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Showing posts from September, 2009

Lost and Found - Slide Girl

Sundin and the Great One!

Investing in God's Economy or your Own.

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Tomorrow's sermon looks at the parable of the talents. I. The Profit of the Servants. II. The Profitless Servant. III. Our Response.

NHL Promo Commercial ''Cup Raise'' (HD)

6 Things I like about Doug Fields

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Some of you may actually think I have a love-hate relationship with Doug Fields But I don't. Here are some Great things I think Doug has done in light of him recently resigning and taking a Big Leap of Faith Here are what I believe to be some of Doug's greatest resources. 1. His book: what Matters Most. Definitely a keeper and for any church leader. 2. Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry. I wish I had this resource when I first started out in Youth Ministry. 3. Purpose Driven Life ..(OK He didn't write that) but Purpose Driven Youth Ministry has shaped and challenged youth ministries to ask the tough questions on what is the purpose of what we are doing and why? 4. Simply Youth Ministry a great resource and site. 5. His honesty and vulnerability 6. Power play trivia Games. I use mine occasionally. I like also how he points people to Jesus. Somehow I think his resigning we won't see him more in youth ministry work as much as we'll see him encouraging youth worke

I Hate Doug Fields?

I hate Doug Fields. Okay, maybe hate is such a strong word, maybe it's dislike. I have nothing against Doug Fields himself; just that so many in youth ministry want to attempt to be well like Doug Fields or the next Doug Fields of youth ministry. Don't be like Doug. (Or even like Mike for that matter). What God has done at Saddleback is great. But be who you are, and God created you to be. Imitiate Jesus, not Doug. I think that's the way Doug would of liked it. Pointing all things to God's Glory that we may Love God and love our students. We don't need more Doug Fields in Youth Ministry. We need more youth workers who have a passion and desire to be who God wants them to be in youth ministry. I've stopped trying to be Like Doug, Mike Yaconelli, Duffy Robbins (And whoever else is Big in your Denomination) and let God work on me. God has blessed people like Doug, and He can me. I wonder why we look to people like Doug Fields, instead of the Rulemaker That Doug Lov

The 3Ds

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So I got thinking about what are the three things on has to do on any given project? Here is what I came up with. I. Design. One has to design and think of what you want to achieve. II. Determination. What are the steps you need to take to get your design to its end? What objectives do you need to met the ends? Determining how to do about your design is key. III. Direction. This is different from design and determination. the direction helps with your determination and the design phrases. Also in having direction - it clarifies not only the end but evaluates your design and determination? Have I bite off too much? what resources do I need to achieve this? ---------------------------------------------------------- Now let's take this a step further ... how does this apply to a ministry setting? We need to need to know what our church and ministries are designed to look like? We need to be determined to take steps to support the design? We need direction - not just a formula but have

Picking a Church - King of the Hill!

Overcoming Fear!

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I'm afraid. It is hard to admit. Afraid to admit that I fear things. I fear God, I try to keep His commandments. There tends to be alot out there on fear. As if I can overcome Fear itself. You know what I think it is ok to be afraid at times. It is ok to doubt, to have emotions and feelings. People like to think there is some magic formula to overcoming things. There isn't. They write books and say - "Oh, you can overcome fear - just trust God." Sounds like and Cute in practice, but in reality doesn't work. To overcome fear - it is like a process. You have to know what your fears are. For example: "I hate Spiders." Just can't stand them. So do I need to pull an Indiana Jones and be thrown into a pit of spiders to overcome my fear? Absolutely not! Then there are some things that people are afraid of that they need to seek more professional help. To come up with some clever slogan or something disregards the way God created us. Sure, we are to have a S

Overcome Evil With Good Romans 12:21

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This week we look at how we can overcome evil.

9-11 - My Memories!

