remove these things" "We should do this" The focus shifts from ranting to attacking to depending on themselves to fix the church. It is almost a "Bullhorn" scenario of sorts. Whatever happening to things like extending Grace, forgiveness, loving your enemies, mercy, being patient, truth in love. I think we want to just rave and be bitter without being able to change a thing. Or the things we see to be removed in all reality cna't because we're working with broken people with a broken past who are in the process and are being healed. I have Hope for the Church. I don't want Her to stay the same; but to be transformed. It all starts with me. For those people crying wolf (Reminds me much of some very "legalistic" people like Fred Phelps and some other organiz

Good Question. Am I even in it? I got cautioned over lunch today by a former youthworker to "Be careful of the Emergent Movement" and just listened to his concerns. I didn't tell him my background in it. So here it is: My background into this dialogue called the "Emerging Conversation" (I could go all the way back to creation and my birth but I won't) It all started when I became disenchanted with the structure and institutionalized church and was kindly asked to resign in 1997. Since then I've been online and found some common voices of concerns that the church was too structured, too institutionalized, too focused on self and not on God. Thus my exposure came through other church leaders, pastors, through Youth Specialties, and ultimately theooze.com in the late 90s early 00s. Because of this disenchantment I read books Stories of Emergence (It was almost like me) edited by Mike Yaconelli, Adventures in Missing the Point, The Emerging Church, and even

Article 1. The Church needs to know how to respond to blog criticism. 2. Technology can be a good but also dangerous thing. 3. Address the issues, don't attack the person. 4. Allow room for communication and personal interaction. The more you address stuff both online and offline - the better. 5. Extend Grace. 6. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Hmmm maybe this applies to putting yourself in that person's shoes? Would you like someone blogging all your "dirty" laundry? 7. Pray for all involved. 8. Choose your words wisely. 9. Allow for feedback. (See #4) 10. Don't allow personal feelings cloud the issues.