My New I-pod

So I was curious this past weekend. No cards, no nothing from my students. My wife treated me to Dinner and a movie. And my children gave me a party but the teens: Nothing.

Then on Sunday - they had cake, and cards which was fine. The past few months I've been joking on them (My own dry humour) about my invisible I-pod (Because they all got one and I don't and really probably wouldn't of bought myself one). Then one of my students handed me a gift, opened the box and asked if this was really what it was? And they responded: YES. A colour 30 GB I-pod - how cool is that? They pooled their money and got me one. Now if I can one figure out how to work it.

Three Things Every Church needs.

People like to Church shop. So when looking for a community of faith here is something I came across from Lee Morgan at Youthpastor.com and their email listserv.

Real Faith: is it a place where you are learning to live out a faith filled life
Real Family: Is it a place that you can experience biblical community?
Real Friends: Is there a high importance on evangelism. Is it a place that will spur you on to reach out to your friends. Is it a safe place to invite your friends.

Some good thoughts.

Others you might add?

Top 10 Things to do when Starting a YG

Recently I got asked about starting a new youth group or student ministry from the ground up. Here is my response.

1. Some Resources: www.youthspecialties.com www.pastor2youth.com
www.wildfrontier.org

2. Build Relationships - with teens, sponsors and parents.

3. Know what you want your ministry to look like and go from there.

4. Take your time. Rome wasn't built overnite - and neither were
these mega student ministries. Build the Kingdom - one kid at a time.

5. Pray. Depend on God. Reflect.

6. Make sure your soul is being feed.

7. Relationships with your staff and other pastors. Network. Goto
conventions, pick some youthworkers' brains who have been there, done
that.

8. Be flexible. Be a lifetime learner.

9. Read things such as My First 2 yrs in YM by Doug Fields, Starting
from Scratch, How to Expand your YM,

10. Have fun.

Overcommunicate: The Best Solution.

So recently there have been some issues in ministry.

1. Looking at my own objectives and getting more involvement
- so currently I'm revising some of these due to some great support from my leadership: Including looking at all our programs, more screening of volunteers, and getting more volunteers, as well as some personal discipline issues. (Monthly retreat @ monastary)

2. When redoing the Grounds - overcommunicate your vision. Our building is now being more visible and some inside and outside changes mostly due to the other Hispanic Congregation (New Church Ministry) that meets at our building and adding assistance as well. It would be good to have some insight or heads up to people so they know what is going on. All is good. But sometimes feelings get easily hurt. (It's the pastor in me)

3. When damage is done - communicate when things go wrong. Recently we had a parent take a nasty fall at her home but her child was at church, and police came etc. (The parent had over 40 stitched to her face) so communication is always good. I had one time to swallow my pride when I damaged the church van. We announced to pray for her and not people to get too concerned when they saw the police cars at our building during service time. It helped to know to people we care about people and want to help when we can.

4. Help and be humble in all things. Recently I've spent more time waiting for friends at the airport than my home. (They were returning from several mission trips). Help, pray, laugh, one of my friends is now leaving for AZ. He and his family will be missed. Today, I helped where I can but in some ways feel God is opening a Big Door for them only to leave some holes for us.

5. Pray. There have been times where I've done nothing but pray that God heals my own heart. Hang in there. God isn't finished with me nor the ministry I'm in yet.