USC Erock

Last Post on Blogger

2011-06-10T23:44:00.000-04:00

I have moved my blog from here to Word Press and will be hosting it through Go Daddy. I will be making several big changes in the next couple weeks on my site. This will give me more freedom to add some new things. Please join me on this adventure.

Please update your bookmarks and RSS feeds to http://www.uscerock.com

Friday Flashback in Youth Ministry...Songs on Transparencies

2011-06-10T07:48:00.001-04:00

As graduations finish up this past weekend I thought of when I graduated high school. I got a lot of money for graduation gifts. I used part of my money to buy several boxes of blank transparencies, a black transparency box, and a Fender guitar. I knew that at sometime I would use them when I started in Youth Ministry. Later that summer before I left to come to the University of South Carolina I went up to my church and spent several hours making hard copies and transparencies of my youth pastor's song box. I look back and laugh as now I have all my music saved in PDF and view my music on my iPad as we stream it through Media Shout and ProPresenter. I think back of having to have someone manually move the songs.

To this day I still have my box of songs and my original songbook with all the hard copies of the songs. I think sometime soon I might do a Sunday Night youth program using these ancient forms of youth ministry!

Green Gorillas and Church Signs

2011-06-09T08:22:00.002-04:00

The other day when I was at home in Augusta, GA, I saw several men in a local car dealership tying balloons to antennas in their lot. Not too far from them was a big 20ft inflatable gorilla that said "SALE". I don't know about you, but I have never stopped at a car dealership to buy a car just because the car had a balloon attached to it. I have also never been lured in by a big 20ft inflatable gorilla telling me that there is a sale going on. Mainly because I know that it is a gimmick. When I need a new vehicle I will take my time, research what I want, check the internet for the best price, and then go to the dealership.

I think often that as churches we try to be like car deanships with our cute sayings on our church signs. And often our church signs are as bad or worse than having a gorilla with the word sign. A lot of church signs have messages that speak in Christianeese or telling people to turn or burn. They can often be too witty. I wonder sometimes what non-Christians think when they see all the church signs on their way to work or on their errands.

When it comes down to it, I'm going to buy a new truck for my needs or from the suggestion of a friend. I think that is how we need to focus and teach our congregations. They are the best church signs by their daily living and experience in our church

2011-06-08T14:17:00.000-04:00

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Let us not give up meeting together,

as some are in the habit of doing,

but let us encourage one another.

-- Hebrews 10:24-25

For many churches, summer means we shut the doors on all our programs and take a summer break. So is that a good or bad thing. We are instructed to spur one another on and not give up the habit of meeting together. So why do we?

May churches use the time to give their volunteers a break. Others are afraid of a small turn out during summer months. And others just don't have the people power to have events all summer long.

For the last couple weeks I've been catching up with a lot of friends in youth ministry and have heard various plans for the summer. The are several churches that have stopped small group ministry during the summer, but are continuing to have regular youth program time. Several others are stopping programing and small groups and going the event based summer plans. Others have some type of program, camp, retreat, or mission opportunity going on all summer every week. Others are having event based events in place of program and continuing small groups during the summer. In the past I have tried each one of these a time or too.

For us, we have two mission trips, a beach retreat, Sunday Night events, and small groups meeting every week through the summer. This is my first summer with this group and we will see if it works. One important reason we did not stop small groups for the summer is because we just started them in the Spring and things are going great.

I do events, such as pool party, going to the river and lake, bowling, movie nights, and other things to help build our group through fellowship. I also see it as a great opportunity for students to invite their friends and not feel threatened by the church experience. Over the years, I have seen many of my strongest leaders come from being invited during the summer.

No matter which route your youth program goes this summer, take time for your students and remind them of this verse in Hebrews.

Is there downtime in Youth Ministry?

2011-06-07T16:08:00.000-04:00

I know that I've been guilty as the next youth worker in saying, "After this next event...things will slow down..."

But do they and should we allow there to be downtime in our ministry?

Yes
There should be downtime so we can rest and prepare for our next event. I typically see towards the end of the school year and the beginning of summer as down time. Its a time to reflect and see where things should change for the fall. It is a slow down time before all the summer missions and retreats happen. For me personally I have always changed from program based to event based ministry in the summer. And always in December, youth ministry slows down with Advent events so it gives everyone a breather. I think we need them, but we also have to create other downtimes throughout the year to keep us from going crazy. I think you have to have unplanned and planned down time in ministry

No
There is no downtime, because we are always planning and getting ready for the next Sunday. But the way around this is to delegate. So when you are having downtime, someone else is picking up.

What are your thoughts?

Back to the grind

2011-06-07T11:20:00.001-04:00

Hard to believe that I haven't posted in several days, but things got crazy at the end of the week.

Thursday I had planned to write several blogs. I first had to drive to Charlotte to meet with a realtor about putting our house back on the market, then had lunch and hung out with one of my old youth and then came home and was ready to blog... but the power went out and my laptop was not charged. Then Friday and Saturday I went to Augusta. While in Augusta I went to Friday nights worship at St. Mark UMC for the Augusta River of Life. It was an amazing time of worship and a great message on King David. After worship, I hung around to talk with Mark and Scot about our Summer Camp. Really excited about what we have in store for our students in July.

Then I hung out in the St. Mark UMC parking lot talking to an old friend/old roommate/old youth pastor for three hours. It was great to catch up with Chip and pick his brain on youth ministry. Really helped me through some thoughts I had on planning for the next year...more to come in a future blog on this....

Sunday was Confirmation Sunday. We confirmed eight out of ten students who were in the class. The other two were out of town and we will confirm them soon. Then we had our kick off to summer pool party. Had a great turnout and a great time.

Summer is here!

Finding a job in Youth Ministry: Communication

2011-06-01T15:40:00.000-04:00

The biggest thing I learned in the search process last year, was Communication. And I want to break down the communication into: Sending your Resume, Follow-up, and negotiations.

1. Sending your Resume
In the past I have just emailed or faxed a cover letter and my resume. Lars Rood helped me change my resume. Over the past 14 years, I have led camps and mission trips, spoke at many retreats and events, led worship, and many various other things outside of normal paid youth ministry. Instead of having a five page resume, Lars helped me consolidate it into small sub areas of worship, program, speaking, and multi-media. Lars also had me not only send my resume via email or fax but also send a hard copy. Every church I met with or talked with said that was how I stood out over the hundreds of applicants. Very few people send their resume in as a hard copy. Lars pointed out to me that it takes ten seconds to email a resume, but it actually takes time and effort to buy resume paper, print it out, fold it, and mail it. And that was one of the best tips he gave me. I also enclosed in my packet to the churches a folder that broke down my different areas of youth ministry along with an audio or dvd of me speaking and leading worship.

2. Follow-up

I always would send an email and call the head of the search committee and the staff person to make sure he/she received my resume.

Churches at this point separated themselves from me being interested or not. Many of the search committees did not have a time frame, so they were very slow. Several I did not interview with because it took too long and I was already into final rounds with other churches.

After having an interview I always sent a hand written thank you note to the Senior Pastor as well as the search committee. I also sent an email and would sometimes call to personally thank them for their time.

The best interview processes at several churches was when they would weekly call me or email and let me know where they were in the process. But the sad thing is that was only about 3 churches. The other churches I had to call or email to find out if I had made it to the next round.

3. Negotiations

This was a problem with several churches I was very interested in. They put out a job search, a job description but failed to have a final number of what their package would look like. Many churches want years of experience and education but are not willing to meet the packages of someone who is married and has a family. Several offers were very embarrassing to try to negotiate. Others were very willing. My hope and prayer for all churches currently looking for someone is that they take care of the youth workers. I really feel that if they treated the negotiation process and gave better packages and benefits, we would not see as high of a turnover in youth ministry as we currently do.

More tomorrow!

Finding a job in Youth Ministry

2011-05-31T10:22:00.001-04:00

Little over a year ago, I started the process of searching for a new position in Youth Ministry. My wife and I felt called to move, so we started to look. During the beginning process we were getting calls from churches, when we had not even posted a resume or let anyone know that we were looking. It was a very exciting yet scary time on where to look. With the help of a good friend in ministry Lars Rood, I updated my resume and put it on YS Job Bank. I searched the YS job bank daily as well as several other sites. But the YS job bank was where I had the most success while looking.

We traveled as far west as Hoover, AL, south to Tampa and Orlando, and throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. It was a long process.

As I was finishing my Masters of Arts in Christian Education with an emphasis in Youth Ministry through Pfeiffer University and Wesley Theological Seminary, I was daily searching for a change. I was mostly trying to stay in my roots in the United Methodist Church. I saw bad communications, bad search committees, horrible follow-up, great people, frustrations, and roadblocks. These were things that I had never experienced before while searching for previous youth ministry positions. It amazed me how churches would publish one thing in their online ad and then be a total different church when I looked them up online or went to visit the church. I'm glad I did my homework on the churches or I might be looking for another position right now if I would have taken one of them.

One major thing that helped was having a network of friends in Youth Ministry. Lars Rood was beyond a friend with his help and support during my searching. I'm not sure where I would have landed if it weren't for his guidance and suggestions. I was in unchartered territory while looking. My previous searches for positions in the past were very short, but with the economy and state of some churches, the process was very long with many dead ends. One of the biggest dead ends was with my education and experience. Many churches want someone with a Masters Degree in Youth Ministry, certified in Youth Ministry through the United Methodist Church, and with over 10 years of experience. But the problem was that they did not have the pay or support church budget for youth ministry. The one thing that Lars kept telling me was not to sacrifice the well-being of my family for the hard work I had put in for my education and experience. Then on the other end of the spectrum, there were some churches that could, but felt that I had not been in large enough churches to be a part of their staff. So for quite some time in the month of June I felt that I was stuck in between the two types of churches on an island.

We learned many things during our six month search.

During the next couple days, I'm going to dive into several of these topics.

Coming soon...two blogs

2011-05-29T10:29:00.001-04:00

In the upcoming weeks I will be adding another blog. This blog will evolve into more of a youth ministry help/idea/suggestion blog while my new blog will be more devotion/weekly lesson review/church blog.

More to come in the upcoming weeks

A time to slow down

2011-05-28T22:02:00.000-04:00

After small groups on Wednesday night, we packed the Explorer and headed to Myrtle Beach for a mini vacation. Thursday morning we woke up early and grabbed breakfast and then headed for the beach. It was a great time of just sitting, watching the waves, enjoying the sun, and listening to Pandora radio. After several hours we moved to the resort pool area. We played around in the lazy river and then took Mallory to the kids play area that was in a Pirate ship.

We had a couple text and phone calls wishing us Happy Anniversary but neither of us paid attention to our phones mostly because they weren't charged. But for once we didn't care. We just enjoyed the silence.

It was great just to take a small break and have family time. It was also great to be at the beach and just look out and enjoy God's beauty.

Missing posts...

2011-05-27T20:55:00.000-04:00

Tuesday and Wednesday I was very busy so I was unable to really check my blog. Lately I take a few hours and write multiple blogs and then schedule them for the near future. Wednesday night after small groups I took my wife and daughter to the beach for a small get away and to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. And for the first time in a while I didn't use my MacBook or iPad. I just enjoyed our time away. Surprisingly when I just logged on I noticed that all my scheduled blogs were gone and also not published!

So I just to apologize to my daily readers for an empty blog over the past couple days. I hope in the future that does not happen. But it also just seals the deal on me changing from blogger to another blog host.

Third Day - I've Always Loved You (w/ Lyrics)

2011-05-23T07:45:00.002-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q199fzDefLw

"I've always Loved You" by Third Day is probably my favorite song of all time. I still remember the first time I heard it. I purchased it the week that it came out in 1999, but being busy I didn't put it in my CD player until I took a road trip that weekend. A few weeks prior, my grandmother had a stroke and I went by myself to Atlanta to visit her.
My grandmother was the first person in my life that saw God's calling. She told me and my mother before she passed away that she saw that I was going to go into ministry. My grandmother was the church organist and pianist for years. She was a very Godly woman and did more for others than I can even write. She was always there for me. She always sent cards on every holiday, where she would put a couple dollars in, and if she didn't have the money she would put a few sticks of gum in there. When I lived in Atlanta in the Summer and Fall of 1998, every time I had an opportunity I went over and visited with her. I still can see her smile every time I met her for lunch and for church. I know that I made her really proud. But after she passed away and I heard the number of stories of how she showed God's love to others, she made me proud.
In 2005 when we started a contemporary service at Lithia Spring UMC, we wanted to play this song, but I had a tough time with it. The weekend before, I went home and my brother Michael showed me how to play it. I had several opportunities later at River of Life and other retreats to play it with my brother.
Every time I hear that song, it brightens my day. Anytime I'm down, I pull out my guitar and play it. It reminds me that God is always there and no matter what I do or whatever happens...He loves us!

