It's Not About You

Something About a Rainbow

2011-09-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

I never really thought much about rainbows until it started to pour down rain for two straight days. I didn't really care about rainbows until my neighborhood was under mandatory evacuation. I couldn't even tell you the last time I even saw a rainbow. But how I yearned to gaze upon the bright colors of one when the river started flowing just in front of my house already engulfing the park where I take my daughter to play every day.

By this time not just my neighborhood but thousands of homes and businesses throughout the Greater Binghamton Region were now inundated by the Susquehanna River. The word inundated is not one you hear every day, it means to flood; cover or overspread with water. I think the second definition however says it better, and it's simply to overwhelm. The communities we live in our homes, favorite stores, restaurants, and churches have been overwhelmed with water.

The water was so overwhelming it seemed like every ten minutes you heard rumors of more levy's breaking, another flood wall being breached, or that the river crest was delayed once again, offering little sign of hope. Streets and highways were closed, power outages, and the sounds of sirens and helicopters filled the air. Everywhere you looked people were scrambling to remove water from their homes using everything from pumps to small kitchen bowls. For some people the word overwhelm doesn't even do justice to what what the water did to their home or business. It seemed like the water sucked everyone dry of laughter and happiness, while there certainly were not any rainbows to be found. At least not your ordinary rainbow let me explain.

After a long day of pumping out my basement which held 3ft. of water at its highest, my father-in-law and I went to go look at his church which was completely surrounded by water. At the time, the closest we could get was about 400 yards to the building from the edge of the water line. On the edge of the water a tractor business was frantically trying to keep water out and more damage from happening to their property. My father-in-law told them he was the pastor of the church down the street that was surrounded with water, and asked if he could pray for them and their business. So all the employee's gathered in a circle and we prayed, after prayer we began to head to our car.

We only walked a short distance when we heard on of the employee's yell, "Hey Pastor!" We turned around to see this big man all covered in dirt soaking with water and his facial expression giving the impression he was wrestling with something. The he inquired very sheepishly, "Doesn't the Bible say something about a rainbow?" Long pause as he looked down defeated only to follow with this statement. "You know that God will never destroy us." To which my father-in-law grinned and replied, "You better believe it." The man now smiling headed back to work with hope that our community has been overwhelmed but has not been defeated.

So there is something about rainbows after all, rainbows don't have to be some color phenomenon in the sky. I believe rainbows are any sign of hope that we can move on and there is a heavenly Father up there looking out for us. Among the chaos and devastation; if you look hard enough you can find small glimpses of hope and restoration. You can start to see the rainbows of humanity arching over an inundated community encouraging everyone to persevere and press on. Rainbows are found in neighbors working together or forming new relationships. Rainbows are the random acts of kindness and hospitality that would not normally take place. In a way I believe this tragedy has broke this region of selfishness and implemented a scene of giving.

I only pray that the churches here will continue to work together so that we can inundate the Greater Binghamton Region with hope and the loving presence of God. We are far from no longer feeling the pain, but I believe we are well on our way to a recovery that will eave us better than the river orginally found us. Maybe this is easy for me to say because I was fortunate not to lose much; I can't imagine how it must feel to lose everything in your basement, your home, or even your church/business. But in the end no lives were lost and all that was destroyed was just stuff, stuff we can't take with us when we die anyway. What we are left with is the choice to be a light or should I say a rainbow to a neighbor or our surrounding community.

"The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:10-11

The Church: Christ's Body "Restoration"

2011-03-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

In my previous posts regarding the church I asked a lot of questions about what the church is and should be to the world around us. My intention was not to state that the church is doing a poor job, but to highlight our restorative partnership with God.

As a church leader I don't want to be seen as someone who talks negatively about the institution that I work in or is just angry or frustrated in the way church is being done. Gabe Lyons said his in his book, The Next Christians, "religious leaders were often better at cursing the darkness than lighting a candle. They become known for what they were against instead of suggesting alternatives that represent what they were for." (p. 169)

In context Lyons is talking about Christians reacting unconstructively to world culture, but I think this quote can also apply to church leaders or believers that talk pessimistically about the church. Take for instance the current Rob Bell fiasco, that has created much out cry due to his seemingly universalism stance in his new book Love Wins. Without saying anything more on this I simply want to use this as an example that we (Christians/Church Leaders) are often quick to curse the darkness that surrounds us, but very seldom do anything about it in a constructive restoring way.

