Hagerstown, MD God of this City

How to Recruit Volunteers.

As our church is looking to re-focus on our own children’s ministry. Here is some suggestions for volunteers.



I. Enlist volunteers. See who is available. You don’t want just a warm body, but you do need people. So what are the qualifications? Here are some we use:

A. Been a Christian for over 1 year.

B. Been part of our church body for a year.

C. Love God.

D. Love children.

E. If teaching must have ability to teach. (Sometimes we put people in a teaching role that is in the wrong seat on the wrong bus and has a spiritual gift to be used elsewhere)



II. Encourage Volunteers. Celebrate what volunteers do. Send them notes. Tell them thank you. Point out the things they do. (Sometimes I know I don’t do this enough)



III. Evaluate. Evaluate your volunteers. Are they happy? What tools do they need to be more effective? What worked well? What didn’t? How can we improve? In one of my ministries my volunteers were on a yearly contract. Once the year was up – they had the option to stay in that role or not? (Was stressful for me in the summer to recruit when the year followed the school calendar)



In all ministry is worth it – thanks to the great volunteers you get to work with.

Top Ten Stupid Mistakes I’ve made in Youth Ministry

Inspired by Marko's post
Here are some I've made.

10. Church van. Speeding, minor dents … just doesn’t do justice to tell your leaders – the van is broken. There was one time I didn’t check the tires and we had a blowout while coming home from King’s Dominion. Safety is the key to the van. My last ministry – I made sure to have the van prepared before leaving on a trip. Getting the van stuck in a ditch wasn't fun either.


9. Poor Communication. I really think when I first got into youth ministry – I knew it all. I didn’t use the parents, or meet with them enough. Sometimes if I knew that it, it could have saved me some headaches.

8. Poor judgment. Afterall no one will know, right? Stupid pranks and issues leads to hurt feelings. Sometimes I hurt not only others’ feelings, but my own as well.

7. Messy games. Sure they were great and sounded good, but when one kid almost chokes (Chubby Bunny and Yes I played that) and another nearly hurls, (Think Human milkshake) time to rethink your games.

6. Language. Sure slang, and you want to be cool. But there are some things I’ve said I wish I never did.

5. Losing your cool. Never easy to overcome when someone sees you losing your cool. I’ve been ticked off over some pretty silly stuff looking back.

4. Lack of preparation. Whether it is a lesson, or winging it. Don’t do it. Plan for the long term. The benefits are worth it. I remember for an all nighter – I thought I could stay up all night and then drive the church van back to the church from 2hrs away …boy I nearly fell asleep with a van full of teens ..not good. (So next time we brought drivers who slept the nite while we did the lockin)

3. Unforgiveness. I’ve allowed grudges, hurtful feelings, and brokenness get in the way of my relationship with Jesus. And a lot of the times the hardest person to forgive was myself. I’m learning to embrace joy, grace, love, and forgiveness more. My life is messy, but I’m glad I’m a forgiven sinner.

2. Conflict. I try to avoid conflict. I’m a people pleaser. I think back on the ministries I’ve had and if I would of resolved some of the issues I might have been better for it. I wish I knew about conflict resolution earlier on … and am still learning about it. Afterall you’re either in the midst of conflict, coming out of it, or getting ready to enter conflict. It is all a part of life – and especially ministry.

1. Not practicing the Spiritual Disciplines enough. There have been times I’ve focused more on getting ready for Sunday’s lessons, rather than getting ready for what God is trying to tell me. I think some of the stupidest things I’ve done is waste a lot of time in doing other stuff rather than getting to know the God of the Universe. If I’ve done more I’ve be more prepared, prayerful, and planning for what God wants me to do, rather than telling God what I think He should do. One focuses on Him, the other focuses on self. I’ve been too self focused at times, and am glad that is changing.

So What stupid things have you done? Learned from them?

If I were the Devil ....

My other Blog: Bobblehead Jesus

Found here

Sometimes it is funny to just laugh at one's self.