"I've Always Loved You"

I don't know how to explain it
But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm going to do for you

Last Monday...I had a chance to guest blog

2011-05-22T07:10:00.004-04:00

Last Monday I had the privilege of guest blogging on Carl Jones blog http://youthguy07.blogspot.com/

If you didn't get a chance to read it, go over to http://youthguy07.blogspot.com/2011/05/encounters-with-god-eric-hendrickson.html

I've shared this part of my life with only a couple people until I wrote this. I invite you to take a couple minutes and read it.

Thanks

check out the Josh Ridings Band

2011-05-21T08:05:00.002-04:00

In 2001 and 2002 I had the opportunity to play guitar with Josh Ridings at USC FCA. In recent years I've had Josh and his band lead worship for a retreat and my youth group. They are amazing! Go to iTunes and download their stuff!

http://joshridingsband.blogspot.com/

Josh Ridings Band formed in 2009 when Josh Ridings, Shag Tucker, and William Tucker began writing songs for Hope Point Church, in Spartanburg, SC, where they lead worship weekly. Their albums, Sing Out Loud (2009) and Kingdom Come Down (Fall 2010), are filled with honest, energetic songs intended to be catalysts for both individual and corporate worship of Jesus Christ. Each song has its roots in real prayers and experiences of the band. Josh Ridings Band believes the Lord has given its members a unique gift of writing deep, biblical truths that are melodic and easy to sing. Josh Ridings admits, “It is my goal to declare and display Jesus Christ with every song I sing.”

Do you need surgery?

2011-05-20T08:18:00.000-04:00

”The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

--Hebrews 4:12

The other night I was flipping through the channels on my TV and stopped on of the shows that show an entire surgery. It was very interesting to watch the precise detail of what goes on in the Operating Room. It is kind of like how God works on us and our Spiritual lives every day.

How often do you let God do major surgery on your spirit as his Spirit uses the Word to encourage, judge, motivate, convict, instruct, and inspire? With such a great tool so readily at hand for most of us, let's not let a day go by that we don't let God use his word on hearts.

God has a will for our heart's desire. We need to realize that we need to be fed more consistently by His Word revealed in Scripture. Ask God to give you strength and consistency in your walk with God through His Word. Through His Spirit, be inspired to change what needs to be changed and to be blessed and encouraged in the areas that you need it most. Turn to God and trust Him in the works He wants for you and your life.

RESPECT...Find out what it means to me...

2011-05-19T07:33:00.000-04:00

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. --Titus 2:2

Worthy of respect? It seems like in today’s world, we have forgotten the meaning of the word Respect. If you go to Dictionary.com, you can will see that Respect means: A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem, The state of being regarded with honor or esteem, Willingness to show consideration or appreciation, respects Polite expressions of consideration or deference.

Taking a look at Titus 2:2, what a goal for our lives whether we are men or women! Don't you want your life to reflect the character of God because our faith expresses itself in a life of self-control. This work of the Spirit in our lives happens only as we dedicate ourselves to being what he is at work trying to accomplish in us.

Take a look at your life and see how you can gain better control of your passions, your speech, your example, your daily lifestyle, and your habits. Ask God to help you give up the things that take away from your spiritual passion and your influence for good to those who do not know Jesus.

Rain

2011-05-18T07:50:00.001-04:00

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have

watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. -Isaiah 55:10-11

Rain... We have been all too familiar with it these days as we awake to a grey sky and humid drizzle. It is uncomfortable to have to endure the weather - the extra coat or umbrella, perhaps a pair of leaky shoes

whose inefficiency is made worse by patches of soggy ground. Yet as troublesome and depressing as a

sullen, grey sky and falling water can be, in a sense rain is a wonder, too. Where we have built hard surfaces of asphalt and concrete, building roofs and gutters, the water rolls off and is whisked away. But where there is a space of ground or a bit of growth, the rain sinks in and returns to the earth the life-giving water necessary for growth.

In Isaiah, the prophet compares God's word to the life-giving water of rain and snow. It is a life-giving word which goes out from God, a word which showers upon the earth to accomplish God's purpose. Like the rain, God's word comes upon us seeking us in love so that we might live more and more to God and for God. And though in the end God's word will not be thwarted (even the hardest of mountains are, in time, worn away through the power of water and wind), we certainly have a knack for building hard places in our lives that whisk the word away. Where is the "rain" of God's word falling in your life this week (Where is God in all of this?)? What are those "hard places" which make it difficult to for the word to sink in?

Do not call list

2011-05-17T07:09:00.005-04:00

" God called to him…And he said, ‘Here I am” –Exodus 3:4

When God calls us we treat it like a wrong number or a telemarketing call and give no answer. Sometimes we even put God on our “Do Not Call List”. Moses’ response to God’s call revealed that he knew where he was and that he was ready. Readiness is being in a right relationship with God and having the knowledge of where we are.

But too many times, we are too busy telling God where we want Him to be or where we want to instead of being ready for what God has in store and where He is. We sometimes wait with the idea that some great opportunity or something will be coming our way and when it does, we are quick to say “Here I am”.

Instead we need to come to God humbly and lay it all down and say “Here I am”. God has so many great things in store for us if we would only allow ourselves to be ready and willing to be in His purpose. Stop putting God on hold, not answering, or putting him on a “Do Not Call List” and put Christ in the center of your life by answering God’s calling in your life.

Inked by Forgiveness

2011-05-16T08:42:00.002-04:00

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. “Matthew 6:14-15”

"Inked by forgiveness. Too often in our lives we are stuck at holding on and not forgiving. This verse is such a staggering statement, when any of us fail to forgive another person; our lack of forgiveness is a barrier to God forgiving us. Not forgiving ourselves and others places us outside the gracious forgiving love of God.

BUT THERE IS GREAT HOPE…God wants you to have freedom:

When we realize how much we have been forgiven, it enables us to make the choice to forgive others; it allows the Holy Spirit to do a deeper work in us.

CHALLENGE: Who in your life do you need to forgive?

Last Stretch

2011-05-15T08:14:00.000-04:00

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never

ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:21-24

It seems like we always have so many plans and so many hopes and aspirations for how things should be or how I want them to be. And yet, as we head into this last stretch before another School year is in the books, we find ourselves already tired. Not just sleepy, but tired. At times it is as if we are trying to run the 100 meter dash wearing a pair of concrete shoes. And yet we are reminded of the fact that perhaps our fatigue lies not so much in our busy-ness, but maybe in our poor focus.

It is not that our daily activities, sports, hobbies, projects, and hanging out with friends, are trivial or are not worth careful attention. They are indeed important, I believe, a part of what God has called us to do and be at this point in time. No, the problem is often that we find ourselves trying to do too much, too perfectly, under our own power instead of trusting in the renewing love of the One who is Perfection and Power.

Fishers of Men

2011-05-14T07:45:00.001-04:00

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”-Matthew 4:19

Remember when you first became a Christian and you were so excited about outreaching and getting everyone you know to come to church. Often we only get excited about reaching out to others after a retreat. Most of us normally don’t excited about our relationships with God because we fail to cast a vision, and don’t see the big picture of who God is and how much he loves us.

Instead we need be excited!

We're not just attending Bible Studies; we're preparing to impact our generation for Jesus. We're not just doing a little service project; we're changing our world.

We need to build our vision and watch the excitement of it grow in our families, friends, schools, and community.

So what is our vision for our: personal lives, youth group, church, schools, and community? How will put our vision into place?

Are you blind?

2011-05-13T23:03:00.000-04:00

Many times in ministry we walk through things blindly. When we get to new churches, we have no clue what tradition, retreats, annual events, translation of the Bible is acceptable, which rooms the youth are not allowed in, and so forth. Many times we just go with the flow. But just like in life, we cannot survive long if we do that.

“…the Lord Jesus…has sent me that you may receive your sight…” Acts 9:17

Paul received his sight, he also received the Holy spirit and insight of God and Christ. From this point on in his life he was filled with the Living God. Paul never again allowed anything to hold him down and take his focus off of telling others about Christ. We must learn to maintain a strong will and determination so that we have a new focus and that our vision stays strong on Christ.

We must take the time to discern and see what God is calling us to do in our ministry and in our life. We must take off our seminary, workshop, daily blog, mega church, YS, Group, or Simply shaded glasses and allow God to give us His sight to see and discern where He is calling us.

Identity

2011-05-13T07:38:00.000-04:00

”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Seven years ago, Mandy Moore was interviewed about her role in the movie “Saved.”
She said, “I have faith. It only becomes cultish when people start to think that their way is the only way.  I feel bad for Hilary Faye (Mandy’s character in the movie) ——her whole identity is her relationship with Jesus.” (Teen Vogue, May 2004, p. 118.)

Wow.  I hope someone can say that about us. Think about someone might say,  “Their whole identity is in their relationship with Christ.” Wouldn’t that just been awesome for that to happen. But sadly that isn’t how we sometimes live and if we do we don’t let others see it.
It saddens me to think that sometimes nobody sees our relationship with Christ is not part of our identity.   Instead it is our favorite music band, our favorite sports team, or our hobbies and all their accomplishments. And we don’t show an ounce of Christ in our identity.

Is our identity in Christ, or in ourselves?

The world thinks we’re crazy, fanatical, even “cultish” to be so wrapped up in Christ.  My prayer is that the world doesn’t see me, but Christ in me.

Doubting?

2011-05-11T07:25:00.003-04:00

“…But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it. John 20: 25

Just like Thomas, we all feel at times we need more evidence of who Christ is and what He did for us. Many of us go through life, asking God to give us this big sign that says, “HEY I’M GOD, AND I’M HERE, BELIEVE IN ME!”

But the majority of the time God doesn’t have that big sign for us. He has little road signs that say, “I love you unconditionally.” We are too lazy to stop, or we are too busy looking for that big billboard on the side of the road.

If you have a doubt, like Thomas, pull up your Bible and read on of the gospels, or go see the depiction of the crucifixion in the movie the Passion of Christ, so you can see it first hand. God is all around, and has a constant and endless love for us.

Have you seen it lately?

Have you shown it lately?

Define

2011-05-10T08:12:00.004-04:00

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25

How do we define ourselves? Some of us do it with the company we keep: I'm so-and-so's friend or I'm my parent's kid. Others of us do it by what we do: I'm an Athlete or I'm a Band Member. But is that how*God* defines us?

When Jesus tells us in the verse above to deny ourselves, that means we have to give up the titles and recognition and familiarity that we have and become what God wants us to be. God called Moses

to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses was shocked! He didn't define himself as a "Leader." But that

didn't matter--God did.

In fact, throughout the Bible very few people were called to do God's work in the field that they thought they were meant to serve in. People had to deny themselves, leave their old lives, and often take

on symbolic new names to show their new path in life. Sometimes we aren't immediately told what the new path is. God just decides to take away a gift, like speaking ability or physical prowess or singing ability. Then we have to sit and wait and pray for our new assignment to be revealed to us. Either way

we've got to be ready for any change of plans that God gives us and set out on that new path.

Dirty Dishes

2011-05-09T08:17:00.004-04:00

"Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of salvation, and uphold me with your free spirit." Psalm 51:10-12

I hate doing the dishes. I mean, I really hate doing the dishes. I suppose I could come up with some deep psychological reason why I hate doing the dishes. Frankly though, I think that the problem is more simple than that. I think that I simply hate doing the dishes. I only do them after either after I run out of creative ways to cook a meal with the pots and pans available or I get tired of eating out!

Our relationship with God is like doing the dishes. Everyone has those little "things" that we don't do for some reason that we should have done or things that need to be done and we don't do them. Eventually, these "things" that are left undone begin to accumulate. Instead of a mountainous pile of plates and cups, a weaker relationship with God develops, because of those "things" that are in the way.

The awesomeness of God is that God washes away these dishes, if you ask him to. The dishes are washed away and the counter is clear. Your relationship came beg in again.

What are your "dishes" that you need to have cleaned away by God?

The Mom Song

2011-05-08T07:20:00.006-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Great Choice

2011-05-07T08:09:00.002-04:00

" I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:1-6) NRSV

We live in a world where anything goes. Things we counted on suddenly change. People break their promises. What we thought was true turns out to be false. At times it seems that there's little to hold on to any more. But life doesn't have to be that way.

We have one great choice. The choice is Jesus. He doesn't change. Jesus never breaks his promises. His words always prove to be true. You can hold on to him. You can also hold on to the cross. Jesus died on the cross for one reason - He loves you. After Jesus died and came back to life, he made a commitment to you. He promised never to leave you or forsake you. Jesus has kept his promise and always will. You can bet your life on it. Jesus only asks for one thing: for you to make the same kind of promise to him.