In my ministry I want to be known more for things that I am for, instead of the things that I am against. Everyday we all can partner in God's greater story by merely lighting a candle or two of restoration. The small light generated by a candle can push back more darkness than you think, or even be the beginnings of a greater light.

The Church: Christ's Body "Love & Justice"

2011-02-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks my wife and I have had some excellent conversations about our relationship and marriage. For me the season of Valentine's Day has allowed me to reflect deeply at who I am as a husband, but also what lens I tend to view the world through and what lens my wife uses. A couple of sources of these great talks with my wife and personal reflections have stemmed from, doing ministry together, small conflicts within that ministry, our couples small group we attend, and my recent thinking and reading about the church.

I guess what I am trying to get at is that through all these sources one particular theme keeps popping up, and that is the balance of love and justice in our relationships; both to God and others.

Naturally, I am a very forgiving person if someone wrongs me I don't really think twice about it. I immediately give the person the benefit of the doubt and try to see the good of any situation. If I know the person well enough that has wronged me I will choose to believe that they are better than that and must just be having a bad day. If you were to place my view into one of the two categories it would be that of a more loving character or attitude. In context of what I am trying to write about here, the way I do ministry or be a husband is through love and forgiveness when someone has wronged me.

My wife however leans strongly to the other side, the characteristic or attitude of justice. She will immediately want the negative action justified or corrected. Or when she sees injustice taking place, she is not afraid to speak up for the person or correct the unjust act no matter what it takes. If my wife is personally wronged by either myself or another forgiveness is not easily given, instead it must be earned so to speak by correction or changed attitude. Therefore, how she views herself as a wife and does ministry would be through the lens of justice and correction.

I am not saying love or justice is more important than the other, or my way of seeing things is better than my wife's. In fact I believe if you lean to heavily to one side of the spectrum and not create a healthy balance the relationships you have will begin to suffer. For instance my view can come off as though I don't really care or that I am even emotionless because I don't let others see how there actions have effected me. Whereas, my wife could come off as strict, harsh, or even unloving. When in fact she is actually one of the most loving people I know.

My point or question in all this would be, has the church leaned to far to one side of the spectrum when we do ministry? God no doubt displays the perfect balance. In the Old Testament we see both sides when his people have wronged him, you can find stories of love, forgiveness and mercy; but also stories of justice, wrath, and correction. God's ultimate goal of restoration in the lives of his people cannot be brought about without a balance of love and justice.

So as the church how can we expect to aid God in this restorative mission if we don't communicate the same type of balance? I think in the church we are very quick to let people get away with their sinful, negative, or wrong actions and just give them love and forgiveness. After all if we call them out they could just decide to leave our church or cause other drama that we don't really want to deal with. Scripture says that it should be used for correction or it shows how to up hold justice, yet we very seldom hold people accountable for their actions.

The Church: Christ's Body "Mission & Purpose"

2011-01-28T12:58:00.000-08:00

What is the mission and purpose of the church? To be brief let's just say it is to aid God in the restoration of humanity and creation. Apart from creating a space for believers to fellowship, worship, and be ministered to individually or as a family.

But as a church have we lost our focus to restore what has been lost or broken? Or in other words do we emphasize "outreach" in our decisions, vision, or programming within the church body? Has the church lost touch with culture so much that we have no idea how to "make disciples" anymore? Or is it the fact that for too long we have been trying to reach others with only part of God's great story and plan.

Let me explain the philosophy of outreach or evangelism has solely revolved around the concepts of salvation and resurrection of Christ. So we tell those who are "lost" that because everyone is a sinner we need to be saved, because sin separates us from God. They only way that one can be saved is if they believe God sent his son as a sacrifice, taking our place of punishment and death. So because Christ died for us and then rose from the dead he conquered death, thus giving us eternal life.