I want the best for the Bride of Christ. And unfortunately it isn't found in stuff, junk or otherwise. Just a blog I'm having fun with.

Let's make the name Christian be for people, not things ... and uplift the Bride of Christ.

Top 10 Important Things Every Youthworker needs to know.

I wrote this over 3yrs ago but is a good reminder.

1. Your relationship with God is more important than your ministry. Take time to tend to your soul.

2. Your Family is important. Do not neglect your family. They are your number one ministry.


3. Learn to delegate responsibility. The more you equip - the less you do yourself.



4. Spend time alone. - Get a hobby. It will help your sanity.


5. Be a life long learner. Invest in resources, studies, online etc.


6. Choose your battles wisely. Not every hill is worth dying for. Learn conflict resolution and even have others take the heat off of you.


7. Build relationships that will last.


8. The Kingdom of God is Bigger than your one Church. Learn to network, get to know other churches, learn from them and vice versa.


9. Be a leader. Be responsible and be the leader God called you to be - don't try to be something you are not.


10. Be humble. Part of that is being authentic. Not everyone is buddy buddy with Doug Fields, knows Marko, or even can speak at Group's or YS' or whoever's denominational YouthWorkers' convention. Be who God called you to be, not this trying to be a "Minor" Christian celebrity. I know I'm definitely not.





What would you add to the list? Thoughts?

252 Basics Promo

New GEICO Commercial - Piggy

Bible Magic Video

Why Marriage Matters

This week I'm talking on 1 Corinthians 7 on the matters of marriage, divorce, and encouragement.

Dance, dance, dance.

So my girls went to camp and learned these songs to dance to:

Party in the USA

We Rock

and of course there was a guy who knew all the moves to this video



And did this one as well. Not sure if the kids there knew about these videos or not. But were impressed.



Great to see my kids enjoyed camp!

Mosque at Ground Zero controvery

I recently was asked about this and here are some thoughts I had.

Actually there are several ramifications of this issue.




I. It isn't being built at Ground Zero. Let's get that straight first. I've been to Ground Zero just days after 9-11; and so know some of the area.



II. I think if we get upset at this - what other things should we stop in the name of Religious Freedom - Let's not build churches certain places ... I think it takes us down a road I don't wish to see but am seeing like: when people say you're not allowed to pray in Jesus' name.



III. Sure it is a spiritual battle - but why are we so surprised that sinners do what sinners do?



IV. Muslims are not the enemy. Sorry - they're not. They are lost sinners that need Jesus as well. Would we be upset if this was an atheist's gathering place, how about wicca? How about? I know many things have been done harmful in the name of Islam - and various sects of Islam - much like Christianity. (Might see the series Christian Perspectives on the World of Islam). Yes - 9-11 was when WE were attacked. (And we should never forget but also recognize there is a Bigger issue here that hasn't been addressed - this isn't about Ground Zero or not ...(Though the Conservative Talk heads would like to seem it is) it is a spiritual battle we are on. (BTW the mosque being built is several blocks away from Ground Zero) And there is already a mosque there. Islam as a religion is a false religion. Sure. We need to take a stand on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Preach the Word. In season, and out of season.



Some have said the analogy would be like Stopping the Building of a church near OKC bombings because Timothy McVeigh subscribed to some of the views of the extremist Christianity Movement.



There is more to this than meets the eye I think. We're in a spiritual battle not just over where buildings can be built or not built but over souls. This is one battle I'm not willing to draw a line in the sand over ... too many Muslims and non-Muslims alike are dying without knowing the saving grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Help, My Youth Worker is Hurting!!

Chances are you have come across a youth worker that has been hurt in ministry. (Not hurt your ministry or done something stupid - though there are plenty of those) I'm talking about ones that struggle everyday in the trenches or are let go. That is why I write some of the things I do to help. Example: Handling a Forced Exit
and the whole thing about churches abusing youth workers
post that Marko wrote.

I think there is a week that doesn't go by that I don't hear about some youth worker let go, hurt by the church etc.