Committing yourself to Jesus doesn't mean you won't have any tough times. But it does mean you'll have some help when you do. But you can't do it halfway. You've got to give it your all. And don’t forget you have a large family here to support you and help you in your walk with Christ, through Sunday school, Sunday Worship, Youth, Bible study, retreats, and mission trips.

This time of year...numbers go down

2011-05-06T08:57:00.002-04:00

After Spring Break and Easter across the world of Youth Ministry numbers seem to go down. Why?
Some say its because its the end of the year and students have more homework and projects. Others say that after Easter everyone just becomes busy. Others blame it on spring fever. Others blame it on the warm weather.

Every year I have seen our youth ministry numbers go up in January and February and then in April and May they decline. I hear every "excuse" from sports to homework to forgetting we had youth. It amazes me how teens and parents just take a break from God when the weather gets warm. But without a doubt when we start doing "fun" events in June, the numbers go back. Is it because they get fired up about Pentecost and are ready for church activities again or is it that they have nothing better to do in the summer and so church is the natural hang out spot?

This is just a question I was wrestling with last week with a friend in ministry and wanted to see everyone else's opinion.

Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Copy Cats on FB, Twitter, and Ministry..

2011-05-05T10:53:00.005-04:00

The other night I posted this on my Twitter account and FB account.

I dislike when people tweet other people's tweets and not include RT ... #justsayin #rude #plagiarism

Just a small pet peeve that I have. But I also see it in ministry all the time. I see it in blog posts, hear it at times in podcasts, and have also heard it live in sermons. And this is nothing new. I just don't understand why people have to be copycats instead of just saying they heard it somewhere and give the original author the credit.

Why is this so hard?
Why do we have to try to look like the smart person?
And what do we do if we get caught? I've seen it happen and the person just said, "Oh it was in my nights, I was just in the zone and I forgot to quote them."

I've seen and heard several pastors give entire messages of Andy Stanley's, Doug Fields, Francis Chan, and even Billy Graham where they failed to quote and claim it for their own. I use other pastors material from time to time, but I make sure to give the brothers credit. And I hope that you do the same.

Event Based or Bible Based Summer?

2011-05-04T10:27:00.003-04:00

Over the past fourteen summers I have been part of both Even Based Youth Summer Ministry Programs and Bible Based Summer Youth Programs.

Event Based Youth Summer Ministry Programs consists of one retreat after another and having an event every Sunday and Wednesday. Its all about keeping busy and doing cool things. I've seen this where this has helped youth groups grow by having more non-threatening events to allow students to bring their friends and become part of the group.

Bible Based Summer Youth Programs consists of one continuing to have Sunday night programing and small groups during the summer. I have seen groups become very solid during the summer as they got ready to start the new school year.

Both have worked in different seasons at different churches for me and other youth pastor friends. I have also seen both wear out adult volunteers, youth pastors, and families.

I have also seen where youth programs shut down for the summer and the only events they have are their summer camp and their mission trip.

This summer, my adults and I discerned for our group that on Sunday nights we would have fun activities all around Columbia, SC and on Wednesday nights we would continue small groups during the summer.

So what does your youth group do during the summer months?

What if #lovewins with #OBL?

2011-05-03T22:21:00.001-04:00

So for the past 48 hours I have watched many Christians, pastors, non-Christians, and others put their two cents in about Osama Bin Laden. I've seen the blogs, the tweets, the facebook posts, the photoshop pictures, and the news stories. I really debated about writing this post. I wrote it originally yesterday but held it until tonight.

Really if you look at all the post. Some said it was all about justice. That it was the ultimate consequence for being behind the number of terror attacks. Others went with that but also said that it made the world a safer place with him being killed. While others said that this could put us in more danger and cause more deadly attacks.

Some of my twitter and facebook friends were very patriotic and very happy. Others were somber. Some misquoted MLK and others.

While looking at all these I just had the thought of what if Osama was visited last week by a missionary or was given a Gideon Bible? What if sometime during the last week, Osama was like the thief on the cross and changed his life and gave it over to Christ during his last moments. What if God's Love won over the face of terror? What if after everything is declassified we find out that Osama became saved?

How would the media react?
How would Christians act?
How would non-Christians act?

Just a thought...

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways & live. "
-Ez 33:11

Claymation History of United Methodism

2011-04-30T09:31:00.002-04:00

I'm currently on our Confirmation Retreat with my students.

When I went through confirmation back in 1993, this movie really helped me understand what the Methodist Church was.

For the last ten years I have made this a part of my teaching to my students. I also used it in my Methodist history class for a project.

Enjoy!

Are we too Connected?

2011-04-29T08:39:00.002-04:00

Facebook, Twitter, Smart phones, Apps, Four Square, Linked In, Text Messages....and the list keeps going! Are we too connected to the world? When do we turn them off? When do we say no? When do we disconnect?

In ministry we use all of these to stay connected with our students, parents, and congregation! But are we still staying connected with Jesus and our family?

There has been numerous times my wife has asked me to just set my iPhone or iPad down and just chill. She brings up a great point that too often I am too connected.

The first thing I do every morning when I get up is pick up my iPhone, check the weather, my email, twitter, and Facebook. When I have a free second in the day I repeat the cycle, just to make sure I'm on top of everything. And at times this causes me to miss time connecting with Jesus and my family. I'm ashamed to type this, but its true. And I know many other youth pastors who do the same thing.

I have been working really hard of late to just say no to being connected. When my wife and I go out to eat or to a movie, I turn my phone off or leave it out of sight. When I'm spending time with my daughter, I turn it off. I have been working on waiting till later to return a phone call or text. Its not the end of the world if I do not return an email, tweet, text, or Facebook message immediately. I've just learned we have to take time for ourselves and UNPLUG social media and our phones.

Time with Jesus and time with my family comes first. It is something I'm working to take back. So if I don't respond to your email, tweet, text, phone call...know that I will.

So how connected are you?

National Youth Workers Convention

2011-04-28T12:58:00.001-04:00

Last night I talked with my adults and it looks like we are going to be bringing our entire team of volunteers to National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta November 18-20. I'm really excited about this, because I have always dreamed of having my adults see, hear and experience NYWC.

Every time I go, I have information overload and it is hard to express and bring it all back to my adults and get them as excited about Youth Ministry as I am after being a part of an amazing weekend.

It is so awesome that Youth Specialties has lowered the price and the time frame to allow this to happen for not only my group but for others. Thanks Tic, Mark, Adam, and the rest of the YS staff!

Who's at your dinner Table?

2011-04-28T09:29:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I saw this at http://www.catalystspace.com/catablog/full/APR11--whos_at_your_dinner_table/

Who’s at your dinner table?

Okay, you’ve got 7 spots at your dinner table. You can’t invite family. Invitees have to be alive. And has to be people you’ve never met. Who’s getting the invites?

So here are my Seven:

1. Doug Fields
2. Tim Tebow
3. Kid Rock
4. Kenny Chesney
5. Mike Huckabee
6. Jon Foreman
7. Francis Chan

Who are yours?

Pictures in Ministry part I

2011-04-27T09:01:00.000-04:00

I really love the age of digital pictures in youth ministry. You can take hundreds of pictures on retreats and then post them on facebook, make digital albums, make a cool website, import them into iMovie and make a cool slide show with the latest cool Christian Music. But oh not so long ago, we only took a couple disposable kodak cameras with us. And then we would bring them back and pay the cost equivalent today to a digital camera in hopes that we might have half of them turn out good enough for us to make a scrapbook or collage to hang in the youth room. I have a digital picture frame on my desk in my office and have pictures of my family but also from every church I've ever served at. And btw I am looking for old pictures from Asbury UMC and Tucker UMC to complete it..so if you have some from that time, please let me know!

I'm going to do a part II to this post later today...but need your help.

How do you use pictures in your youth ministry?

Leftovers...Time with Family

2011-04-26T08:14:00.003-04:00

Too often in ministry our families get the last of us. They get the leftovers. We give so much at times to our jobs in ministry and often our families suffer from this. We give hours upon hours above what we are paid for at times to do "ministry" while our parents, siblings, spouse, and children get what is left of us. And sometimes that aren't even lucky enough for that.

I look back at the past fourteen years where I have put my family second or third too many times because I have been burning both ends of the candle in ministry. I see that if I would have had better time management and delegation my family would have had more of me.

Yesterday, I had an amazing day with my wife and daughter. We took a spontaneous trip down to the beach and to Charleston for the day. We played on the beach, had seafood, shopped in the market, and finished the evening having dinner with Jessica's cousin. It was an awesome day. Jessica and I try to make one day a week where we spend time with just us. A lot of times we go to the movies in the afternoon on a Thursday or Friday and have a meal together. We both turn off our iPhones and enjoy each others company.

Ever since my daughter was born 18 months ago, I have worked really hard to make sure that my family doesn't just get the leftovers of me. Sometimes it seems like they do, but I'm trying really hard to keep that from happening.

Here are a couple tips to keep from giving your family leftovers:

Use your time wisely in the office
Take your day(s) off every week
Divide your days into thirds and make sure at least 1/3 is at home
Set aside time for vacations
Turn off your smart phone when spending time with your family
Have weekly/monthly dates with your spouse
Have weekly/monthly dates with your children
Learn how to say No
Track your hours and how you spend them
Try to work only the hours that the church pays you (there is no need to work 70 hours!)
Have someone keep you accountable on this

If you have any others please leave a comment.

Easter Monday...the Easter Hangover

2011-04-25T23:05:00.002-04:00

On Easter I tweeted, "Will you let the story of the empty tomb of #Christ be a story you hear every #Easter or will you make it personal today?"

I also retweeted my friend Jonathan Pearson who wrote, " Easter is a great day to celebrate. If it ends the day after, though, we fail the One we celebrate"

Every church I that I have served at during the past 14 years, the Sunday after Easter is always the lowest attendance of the year. For me it really blows my mind how you can experience an amazing service on Easter (and lets face it, every church amps it up for Easter and takes it the next level...its like Super Bowl Sunday) and then the next week have the lowest number. It just doesn't make sense!

It's crazy talk! It's just flat crazy. How can you experience an amazing worship service that celebrates the greatest miracle of all time...Jesus raising from the dead and then the next Sunday not be jacked up about it?

The Sunday after Easter really should be our highest attendance of the year. Everyone should hear the Easter message and want to bring someone back the next week! But sadly it often goes in one ear and out the next. We fail to make it personal. We fail to celebrate it on Easter Monday...instead we have an Easter Hangover. And we become numb to what we just celebrated. Maybe its too many candbury eggs and chocolate bunnies. Or maybe we just don't get it.

I challenge you to continue to daily celebrate Easter and to invite someone this week to church. Let's get past the Easter Hangover and introduce someone new to our Risen Lord!

Resurrection

2011-04-24T00:33:00.000-04:00

I saw this remake of the Resurrection Video by Rob Bell.

HE IS RISEN!

HAPPY EASTER!

Holy Saturday

2011-04-23T13:55:00.001-04:00

While researching something else a while I back I came upon this. As we prepare for Easter Sunday tomorrow take a look at this and use today to find time for "teaching moments" with your family and friends.

http://www.wf-f.org/HolySaturday.html

Holy Saturday (in Latin, Sabbatum Sanctum), the 'day of the entombed Christ', is the Lord's day of rest, for on that day Christ's body lay in His tomb. We recall the Apostle's Creed, which says "He descended unto the dead." It is a day of suspense between two worlds, that of darkness, sin and death, and that of the Resurrection and the restoration of the Light of the World. For this reason no divine services are held until the Easter Vigil begins that night. This day between Good Friday and Easter Day makes present to us the end of one world and the complete newness of the era of salvation inaugurated by the Resurrection of Christ.

Ideally, Holy Saturday should be the quietest day of the year (although this is not as easy in a busy household with children as it might be in a convent or monastery.) Nightfall on Holy Saturday is time for joy and greatest expectation because of the beautiful liturgy of the Easter Vigil, often referred to as the Mother of all Holy Vigils, or the Great Service of Light. The Easter Vigil was restored to the liturgy in 1955, during the liturgical reform that preceded the Second Vatican Council.

During the day, the preparations at home that must be made for Easter Day are appropriate, however, because they keep our attention fixed on the holiness and importance of the most central feast of the Church. Working with our children to prepare for Easter can offer us many 'teaching moments', as well.

Six Hours One Friday

2011-04-22T11:25:00.001-04:00

"In Six Hours One Friday, Max Lucado delves into the meaning of Jesus’ last hours on the cross. Through his death, your life has purpose and meaning. You are forgiven and loved by a Savior who died for you. And an empty tomb proclaims that death does not have the final word."

Ten years ago I got this book and it changed my view of what happened almost 2,000 years ago. For the longest time I only looked at Good Friday and Easter Sunday as scripture. But Max made this come alive to me. This book opened my eyes to what really happened on that Friday. I had grown up in church and heard the scripture read at church and in youth group. But it never really came alive until I read this book.