This is a very compelling argument and is great news even wonderful for humanity, but we are only sharing the pinnacle part of the story. We tend leave out the beginning (creation) and the end (restoration) of God's narrative. It is frustrating or confusing to say the least when you only know or hear part of a story. Or say the climax of any movie would not be that exciting if you did not watch it completely from beginning to end.

Hearing or watching a completed story allows you to be more involved emotionally, gives you a better understanding of why, and therefore you gain a better sense of what that story could mean or how it applies to your life. If the church changed its approach to making disciples of all nations by sharing the whole story of God, would we be more effective? Have more of an impact on culture? Would new and old Christians have a better sense of mission and purpose with a "whole/complete story" mind-set?

The Church: Christ's Body "Serving"

2011-01-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

I want to continue my thoughts on the church with the subject of serving or maybe I should call it "sharing." A lot of my thinking on the church Biblically has come from Acts 2:42-47. Serving is big focus that I would like to see my church and youth ministry move into this coming year.

To me the idea of serving is when people share what they have to give, but it is also when we share our lives with one another. The early church in Acts knew how to serve and share with each another or anyone that had need. "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all; as anyone might have need. (Acts 2:44-45)"

Meditating and looking over these verses I wondered if all those who "believe" today have this kind of attitude to share with or serve anyone who has need? I think it's safe to say the answer to that question is no, but why have we allowed church to turn into a place where a majority of the people take instead of give? I believe too many for too long have come to church with the mindset that they are there to take and receive service from the church, but not give or share themselves with the rest of the body.

I guess we have missed the unique paradox of serving, the idea being everyone in the body should share what they have to give but never expect anything back in return. For one to serve others and expect something in return is not really holding the right attitude or perspective of serving in the first place. Therefore, what could be holding people back from serving or sharing is the fact that it's to risky, because you might share all that you have but not receive anything in return.

Now there are other cost's of sharing as my Senior Pastor pointed out this past Sunday in his message. To serve others you must be willing to humble yourself before them. Have the characteristics of faith and hope that when we serve to those who cannot give anything back that we will be repaid by God, the risk factor I mention in the previous paragraph. Also serving and sharing with others should be not be done to prove how good or holy we are to others. While of course the cost of serving could be too much for some because they are not willing to simply give up the time that it takes.

I believe what I am trying to get at here is that what would the church or ministry look like if we all truly shared what we had and not expected anything in return? If we all came to church with the attitude of giving instead of taking? What great and amazing things could the church then accomplish that we are already not doing in our communities, the world?

If we claim to be to the rest of the world as Christ was, the one who came to serve rather than be served, we better create a new atmosphere of serving within our local church bodies. Not to mention if we what to up hold the second greatest commandment.

The Church: Christ's Body "Unity"

2011-01-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

As I move toward my ordination I am required by my denomination to write a number of position papers that discuss theological issues. The most recent one was called The Church: Christ's Body and it has really prompted and challenged me internally, to question exactly what the church is and what it is called to do? While also trying to piece together and understand how youth ministry fits into being part of this body.

Now I know there is a lot of different areas, issues, or theological avenues one could take trying to define what the church is and why we are called the body of Christ. However, this is not my purpose for writing today. Instead I would like to share with you the questions, thoughts, and new passions that I have been processing in my head regarding the church.

Wayne Grudem in his book Systematic Theology describes the church as "the community of all true believers for all time." Meaning the church is made up of believers from the past, present, and the future until of course Christ's second coming. A question that has stuck with me is this; does the everyday average Christian view the church as all true believers? Or to rephrase the question, do the people in our churches view the church body as being much bigger than their local congregation?

Allow me to unpack this some more. The concept of the church body should be much larger than just one particular congregation of believers, worshipping and carrying out Christ's mission and purposes. All churches/denominations around the world should be united by the same cause of manifesting Christ for the rest of humanity. Scripture calls all believers to be united under Christ's leadership and authority, so that we can receive direction and vision.

But are we really "united"? By we I mean different denominations or even churches with in the same local area that ultimately have the same underlying vision, to reach or serve those who are lost, and to build up the those who already believe. How often do you find churches within the same denomination working together let alone churches of different ones to accomplish these goals?

