Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

I love to read. And here is an insight into some books I've recently read. I. The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do. - Mark Atteberry. A short book on some things that we do that might do more harm than good for the Kingdom. II. Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing - Geoff Surratt. Honestly I couldn't put this book down. Too true ... and I've done some of them. III. The Unofficial Church Staff Manual - Mark Riddle. (YP edition). A Good read into tools to help youth ministers' jobs go a little bit smoother. IV. The Unlikely Disciple - Kevin Roose. An interesting insight of how a sinner attends a strict University in Liberty. Very insightful for a Christian to know what sometimes how non-believers think. V. The Voice - NT copy - Thomas Nelson. Seems to be an interesting take on The Message and sometimes articulated even better. Looking forward to when the whole Bible is done in this format. VI. Fresh Start - Doug Fields. Took me some time to read the nuggets in

Last Monday I went to Baltimore with a few friends to the one day conference called: Catalyst One Day. I heard about Catalyst from several of my friends who went to the big convention in Atlanta. The Big word of the day was "Momentum" - Gaining and Substaining it within the ministry context. Now there were lots of notes I took and alot of little tidbits of which I can apply to my ministry context without compromising what the Bible says. One of the sessions, entitled "Don't Be That Couch" was well worth the day. Here is one tidbit I wrote down. "Church are empty because they love their models rather than the people." "Maybe Apple, Coke are more committed to their shareholders than we are to our Savior." Alot to process with 40 page booklet and all the notes I took. Applying - tweaking and throwing out the old couch won't be easy.

One of the sites I like (Even if says youth ministry the principles apply to ministry as well) is Youth Ministry Pro From the getting a job to helpful hints to how some hire is well worth it. I have several other tips that might help your search for a ministry go alittle bit smoother. I. Keep track of those places you applied. Why?? Well sooner or later you might be looking again and going back to your files notice this congregation also looking again ... there might be a reason - so some RED Flags. II. Keep a copy of those questionaires you filled out. Why? Some churches ask the same questions - so makes it easier to cut and paste rather than re-type the same answers all over again. III. Always reply to a message. Whether it is a rejection letter or the next stage in the process .... let them know you received their material and thank them for their time. IV. Be encouraged. Find ways to relieve that stress. The ministry search doesn't happen overnight - and find others that might

So as the Restoration Movement and our independent thoughts. Where are my friends that are youth workers look for a youth ministry or ministry? Here are some to consider: Youth Ministry Pro Youth Pastor Youth Specialties Job Bank Church Staffing YMX WCA Churchjobs Simply Hired Pastor Positions w/ youth Pastorfinder Ministry Jobs YP Jobs Christian Jobs Ministry Search Now having said that .... I know some have used the above sites and found a ministry but here are some of the sites I've used for my own search for working in the context of the Restoration Movement churches: Crosslink Christian Churches Today Christian Standard JBC placement CCU Ministry openings Ozark Christian's Ministry listing Lincoln Christian MACU listing Christian Church Search ACU resource (Non-instrumental brethen) KYOWVA openings There are tons of ministry openings out there - it is just the right one God wants you to be and the right fit. God's blessings upon you. If I can be of any help

So I just finished reading Doug Fields' latest book Fresh Start is just that ...an invitation to a great life. It is a challenge. Getting beyond the little things of life to that of being who God wants you to be. Doug gives insight on how one can go beyond the old life to that of the life God wants for you. Doug's chapter on Freedom from Hurt is well worth the price of the book. I know there have been times I have been hurt and hurt others and had to go over the exercise of Canceling the Debt as hhe describes on page 71. Letting go of that hurt. So often I wanted to dwell on it. As he concludes his book, he shares that of investing in that of which you value most. And most likely it isn't stuff, but rather Family. He cites the whole example of cell phones and driving and the whole disruption of the "Mr. Spock earpiece" while your children are craving attention. One of the things I appreciate about the book is "It's not about harder, it's about pluggin

This week we look at the book of Nahum, and how God is jealous. God speaks and encourages.