Then in 2004 I had the chance to go with my Senior Pastor to Willow Creek to see a preview of the Passion of the Christ the movie before it was released. To see scripture come alive like I never had before really blew my mind. But the more amazing part was to be with pastors and youth pastors from all over the country and watch it together. I can still remember the faces of everyone as they left. I can remember hearing pastors cry and gasp at what they saw. For many of us it finally came alive.

Since 2004, every year on Good Friday I take time by myself and with my wife to watch the Passion. For me it is a time to remember. To remember what Jesus went through for me...and for you! Its hard to watch everything that Jesus went through, knowing that was for me....let alone for everyone. Every lash, bash, and nail hurt as I see and hear it. It opens my eyes to how big a cost that just paid on that Friday. Too many days in my life I have taken that with a grain of salt. Over the last couple years I try to remember everyday what Jesus did for us on that one Friday. Those events changed the world forever.

If you have not read Six Hours One Friday. I challenge you to take the time to read it.

On the Way to the Cross

2011-04-22T07:52:00.003-04:00

Last night at our Lock-In, we showed this video from the Skit Guys and I wanted to share it with you on this Friday.

Will you make it personal?

Follow

2011-04-21T13:23:00.000-04:00

Old School Youth Ministry Video...Summer 2004..Punk'd

2011-04-19T08:06:00.007-04:00

I was going through my youtube channel the other day and found this classic video we made in the summer of 2004.

I'm starting to work on several videos like this again. I used to do these videos all the time for my different youth groups...So be on the lookout and subscribe to my blog and youtube channel

If you don't speak...then the message is never heard

2011-04-18T07:48:00.000-04:00

A while back a friend of mine asked me why I had stopped blogging. I told him that I was busy and just didn't make the time for it. He then responded that he enjoyed reading my blogs and that he saw that every time I posted that people always commented or liked on facebook. He told me that if I kept my ideas and my thoughts to myself, that I was doing an injustice to others. I laughed it off. But then really thought about it.

Today I'm looking at it in a different light. There are many of my high school and college friends that aren't in church and some don't even believe. I see my blog posts and my status updates as a chance to be a witness to them. I have had several of those friends over the last year tell me that these have helped them see God in a new a way and now are involved in church and some are even helping out in children's and youth ministry.

Its the same thing in real life...If we don't speak about God in our daily lives outside the church, then the message is never heard. I once heard that the quote, "You might be the only Bible anyone ever reads or hears". And also, "Preach the gospel always, If necessary use words." ~ St. Francis of Assisi.

So how will you speak today?

Palm Sunday

2011-04-17T11:40:00.001-04:00

Over the years, Palm Sunday leading up to Holy Week has always hit home. I always look at how it is so similar to our lives. We are just like those who were there laying down the palms and celebrating Christ. And then later in the week, we fall asleep, deny God, deny him again, and again. But then on the next Sunday we are Celebrating Him rising from the grave.

But at some point we have to be like the disciples, days and weeks after this and go into the world. We have to stop doubting and see that what God has done and is doing. We must take his message into the world. I have been reading a lot lately and have been looking at the first church in Acts. We need to move past the Holy Week denials and get excited about our God. We need to tell everyone about Him.

Who is someone in your life this week that you can invite to church on Easter and then follow-up with them the week after Easter...and the week after that.

I'm part of the Jesus Movement! Are you?

God's Chisel

2011-04-16T11:40:00.000-04:00

After seeing the Skit Guys for years now, this is still my favorite of theirs.

Take a couple minutes and see what God is telling you to let go of...

Flashback Friday...another brother in Christ..Bryan Hawkins

2011-04-15T08:17:00.001-04:00

I want to continue my flashback Friday or Friday Flashback blog by talking about another great brother in Christ that I am so blessed to call one of my best friends. His name is Bryan Hawkins. Almost 20 years ago I was at my friend, Scott Sickles' house when this little guy in glasses drives up in his go-kart. Scott introduced me to his neighbor Bryan. We became friends mostly at first because we both hung out with Scott. But a year or so later, Scott's dad, "Coach Dale" drafted both me and Bryan on the Tigers baseball team. That is where our friendship really started to happen. But it really wasn't until we both were in high school and were on the drumline together where we really became close. We were always at each other's houses, went on double dates together, had many inside jokes that we still talk about to this day. But late in our high school lives, both of our lives started to turn to God. Bryan went on a spiritual renewal weekend called Happening a year after I went. We both were involved in our church youth groups.
After high school I went to USC and marched on the USC drumline and Bryan started at UT and marched on the drumline there. We both joined fraternities, but we never lost touch. We would visit each other on weekends, fall breaks, and hang out at home during the Summer. Later in life, were in each other's weddings. Our children are about the same age and we still keep up with each other almost every week.

We have both walked strong with God and we have both ran from God. We have been there for each other during both of these times. I remember when Bryan's roommate at UT passed away. I remember how it changed Bryan's life. I remember reaching out and being there for him. Almost four years ago when my brother passed away, Bryan and his wife drove up for the funeral. As soon as the graveside service was over, Bryan was the first one to come up over to me. It meant more than he'll ever know.

You don't find friends like that. God puts those friends that are like siblings in your life for a reason. Bryan is a brother to me and I'm so thankful for his friendship for all these years. I wouldn't be the man I am in ministry if it weren't for him pushing me and always having an encouraging word when I needed it.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. -Proverbs 18:24

Praying for you

2011-04-14T11:05:00.002-04:00

In life, when something is going wrong with a friend or family member, we often say that we will pray for them. But do we? I know that over the years I have told someone that I would pray for a specific thing for someone and I would forget. Not on purpose but I would forget. So was it okay, since I told the person that I was going to pray for that I was going to? How many times has someone said they would pray for me and they didn't?

The past two Sundays I have challenged my students in my youth group to find someone they didn't know too well and pray for them before youth group was over. I also challenged them to call each other during the week daily and ask them if they had spent time with God and ask them for prayer concerns. Both weeks I didn't pray with any of my students, but have had several students text me and ask me those questions. It feels really good to know that someone is praying for me.

Several years ago I started making an excel sheet with several rows and columns numbered 1-31. On each day of the month, I pray for those students by name on the number of the date on that row. I feel prayer is very important. I have seen prayer change my life and other peoples lives.

I challenge you to take a few minutes today and pray for a friend. Text or call a friend and ask them what you can pray for them.

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4: 2

We are good at Pretending to be Christians

2011-04-13T08:27:00.002-04:00

Sunday I shared a true story to our Confirmation Class and to our youth group that happened to me a couple weeks ago...

A few weeks ago on a Tuesday I was finished with my work around the office but it was too early to pick my daughter from day care, so I decided to take a field trip. I went to the "Proving Grounds" where the University of South Carolina Gamecocks Football team was having spring practice. It was the first time I had ever been to practice. I saw on the website that it was open to the public, but it had no instructions or directions on where to go. I drove down there and I parked right next to the field. I saw several people and players entering a gate, so I just followed. I just happened to have on a Carolina Under Armor coaches shirt and a grabbed a Gamecock visor and put it on. I walked in and walked right past security and was just standing around trying to figure out where to go to watch practice. I soon noticed that I was standing with several of the coaches...Ellis Johnson, Spurrier Jr. to name a few...then another security office came up and asked if I was one of the new coaches. I thought about it for a second and then said no I'm just here to watch practice and he then showed me where to stand.

I later thought, what would have happened if I would said "Yeah I'm helping with the receivers or special teams."

But my point to this and my lessons on Sunday is that we are called to Holy Living. But over the years we have learned to dress the part and we have become really good at pretending to be Christians. We can come in on Sundays and Wednesdays, and dress the right way and act the right way. But in the end, we really are just pretending. I could have told the security officer that I was a coach, but soon enough I might have been caught...maybe not.

As a youth pastor of going on 14 years...its has been easy at times over the years to pretend. There has been times when I have not stopped and taken care of myself and was not right with God. But I pretended. I was really good at...I was so good at it that I was still on the outside a "great" youth pastor. I knew the lingo, I could still put on a great lesson, a great youth program, and teach a great bible study! But inside I was so far from God. And until I finally took a step back and stopped.

And when I stopped and I was real with myself and real with God...things changed. I went from pretending to be with God to running with God! It is very tough at times for us to do that, but once we do that God will work and He will work in amazing ways.

We have all been guilty at times of playing church and pretending to be a Christian for a couple hours a few times a week. But that's not what God wants of us. He wants us to stop pretending. He wants us to live an abundant life!

We need to show our transformation that God has done in us all the days of our lives and not try to just show it for a few hours a week.

Romans 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

USC Gamecocks Player Testimonies part 2

2011-04-12T12:17:00.000-04:00

Part II of USC Gamecocks Player (Marcus Lattimore, TJ Johnson, Kenny Miles, and Justice Cunningham)

USC Gamecocks Player Testimonies part 1

2011-04-12T10:13:00.001-04:00

This past Saturday I took a group of my students to the University of South Carolina Spring Game.

Before the game USC FCA and Kingdom Builders had Q&A with several of the USC Gamecocks Player (Marcus Lattimore, TJ Johnson, Kenny Miles, and Justice Cunningham)

Monday after the Masters

2011-04-11T09:25:00.001-04:00

Since 1995 Hootie and Blowfish have put on Monday after the Masters golf tournament. The tournament, featuring athletes, musicians, actors and pro golfers, raises money for junior golf and educational charities in South Carolina. I've never been able to attend, but always have seen the event as a great thing.

For many of us...every Monday...we have "A case of the Mondays" (Office Space). We just feel blah and we really don't care. But imagine if we treated every Monday as Monday after the Masters. What if we made a difference in other peoples lives after an amazing Master's Sunday that we had in church. As Christians, we should never have "a case of the Mondays." But just like after the most exciting day of golf...Master's Sunday...we should be like everyone who comes together in Myrtle Beach on the Monday after the Masters. We should take the message to the world. We should give back to others. We should be excited after having an amazing day of worship on our own Master's Sunday.

Ephesians 3:12;16-19
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence ... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God

Masters Sunday

2011-04-10T11:47:00.012-04:00

I know I've already posted one blog this week on the Masters...but what can I say I have Masters Fever. I was talking to a good friend in ministry from Augusta this week Jason. Both of us no longer live in Augusta, but agreed that this week we have Masters Fever. To us it should be Spring Break and we should be headed to the Augusta National to watch the Masters. Like I said in my earlier post there is nothing like it.

One of my best friends Bryan Hawkins this week had the chance to take his wife and posted on Facebook "just left the Masters. Wow. The fairways were beautiful. We sat in Amen Corner and I wondered how people don't believe in God."

Which brings us to Master's Sunday. It is the final day of the best golf tournament, the toughest course, and the most beautiful course. So many times growing up Master's Sunday either started or ended Holy Week. I always thought that was kind of cool. I wish that we would be excited every Sunday for our Master's Sunday.

We have so many things that lead us up to Sunday worship. We have work, school...and just LIFE in general. Just like in golf we have a practice round. Every day we need to practice what we preach. We need to live a life of worship and just not one time a week or for some of us once or twice a year. We overlook everyday God's beautiful creation of life and the planet we live on. We forget to celebrate and thank him for the many blessings He gives us.

The Sunday roars at Augusta brings chills to many, but as David Crowder's song says...my God's not Dead...He's surely ALIVE and He's living on the inside ROARING like a lion! Let God roar inside of you like the roars of a birdie or eagle at Augusta on Master's Sunday...EVERYDAY!

So as someone prepares to put on the Green Jacket for another time or maybe the first time, think about the last time you were excited for Sunday to be here and the chance to go to church and worship our creator, our God, our Master? Do you have the same excitement as those who watch, play, or win the Masters? When is the last time you saw the beauty of God in nature or on a golf course and just thanked God?

Amen!

Dropbox App

2011-04-09T11:11:00.002-04:00

Dropbox was my favorite APP before I even had an Iphone or an Ipad. I signed up for Dropbox about an year ago. Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by Dropbox, Inc. which uses cloud computing to enable users to store and share files and folders with others across the Internet using file synchronization. I read about it online and saw several friends post about it on Facebook. I used it at first to save files from church that I could then access at home via Dropbox on my desktop and laptop. It was a great way to not have to carry around and lose a USB drive.

In the fall I started using with one of my best friends Mark Ashby. We used to share ministry resources and bounce ideas off each other without having to email. We just would save it in our shared folder.

During the past month I have used it to save PDF from my MacBook and then access it on my iPad. Last month I led worship for Mark's youth group and had every worship set in a PDF and then would access it from Dropbox and then open it in iBooks and then put my iPad on its stand and I saved a tree or two! Every Sunday night I know have all my songs and my lesson on my iPad via Dropbox. For my small groups and Sunday School lessons I do the same. It is a great lifesaver!