Have we missed the point of being a greater body? I got to talking with a missionary recently who visited our church. I asked her while she was on the mission field if she worked or partnered with other missionaries from different denominations. She looked at me and said there would have been no way to do the mission of God without the missionaries working together. She explained that these other missionaries became some of her closet friends and allies, the unity and relationships allowed for an outpouring of God's love and salvation among the people they were trying to reach.

Can we not accomplish and implement this very same idea locally to our communities? Maybe instead of some churches barely hanging on and struggling to exist we could be a community or nation of thriving churches, which will minister to the lost and broken.

We understand and do ministry very well in single congregational settings of believers coming together to form the body of Christ. We know that each individual posses certain gifts, skills, and talents, that allows ministry to take on many shapes and forms to reach the greatest number of people possible. But do we know or have we considered that the church down the road maybe excellent in this area of ministry, which should open the door for our church to minister differently to the same community?

Why try to compete or spend useless man hours supporting a weak ministry when some one else already invented the wheel? Or why can't two neighboring churches on the same street communicate together to pull off an event that maximizes community outreach? In my mind it is just plain ridiculous that we are not working or unified together. Now I know some churches or communities may already be doing this but I think on the nation wide spectrum there is definite room for improvement.

I know I threw out a lot of questions here and don't expect them all to be answered or easily fixed. But I do think it is worth that we start a conversation regarding these issues with our neighboring pastors and congregations. Any thoughts on these questions or what this looks like from personal experience are welcome.

After Two Years As A Youth Pastor This Is What I Know

2010-09-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Your Relationship With Jesus Must Constantly Be A Priority

Personal spiritual formation is no doubt important for any Christian, but if your a pastor and not putting in time for you and Jesus to be together, you are simply wasting your time. You will not be at a place to shepherd the flock and even spiritually lead your own family. How can you expect to lead others into deeper spiritual formation when you are not practicing it on a regular basis; if not everyday?

One of my favorite classes in college was called Personal Spiritual Formation the professor constantly reminded us that the reason we practice spiritual is for the sake of others. Its not only important for you spiritually, but for the spiritual well being and sake of others even those closest to you such as your spouse and children.

I heard something recently regarding this topic that I don't think is new, and believe I have even heard it before but really enhances my point here. It's called practicing the four P's standing for I am a person first, then a partner (spouse), followed by being a parent, and lastly a pastor.

The first P, I am a person is the most important because it is all about you finding time personally to spend with Jesus or practicing any other spiritual disciplines that strengthen this relationship. As a pastor it's often easy to constantly worry so much about others spiritual health that you forget that you are a person who deserves time alone with God too. It's no secret that Jesus spent time alone praying to his father and we should be no different.

The Second P, I am a Partner refers to your second most important relationship which is with your spouse. Marriage is no doubt a great spiritual forming relationship if and when it is not neglected. The ministry lifestyle can be extremely unpredictable, very time consuming, and stressful and if one is not careful you can quickly forget about your spouse. From a husbands perspective the wife needs to feel loved, important, protected, emotionally met and listened too. I don't know about you but I certainly cannot make my wife feel this way by dedicating 10 minutes out of my day.

Thirdly I am a Parent, this one is coming more and more real each day as my daughter gets older. Children without question need their parents involved in their lives. As a youth pastor I understand the power of influence a parent has over their children, and the frustration when a parent does not take advantage of the great opportunity to help shape their kids spiritually. Again ministry can suck up the precious moments that the Lord gives us to build relationships with our children. After my daughter was born I became so much more aware of God's love for us as His children and the yearning to be in relationship with my daughter.

Lastly I am a Pastor, this P involves all the other relationships that I may come connected to. People are consumers and will consume all of you and your time if your not careful. Leaving the first 3 more important P's empty and neglected, causing you to not be at the level spiritually that one needs to be, to even be a pastor. Your church needs to know that there are boundaries and they are fourth on your priority list. But this does no good if you do not make sure that they remain 4th on your list in your every day choices.

But in my experience when you are fully engaging the spiritual formation power of the first three P's this is when you can have the greatest effect on the fourth P, you as a pastor. People in your church need to see the joy that radiates from your face when you spend time alone with Jesus. People are touched when you show love to your wife and children and make them feel important to your life.

