I've got a chance to read through the new simply jr hi newsletter from GROUP and it has been another encouraging tool. Here are a couple of thoughts I have:
What I liked: I've very interested in reading the book "Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands: Lessons in Non-Linear Leadership" by Nancy Ortberg wrote that Scott Rubin recommended. I really liked this thought from her book, "stop being surprised that leadership is hard." - thx Scott for the suggestion.
???: Everything here made since and I understood it. No "???" for this newsletter.
Key statement: Gary Eilts said a powerful statement when answering the question "Nine words to encourage other junior high volunteers?" He said, "Junior high is a launching pad; you influence trajectory."
Something creative: Seth Vopat's discussion starter idea is really good and I can see us using it at the boys lock-in. Thx Seth
Monday, November 10, 2008
Book report - generation change
Zach Hunter has been all over the place and I've heard Marko at Youth Specialties highly recommends him a number of times. This book Generation Change was a great recommendation and I've got a chance to finally read it. Here is a couple observations I had about this book:
1) In chapter 9 "Clothes" Zach says, "For many people in our world, it's not about choosing which pair of shoes to wear, it's about having any shoes to wear..." Working with Middle school kids this statement really resonates with me. Our kids really have little to know idea of what the majority of youth their age in this world deal with on a daily bases. I think it is my job to communicate that truth to our kids - and I do.
2) I really really appreciated Zach's thoughts on not separating our need for Jesus and the world's need for us to be like Jesus in it. "I don't think we can separate our call to change the world from our call to share the truth about Jesus and his sacrifice for people. God calls us not to one or the other, but to both." I would change only one part of this statement. We can't separate the two - both must happen or neither will.
I really enjoyed this book and have a number of 8th grade leaders that I will be recommending this book to. I'm also going to share some of the idea that were shared in this book to our group to try and do.
1) In chapter 9 "Clothes" Zach says, "For many people in our world, it's not about choosing which pair of shoes to wear, it's about having any shoes to wear..." Working with Middle school kids this statement really resonates with me. Our kids really have little to know idea of what the majority of youth their age in this world deal with on a daily bases. I think it is my job to communicate that truth to our kids - and I do.
2) I really really appreciated Zach's thoughts on not separating our need for Jesus and the world's need for us to be like Jesus in it. "I don't think we can separate our call to change the world from our call to share the truth about Jesus and his sacrifice for people. God calls us not to one or the other, but to both." I would change only one part of this statement. We can't separate the two - both must happen or neither will.
I really enjoyed this book and have a number of 8th grade leaders that I will be recommending this book to. I'm also going to share some of the idea that were shared in this book to our group to try and do.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Mag Report - GROUP (Nov-Dec 2008)
I'm actually putting down my review for the newest GROUP magazine before sharing my review of Groups newest simply jr hi newsletter. Just how it came together for me this time.
What I liked: Both myself and our young adult pastor (Erin Bird) enjoyed Les Christie's article "lessons learned from a youth group reunion." Erin told me that he really liked point 3 of question 5 about long lasting influences on a kids life. I also enjoyed question 1's point 1 about the importance of genuine relationships. Great article Les - Thx
???: I enjoyed Doug Fields' interview with Jeff Maguire but I did have a "How" question that I thought of from the interview. How does one prepare youth pastors for highs and lows of relationship ministry? I agree this needs to happen but is there any other way to prepare youth pastor except with time in ministry?
Key statement: Steve Merritt shared a short article on counseling that had a great statement: "Truly understanding another is one of the best ways to loosen the nasty grip of loneliness."
Something creative: the website suggestion - http://www.wordle.net/ is really a neat idea and could have some useful ministry applications.
What I liked: Both myself and our young adult pastor (Erin Bird) enjoyed Les Christie's article "lessons learned from a youth group reunion." Erin told me that he really liked point 3 of question 5 about long lasting influences on a kids life. I also enjoyed question 1's point 1 about the importance of genuine relationships. Great article Les - Thx
???: I enjoyed Doug Fields' interview with Jeff Maguire but I did have a "How" question that I thought of from the interview. How does one prepare youth pastors for highs and lows of relationship ministry? I agree this needs to happen but is there any other way to prepare youth pastor except with time in ministry?
Key statement: Steve Merritt shared a short article on counseling that had a great statement: "Truly understanding another is one of the best ways to loosen the nasty grip of loneliness."
Something creative: the website suggestion - http://www.wordle.net/ is really a neat idea and could have some useful ministry applications.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Book Report – Jim & Casper go to Church by Jim Henderson & Matt Casper
I picked up the book "Jim & Casper go to Church" because of a number of recommendations from all the blog reading I do. I have to say that it was basically what I thought it would be. I read this book some time ago but have hesitated to blog a report about it because I’m not too excited about this book and that concerns me. What I share later on in my concern section for this book is the main reason why I’ve waited. I have one concern and two take aways about the book:
Concern – Jim Henderson (the Pastor) was challenged by Matt Casper (the Atheist) when Jim proposed to write this book with Matt. “I’m currently an atheist, Jim. I say currently because I am open to the possibility that I may learn something that will change my point of view. Jim, can you say “I am currently a Christian’ and be as open-minded as me?” Jim said, “I nodded, Yes. Let’s write a book.” My concern -is this a true statement from Jim? Putting this down on my blog concerns me because I can hear many people read in to my thoughts here. I can hear people say “I’m not open minded and not willing to hear other ideas. That I’m calling Jim a liar and that he just wanted to write a book.” This isn’t my heart at all – but I know for myself I couldn’t answer that question the way Jim did. Does that mean I have a closed mind?