So quick summary...Dropbox creates a folder on your machine that is automatically synced to the web, where you can easily access your files from any web browser or from your iPhone, Blackberry, or Android. It also has the ability to upload files to this folder via the browser too, making it really handy and an easy way to remotely start torrent downloads. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Click the link below and and both you and I get an extra 250MB of space, just by signing up
http://db.tt/ruOxR4g

Friday Flashback: Friend in Ministry: The Paul in my life

2011-04-08T10:34:00.008-04:00

Here at USCEROCK.COM I had the idea to start on the Friday Flashback....

I want to talk about a great friend in my life who I have looked up to for over 20 years. His name is Matt Jennings...Matt is two years older and has always been a great friend. My earliest memory of Matt was at a JR MYF lock-in back in 1989 where I remember trading him for a 1989 Donruss John Smoltz Rookie Card which I still have...funny how you remember those things. Over the years Matt was like a big brother to me. He always looked out for me and always encouraged me. During High School He led our guys high school Bible Study. We would meet at the church of Saturday mornings and have Bible Study and then we would go get Little Caesar's Pizza and every Saturday we would watch and quote "Tommy Boy". Our group had a great bond and Matt was a great student leader. Matt was always on top of the newest and best Christian Music. Matt introduced me to groups like Skillet, Third Day, Jars of Clay, and many others. Matt always kept us all accountable. He always checked in on all of us guys and followed up when we going through tough times.

When Matt was a freshman in college he took a part time Youth Ministry job in Augusta. Even though he had his own group, he still kept up with us. Around this time is when I also was accepting my calling into youth ministry. I learned a lot from Matt during his time there. I remember going over to his office and also helping him reorganize his youth room. I'm sure he didn't know then or does he know now...as he's most likely reading this how much an impact he had on my life.
I think back to the car rides after school, the talks at Marvin UMC, him inviting us into his parents house, him inviting us over to his first place and making us breakfast, talks at Awanita, skits at Awanita, many retreats, River of Life, Chrysalis, the countless WCW pay-per-views with his best friend Gordon, our taking over at Augusta State University and making the GWO, being part of his wedding as a groomsman, and now keeping up with him on Facebook, his blog, and twitter. You don't find friends like this too often.

Mattee, you were like Paul to me. I thank God everyday for our friendship, even though we don't talk that often. But know that you made a huge impact in my life and many others. I would not be the person in ministry today without the guidance you helped give me in middle school and high school.

To my blog followers....Who was Paul to you in your walk with Christ? Who encouraged you?

By: Matt Jennings

It's hard to be a spectator

2011-04-07T17:22:00.001-04:00

The other day in our staff meeting we discussed about how over the years we have heard the comment...I just don't get anything out of the service. We talked about it for a couple minutes. We talked about there are so many Sundays that you have to be without a pulse or asleep not to get fired up for God.

But when it comes down to it you only get out of it what you put into it. Let's face it many people come to church and that is the only God they get all week. That is the only time they stop and pray. That is the only time the open their Bibles. That is the only time they read from scripture. That is the only time they take time for God.

I don't if its just me and growing up in the church and working in the church for years. But I just don't see how people can say they don't get anything out of it. I have heard many a bad sermon and have heard Open the Eyes a zillion times. But I know that if I don't put myself to the side I will get nothing out it. I have had amazing times of worship with bad preaching and bad music. Why? Because its not about the pastor or the worship band. Its about opening up and allowing God in. Its about saying thank you to God. Its about an encounter that cannot be described. For me, its hard to sit back and not let God move.

"God doesn't want something from us. He simply wants us." -CSLewis

Take the time the next time you go to worship, to give yourself to God and see what happens...

4 levels of youth ministry

2011-04-06T23:08:00.002-04:00

On Monday, I sat down with my intern Andrew and we discerned what God wanted for the youth ministry we are serving. We dug deep for hour talking about several things. So far this is what we have come up with so far.
1. Socialize
2. Fellowship
3. Disciple
4. Missions

We discussed how too often that churches focus on the first level. Youth ministries too often confuse socializing with fellowship. We try to make it fun and inviting, but true fellowship that is outlined in Eph. 4 and 5 never happens. And that is why in our view that students leave the church after graduating high school. We focus too much on the fun times and making sure everyone is happy.

The Second level is fellowship. Biblical fellowship is both vertical and horizontal. When we are saved, we are brought into fellowship not only with God, but with all others who share this same salvation in Christ.
Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
But the problem is that too many times our students do not experience this.

The third level is becoming disciples. We discussed that to be a disciple of Christ means that you must study His Word, and live the Word. As a disciple of the Lord, you will be asked to spread His Word regardless of the sacrifices and the personal difficulties you will have to endure. And we often don't get our students to this point.

The fourth level is mission. We are called to to go to all nations in the Great Commission. We preach Matthew 28 all the time but at most we take a out of country mission trip or a one week trip in state. And thats what our students see as going into the world. They do not see that their family and friends are part of the Great Commission.

As we dive deeper into this, I will continue to elaborate on this...Please share your thoughts....

Making Time for God

2011-04-05T23:04:00.001-04:00

Sunday Night I spoke to my students about being devoted to God and how tough we can make it out to be. We all have our excuses of being too tired, too busy, or just forgetting to spend time with God. I'm just as guilty as the next person. My wife works three nights a week in the ER. Which means there are 3-4 nights during the week that I wake up when she gets home around 7ish. I get ready, I help her get our daughter ready, and then I take our daughter to daycare. I then go to the office...I try to carve out time when I get there to spend time with God. But too often meetings, people stopping me in the hall, phone calls, or other distractions keep that from happening...then the next thing you know its time to pick up my daughter from daycare. I rush home to cook dinner or pick up dinner for my wife. We eat, we try to have family devotion before she heads back to work...and then its daddy/daughter time...then after I get her put to bed which is usually around 8-9 I clean the house, wash dishes, do laundry, check email, finish work, grade papers, watch tv, and finally relax. By that time I'm usually checked out and its hard for me to take time at night...or at least I don't always make time at night to spend with God.

I look back to my junior and senior year of high school. I used to wake up twice a week to meet with my guys small group on Tuesdays at McDonalds and go meet with another friend on Friday at Waffle House to have Bible study. Every morning and every night I would spend time with God...lots of time...life was good. I was good...I had a great love for God...in college I had many times just like that as well, but when I got to the real world over time I got slack. I miss those years. I am working to get back to that. I know what to do...its just sometimes hard. I say that because when I do make the time I too often try to come up with a great lesson or a sermon instead of just being in communion with God and enjoy it. I have to take off the professional youth worker hat and just be me.

How do you spend time with God? What works for you?

The Preacher Your Preacher Could Preach Like

2011-04-05T22:49:00.000-04:00

As a Methodist and Cokesbury customer...I love this!

Masters Week

2011-04-05T11:07:00.000-04:00

For the past 4 Masters weeks, it has been very emotional for me. I grew up seven and half miles from the Augusta National. From 1987-2004 I went at least one practice round, one tournament day, or worked the Masters. I'll never forget in 1987 when my Mom and Dad took me to my first practice round. I was all about collecting autographs. Over the years I made it on the front page of the Augusta Chronicle twice and was on ESPN a couple times. I saw many great golf shots. I met many great golf legends. I made many memories with family and friends.

In 1996 I took my little brother Michael for the first time. I still remember his look when we first walked on the grounds of Augusta. He was only 11 and had only played golf in our front yard, on video games and at Putt-Putt.

I think back to 1997 when we went and we were about to leave and as we were heading to the gate we noticed Tiger teeing off on the first tee. We followed him as he played the front 9 along with about 10 other people, since everyone else had pretty much left for the day. I remember seeing the excitement in my brother as he watched the biggest name in golf dominate the course.

I look back and remember the times we didn't have tickets and would go from parking lot to parking lot on Washington Road looking for a face-value practice round. And without a doubt every time Michael would be the one to land us the tickets at face value.

We always joked about who ever died first the other would spread their ashes at Augusta at the 16th hole. That was our favorite spot on the course. During practice rounds we would sit their for hours watching golfers come through and we would yell "skip it" and try to get them to skip it across the water after they took a couple shots. Michael and I witnessed many hole-in-ones at 16.

Augusta is home to me and always will be. The Masters is a special tournament because it is home. It reminds me of many great memories with family and friends. It reminds me of great times with my brother.
Every year since I was little...Master's week was special. And now going on my fourth Masters after my brother passed away it is still special and a very emotional week.

That was easy

2011-04-04T23:47:00.001-04:00

Two weeks ago in the Youth Ministry class that I'm teaching online through Columbia College I discussed in my lecture the dangers of prepackaged ministry material. You can go anywhere online these days and have a lesson on your desktop, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or smartphone in less than a click. Some are free. Some cost monthly. Some cost per download. You can buy entire series. If you really wanted to you could buy enough from Simply Youth or Youth Specialties for the rest of your youth ministry career in just a couple minutes. You can drive down to Cokesbury bookstore, Family Christian Bookstore, or Lifeway Christian Bookstore and have lessons for weeks and weeks.

And its that easy!

But too many times youth workers fall into the easy trap. They buy the latest and greatest ministry material because of cool packaging, a tweet, a email, or a facebook link. They often just open it up, print it out, and that is their lesson prep. They pay no attention to the original audience that the material was written for. They take Doug Fields outline and read it not thinking that their youth group in middle America is not the same as the students that attend Saddleback.

Society teaches us that easy is best. But when we do this in ministry, we are shorting ourselves, our students, but most importantly God.

I'm not saying not to buy any of these materials, because I own pretty much every Simply Youth and Youth Specialties item from doing this for going on fourteen years now. I'm saying if you use it, take the time to read it and adapt it to you group, your demographics. Many times I just use the title, the main scripture, and the graphics. But I generally spend 4-6 hours preparing my weekly lesson.

In the past when I was lazy, I fell into the easy trap and my ministry suffered because of my laziness. I look back and I learn. I know I will not let myself fall into that trap again.

Take advantage of these resources, they're are a great start. But be sure not to rely on them without putting your own God-given knowledge and theology into them. Lesson prep is not easy, but don't short yourself by not taking the time to make it your own!

Mega Bible Commentaries App

2011-04-01T23:58:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorite ministry Apps. I first bought it last year while finishing my Masters of Christian Education for my iPod Touch. It is a great resource to have. I used so many times in class, but now I daily use it to look up things when preparing for a small group, Sunday school lesson, youth group lesson, and personal study. You can't beat the price of $1.99. They now have several Apps like this for the iPad which I plan on downloading in a few minutes. I just found out about them when I went to their homepage to get the pictures for this blog.
Here are a couple screen shots...

Mega Bible Commentaries features 23 commentaries on the Bible, along with 24 English Bible translations. The commentaries include John Wesley's Commentary, the Geneva Study Bible, Coffman NT, Matthew Henry Concise, John Lightfoot's Commentary on the Gospels, and many more.

Great Buy for only $1.99

Bible App

2011-03-31T23:42:00.001-04:00

This is by far my most used App in ministry. I use it when looking up scripture while sitting in service on Sunday mornings. I use it daily for personal devotion time. I use when someone asks me about a scripture. I use it in small groups. I read out of it when I preach on Sunday nights. It is a great App and has so many useful features.

YouVersion did a great job with it and I'm so glad that they have made an iPad version of it. Here are a couple screen shots.

The best part is that it is totally free! So if you have a smart phone, iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch...Go download it!

I admit it I'm a MAC now...

2011-03-30T23:21:00.001-04:00

For years, my Uncle Ed (my dad's twin brother) has been telling me and my dad that we needed to get away from the PC world and join the Mac family. We didn't listen, we were a Dell family. For as long as I can remember we have owned Dell computers in our household. Last year, my laptop for school died and I needed a new one. I looked at the MacBooks but ended up going with a Sony Vaio with Windows 7. I made fun of youth workers and pastors over the past couple years at every conference I went to and seeing them online for having to have MacBooks to do ministry. All the "cool" pastors and youth pastors used them...i.e. Andy Stanley, Steven Furtick.....

I was satisfied with my iPod as being my only Mac product....Then last July our Verizon contract was up and we were fed up with the horrible customer service and the numerous dropped calls in Charlotte, NC with Verizon. So after test driving a couple iPhones of our students, we made the move to AT&T and the iPhone. Since then we have had great service and only a few dropped calls for all of you nay sayers on AT&T having horrible service. We have had nothing but great service, we have saved over $40 a month on our bill and we love our iPhones!

When we moved and started at our new church, I found out that I was going to get a new computer and so I decided to go with a MacBook Pro. At first I wasn't convinced that the Mac was better for me than my PC. I did not like iWorks and a few other things...But after a few weeks of using my MacBook Pro and learning it I don't know how I've lived without it!

