The Just One Sunday

Challenge and site found here

Top 10 Dumb Things Christians Do.

Based on This book
I'm doing a sermon series starting mid-October on the ideas the author presents.

Should be a good series.

An Open Letter to Youth Workers.

Do your job. Afterall, yours is the most important one in the ministry world. After my own demotion (I laugh at this but went from youth minister to lead minister (Never my intention) – and now am working with adults (Just Bigger Kids). Here are some things I would tell Youth Workers.

I. Set an example. Students can tell whether or not you are faking it. Gimmicks and the latest trends don’t work. Let the students know you care about them.

II. Include the parents. Parents are not the enemy. In fact the most important influence in a student’s life – isn’t you; but their parents. Youth Ministry tends to be more about ministry to parents than it is students.

III. Support the Church Leaders. Nothing is worse than a youth worker bad mouthing their Senior Pastor. Get along with them. Read Romans 12 …leave in peace with all men – as far as possible. If you can’t work with your Senior Pastor – Resign.

IV. Don’t compare. Students don’t want their youth ministry compared to the one down the street; the region, or nationally. They want people who care about them. If one student shows up – don’t ask “Where is everyone?” (Though you might be thinking it). Instead use the time for quality ministry with this one student.

V. Don’t compete. Instead of trying to compete with the various activities of students – use that time to support them. Go to their games, marching band competitions etc. Let them know you care for them outside the walls of your facility. Use your time wisely for teachable moments.

VI. Compliment. In our world of putdowns, cyber bullying, sarcasm; try to always lift up, edify students. With self-esteem issues, peer pressure, and the like … why not change your world by letting students know they are loved and valued by you and ultimately God.

VII. Make the most of every opportunity. You have the students for only a short time … make a wise use of it. When teaching … don’t wing it. Put your best into it. Before you know it … the students will be leaving your ministry … and you might ask what did I do with my time?

VIII. Support students while they go off to college, or make sure they get plugged into a campus ministry. Call the schools and see what is available. Not everyone goes to Bible College. Get to know the various campus ministers at the schools.

IX. Have Fun, but do your job. Long gone are the messy games, foolishness of ministry. Teens want more. They can see through that. Be yourself, but take it seriously. You are working with people’s most precious treasure: Their Children.

X. Fall in love with Jesus. Take care of your own soul. No one else will do this for you. Pray like you never have before. Be excited about what God is doing in your life. Serve. Pray. Love. Let us see that you are passionate about what you are doing. Jesus needs to be the center of your life. If you do this – all of the above will come together. Keep up the good work in loving God and loving students.

My Article Featured in Higher Ministries' Newsletter

Found Here

An Interesting Sign!

Handbook for Mortals: A Review.

The Handbook is  a practical guide for those facing illness. It helped also me in ministering to those facing illness.

The highlights of the book helps one

I. Face their illness.

II. Endure their illness.

III. Prepare for the days ahead.

This practical book should be for every minister, chaplains, church leader, and those that are facing illnesses to gain perspective, empathy, and hope to those here and left behind. Death and dying isn't something easy to face. Live your life in such a way that honors God. I've been learning more about ministering to people in hurtful situations and know I have a lot more to learn. This resource helps me gain some perspective; may it you too.

99 Balloons

1 Corinthians 11 's Sermon.

This Sunday's sermon is one that can be quite controversial.

Top Ten Things for Emergency Purposes in Ministry

10. Batteries: Extra batteries for that remote, clicker, wireless microphone. Invest in a recharger as well.

9. Flash drive or backup plan for your computer. Backup all your files. Daily. Do it. Invest in a flash drive to never lose those pictures, files etc.

8. AAA. It is not if your vehicle or the Church van breaks down but when. Roadside assistance and towing comes in handy.

7. First Aid kit. Always have one nearby. Cuts, bruises, and blood aren’t easy to deal with without one.

6. Back-up lessons, sermons. What happens when the teacher is late or is sick at the last minute? Have an emergency plan? What about if your Preacher is sick – especially during the service (Be prepared to preach)

5. Liability/ Health/ Permission Forms. Sure it is just paper but with contact information and medical information it comes in handy when you are going on a trip. Make sure you use one for every trip? Why? (Can’t I just do an annual one and be done? That’s the lazy man’s way) Here is the important reason why … Communication. You give the criteria to parents – they give you the contact information. In our high tech world of cell phones – phone numbers change all the time – so an annual permission slip might be more dangerous, and misunderstanding.

4. Cell phone. Your office is mobile. Be ready to be reached and communicate with those that might need you.

3. Change of clothes. In your car or the office. You never know when you might have a baptism, or some students might think that prank to get you wet or dirty might actually be funny. Having a change of clothes nearby comes in handy.



2. Pen and Paper. Forget who that visitor is in your church today? Write it down? Some tell you something in between services and you can’t remember – write it down. Having a pen nearby and jotting down some notes has saved me time.

1. Jesus. Sure the Sunday School answer, but take Jesus with you at all times, even especially in emergencies. Be Jesus’ hands and feet to people. You might be the only Jesus people see. If it is ministering to someone dying, someone griefing, or just in the Mountain Top experiences – Be Jesus to them. That is probably the best Emergency tool one can have.



Others? What would you recommend?

Three things needed for a Quiet Time

I. You need a purpose. The purpose is to spend more time knowing God and communicating with Him.

II. You’ll need a place. Pick a place where there will be few distractions. Where there is lots of light for reading, reflecting, and writing your thoughts done. A quiet peaceful place so you can concentrate.

III. You’ll need a plan. Pick a Bible reading plan that fits you. If you want to read the Bible in a year – go ahead. Maybe pick out a 30 day plan. There are lots of websites, and books out there to help with your devotional time. The Big thing is to do it. I usually suggest starting with Mark (A short gospel on Jesus’ life), and then go to the Epistles of John. Have a good study Bible, pen, paper. Read the Scripture, journal your thoughts, have a prayer list, answer how this applies to you? And pray and talk with God.



Devotional time is a good habit to start in which you draw a closer relationship with God. Make it a daily habit.