Here is what I wrote only a few days after Sept 11 - Sept 15,2001 In a week, where healing, comforting and tragedy has overtaken us; the only words I find myself asking is "What can I do?" Than I found out I wasn't alone. Knowing God was in control; and uplifting prayers; and having prayer services; making phone calls to check on churches in DC and NY. Getting donated goods; getting people to donate blood ..but there has to be more. So without delay; last nite - a band of Christians left to deliver good to NY. A six hour drive. Left 8pm back before 3pm Saturday. In the several hours we spent dropping off goods; praying with others there; and seeing as close as we can the devastation ..I don't think I'll ever be the same. It is worse than even what you see. In walking by Vincent Hospital ..the "lost" notices ....the New Yorkers telling their stories at 3am in the morning; and the scenes of police; workers; and heavy equipment being transported. I was won

Fall 2009 Sermon Series!

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Youth Minister's Vision should be a part of the Church's overall Vision.

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I recently saw this remark from a friend and responded. "It's like a Senior Pastor who can't allow his youth pastor to cast a vision for the student ministry because he thinks he can do a better job." (And there are some lame ministers out there - myself included at times) Actually, I hate to say this (As a former Youth worker and now Lead Minister) I think a Youth worker doesn't cast the vision for the student ministry. The student ministry's vision has to be a part of the whole church's vision otherwise you're a lame duck without support and just running a separate "Youth" Church rather than intergrating the students into the whole Body of Christ and being multi-generational. I hope (And YES I know some SP who think they can do a better job in student ministry and try to micromanage their staff - been there, done that; bought the T-shirt) I think in my opinion a student ministry's vision has to be partnering and a part of the overall vi

8 Excuses People Give For not Attending Church

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So I read this Article on 5 Reasons (They actually have 8) people don't goto church. Got me thinking of Dan Kimball's book: They like Jesus, just not the Church But the really shocker is most excuses come from so-called Christians. So let me attempt to answer these excuses. 1. What do I wear? Seriously dude? Come naked. OK. Don't come naked, but just wear what you normally would (Minus the thong). Church isn't a comparison Dress up game but rather who you are and what you want to be. It is more than clothes. 2. Why would I want to come to church; it is the only day I can sleep in? Seriously? You sleep in until 10am? I gave that up when I went to college. There is also this wonderful invention - called the Sunday Afternoon nap. Most guys do it in the Fall while watching NFL when their team is losing anyways ... so you should try it sometimes. 3. I can worship God at home by watching that TV preacher or out in the Woods. But do you? Most people who use this don't do

Transformation Happens.

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The purpose statement the congregation has is: "Transforming families into people of purpose." (Which is some ways is a mouthful.) I got thinking is there an easier way to state our purpose? Sure? Transformation Happens - based on Romans 12:1-2. Happens in -Your life. -Your Family. -Your Church. -In the World. (Job, community, unto the ends of the earth) So what does this include? this included Spiritual development of people, by people, for people - thus taking them where they are to where they are to be. The Great commission and greatest commandment summed up. What is the purpose statement or Vision of your church? Does it need to be revised and relooked at? I know of one ministry that had one that no one could recite and had to revisit it. Here is what their old Mission statement was "WE exist to accomplish God's will by attracting people in faith in Christ, encouraging love for one another and equipping believers for service in the church and a life mission in t

5 Positives Effects of the Recession for our Congregation!

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Adam's post on 3 positive effects of the recession on the church got me thinking about my local context and how the recession has affected us. Here are 5 positives effects I could think of that has helped our church family where I serve. I. Our benevolent policy. We relooked at how we did benevolence. We looked at scriptures such as 1 Timothy 5:4-10 and Matt. 25:31-46. It use to be if there was a need - we helped out. The problem was this might of been enabling the problem rather than solving it. Or in my words - putting a bandage where there is a severed arm. We had to think of ways not only to stop the bleeding but also have it not happen again. We relooked at our benevolence as a leadership and wanted to be better stewards of which God entrusted us with. II. Intentional about our Resources. As a small to medium sized congregation - reality was we couldn't do it all nor should we. This past Fall I had a crash course in what resources are out there. I had meetings, trying to