Then a couple weeks ago I made the plunge and bought an iPad. Several people said it was just because I was becoming a Mac fanboy...but I saw a huge need for it. I love it. I use it so much for ministry. I now put all my small group lessons, my worship set lists, and my Sermons in dropbox and then open it up on my iPad and save tons of paper. It has made me so more productive and organized.

Plus there are so many Apps that I use in ministry.

Yes I'm a convert! We have become an Apple family. It started with an iPod in 2004...now we own an iPod 80gb, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod Touch, Two iPhone 3GS, a MacBook Pro, and an iPad. And one day when our Dell takes its final Blue Screen we will get an iMac or a MacPro

Over the next couple weeks I'll review several Apps that I use daily on my iPad and iPhone and how I use them in ministry.

Blogging

2011-03-29T23:21:00.000-04:00

I know I've said several times in past posts that I was going to get blogging again...I have been, but its been reading. Lately I've been reading tons of blogs. There is some great ministry tips out there and thanks to twitter and google reader I keep busy reading them. I'm using them to help me professionally and personally spiritually. I have been really busy with several things of late. I have been writing lists down for future blogs. And I hope to get back into daily writing again. Just lately I've been doing more reading and educating that blogging myself. But I that will be changing soon.

Penn Gillette gets a gift of a Bible

2011-03-29T23:13:00.000-04:00

Someone sent me this video of Penn of Penn & Teller. I found this video to very interesting. I used to watch them all the time growing up on Comedy Central. This past week I taught Confirmation Class at our church and we talked about the importance of scripture and our Bibles. The students shared their thoughts on their Bibles. Only 3 out of 10 had their Bibles with them and one had it on his iPhone. We talked about how we should read it daily and share it. The students talked about how they had received several Bibles over their lifetime and that most of them sat and collected dust. I then went over to my bookshelf (we had the class in my office) and looked at the 12 different Bibles that I have there. I use almost all of them weekly (different translations and different highlights and notes from over the years).
One of my students then said that we should share more often.
I look at Penn here, a known atheist, was given the gift of a Bible. He could have easily accepted the gift and never shared that he got this. But what strikes me is that he posted in his video blog. I find it amazing how much respect that he gave this man who gave him the gift of God's word to share it with all of his fans. I find that really amazing after seeing many of his shows and interviews with him over the years. He might not have changed his view at this point, but I really feel that God used this man and is working in him. I pray for Penn. I also pray for all his followers and fans that see this.

When is the last time you shared a Bible with someone?
How can we be more like the man who gave the Bible and show God's love to others?

Revolution 2011

2011-02-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

All I can say is wow! What an awesome weekend with 3,000 students and adults from the South Carolina United Methodist Conference at Revolution 2011. We had a great time of worship with My Dear Demas, Empire State, George Moss, and the Robbie Seay Band. Olu Brown delivered a great message. Students brought in hundreds of towels and socks to supply local ministries in the Columbia area. They also packed 10,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now. Over 100 students accepted a calling into ministry.

May The Force be with you!

2011-02-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

I've had several friends send me this youtube link this morning. Being a Star Wars Fan, I loved it!

But God spoke to me when I watched it the second time. This little boy trying to use the force is sometimes

like how we are in our Christian lives. We try and try and try and nothing happens. We get discouraged when we fail.

One of favorites verses in the Bible is, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Cor. 3:6-7

There are times when we really want someone to "get it" We want them to have the fire that we have for God. We get frustrated. We pray for them. We invite them to every event at the church. We get other people to do the same. We need to remember that only God makes things Grow.

So don't be discouraged, but be patient and continue to follow God and allow Him to work in you and through you! And may the Force be with you!

Giving things up

2011-02-02T22:44:00.000-05:00

On Monday, Jessica and I decided that it was time for our daughter Mallory to give up her pacifier. She is almost 16 months old and we felt that it was time. As you can see in the picture above, she didn't have a normal pacifier, but what is called a wubbanub. Its a pacifier and stuffed animal all in one. It has been a comfort for her in so many ways, but it was time for her to let it go. Suprisingly it hasn't been too bad. We were told that she has didn't even miss it at daycare. She has though missed it some at home when it was bedtime the past two nights.

I see this as when we need to let go of things that are holding us back in our Christian lives. It is sometimes really easy, but also really tough to let go of the things that seem good, but in the end could cause us harm. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is just give it over to God and do it "cold turkey". Even though during the first couple days/weeks it can be tough as we are used to doing those things.

I challenge you if there is something you are holding on to...just to LET GO and LET GOD!

Ski Retreat 2011

2011-02-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

Just got back from an amazing weekend with 31 high school students and adults at Winter Place, WV. After doing numerous ski retreats over the past 12 years, I would have to say this one was one of the best! First..We had ZERO injuries or incidents with the Ski Patrol. We had an great time studying "Busyness". It was also amazing to see students stick together on the slopes. I'm used to everyone grouping up in groups of 3 or 4 and not seeing anyone until it was meal time. We had groups of 9, 12, 15, or more all the time and they enjoyed skiing together and staying together. They took the time to help those who were having trouble learning or remembering how to ski. They stuck together as a group.

I think we can all learn a lot from this group and how they acted this weekend. We need to stick together even when times are tough. We need to be there as a large church family to help those when they are down and help them finish their journey by helping them to learn and grow.

During the next five weeks, I'm going to be teaching our small groups, the Essence of Christianity. This will help everyone to stick together like our group did over the weekend. We will walk, talk, and learn together the essence of being a Christian.

E

Update

2011-01-27T18:45:00.000-05:00

Well I've finally had a "normal" week! First real normal week since I've been here in Columbia...but technically its not a "normal" week since we are leaving tomorrow for our Ski Retreat. But it looks like I'm finally catching up on things and getting a routine down here. One big help is that I have a computer that works works in real time now. Last week we upgraded my office computer to a MacBook Pro. You ask why? Well after my years of iPods, iTouch, iShuffle, & iPhone...I had to finally convert over to the dark side and go MAC. For the past couple of years I've debated about going Mac for ministry purposes. I like to incorporate video and graphics in ministry and really Mac hands down is more productive when it comes to those two.

So I'm now into my second week of being a Mac owner and really the learning curve was not as bad as some have told me. I do admit it is weird not having the right click on the touch pad, but when I hook up a wireless mouse i have it. But really no big deal! I really like everything else. Still learning iWeb, Final Cut, and iWorks...but I'll be a pro in no time.

In the upcoming weeks I plan on doing a weekly video blog for the parents and students of my youth group to give a recap of Sunday night. It was a really neat idea that one of my volunteers/parents had. We are also working towards having my weekly messages from youth being podcasted. I will keep all updated on it.

Looking forward to an AMAZEEEE----ING Ski Retreat this weekend!

Getting ready for Passion 2011

2010-12-31T12:04:00.001-05:00

The last time I've been to a Passion "Main Event" was back in 2002, right after I graduated from the University of South Carolina. The Passion Movement helped mold me and shape me into the Student Pastor I am today. It introduced me to an amazing new way to look at God.

I learned who David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Steve Fee, Matt Redman, and so many other Christian worship leaders were before they were played daily on every Christian radio station. Those guys and worship leaders taught me how to really let go and worship. It also inspired me more and more to learn worship songs and to want to lead worship.

Over the past thirteen years I have learned so much from Louie Giglio. Between Passion Events, attending 7:22, listening to sermon cds, reading his books, he has helped me grow in my walk with God. Louie helped me realize how small I am and how BIG God really is.

And tomorrow I have the privilege of taking 13 students and leaders to Passion 2011. I am really excited to go now not as a participant, but as a leader. Words cannot describe the honor I feel to be leading this group this weekend and being able to see these students and leaders grow in their faith.

Don't put Jesus first this year! ??????

2010-12-30T11:58:00.000-05:00

Don't Put Jesus First Trailer from Geoff Schultz on Vimeo.

Elevation Church is kicking off the new year with a worship experience we’re titling “Don’t Put Jesus First.” They’re challenging everyone to not put Jesus first, at the top of your new-years-resolution-list-of-things-to-do. But instead, allow Jesus to infiltrate every single thing you do this year.

What an amazing concept for a New Years Resolution! Instead of putting the typical churchy new years resolutions, just put God in the center of all your life! What would happen to the church if we did this? What would happen in our schools, in our work places, in our families, or in our community? All I can say is wow!

I think it is really cool how God works. Last night we had a Bible study for my new youth group. They call Wednesday nights here REFUEL. And last night we talked about how 2011 will be different. We came up with New Years resolutions for our group last night. And then this morning I see a tweet on this worship experience that Elevation is doing this weekend and it fit exactly into what my students were talking about last night.

I hope that you take the time this New Year to put God in the center of everything you do. Imagine what things could be!!!!!

Back to blogging

2010-12-30T08:07:00.001-05:00

After several weeks off from taking a break from blogging, I'm back at it. The past month has gone by so fast! It really doesn't seem that I really haven't blogged since we moved. Moving during the holidays, both Thanksgiving and Christmas season, not to mention starting a new job has kept me away from writing some posts. I have a couple in waiting that I will save for a rainy or sick day.

So we are now a month into life in South Carolina. Most of the boxes are unpacked. And in the next week or so, more boxes will be packed as our Christmas items will go back in boxes for 11 months! Life is good. We are both enjoying our new jobs and our daughter has started in daycare. The only complaint we really have is that our house in Charlotte still has not sold. But we are not worried! Because everyday in small ways as well as BIG ways we see that God has truly called us here. Words can express how BIG our GOD is and how when you really let go and let Him take control, amazing things happen. We are true examples with this move on how BIG GOD IS! Jessica and I daily share these things and this has gone on for a month now. We are both just amazed!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:19

Nativity Dance

2010-12-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

Our version (Rock Solid Student Ministries at Mt. Hebron UMC in West Columbia, SC) of the Nativity Dance originally done by Highland Park Presb. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPDQFG...

Thanks to Lars Rood from HPPC

Eclipse

2010-12-21T11:45:00.000-05:00

Last night we had a rare Lunar Eclipse. I tried to view it twice last night, but due to cloud coverage I was unable to view it. When I returned inside I read this on Pastor Adam Hamilton's Facebook status...

Lunar Eclipse: In the heavens tonight a full moon's light extinguished - darkness overcomes the light. The winter solstice is the longest night of the year - darkness seems to have the upper hand. This year the solstice was combined with a total eclipse of the moon - where we could see light conquered by darkness.

No one knows the day Jesus was born. The early church adopted December 25th because it roughly coincided with the time surrounding the winter solstice. This date was a way of saying, "In Jesus' birth, light has come into the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it!" Tonight the solstice was combined with a lunar eclipse - darkness seems to conquer light.

In a few minutes the light of the moon will reappear - conquering the darkness. And from this night on for the next six months, daylight increases and darkness decreases. This is a powerful metaphor for Christmas. On Christmas Eve we celebrate Christ's role in overcoming the darkness by lighting candles, but tonight the heavens told the story this for us. How cool is that?!

Legendary

2010-12-15T12:51:00.000-05:00

Last week I had my first experience at Mt. Hebron UMC Rock Solid Student Ministries Bovotions... Bovotions is where the students meet at our local Bojangles restaurant on "Late Arrival" Wednesdays for breakfast, prayer, and a devo to get the day started right! I have always been a big fan of Bojangles food and sweet tea. As I walked over to get my sweet tea last week I noticed that not only the sweet tea said "legendary" but also the unsweet tea said it was legendary...which made me think....
Sweet tea takes some work and perfection to make. You have to add the right amount of sugar to give it that perfect Southern Flavor. But then on the other hand, how can unsweet tea be as "legendary". It really takes no effort to make it. You just put tea bags in hot water and take it out at the right time.
So here is my analogy and deep thought...blog post of the day...and also the Bovotion that I gave this morning. For us to be "legendary" in our lives, we must be the sweet tea as Christians. We must take the extra time and effort to be Christians. Too often we are just the unsweet "legendary" Tea. We just show up, give little effort, but label ourselves as "legendary".
My Challenge for all of us is to be "Legendary" Sweet Tea Christians! Take the time to listen to God for His right recipe for you life, add his sweetness daily, and don't settle for unsweet tea!

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

2010-11-17T13:46:00.000-05:00

Boxes are everywhere! They are packed and stacked in my office! They are in our garage...they are all over our house! We are moving in a week! And there are more empty boxes than packed boxes in our house.

Packing and moving days are on the top of my list of what I do not like to do. Even though we are very much looking forward to our move to our new church and new city...I have always hated the process of going through things, finding things, throwing away things while preparing to move.

Moving in ministry is emotional. While packing my office I have found pictures, retreat flyers, books, skit supplies, and more. Each have brought a memory of that event. I think of the lives that were changed. I think of the smiles and the tears at each event.

