Maybe you need to write something like All I ever needed to know about Life I learned from the NHL

1. There is only One Great One!
2. When there is conflict; there will always be a referee
3. Fighting can and will occur often even in the church.
4. Change will come quickly and you may not like it.
5. You get to score ever now and then
6. No one likes a tie game
7. Sudden death either excites you or sends fear!
8. No one team is exactly alike
9. Firing is never easy
10. There will be times of low attendance

Words cannot express what I'm feeling right now. Abused. Yet joyful. Rethinking yet dangerous. I'm wondering after all the things I've heard if it was true. A zealot, a rebel, a thinker, a dream catcher. A friend. Mentor. One who did not or thought not he was a pastor yet pastored the smallest and slowest growing church in America yet pastored one of the largest as well. He's been called crazy. Mad. Jokester. Stepping out of the water and into the arms of the one who created him.

Now wonder they call him unthinkable. I mean afterall, how can God use such a crazy, messy, dangerous person and yet many looked to this one as a mentor. Mentor, peer, and friend. A lover of God. Why is it we like to tell stories of Yaconelli because its his stories that fit us too! He lovingly and ultimately was in love with Jesus. He knew Jesus and was Jesus to many.

Why do we love Yaconelli; because we love the God he served. He laughed, cried and were in pain when he was. To some he was son, husband, father, peer, co-worker, and mentor. To a lot of us, he was just plain crazy and a friend of God. He knew youth ministry; but also was concerned for the messiness that the church brought and the work that youthworkers did.

To me knowing Yaconelli was easy. I just needed to know Jesus. After all we only have one life and we need to do something. Mike did this. Youth Specialties may never be the same; yet it will beloved. Why? Because the ultimate "I am" and "Be" is with them.

I wish I could articulate my feelings as well as others. With the mixed emotions I'm going through. Having known Youth Specialties for years. Working with them the last couple of years via the listserv and now as a moderator with the Forum; I feel such a loss; but jealous because Mike is there with the Lord; in the ultimate renovatus. God bless.

I
Saw this on the Youth Specialties
site and thought to post. Kind is my own adaption of a Statement of Faith.


Important Stuff YS Believes
(a.k.a., Statement of Faith)

We believe in Jesus. We know He's part of the Trinity and all the other important stuff we also believe, but if we're honest, we're partial to Jesus. Don't get us wrong. God is like a Father—no, God IS the father—and the buck stops with Him (if you're going to have the buck stop somewhere it might as well stop with Someone who is … well … all about love with a capital L. Of course, He's also about justice with a capital J, but we'll take our chances that, in the end, justice will feel like love). And then there is the Holy Spirit—mysterious, windy, seems to like fire a lot, whispering, and always pointing us to … you guessed it … Jesus. We not only like Jesus a lot, He likes us a lot. Enough to die for us. We know that when life gets tough (and it always does) He'll be there for us.

We believe in the Church. We know—it's flawed, inconsistent, institutional, bureaucratic, even embarrassing sometimes. Yet it is also incredibly heroic at other times. Whether we like it or not, want to attend it or not, we're stuck with it. There are a lot of parachurch organizations out there that are a lot more glamorous at first glance, but the Church is the Body of Christ, and that's pretty glamorous too. The Church is not optional, it's not up for discussion, it's been around ever since Jesus, and it's still here. That's good enough for us.

We believe in the scandalous grace of God. Grace is outrageously unfair, ridiculously extravagant and unashamedly the center of the gospel, and it sure beats judgmentalism, legalism, and all the other isms. Grace always gives second chances, third chances and never stops giving chances. Grace has Jesus written all over it. Grace makes people nervous because they are always so worried someone is going to take advantage of it. But that's what we like about grace. You can take advantage of it. But here's the really interesting part—grace doesn't just let everyone in. Anyone, yes, but not everyone. And the Grace of God frequently includes the unexpected. So … who's in and who's not? Only God knows, and that's fine with us.

We believe in the Bible. We're awed by it, inspired by it, and believe it is Truth. We're also terrified of it. We don't understand all of it, but we believe it. All of it. That's the important part, because if you only believe some of it, if you try to edit out the parts you don't like, then you don't believe it. Of course, believing it all doesn't mean we perfectly live it all. It doesn't even mean we have it all figured out. Mostly we're scared of it, scared in a good way, because whenever we read it and try to live by it, God shows up and that's pretty terrifying … and also pretty amazing, and pretty …uh … assuring.

That’s kind of it. The “biggies.”

We know there’s other important stuff out there … actually, a lot of other stuff: theology, doctrine, homosexuality, abortion, war, the second coming, prophecy, music, discipleship, appearance, serving, worship, tattoos, dancing, drinking, traditions, smoking, language, baptism, moral issues and … well, like we said, lots of stuff.