After 1 Year As A Youth Pastor This Is What I Know

2009-10-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Part 1: I MUST BE A SHEPHERD THAT LIVES AMONG THE FLOCK

I recently went to a youth training seminar held by Barefoot Ministries at which Chris Folmsbee spoke on the roles that we play in the lives of students as youth leaders. He created a diagram of three circles that all intersected in the middle, which he called the sweet spot or a good balance between all the roles coming together. The three main roles in which we have are Advisor, Advocate, and Guide, but you can substitute another synonym for any words if you happen to like them better.

My point in all this is that those three main roles, I believe fall under the title of Shepherd. I as youth pastor must be a Shepherd to the youth in my ministry. I must give advice to the flock, I must advocate for the flock, and I must guide the flock. But to do this effectively I as a Shepherd must live among the flock.

Of course I am not saying that I need to be with students 24/7 because that would be unhealthy for both of us. But the relationship must transcend and be more than hanging out for 4 hours a week during Sunday School and Youth Group. I must be more than just being an acquaintance who teaches from the Bible twice a week. I must be in authentic relationships with students, by which we share our lives together, that can be defined as a healthy fellowship community.

Jesus is the great shepherd the best example of what it means to be one; he spoke in John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-" There is no way that I can know my students for who they truly are and have them know me, unless there is a deep meaningful relationship taking place. This can only be done if I am living among the flock under my care.

If I am not living among the flock, I will never know who is lost or who has wandered off the path. I will never be able to bandage those who are injured, or give strength to those that are weak. I won't be able to have compassion for those that are being harassed or might be helpless. I will not understand the idols that are deceiving my sheep and making them go astray. I won't be able to give food and drink to the ones in my flock that are hungry or thirsty. But most of all I will not be able to lead my sheep to Christ, who is the ultimate provider of all these things.

I still must remember that I am a sheep in the flock of Jesus, which is sharing a journey towards knowing and serving God with other sheep in His great flock, including my students. Not only am I a Shepherd for my students, but a sheep standing right next to them grazing in the Lord's plentiful pastures and receiving His awesome grace.

I am not going to sit here and explain different ways that I as a Shepherd live among my flock. For one I believe that every "Shepherd" posses skills and gifts that allow him to do this differently than the shepherd down the street. And secondly every "flock" or group is different and has special needs or ways that one can live among them. Instead pray and ask God to reveal how you can be or do this with the students in your ministry.

However I am saying that there is a major difference between a youth pastor that lives among his sheep as opposed to one who does not. I very much believe the one who lives among his flock, will have the more effective ministry. Be a sheep and a shepherd that listens to the voice of Christ, that knows him, and follow him.

What Do You Mean You're A Youth Pastor?

2009-10-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

I wanted to start a series that shares the most important things I have learned in my first year as a full time youth pastor, since I am coming up on my anniversary October 12th. But first I wanted to explain what exactly a youth pastor is and or does with his or maybe hers (depending on your denomination) everyday life.

Ever since I started telling people that I was going to college to pursue a job in youth ministry I would always be looking into a very confused face. Or hear things like that "is that really a college degree or a career," or "you can get paid for that!" Or phrases like "Ok so you have an office at the church now what exactly do you with your time when your there?" "You get to take students to movies, amusement parks, sporting events, or to get food, and then sometimes the church pays for it!"

Usually the people that react in this way have no concept of church or a relationship with God, but I think even people in the church can sometimes underestimate or degrade the work of being a youth pastor. As if somehow our job is secondary to theirs and all we know how to do is play games and eat pizza. I believe that if this was the case and youth ministry was just all fun and games that you could buy a parent a $20 game book and have an effective outreach. Obviously taking away the need for a trained youth leader that understands how to reach youth culture.

For a long time I struggled when people would ask the question "What do you mean you’re a youth pastor?" Implying that they could not understand what exactly I did with my time or why it was necessary. Often I would just give them a simple answer like "I get to hang out with teenagers for a living" or explain that I am like a glorified Sunday school teacher. But deep down I knew that there was so much more to what we do as youth ministers, that I really did not even know where to start explaining.