Too often, we box these memories up never to be seen again in our spiritual lives. We go on a retreat, go to a concert, have an amazing night at youth, and box up the awesome gift that God gave us. We never reveal it to anyone else. We do not share the Good news. We sometimes never speak of it again.

I challenge you to unpack your spiritual hiding boxes. Share what God has done for you in your life with someone else today. The gifts that God gives us should be shared and not boxed up as just another memory!

Transitions

2010-11-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

As you know from my previous two blogs, I have accepted a new job in student ministry and stepped down from my current position. Right now is a tough transition in ministry. I am currently backing up files, reorganizing, typing passwords and accounts, laying out upcoming lessons for my adults, turning in receipts, finalizing the winter retreat for my current church. As I do this I am talking with my new church, getting files, setting up email, and starting to plan December.

Transition is tough. There is a lot of emotions going on as I pack and prepare to leave. I look back at all the great things that God did here. I look at how the students have grown in their faith. I look at the 20+ retreats I have taken this group on during the past four years. I look at how many lives have been committed to Christ. I look at the number of files of talks, small groups, and Sunday School lessons that have taken place. It is so awesome to see how BIG our God is!

It is hard to see my current students hurt as my family is preparing to leave. I know for them it seems like the end. But as I look forward I see a group of students who felt the same way a couple months ago and I see the excitement in their messages on Facebook and their numerous friend requests. I am reminded that my current students will feel the same way in a couple months when God sends who He is calling to take this group to the next level.

I am beyond excited about the new possibilities, the new friendships, the new ministries, and the new memories that will start at the end of the month. We are so excited about our new church family and are ready for a great transition into the lives of our new church!

Hard Saying Goodbye

2010-11-08T15:18:00.000-05:00

Last night was a very tough night for me, as I resigned from my position as the director of Student Ministries. Last Wednesday, I accepted a new job in student ministry in South Carolina. It is a great opportunity for me and our family. It also puts us closer to family and friends. The past couple days it was very tough to know that I was going to have to tell my students and adults that I was going to be leaving. I have invested my last four years in most of their lives. How do you just tell them that you are leaving in less than a month? There is not an easy way to do that.

The scripture I used last night was Philippians 1: 3-³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

It is amazing to look back at the last four years here at Blair Road UMC and see how much the students have grown in their walk with God. And it was very evident last night when they stood one by one and told of how they have grown. They each have an amazing testimony. I look at my favorite verses in ministry, 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it but God made it Grow." In ministry we sometimes plant the seed, sometimes we are the ones that waters and nurtures it, but God grows it. In ministry, people come and go. There is always a transition in small group leaders, sunday school teachers, and other positions. There are so many that plant seeds, there are many that water the seeds, and we never know sometimes which ones we are. We must always keep our heart and eyes on God so that He can make them grow.

And when I look at both of those verses as I start packing my things to head to Columbia, SC, I know that God is in control. I will always have a special place in my heart for the students and congregation here at Blair Road UMC.

Making a move

2010-11-07T19:05:00.001-05:00

After much thought and prayer and discussion with my family, I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Director of Student Ministries here at Blair Road United Methodist Church effect November 28, 2010. Our last Sunday will be November 21st. I have decided to take a Youth Pastor position in Lexington, SC starting in the end of November. The decision was very tough, but after many hours of prayer and talking with my wife bride Jessica, our close friends, spiritual mentors, and our family, I feel that it is the best decision and opportunity for me, Jessica, and Mallory.

I want to thank you for this opportunity to work with the youth at Blair Road United Methodist 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. I appreciate your trust and confidence in my abilities and your support. I am grateful for the opportunities and experience and for the many friends that I have made along the way.

Thank you for your understanding and for the privilege of serving the youth and congregation of Blair Road United Methodist Church. I have always said that God is in control and continue to believe that now. My departing Scripture of encouragement is Philippians 4:6, 7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I have every bit of confidence in our students and adults. There is no doubt that this ministry will continue to excel. I shall keep you all in my prayers. I pray that you will do the same for me and my family.

In Christ,

Eric

Its Gameday....

2010-11-06T11:21:00.000-04:00

I think I want to rename this one in the honor a great 90's one hit wonder...
One of my favorite games in youth ministry is a game called Crossed or Uncrossed also known as Scissors...

Scissors is a neat trick to have in your bag for those down times when everyone is getting bored. Unfortunately, you can not do it more than once with the same group. If you do not have a pair of scissors, two sticks, two pencils or anything which can simulate open or closed scissors will do.

Have the group sit in a circle. While passing the scissors to the person on his/her right, the leader says "I receive the scissors (either open or closed) and I pass them (either open or closed)".

The person receiving repeats the statement while passing to the next person. The leader (and anyone else who has caught on to the trick) announces if each part of the statement is right or wrong. Continue until everyone can pass the scissors correctly.

The trick has nothing to do with the scissors. Open and closed refer to whether the person's legs or feet are crossed (closed) or uncrossed (open) when receiving and passing.

This activity usually generates some discussion about the importance of looking past the obvious and thinking creatively. Every time I've seen the game played it lasts quite a while. It is so funny to see the confusion when people think they have it right and they are wrong!

Try it!

My Roots in youth ministry: Part I

2010-11-05T23:03:00.000-04:00

In December of 1997, I started in first paid youth ministry position at Faith United Methodist Church in Lexington, SC. Recently I have looked back at my time there. I have looked at my notes and my talk outlines, and I have really learned a lot. I was getting paid $5,000 a year and had a $500 yearly budget. I had a youth room that doubled as the church preschool during the week. I was a freshman in college and only 18 years old when I started. I had one youth that was 19. But none of that was a discouragement. I was so excited to be in ministry. I was excited to be where God was calling me. I had no clue that I was under paid and that my budget was so small. All I saw was a couple of teenagers that were excited to have me there and ready to learn about God.

I have recently became friends with several of my first group of youth on Facebook and after going through my records I have found my roster of students. I really want to reconnect with as many as possible to hear what they are doing today and see how they are.

To be continued....

Throw Back Thursday

2010-11-04T17:29:00.000-04:00

After several different ideas that went through my head of what I should blog about today...I thought of a song that I wanted to share. Its an older song that has meant a lot to me and Jessica during the past eight months.

In youth ministry, God daily dares us to move and get out of our comfort zone. Too often we stick with what we know and how we have always done things. Lately God has really been challenging me and several of my youth ministry friends to get out of our comfort zone and do BIG things.

God is always calling us to do BIG things in His name, but too often we are lazy or too comfortable. So today I dare you to move in a different direction. Move out of your comfort zone!

Dividing into thirds

2010-11-03T11:07:00.000-04:00

A couple years ago I had several friends who stepped down from their positions in youth ministry after being burned out. Two of them were single and the other was married. They were only getting paid to serve in their church for 40 hours a week, yet they were working 60-80 hours a week every week. They were doing great ministry by going to lunch every day at a different school, running several small groups, going to every after school sporting event, and putting on a great youth program on Sunday nights. They would sometimes take a day off...sometimes they wouldn't. They were going...going...going...but they really weren't taking care of themselves or their families.

It made me look at how I was doing ministry. I saw that at times I would be doing the same thing and putting in that many hours and not taking care of myself. At the time, Jessica and I were just dating. And I knew that if I wanted to ever get married and stay married and still be in youth ministry.

Shortly after that I went to a Youth Specialties event. I really can't remember who spoke and talked about dividing your day into thirds when being in ministry. But whoever it was....THANK YOU!
Basically you look at your events for the week and for each day you divide your day into thirds...Morning, Afternoon, Evening... If you plan on going to Lunch with youth and spending time in the office and have a small group that night...then you take the afternoon off. If you have an afternoon meeting and a chorus concert to attend...then take the morning off. Pretty simple!

At first I had trouble doing this and found myself not doing it every day...but slowly I started blocking my schedule out into thirds and it made life in ministry a lot easier.

Like today...it is Wednesday...so my first third is spending time at home getting things done around the house and spending time with family. I will then go into the office after lunch and do office things before Wednesday night programming...since I won't be home until around 9ish...Tomorrow I have nothing planned for the evening, so I will work in the morning and afternoon and spend my last third at home with my family!

I encourage you if you have trouble balancing life and ministry to try this for a week or a month and see how God really can use you not only in ministry but in your family!

The Body of Christ

2010-11-02T07:36:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite songs is "If we are the Body" by Casting Crowns. I bring this up, because it has been really awesome to see my friends be the Body of Christ lately. I have recently seen on my news feed on Facebook, many of my friends be the Body of Christ. There is no IF with many of my friends...they ARE!

I see so many of my friends serving in roles in Children's Ministry and in Student Ministry. I see my friends giving up their weekends and weekdays to be part of lock-ins, small groups, Trunk or Treats, and so many other great things. All I can say is WOW!

I remember a few years ago when I was speaking and a "friend" from high school came up to me and told me that she was first angered to hear I was speaking at a church event, because she knew how I acted at times in High School, but after hearing how God had changed me she was glad that I was in youth ministry. I have to admit that I have felt the same way when I have seen status updates of some of the people I knew in high school thinking how could they be in church...I knew what they did and who they were in high school and college....and I then go back and remember being told the same thing! And then I just stop and I thank God for turning their lives around like He did for me.

It is so awesome to have social networks where we can share with our friends how we have changed and how we are trying to help God change the world through all these ministries at all this churches. I am so thankful for all of you that read this and for those that don't who are serving all over in volunteer and paid positions in the church. Know that I pray for you all often and that even though we might not be at the same church...we are on the same team!

Back to the Future...part II

2010-11-01T23:10:00.000-04:00

I have been leading youth worship in my youth groups since 1997 when I first started in youth ministry at Faith United Methodist Church in Lexington, SC. During that first year of youth ministry I knew only a few chords and played really only 3 songs for most of the year...Light the Fire, Peaceful Easy Feeling, and Lord I Lift Your Name on High. It was a great time of worship every week. I think back to other ministries and think of the funny songs and the great worship that happened. I also look at when the music went from doing it for the glory of God to trying to sound like the CD.
The other night I had the chance to lead worship with just me and my guitar. I picked 2 songs that I have not played for a while. It made me think back in time to when it was just me and my guitar leading worship. It made me think about when I wasn't concerned about my singers singing a three part harmony, having a guitar solo, or having the drums start off as they do on the CD. It reminded me of the nights sitting on my porch at my dorms trying to learn worship songs. It took me back to a time where I was running for God and not worrying about who was watching.
We all have those places that we need to reconnect with God. We need to go back to how we used to run with God, but this time run harder and keep our eyes focused on Him. There are many great things that we have done right in our past. Don't forget to review and see what you can reuse or get re-energized!

It's GAMEDAY!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-30T08:57:00.001-04:00

Another favorite game of mine was the first game I can remember that I was in when I was in high school.
It only takes a can of whip cream and a lot of cheesy poofs! Have 3-4 pairs (6-8 students). Have one from each pair sit in a chair with a trash bag over them (to protect their clothes!) Spray whip cream on their face (if you can get swimming goggles to cover their eyes, thats a plus!) Then have their partner stand about 5 feet away and when the music starts have them to toss cheesy poofs onto the whip cream! The pair that has the most wins!

Back to the Future...

2010-10-29T08:44:00.002-04:00

Back to the Future ranks in my top 5 movies of all time. I'm really excited to get it on Blu-Ray, hopefully for Christmas! When I saw the commercial for it earlier today I thought about how we often change who we are in ministry and forget our roots...we forget the things that worked and we are constantly reading and learning trying to figure out that cool thing to do. When really we just need to hop into our DeLoreans and head back to the parts of our ministry that were very successful. There are many great songs, games, skits and talks that are as relevant today as they were when we used them years ago. But there are also some things that just should stay in the past!

Since I have started in youth ministry in 1997 I have a record of every game, song, skit, and talk that I have ever done. I have note books from every church. I can go back to almost any Sunday or Wednesday night and tell you what songs we sang, we skit or game we did, and the talk with scripture that I used. I'm really not sure why I kept every one in the early years...but I know that today I keep it so I can look back and learn. I can see so many things from my past in ministry. I remember some really cool games and skits. I remember also which songs that bombed and that will never be played again!

During the next couple weeks I plan to look through every single one of these and see what are some things that I can bring BACK TO THE FUTURE!

Staying away from Silo Ministry

2010-10-28T11:06:00.001-04:00

Last night I blogged about our great night with Trunk or Treat. As I reread it this morning I realized that I need to talk more about the importance of the student ministry sponsoring the event.

In my mind I feel that too many times in ministry we have our ministry silos. If we aren't careful in the church world, we isolate ourselves to just our ministries and our ministry silos. That is why I feel that it is very important that in student ministry we connect to other ministries and the rest of congregation. Too many times in the church, different ministries, departments, Sunday Schools, Scouts, and leadership get stuck in their own silos. They only support, attend, and cultivate their own area which at times can really hurt the church and potential ministry.

