youth ministry 101

I recently read the book youth ministry 3.o, it had some great stuff in it but the thing that really stood out to me was this. when talking about the mid week service there need to be some key elements to the service. this element is what separates it from being a youth group or a youth ministry. I wanted to share some of these...

Its about them- make your midweek service about the kids that attend and nothing else. If the leaders are getting stuff out of the service this needs to be rethinked. the leaders and youth pastor are there to be everything for those kids.

Make your midweek service an event- make it something the kids think about all week and want to come to. always be ready to take the midweek service to the next level. Give everything you have to those kids, they deserve it.

Use your Imagination- I went to a youth ministry wednesday and the youth pastor was talking baout getting the garbage out of your life. He had trash everywhere in the room. so everywhere the kids stepped they were stepping on garbage. great use of imagination

Touch their emotions- as youth pastors it is our job to know the culture and all of the things our kids deal with. We can use that to our advantage, if we can touch all of there emotions great things can and will happen.

Time for encounter with God- open the altar to the kids, have prayer leaders up front or in the back willing to pray with the kids.

Changed Lives- if the above 5 are done well the lives of the youth will be changed, it may not happen that service but it will happen. the service I went to with the garbage 2 kids got saved and 3 recieved the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Be Prepared- be prepared for anything because as all ministers know anything can happen.

updated book list...

so in 2007 I posted a blog about my book reading list (click on that link to see the old list.

heres an update after almost two years...

1. out of the question...into the mystery. getting lost in the Godlife relationship... only 100 pages in
2. buck naked faith. a brutally honest look at stunted christianity... lost it
3. Mere Christianity... only 50ish pages in
4. Your first two years in youth ministry... let friend barrow havent seen it since
5. a tale of three kings... I dont even remember this book
6. The Gospel according to starbucks... 40ish pages in
7. Every mans battle... done thats one
8. Velvet Elvis... done thats two
9. Sex God... lost interest
10. Jesus in the margins... lost it
11. the bible... still going with this one

now to add some I have recently started...

12. becoming Manny... done thats three
13. listen to me satan... 54 pages in, reading it in sections currently for my job
14. the Jesus I never knew... 150 some pages in
15. simple church... done thats four
16. jesus centered youth ministry... done thats five
17. youth ministry 3.0... about 100 pages in great read for youth pastors...

so I have completed five books in two years... pathetic I know but hey its progress.

In a time when my freinds are all getting married, engaged and starting there careers im looking at my life and wondering "has life passed me by?" I mean im 25, single, and work for free at the district resource center while trying to find a part time job, and im broke.

I hope this doesnt sound like I am complaining but im just frustrated.

frustrated at the hand life has dealt me.

I guess I am just tired of being in my freinds' weddings and being empty handed. two of my college roommates are getting married this year and im in both of them. I do think it is an honor to be in their weddings but when will I get to ask them to be in mine? ugh who knows... im just tired of fridays alone and thinking of what could have been...

sac town!!!!

so im sitting in downtown sacramento right now at a coffee shop called temple. They not only have free wifi but they also have what I would argue the best espresso I have ever tasted. I love sacramento so far, but there is so much I want to go explore. I really want to go to downtown old sac and explore there. I think I may do that next weekend, hmmm something to think about. has anyone been down there? is there anything I need to see?

So this coming week I will be starting my new job at the distict atleast untill august. but for now I will work with Scott Tuttle to help prepare for camps during July. I will be in santa cruz in July I think so if anyone wants to connect while I am there let me know.

I really wish coffee shops did refills... this is amazing espresso...

my thoughts...

- what happened to people giving testimonies in church? I love hearing about what God is doing for people. when Im a youth pastor I really want to bring that back to my church. I think ill have a testimony night at my youth ministry.

- how can people eat cheeseburgers every day. My dad owns a hamburger place and the same people come in everyday and have cheeseburgers. its crazy.

- why is the speed limit in oregon 55? That annoys me so much but they dont have sales tax so that helps ease the dumb speed limit. oh and one can talk on there cell phone in oregon while driving without a hands free, another nice thing.

- why does everyone fight about pc and mac... I have had both and like things about both... cant we all just get along?

- I have always wondered what is in Dr. Pepper. what are those 23 flavors.

- why dont taco shops in america make tacos like they do in mexico? real mexican tacos are way better than those in america.

- why do people always blame the officiating when there favorite team loses? I do it to but seriously get over it, its sports not life.

- my wisdom teeth have officially grown in, does that mean I have a smart mouth?

- is candy really considered finger food? seems to me its more of a snack.

- did you know that a bag of popables candy is the equivalent to 6 full sized candy bars...

a plea for prayer

I need a job, badly. everything has fallen through for me. I know God has his perfect will for my life and im following as best I can. Money is not coming in at all and bills have to be paid. please just be in prayer for me that God comes though for me like he always does for us. I just want to do ministry thats all. its what I love to do...

An Image is Seen

An image is seen

by many its true

a cross is the image...what’s that mean to you?

do you see the cross as something cliche?

is it something that you just encounter each day?

this image is placed in so many places..

its worshiped, its warn, its carried by many..

its on stain glass windows seen by many faces,

yes there all around and i bet you've seen plenty..

yet so many hold this image so high...

as if it were the image that came here to die...

the truth is the cross is a symbol for all

to step back and see that God took the fall...

the fall was to come and to die on a tree

to cover our sins so that we could be free..

all it takes is to say that without Him were nothing.

and to put our trust in Christ so that He can make us something

begging you please, consider what’s being said

this isn’t just any old poem being read

this is the news the world must hear,

let me say it again so the message is clear…

Sin is a death trap that gladly ensnares,

God allowed it to be to prove that He cares

He was born in a shack and He was treated like trash,

And on the day of His death He was beat like a punk

And after His beating He was hung on a cross,

Willingly He hung there bloody with shame,

He endured all the suffering,

He endured all the pain,

All the punishment He took should have been our own,

Since it was sin that He died for….

The sin we’ve all sown.

But like a loving Father He took our place,

And with holes in his hands He holds out mercy and grace.

These gifts can be taken by any who choose….

I'm begging you please….please don’t refuse…

If you’re listening to this poem and you think this is fake

I warn you take caution with each step you take,

Because no man’s guaranteed tomorrow,

And if your not washed in Christ, your future is sorrow…

I write these words with love in my heart

Because one day I know from this body you’ll part,

And when that day comes and you stand before the King,

One question He’ll ask, in your ear will it wring….

“What did you do with My most humble gift?”

If your answers rejection, your sole will He sift.

God gave us a most precious gift on that cross,

And if you choose to reject it….

Your whole life is a loss…...

so.... don't be a loss... give your life to the one from the cross...