I came across a small article in a youth magazine that was written by another youth pastor. The article had no introduction or ending, it was simply 1 Corinthians 13 reworded for youth pastors. When I read the article I not only came away with a better understanding of 1 Corinthians 13 but also had a better understanding of what I am called to do as a youth pastor. So I thought I would give it a try myself to help explain the question "What do you mean you’re a youth pastor?" Following is the passage I chose to represent that answer.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 For Youth Pastors

We live in such a way that no student will stumble because of our actions or words, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God even if is just playing dodge ball.

We patiently endure a text message early in the morning or late a night, students living a double life, fast-food five times a week for the sake of our health, listening to a story because no one else will, along with other troubles, conflicts, and disappointments of every kind imaginable.

We have been beaten physically and emotionally, faced angry mobs of parents, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights and not just because of all-nighters, and gone without food to pray and fast for those in our ministry.

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love for youth. We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack against the enemy and the left for defense of ourselves, family and ministry. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.

We are loved, but then we are hated. We are ignored by students, even though they know us well. We live incarnate in youth culture, but are still adults. We are always our self, but yet different for every student. We have been temporarily forgotten, but always remembered as someone that cared.

Our hearts ache for teenagers, but we always have joy. We are poor by choice but give spiritual riches to others. We don't own the houses we live in, we drive cars with high mileage, pay most of our salary to school loans, but yet we have everything.

Here is the link to the God inspired version of the passage.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Living In The Past

2009-04-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

I recently watched a movie called "Body of Lies" which was your typical spy thriller with deceit and unexpected twists. But my point here is not to write a movie review but to examine a quote that I thought was very interesting. Note that the context of the quote from the movie was used differently.

The quote: "If you live like it's the past and behave like it's the past; then the guys from the future find it very hard to see you."

Immediately when I heard that statement my mind kept comparing it to the church and my field of youth ministry. The question that was replaying over and over in my head was "How is my ministry context behaving like the past, that students now and in the future are not able to connect? And then my head exploded with about a million more questions here is a few.

What is wrong with the ways of the past?

Is there anything from the past worth using in todays culture?

How far should we immerse ourself in culture to reach teens?

What will the future look like and how can we be ready for it?

I have written on some of these questions in my previous posts but I still think it is necessary that we keep asking them. I pray that youth workers will continue to immerse themselves in conversation with peers to help each other come to new conclusions of ministry.

Before I start to unpacking this more I would like to hear your thoughts on the quote or inquiries that were brought up. Please feel free to discuss both church and youth ministry scenarios.

Columbus had three ships the; Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, I have Friendship, Leadership, and Discipleship

2009-04-02T14:06:00.000-07:00

One of the saddest scenario's inside of parenting children is that one parent tries so hard to be the cool fun parent, by seeming more as a friend than as someone who offers direction and discipline. Leaving of course the other parent to always be the bad guy that punishes kids for their actions and put them on the right track.

I am afraid youth ministry is no different except for the fact that we as leaders have the option to choose what hat we want to put on when we are with students. Making it a huge temptation to always be the "cool" guy, an image that portrays I am your buddy rather than your leader. If you are a youth worker and constantly taking this friendship role, than you might be giving up your ability to give new direction or quite possibly your respect as a leader.

Please do not miss interpret what I am saying I believe both being a friend and leader are a crucial part in building authentic relationships with youth. Both are needed to transform the lives of students, but I think there needs to be a healthy balance of the two. Everyday I tiptoe on the very fine line that separates friend from leader in my connections with students.

What then can help us keep this balance of friend and leader?

I believe the key is to purposefully have the mindset of true discipleship along with friendship inside this journey we call life with our students. In John 15:13-15 Jesus specifically calls the disciples his friends, but they are no doubt also being discipled by him. Meaning Jesus was a friend but was also constantly imparting his knowledge and correcting his followers to a better way of life.

I think that in a lot of churches and youth ministries today we have not been offering true discipleship for the people under our care. Instead of making healthy disciples who follow Christ we have been making converts who claim to. A convert does not and will not have a solid foundation of faith to make more disciples hence, we are stuck in a pattern of mass decline in church attendance.