HT Joe

In our local preachers' meeting we have been reading the following book, and I was assigned Chapter 6 - here is my review! Leadership from the Inside Out Examining the Inner Life of a Healthy Church Leader By Kevin Harney Chapter 6: The Leader’s Hands. Humble Service Reveals Jesus’ Presence – Review by Gerrard R. Fess, Lead Minister CCHMD In Chapter 6, the author goes over what it means to be a humble servant of Jesus Christ. The example of the man showing up on Easter Sunday claiming he was Jesus – yet he had no scars. “Jesus would never have his scars removed.” Pg 120. And the confused man was ushered out of the service. “To lead like Jesus is to offer our hands to take up the cross daily, to pick up the towel and basin, to serve as he did. Sadly, many in Christian ministry have forgotten the service part of the equation.” Pg. 121. I use to dread the phrase in my contract in youth ministry, “Other duties as assigned.” Now I appreciate it. There is something about serving to

This Sunday's sermon is from the book of Micah. We'll be looking at the Ruler coming and to how we need to Trust the Lord, now.

Sure, we come up with lots of programs. Our congregation tries to serve in NEEDS area by Food pantry and clothes closet. We, even have outreach events like: Movie nite, VBS, Pinewood Derby. And we even take part in community events like Relay for Life. But what are we doing to reach our community? Are we reaching it? I'm thinking through some ideas and trying to see how we can better reach our community for Jesus. Got any ideas?

I wrote the following last week and thought to share: Lead, follow, or get out of the way? I've heard this phrase a lot of times. Sometimes I wonder whether I'm a leader, follower, or need to get out of the way? It is a balance. There are times I need to step up as a leader, but ultimately GIVE GLORY to THE LEADER. There are times I need to follow. Set that example. Afterall, Jesus set the example as being a servant. (Philippians 2:5-12 comes to mind) And then there are times I need to get out of the way. (This past Sunday was one example - where several things went wrong - DVD player not working, wrong song etc and then we prayed to God to leave our baggage at the door and just focus on Him - and We did) From Eddy's poem for communion, to the song, How Great is our God, to the decision of Olivia being baptized into Christ. I know I was in awe, how about you? All I can say is .... Do it again, Lord. Do it again! There are people's lives that need to be transformed by t

A few weeks ago, one of our young men shared a poem he wrote for his communion mediation and I (with his permission) wanted to share it with you. Our Savior, Our Friend by Eddie Dorsey Jr Jr Copyright (c) 2009. Three nails and one cross You knew the plan when you came to this earth in swaddling clothe You made the blind to see, the dumb to talk The deaf to hear, the lame to walk Your trade was a carpenter, but you were really a fisher of man You walked with me, carried me when i needed i; thats why there is only one pair of footprints in the sand You told parables and walked on water You were part man, part our Father You were our sacrifice, our perfect Lamb And You are the son of The Great I Am He was handed to us because Pilate could no fault But unlike Pilate we were not going to let him walk We killed our friend, We killer our Savior He could have called angels but he died for us, He did a favor So take your bread, your juice, our emblems Because we are commanded to do this in reme

Here is an email I recently sent the congregation I serve: One of the things I know myself and even the church needs to do is to invite people and follow up on not only on Visitors but also on those missing. Why is it hard? Let me suggest a few reasons. I. It takes time. II. It is a relationship. III. It can be awkward. Let me tell you what I am doing and maybe you can be encouraged as well. Each week, we follow up on our visitors with a letter right away and try to reach them and ask if they have a church home. Every few weeks I try to reach out to them - send reminders or thank them for coming. We also have an absentee list and I try to make phone calls to people missing - unless I know they reason they are gone (Usually some people tell me they'll be gone). One of the hardest things I haven't been doing is getting into these homes of visitors or of those absent. Why? Well it isn't because I haven't been trying but rather life is busy. (Time is precious to alot

This week we look at I. How God used Jonah. II. How God ministered to Jonah. And how this applies to us today.

It all started out as a discussion on what it means to be purpose driven and ministering to those in the post-modern era about 12 years ago. Online there wasn't message boards or forums as much as listservs. Email lists and debates and discussions. Youth Specialties had this one listserv started by Mike A of Mikey's Funnies. (Later would become YMExchange) So as the discussion came about, one person suggest all we need is a Big Red Ball. A Big Red ball? Yeah, Big Red Ball Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. It wasn't so much the tool but on the relationship. Bouncing the ball back and forth and asking the students how they were. Genuinely interested. Actively listening and then bounce, bounce. It was more of a tool, and a way to say "All the gimmicks of the world aren't worth it unless you are willing to love God and love those students." Sometimes as I reflect back ... I think we need a BRBPDC - Big Red Ball Purpose Driven Church. A Church that actively listens -