Here are some Suggestions to help the Youth Worker that is hurting:

I. Recognize it isn't the church that is hurting this person. It is individuals. The Church as a whole doesn't abuse youth workers. Individuals and congregations have. I had to learn this the hard way. It is to be I talked bad about the church; not recognizing that I was hurting the Bride of Christ. The Church that Jesus gave his life up for.

II. Give a listening ear to that youth worker. Chances are that there will be a need to rant, rave, and to get over the pain they have experienced. Referring to Counseling - especially Professional Christian Counsellors is best.

III. Pray for them. I mean really pray. Pray with them. Don't just say I'll be praying for you. Pray. Add them to your prayer list. Make time to maybe call and pray with them over the phone or in person. Let them know you don't have the answers but know the Lord who does.

IV. Encourage them. Send notes of encouragement.

V. Equip them. Equip them with tools and resources that would help them with the conflict they are going through. Maybe send them to a Youth Worker Convention to Refresh, relax, and Rest in the Lord. Below is a list of resources I've come across that helped encourage me. (at the end of the Article)

VI. Support them. Unlike other jobs - youth workers are at best not paid the best and don't get the benefits of unemployment.  If one is let go with a severance - (Most is 30-60days - that is all they have until they find that next position - but usually that takes up to a year because Search committees are usually made up of volunteers)

VII. Reach out to other youthworkers. Help them network. Know that they are not in this alone, in the trenches. Build community. A lot of youth worker's families are hurting too. Reach out to the spouse, children so they can overcome and not be bitter about the church but keep loving Jesus.

VIII. Educate. I think the more Lead Ministers, church leaders know about this "abuse" - the more it will stop. I think it is one the Christian Community as a whole doesn't talk about. We're quiet about the abuse of leaders - ministers, youth ministers that goes on. We need to repent and help others repent and be the church God wants us to be.

IX. Invest in them. Have them take a regular day off. Go to maybe a Retreat Center etc.

X. Know the role you play. For years I've wanted a change this trend - almost overnite. I now know it isn't going to happen overnight. I was in Chicago with a Group called E3. Then in Atlanta. Even was working with the forums on Youth Specialties to be an encourager. The best thing is to bloom where God has you and to help others over come the obstacles in the way.



Doug Fields' Article on Alot of youth workers are hurting
Resource List:

Church That Abuse - Ronald Enroth
Confessions of a Youth Pastor - "Doc" Hilliard (anonymous)
Escape from Church inc. - E. Glenn Wagner
Inside the Mind of Youth Pastors - Mark Riddle
Ministry Mutiny - Greg Stier
Ministry Staff Member - Douglas Fagerstrom
Pastors in Pain - How to Grow in Times of Conflict - Gary Preston.
Things They Never Taught You in Seminary - Deborah and James Bushfield.
What Matters Most - Doug Fields
The Wounded Minister - Guy Greenfield
Youth Ministry 3.0 - Mark Oestreicher
The Youth Worker Book of Hope. True Stories of Brokenness and Healing. - Tim Baker Editor

Links Galorie for August.

The following are some articles I've come across the internet that have dealt with church, and ministry lately. HT to Doug and Davon.


Biblical illiteracy is not the problem

10 Characteristics of Growing Churches

The Upside of Tension

Congregations Gone Wild

Solving the NHL Contract Crisis

So with the whole Ilya Kovalchuk contract situation
makes it interesting. Before another lock-out
in the NHL
. Which looks possible in 2012-13
(And you thought 2012 was just referencing the End Times?)

Here is what I would do with these ridiculous Salaries.

Which ones Luongo
are being looked at.

While they are at it; look at Hossa's, Pronger's, and Savard's.

No one really should make more than the faces of the NHL. Who are they? Alex and Sid
sorry but it is true. There might be other faces of the NHL (And we'll get into that)

Here is my solution for the CBA, Salary Cap etc.

I. Have a contract Cap.  10yrs. Max.  The years of ridiculous Salaries of Alexia Yashin
10 yr. 87 Million dollars is over. Also Rick Dipietro's salary
15 years 67Million.