I guess what I am saying is that it's o.k. to be the "cool" guy or friend, just be the cool guy that is also seen as leader. Don't be the friend that turns the other cheek by letting bad behavior slide or the friend that refuses to correct you when your in the wrong. Your students need a leader that is offering discipleship in every aspect of their lives whether the situation is good or bad.

Just as with the case of being a parent you do not want to be seen as just a friend to your children, but someone who leads them on the right path. So they to will someday raise their children in this same manner. So I leave you with this question to ponder.

In what situations are you sacrificing discipleship for friendship with your students?

Dear Red

2009-02-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

Today I want to take the time to write about somebody who helped change my story, a God loving gentlemen that passed away recently, someone that I will forever admire and respect. I never got a chance to tell him how he helped me on my journey of knowing who I really was. But I don't think that I needed to because he already knew. He was never my pastor or youth pastor but as adult he still ministered to me.

His name was Red.

Dear Red,

I first remember you when I was young you were old then Red, but you reminded me of another Grandfather. You didn't say much to me yet but I knew you were someone I could trust and feel safe around. I knew that you received great joy and happiness in your heart by watching my childlike faith and when I had a smile on my face. Even then you could see it me Red, even then you knew.

Throughout my teenage years you would make it a point to talk to me Red, you talked to all of us. You would ask me How I was doing, but there was something different about you Red, when I would respond I knew that you listened. Whenever I did not attend church for a week, the very next time you saw me you would say that we missed you last week. Why Red? Why would you say that Red because you cared. You were even older now Red but all the more wise, and your wisdom you did share with me and I listened, we all listened Red. But still you saw something in me Red, something that not to many could or took the time to. What was it Red, why can't I see it?

The first couple years of college when I would come back for breaks, I noticed Red that you had a slight cough that you couldn't shake and you would tell me never to get old. But I knew that you were proud of my choice to serve God as a youth pastor, I knew that this brought you happiness within your heart. You had a big heart Red, we all could see it. Still you could see something inside of me, still you looked at me differently than most people did. I don't know what you saw Red nothing is there, I am not special.

The summer before I graduated college I got the opportunity to preach at our church Red, but now you have a oxygen machine that helps you breathe. I know Red I will try my best to never get old, but no promises. The night before I spoke you sat me down and prayed for me with the most authority that I have ever heard. I don't remember the exact words you said that night Red, but I know you forever instilled within me the confidence to speak the words God has given me to say. That is when I first began to see Red, when I first realized what you have been looking at all this time.

Throughout my life you never looked at me with disappointment Red, you never treated me as a sinner because you knew I was better than that. You saw that I was created for a purpose Red and in God's image. You knew it in your heart Red that my heart was also good, that I was meant to shine God's glory. Besides my family Red, you were one of the few people that could look at me like this, like I was special you saw my true heart. We are all special Red, some of us just can't see it yet. Let alone look at others in the way that you always could look at us. Don't' worry Red, I am beginning to see it others now to.

When I heard that you left us and went to Heaven I knew it was your time Red. I know that you are not old anymore and that you you finally shook that cough. I know that you have a new set of lungs that allows you to breathe clearer than ever. But one thing still remains Red and that is your heart. I was glad to hear that you left dwelling on all the good things the Lord as done for you and the last beat of your good heart Red, will remain an inspiration to all that you touched. Thank you for seeing Red, I know I will see you again and pray that you can still see it in me.

With Love,

The Child of God that Red Saw

Arnie Buehler

Sub Group Communities

2009-01-30T20:51:00.001-08:00

The world of a teenager in today's culture offers many different subcultures to be a part of or belong to. No longer are schools plagued with the "popular crowd" like cheerleaders and jocks and then everyone else that happens to attend the school. I graduated in 2002 and this model was already beginning to fade, although I did not have as many groups to choose from at least there was a choice.

The fact is that all students just like us are discipled, experience God, and worship differently, therefore a once a week meeting of 1-2 hours that offers a little bit of everything simply just not cut it anymore for transforming lives of teens. They need to be a part of a healthy community that goes along with how they grow and learn to be the person Christ needs them to be.