All that stuff is important, and certainly people should try to figure out what to believe about all those things, but that’s exactly the point. We believe that if the “biggies” are sorted out, then all the other stuff will eventually fall into place too. It might not fall into the same place as the brother or sister next to you, but that’s what makes the kingdom of God so interesting. Right?

Ever Get one of those days where you know you are exhausted but cannot
sleep? That is me right now. It is 1am in the morning. I have 2 small
children (Both under 2yrs old) and my wife is sleeping (The Beauty she
is). Any ways, I got so much to do; yet due to crunch time and several
other commitments; it seems at times my plate is too full; and yet not
enough. Does that really make sense?

Some of my students were worshipping tonite with the I-Worship DVD and it
was great to see that and just observe. The one prayer for me is "Is it
Real?" Do they ever just get it? I mean authentic; real; living;
breathing Christianity? I was online this evening and some student saw
(Not one of mine but he's from FL) that I was a Youth Pastor and asked if
I'd promote his ministry; give money and that he was starting his
ministry to evangelize ....He thought he was the only one. I was Real; or
I hope I was with this student and said we as YP are trying to do this
very thing; and no you are not alone. There are many organizations out
there trying to do this. He had a vision for different chapters and such
and much a similar philosophy as First Priority. Any ways, I pray I
encouraged him. Still I wonder if we take discipleship; evangelism and
the purpose of youth ministry for granted?

Do, we as youth workers ever get it? That we cannot do it alone. Youth
Ministry isn't about youth but about how we can be purposeful in not only
reaching youth but helping their families as well as being a family along
the way. Is it easy? No. Sometimes I feel cynical like Yaconelli,
recently; and want to just throw up my hands in the air and say "I give
up." It is in those moments when some student will surprise me.

An excellent example is tonite. I thought I left a good ministry for
this? I really wasn't connecting with some of the students until I did my
impersonation of the old SNL Hanze and Franz... and we're here to pump
you up. Cheesy? Sure. But it made laughs and some barriers started to
come down. Am I replacing their old youth worker? Nope; my whole pastoral
role is different. But am I going to love them and love God? Sure; and
along the way recognize the Kingdom is much bigger than you and I.

How about you; what is happening in your life about getting it? Here are
some food for thought questions.

Are your students getting it? If so; how do you know?
Have you ever had a Give Up Moment? What did you do to handle it?
How do you balance the valuable time you have?
What is your church doing to recognize that the Kingdom is bigger than
them?

For me; it is sometimes ranting; writing and reworking the faith journey
I'm on. Welcome to the adventure and hope your journey this far with its
Ups and Downs has had some rewards along the way.


A Traveller of Faith

Gman :o)
Gerrard R. Fess
http://fess2.blogspot.com IM-TorontoHcky Yahoo-fess2us
Fax:919-467-7558 Church:919-467-9481 Office:919-467-9159 Cary,NC
gman@youthpastor.com
"Few things are as humbling as a three way mirror"

Here is the outline

1. Impact
2. Parents Take Charge
3.Purpose of it.
4. Equipping. Doing it for the Long Haul.
5. Experiment of YM and a History.
6. A Different Light.

OK. Here goes. I would say Mike - the separation of youth and thinking
that we the youthworker are here to save the day. After all we might have
the students 8 or so years but after that what? Also who makes the bigger
impact? Youthworkers or parents? I think this is what I see as lacking; the
parental influence and following up on that; so often we do "youth groups"
and outings; retreats and so on and try to make a spiritual impact; which
sometimes we do ...but other times we don't.

Here's an idea why not tap into the people they see and interact
with each day to help with their spiritual journey? Hmmm ...might be working
us out of a job right? Well; shouldn't we be equipping and more of Family
Pastors than youth anyways? I think we miss the boat. Sure there are times
teens need to be away from their parents ....but how often do they actually
talk to their parents? Have a good relationship with them? And even in the
messy divorce and brokeness of families we still need to reach out. You
asked what is missing. I see the parent factor as missing. Sure we might
have a quarterly if that ..parent meeting or a banquet or even send out a
parent letter once a month. But how about parents for youth sponsors? Some
would say won't work will hurt my students. How about parents taking some
direction in their child's spiritual growth rather than rely on a youth
pastor? or how about seeing youth ministry instead of a failure; a
profession or even a babysitting servcice as not youth ministry at all but
family ministry.