This year, I have been working more and more to prevent this from happening in our student ministry. We have intentionally reached out to our older adult Sunday School classes. Some our older guys have offered to do yard work and small projects without pay. Last week I went and led music for one of their Sunday School Class outings. I have asked them to be a part of our Snack Supper. We extended an invitation to them to be a big part of the Trunk or Treat by having games last night. I have also made sure that our student ministry is very active in helping with our Children's ministry through helping with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and many other things.

Last night at Trunk or Treat, several of our youth for the 4th straight year had their own trunks and gave out candy. Other youth helped supervise the moon walk/bounce houses that the student ministry donated out of our budget. Our student leadership was the judges for the trunk contest and the costume contest. I feel that it is very important to show the students how important they are in the church. It is very important that they see that they are the church of today. It is very important that we are a part of other parts of the church.

Trunk or Treat rocked!

2010-10-27T22:21:00.000-04:00

Tonight we had our 4th annual Trunk or Treat sponsored by our Student Ministry. Four years ago when I arrived here at Blair Road UMC, my friend Scot Herring suggested that I start one up here, as he did at his church. At first I told him that it was a Children's ministry event...why should I start one here...why don't I just tell our Children's Director the idea and that be that! He told me that it was a great opportunity to have the student ministry take the lead.

The first year we had 8 cars and maybe 40 kids show up...it was really sad. But the next year, we worked hard to get the word out and the excitement. It grew more the next two times. Tonight we had close somewhere between 600-800 people. We moved it inside due to the weather being a threat of thunderstorms. At one point you could not move in our gym with people and kids waiting in line for free food, kids playing games, two lines of 30+ (in each line) waiting for the moon bounce. I went over the other building where we had everyone with candy in the halls and class rooms and it was packed. It was such a great sight to see!

I worried all day about not having it in the parking lot with the large chance of rain. I worried that no one showed up. But as I talked to a few of my adults....GOD showed up and so did the people. The great thing about having it indoors, was that people came into our church. They saw our ministries in action. They saw the hands and feet in action. They saw what we are really all about. They saw more than the parking lot many of them pass every day.

What an amazing night....

What an amazing God!

Inked in Service

2010-10-26T10:59:00.004-04:00

Last week in my youth group, I did our second week on being INKED. The topic was being INKED in Service. During the week before I wrote, then rewrote, then tweaked it some more. Then on Sunday morning I added another piece to it. I was kinda unsure about it and then one of my adults showed up early for Sunday School and he asked what we were doing that night. I told him my idea and that I was unsure if the students would get into it or not. He thought it was just what the students needed from what he observed from his own daughter and our guys small group.

I started off by reviewing being INKED in Love and the students brought up several things that they had thought about after the lesson the week before. I then transitioned into asking the students what it meant to serve. Many students gave mission trips, helping the homeless, and ushering in church. I told them that I wanted them to think outside the box. God calls us to love and serve our neighbors. How about when:

We think and act not only in our own best interests, but also take seriously life in our school, congregation, community and our responsibilities to all of God’s people.
We place our friends' and family's interests ahead of our own.
We are knit into relationships of mutual care.
We act with a focus on generosity, justice and inclusion.

So after that I went old school and asked the students to either close their eyes and listen or to read the lyrics.

I then asked the students to break out into groups with their friends of 4-6. They were first really shocked that I asked them to pair up with their friends, because I usually ask them to find someone new. After the grouped up. I asked them to come up with a way to serve our congregation during the next month. I asked them to write the idea up and give it to me before they left. Their mission was to be their own and they were asked to document in picture or video their mission.

Here is what they came up with:
Group 1: Volunteer for yard work for free to the elderly in the church
Group 2: Bake Cookies to hand out after both services
Group 3: Make Candy bags for the kids Sunday School, take flowers to people on prayer list, write Bible verses on Post it Notes and hand them out
Group 4: Bake Cookies and Brownies to hand out to the Contemporary Service twice
Group 5: Pick up trash on Church property and volunteer to take down chairs after service.
Group 6: Provide dessert for Wednesday night supper
Group 7: TBA

UPDATE: Group 2... gave out bags of freshly baked cookies on October 24th to the early service and everyone was blown away.

Tattoo your Faith....Being Inked

2010-10-25T09:38:00.003-04:00

For the past three weeks, I have been teaching a Simply Youth Series called Inked. As I stated in my previous post, Be who you are Part II, I adapt series and teaching aids to who I am and who my students are. I have used the series main scriptures, the idea, and some of the main points and made it my own.
For the first week I talked about being INKED in Love.

Temporary Tattoos

It is cool to have a temporary tattoo, anybody who has a quarter or two can pick one, two, or a whole sheet. It takes a couple seconds, some water, and the application is complete. Depending on what you do during the next couple minutes, hour, or day determines how your tattoo looks. Most don't last more than a couple hours or a day at most. As Christians, we often have the same love for God. We show up for church, Sunday School, Small Groups, Bible Study, Youth Group, and even Retreats and only give enough for a temporary tattoo for God. Some of us cover it up. Others wash or rub it off within minutes of leaving. Others it takes until the next day. There sometimes residual signs that we were a part of the love of God for a couple days, but most never see it.

Henna Tattoos

Henna Tattoos cost a little more than temporary tattoos. Most people get them when they go to the beach and you can pay $10-50 for one. They last anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks depending on your body temperature level, where the henna is applied, and how often you wash the hennaed area. The more you wash your henna tattoo the faster it will fade away. I compare them to us going on Retreats, Mission Trips, or being involved in a bible study or small group. We take the time, the energy, our resources, a little cost to be part of God's love. But the problem is that we do fully commit to God. We do not fully let go and let him be a part of our lives. So after a few weeks, no one even knows that we went on Retreat, mission trip, or that we even go to church. Or people see it as a season. They see that we get God's love only at this moments in life, kinda like we only see Henna Tattoos during the summer after coming back from the beach.

Real Tattoos
A tattoo is a marking made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. IT is there for life! We need to have a life marked in Christ. We need to live it daily and allow everyone to see it. We need to make the commitment and stick with it.

It's GAMEDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-23T11:14:00.000-04:00

I've decided that since I'm such a big football fan and love GAMEDAY Saturdays I'm going to start posting my favorite and created games on Saturdays...

Fire Hydrant, Dog, Truck is a game that I've played since I was in youth group back in the 90's. I'm really not sure who invented it, but any time I bring it out, my students love it. It is similar to Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Have your students pair up and turn back-to-back. Countdown...1...2....3...GO! Students turn around and act out a fire hydrant by putting their arms by their side, a dog by lifting one leg, or a truck by acting like they are using the steering wheel.

Fire Hydrant beats the Truck
Truck beats the Dog
Dog beats the Fire Hydrant
And if you Tie....You Die

Keep playing till you have 2 students left and do a best out of 3 to determine the overall winner.

Be Who You Are Part II

2010-10-22T08:12:00.018-04:00

Yesterday I wrote about Be who you are and after reading it, I felt there was still somethings I wanted to say. I think that too often in youth ministry, we try to be who we are not because we do not take the time or are told to take the time to get trained in ministry. If you attend NYWC or Simply Conference, you can go around to all the exhibits grab some free curriculum or even buy every single one. You can pretty much pick up everything in the exhibit hall including entering to win a free iPad, iPhone 4, Macbook, and more. The only thing you can't pick up is the stylish youth pastor goatee, the Rob Bell hipster glasses, and the designer clothes of Steven Furtick.

You can take all these things, go back to your local church and try them out. But most fail to look at the demographics and needs of their own groups. We get all this free stuff or buy the latest and greatest series and videos and try to pass them on to our group. Too often they fail, because they were not made for our group. We do not take the time to adapt them to our group. We hit play and we hope for the best.

Instead we need to take the same time we do to build relationships with our students to understand their spiritual needs.

I admit, I have been caught in this trap. I have a book shelf of resources that I bought, tried a couple weeks and failed with them. I was too caught up in the hype of the product, book, or video series to see that my students did not need this. Or if they did I did not adapt it to my group. It was a tough lesson to learn.

So where do we go from here? What do we do?

I'm not saying boycott Simply Youth, Group Publishing, or Youth Specialties and just write your own resources. I'm saying, take the time to know your group, know your students, and know your leaders. Take time in prayer to see where God is leading you to lead your group. Take the time if you buy a resource to adapt it to the lives of your students. Take the time to explain to your adults why you are using this resource. Communicate with the parents and get them involved. Take the time to let God shape and mold you to the youth worker He wants you to be, not a carbon copy youth pastor who has a goatee, Rob Bell glasses, designer clothes, carrying a shoulder bag with your Mac Book, iPad, and iPhone.

Be Who You Are Called to Be....YOU

Be Who You Are

2010-10-21T09:37:00.029-04:00

A friend shared this video with me and the first thing I thought was I have to share this via facebook, twitter, email, and my blog. After watching it for the third time it made me think....

It made me look at my 13 years of youth ministry and how I've tried at different times to be other youth pastors and not myself...

Back in 1997-1998, my first job was a part time 10 hour a week youth director position at Faith United Methodist Church in Lexington, SC. I was just finishing up my training to be a volunteer for Young Life. At that time I had never been to any type of conference or workshop for youth ministry. There were only a few books on youth ministry at the time. The only thing I knew about how to put on youth group time was from my youth pastor growing up and from Young Life. So I made it up as I went, I combined my knowledge of both and created my own format which is the base for how I still do youth ministry all these years later.

Over the next couple of years I started attending different workshops, one day training, and observed other youth groups. Slowly over time I could see myself trying to copy what I saw other people doing. I tried to do skits, music, and talks like the other guys that I was seeing. I was trying to be someone that I wasn't...I was trying to be carbon copy of other youth workers. Just a few years ago I stopped writing my own talks and started using talks from Simply Youth and tried to be Doug Fields by memorizing his talk transcripts.
I was trying music from the Passion movement and would introduce songs and read scripture exactly as I saw it live and own their CD. Everything in my Sunday Night youth program was a copy of someone else and was not fully of God or of me. I was trying to be someone else and not the Youth Pastor that God had called me to be.

Over the past couple years I have let go of that and have allowed God to show me who I am and who He wants me to be when I lead youth ministry. I too often see other youth workers fall into the same trap that I fell into. It can be very harmful to the youth ministry and to the church if they are not careful. With the hundreds of youth resources out there it is very tempting for us to just copy and paste. Just be who you are called to be. Use these resources, but take the time to see how God wants you to use it for your students and adapt things.

My Faith Journey to date

2010-10-20T00:09:00.000-04:00

I recently was asked to tell about my faith journey...

My parents chose to raise my siblings and me in the United Methodist Church and I went through Confirmation class in 1993. Throughout this transitional, yet foundational time in my childhood it was very important to my parents for me understand what it meant to be a Christian, but also what it meant to be part of the United Methodist Church. Towards the end of my confirmation class I went with a friend to see Carmen in concert on March 13, 1993. On that night when the invitation was given, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Two years later I was invited to go on a personal spiritual retreat through the South Georgia Episcopal Diocese called Happening. During that weekend I felt and heard a calling into youth ministry. When I returned home, within a couple of weeks, my church hired our first full-time youth pastor. Over the next two years, he gave me leadership opportunities and taught me a lot about the United Methodist Church and ministry.

In the fall of 1997, during my freshman year at the University of South Carolina I applied and started my first part-time job in youth ministry at Faith United Methodist in Lexington, SC. It was a great opportunity and for being only 18 years old, was a large part of my growth and maturity, spiritually and professionally. While attending the University of South Carolina, I was very involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life. Both organizations helped me to gain leadership and youth ministry skills. After graduating from college, I moved to Atlanta and accepted my first job into full-time youth ministry. Throughout my first year, I learned about working in the church, but more importantly how to keep myself spiritually fulfilled on my own through reading, prayer, and listening to other pastors. I also learned how to network with other youth pastors, create connections and have accountability partners that have and are serving as great assets and friendships still today.

In 2007 I moved to Charlotte, NC after feeling called by God to step out in faith, out of my comfort zone, to accept a full time position at Blair Road United Methodist Church as their Director of Student Ministries. In May I married Jessica and we bought our first house, anticipating that we would live in Charlotte for many years. Then on December 1, 2007, we received a call from my parents at four in the morning that my little brother had passed away from meningitis. His death was very tough for my family and me, but after seeing how many lives he touched and how God used his life to fulfill his Kingdom, also changed my outlook on life as well as my ministry. These events ignited a desire in me to begin the next phase that God had for me which was to earn a Masters of Christian Education as well as my Deacon’s Orders in the United Methodist Church.

Francis focuses on a thought that his wife had about "Thinking Biblically"

2010-10-19T16:18:00.000-04:00

Catalyst East 2010: Francis Chan from Catalyst on Vimeo.