Take away 1 – I totally agree with Jim’s thoughts that we need to change our language as a church. “We can’t expect to change the church simply by giving it a new set of clothes; we need a new kind of language, too.” I wonder what that language is? I look forward to hear other people’s ideas of what that language is.
Take away 2 – “Ordinary Christians like me know that when you start defending the faith, you also start losing your friends.” I have often felt like every time I was suppose to share the gospel with my friends I was taking a chance of losing their friendship. I often told myself (and heard others tell me) that this was part of the sacrifice I would have to make when I shared the gospel. I never really liked that and didn’t think that was what God placed me on this earth to do – to lose friends for the gospel. I have “lost friends” who I want nothing more than for them to go to heaven some day and if that means I need to be willing to “share with them” (have an open dialog) instead of “defend what I believe” (have them only listen to what I say) with them I’m all for it.
Again, I hesitate to put this on my blog but since I only have a few people who read it any way I really shouldn’t be too concerned. "Jim & Casper go to Church" certainly made me think and I’m glad I read it.
Concern – Jim Henderson (the Pastor) was challenged by Matt Casper (the Atheist) when Jim proposed to write this book with Matt. “I’m currently an atheist, Jim. I say currently because I am open to the possibility that I may learn something that will change my point of view. Jim, can you say “I am currently a Christian’ and be as open-minded as me?” Jim said, “I nodded, Yes. Let’s write a book.” My concern -is this a true statement from Jim? Putting this down on my blog concerns me because I can hear many people read in to my thoughts here. I can hear people say “I’m not open minded and not willing to hear other ideas. That I’m calling Jim a liar and that he just wanted to write a book.” This isn’t my heart at all – but I know for myself I couldn’t answer that question the way Jim did. Does that mean I have a closed mind?
Take away 1 – I totally agree with Jim’s thoughts that we need to change our language as a church. “We can’t expect to change the church simply by giving it a new set of clothes; we need a new kind of language, too.” I wonder what that language is? I look forward to hear other people’s ideas of what that language is.
Take away 2 – “Ordinary Christians like me know that when you start defending the faith, you also start losing your friends.” I have often felt like every time I was suppose to share the gospel with my friends I was taking a chance of losing their friendship. I often told myself (and heard others tell me) that this was part of the sacrifice I would have to make when I shared the gospel. I never really liked that and didn’t think that was what God placed me on this earth to do – to lose friends for the gospel. I have “lost friends” who I want nothing more than for them to go to heaven some day and if that means I need to be willing to “share with them” (have an open dialog) instead of “defend what I believe” (have them only listen to what I say) with them I’m all for it.
Again, I hesitate to put this on my blog but since I only have a few people who read it any way I really shouldn’t be too concerned. "Jim & Casper go to Church" certainly made me think and I’m glad I read it.
prayers this last month - Oct 08
Another month has gone by and it has been an interesting one. I've been going through the book of proverbs for my personal time alone with God and it has been wonderful. I'm placing here some of my prayers that I typed after reading proverbs:
Lord, may I be a willing instrument in your hand, ready for rebuke where it is needed and love where it is needed.
Lord, may I search for your wisdom as if I was looking for a great treasure.
Lord, may I search for your wisdom so that it may direct my ways and paths.
Lord, may only words of wisdom and encouragement come from my lips all the days of my life.
Lord, may I keep away from the sins that ensnare me through your strength.
Lord, thank you for parents and their dedication to raise their kids right.
Lord, may you find me hating evil and all that joins with her. Open my eyes to be discerning always.
Lord, when people see me or hear about me I pray they will think of your righteousness.
Lord, I pray for my intern, may her deep desire to go where the greatest of needs are at happen in her life so that you might be honored.
Lord, I want to be a good neighbor, help me pls.
Lord, may the words that come out of my mouth bring you glory and other's truth and joy.
Heavenly Father today is yours - we've planned - now you lead and we will follow.
Lord, may I never be a fool that keeps bringing up the past but that I keep learning from wise people.
Lord, may the words I say be deep and flowing out of your love and truth.
Lord, may I keep eating up your word and may you keep putting it out there.
Lord, may you balance me to sacrifice where I you want me to and help me to always look for what is "right and just."
Lord, I don't want to be rich but just to be wise in your ways - help me to do that.
Lord may I be an instrument in your hands to rescue those being led to slaughter and death.
Lord, may I be known as one who never paid someone back for doing wrong to me.
Lord, may I be a willing instrument in your hand, ready for rebuke where it is needed and love where it is needed.
Lord, may I search for your wisdom as if I was looking for a great treasure.
Lord, may I search for your wisdom so that it may direct my ways and paths.
Lord, may only words of wisdom and encouragement come from my lips all the days of my life.
Lord, may I keep away from the sins that ensnare me through your strength.
Lord, thank you for parents and their dedication to raise their kids right.
Lord, may you find me hating evil and all that joins with her. Open my eyes to be discerning always.
Lord, when people see me or hear about me I pray they will think of your righteousness.
Lord, I pray for my intern, may her deep desire to go where the greatest of needs are at happen in her life so that you might be honored.
Lord, I want to be a good neighbor, help me pls.
Lord, may the words that come out of my mouth bring you glory and other's truth and joy.
Heavenly Father today is yours - we've planned - now you lead and we will follow.
Lord, may I never be a fool that keeps bringing up the past but that I keep learning from wise people.
Lord, may the words I say be deep and flowing out of your love and truth.
Lord, may I keep eating up your word and may you keep putting it out there.
Lord, may you balance me to sacrifice where I you want me to and help me to always look for what is "right and just."
Lord, I don't want to be rich but just to be wise in your ways - help me to do that.
Lord may I be an instrument in your hands to rescue those being led to slaughter and death.
Lord, may I be known as one who never paid someone back for doing wrong to me.
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