II. Have a Franchise Tag for only 2 players on your team. This includes your Captain, and one player to be determined. With a Franchise tag - that player is guaranteed with Free Agency - 5-10yr. Extension.  If meets stats etc. A Salary up to $8 million a year. (Plus he becomes the face of the Franchise, markets it, etc. And gets other salary outside NHL due to endorsements and so forth - marketability)

III. With the Franchise Tag - there is certain players you associate with the Team.

Example: Sid - Pens; Alex - Caps; Brodeur - Devils; Canes - Staal; Hawks - Toews.

IV.  Moderation. There has to be a grievance process, and yet also some way of moderating value. Ones value may increase even locked-in for the contract but might be evaluated. And one's value may decrease (Similar way Dipietro and Yashin's value decreased - and yet due to injuries that weren't always forseen would hurt the team's salary cap, and competitive edge - which is always a chance one takes and thus have to draft well and re-invest to help compensate and rebuild)

V. The NHL and NHLPA need to start thinking the next CBA now. Start restructuring; start looking at if they want to do expansion. Look at the league as a whole. What teams are working? Which ones aren't? Sure we pick on some of the Southern teams (But I'm here to tell you that I know some of those Teams are very strong and in a strong market and others I question?)
 
VI. Start the PR process. The Winter Classic and Upcoming "Heritage Classic" (Feb 20th) and All-star Game in NC (Jan) is your chance to getting fans on board. They're with you, but question some of the antics - such as this handling of Free Agency  this summer. You need to qualify the whole Phoenix mess. People are still bitter about it. The problem is either the owners or lots are blaming the Commish. Tell people what are the standards being an NHL owner, and why others (Mainly Jim Balsillie).

VII. Come Clean. Answer Questions directly. Fans want the honest truth. Are you really thinking about team expansion or is it all smoke and mirrors? KC? Vegas? Winnipeg? Quebec? Is Hamilton possible or a second team in Toronto? (Sure there are legal issues but I'm sure you looked in the possibility and market there .... or do you not care about the $$$? What teams might have to move if they don't improve financially, attendance wise? Afterall you can't keep a team barely floating above water with no where to swim. Fans have questions. We desire answers. Actually we demand answers because it is the sport we love, and  support.

I don't expect to hear from the NHL on this. Fact is they probably won't even see this post.  I've always dreamed of being a Zamboni driver or even for a day a Chaplain for the NHL ....

What are your thoughts for solving some of the NHL's problems? I'm just glad that some of our players didn't host a prime time special on TV to embarrass a city to go to another town because they use to be the franchise player of that town. See Lebron James

Or That the Great One
retired and came back and retired again. (I think no one can fault Michael Jordan but the first time - when he retired from the Bulls was when I considered him retiring). Or not making up your mind like Football great Brett Favre.

Thoughts?

Three Things Every Leader Needs.

I. Patience - to sometimes be patient and listen to others. Rome wasn't built in one day.

II. Persistence - to endure the obstacles, and to carry on.  James 1 talks about perserving. It is the whole having the Big picture in mind.

III. Passion. - having the desire, the ambition to achieve what must be done. In Paul's letter to Timothy, he talks about that elders must have a desire for the office (I Timothy 3:1)

I see a lot of leaders that have passion, but don't want to endure the obstacles or are patient in ministry. Sometimes I think that some leaders would rather have things handed to them on a silver platter; rather than work for it and see the rewards that come with the work. Afterall, God is the one that gives the Increase ....

A Must Buy Youth Ministry Book.

Duffy Robbins' original book has always been a great resource for youthworkers. Now that it is being updated and revised - such bring even more Joy. (IT is available after August 26th BTW)

And there is a special bonus in it as well. One of my own articles is featured in this edition. How cool is that? Sure, I've been mentioned or published in other books: Making Sense of the Church and YM 3.0 but this is more than a quote here or there. My hope is it helps youth workers. So get your copy today.