Now, here is where the rubber mets the road. You are asking sounds
nice Gman, but in all practicality won't work. I ask why? Have you done it?
Tried it? I mean how often is youth ministry and youth pastor mentioned in
the Bible? (Think hard) but what about in the Bible parents training and
mentoring and disciplining their children? (Ah) So is this something new?
No. I believe some woudl say well this model has already been written about
in Family Based Youth Ministry. And you are right. In reading the book
Spiritual Mentoring of Teens A Parents' Guide. I see this as vital. How are
we helping parents to spirituslly mentor their teens? How are we building
their child's faith through the adolescent years? So often we do it
ourselves as youthworkers. Or use others or some program to do it. To which
I respond to these questions. What is the purpose? Secondly; who has the
most influence over a teen and the most time to spend with them? Fact is
that we do not live nor are the ultimate authority in the teen's life. Why
not tap into the authority and give some guidance. So often I think we are
feeding the horse and not letting the rider of the horse take control. (I
know not the best analogy comparing your students to horses).

What do I see lacking? Well, I see alot of intentions to youth
ministry and a lot of good goals and thinking and to say "That's nice." What
I'd like to see is more family involvement. We always ask and after high
school? Then what? How do we follow up disciple and so forth? What if we
didn't have to ask that? What if we had trained parents for the training of
their teens and when they are in college and start families of their own;
they'll remember their faith entrusted to them by their own parents. Heck, I
don't have to be involved in the process at all. Let God do the work.

Youth Ministry an experiment? Yeah bet it is and was. I mean where
else do you do the newest gimmick; went from prayer groups to parachurch
organizations to youth rallies to concerts to hiring a full time young youth
worker to being professional to publishing companies to all the latest
trends and clones of trying to be like the latest mega parachurch or mega
church. To where we gather in a Holy Hupla at the latest Teen Convention and
yet sent back to reality after the go happy feelings are gone. Has it
failed? I really don't know. Has it had its successes and failures? Sure.
Can it be evaluated and changed and remodeled and rethought? Sure. Am i
going to get fired or be fired? Sure. Already been there bought the T-shirt.

So in buying the T-shirt. Let me conclude by saying maybe we need to
relook re-evaluate and re-think why youth ministry? As Samuel Johnson said
"To do nothing is in every man's power." I'd like to think I'm doing
something about it. Learning along the way through my own journey and
hopefully seeing youth ministry in a different light than it once was.


So what do you think? Am I off my rocker or am I not far off? In Rich
Grassel's book "Help I'm a Small Church Youth Worker! Achieving Big Time
Success in a Non-Mega Ministry" he states that 85 to 90% of our church are
fewer than 150 participants. pg. 9. If that is true then Malachi 4:6"He
will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the
children to their fathers." can work within that context. I guess it comes
down to how one defines success and failure.

Gman
Mechanicsville, VA
http://fess2.blogspot.com
"The reason God made woman last was that he didn't want any advice while
creating man"



Ok G, what aspects that are intrinsic to all youth ministries do you
believed need to be changed, and why?

June 16, 2003

Dear Elders:

It is with great regret that I write this letter to inform you of my resignation as Associate Minister at Liberty Christian Church, effective August 2003. According to the 60 day notice outlined in my job description. The only obligations that I have this summer are VBS, and Camp in August.

This role has changed my life over the past 4 years almost 5 years.. My work with our young people could hardly be called work at all-they have gifted my life with purpose, challenge, humor, and feelings that no words can capture. We are fortunate to have such a terrific group of young people. The future of Liberty Christian Church is assured-it will rest in capable hands.

I have prayed about this decision, and I truly believe it is the right thing to do. Let me share my reasons.

1. After praying and seeking God’s direction for the past 6 months, God has lead me to this conclusion..
2. Budget restrictions. It is just a reality that a church of your size cannot meet the needs of 2 full time staff members, with one being a growing family
3. The church that I have currently accepted has some connections to my home church and a chance to further my faith journey and accountability to my home church.
4. I firmly believe that God has finally brought you the right preacher for the right ministry at Liberty. God has great things in store for you and for the great work David Snyder is doing.

I want to thank you for this opportunity to work with the young people at Liberty Christian Church. They are our greatest assets, and I encourage everyone to continue to listen to them, talk to them, work with them, cheer for them, and-most of all,-pray for them.

If I can be of assistance in hiring a replacement, please don't hesitate to ask. I am extremely interested in seeing that my successor is nothing short of magnificent. Our kids deserve nothing less.

Thank you for your understanding and for the privilege of serving the young people of Liberty Christian Church.

Sincerely,



Gerrard R. Fess
Associate Minister

Word of Advice:

Never Chair a Camp meeting where the Camp manager threatens to resign ...I being a director and Vice-chairperson; on the executive committee and Vice-President of our Camp Association experienced this late last nite. Just a thought! It seems to be resolved but will need further implications for the future of our camp.

Word of Advice 2:

Never let your daughter play with the cat's tail.

Word of Advice 3:

Cut your grass before it rains

Word of Advice 4:

Make a list of Top ten signs its time to leave dodge: One for me if when the Sr. Pastor starts to memo you to death and never even sent out a memo before.