Through prayer and discernment of my situation and some frustrations of how youth ministry has been taught to me and done in the past. I have decided to offer my students a choice if you will to take part in different communities within our youth group, that I call "Sub Groups." My vision for this is that it turns our youth ministry into our own version of the verses found in Acts 2:42-47.

"42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

44All the believers were together and had everything in common.

45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. "

I hope I am not sounding like a consumerist in this approach because I don't want students to feel forced to attend because it is on some calendar that I send out, or make it seem that I am running a bunch of small youth ministry programs. But am merely trying to offer something that speaks to how teenagers function today and receive a sense of belonging within a authentic healthy community. There is no real agenda to these Sub Groups except for the fact of why they exist and what they offer.

To start we have an all girls and guys sub group that is similar to the idea of what a small group setting might look like. These groups touch on the more spiritual side of prayer, scripture, and accountability. Soon we are going to offer two other groups that alternate weeks throughout the month one being a Jam Session for the more musically inclined students. And the other one being simply opening the church doors and allowing the students to come hangout and play games. Obviously these two groups focus more on the building relationships and fellowship aspect.

For now I am announcing when these groups are taking place because it is rather new to the parents and students within my ministry context. But over time I hope that through consistency I will not have to let students know when these different groups are meeting. That they will just be part of the way they live life and how they connect with others and with our heavenly father. And that other students in our community will find out about them simply through the networking of my students that already attend. Mind you this is not a secret attempt to shove Jesus down throats of teenagers, but to allow students to be discipled and grow in the way God has created them and get to know them for who they are.

By really pushing an important sense of community through my recent lessons and through conversations with students. Other Sub Groups have surprisingly sprung up without any direction on my part but totally the idea of students. For example two of my Sr. High guys wanted to start meeting with me over chicken wings on a weekly basis. Girls now like to meet with my wife for shopping and talking over a meal about boys and other female issues.

The response so far has been far better than I anticipated and have had amazing results in transforming lives of not only students but leaders as well. I believe that as a group we beginning to understand why meeting in these communities is so crucial to our development, following Jesus and fulfilling our purposes on earth as Christians. Having a chance to have life on life experiences with my students throughout week has been an awesome opportunity, and could not imagine ever again only meeting with them once a week. I can only thank God for what he is doing within the ministry he has so graciously given to me to help out with.

Missional Youth Ministry

2009-01-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

When I got home from the office yesterday I parked my car in its usual spot on the street right in front of my house. As I exited the car I noticed about 8 to 10 junior high students on the porch across the street talking and hanging out. Mind you there was not school that day due to a snow storm and I have never seen any of these students before.

As I was walking into the house I told God that it would be cool if I got a chance to meet and talk with some of those kids or make small connection with them. Now I live in a pretty rough end of town and I could tell that right away that they were up to no good and or need some sort of healthy adult influence in their life. Still thinking about the situation I keep walking into my house and greeted my wife, and we begin to have our typical small talk like always about our day. Quickly I forgot about the group of youth across the street.

No longer than 20 minutes later as my wife and I were playing a heated game of scrabble I hear the doorbell ring. So I opened my door and my Landlord who lives in the apartment downstairs is standing out on the porch screaming at the top of his lungs. So I said "What's going on, is there a problem" he said "Yeah some punk kids are throwing snowballs at your car and I thought you might want to know."

Now I have only been living in my apartment for less than 3 months and already know that my Landlord despises the neighborhood that we live in. And it is not the first time that I have heard him yell profanities at our neighbors while threatening to call the police. Immediately I thought to myself "big deal it's just a snow ball, its not like I drive a Lexus or BMW," but to humor him I went out to investigate.

When I finally got my shoes on and made it to the front porch I found myself in a very awkward scenario. There on the porch with me is my Landlord a 40 something year old man talking trash to the same group of students that I mention earlier. While across the street a couple of the kids are yelling back at my Landlord and through their body language are suggesting that they want to fight him. Which was pretty much what they say on the street as "all talk" due to what takes place later in the situation.

Obviously God has a sense of humor, because I quickly remembered my request for the chance to meet and talk with those same students. So standing there with my prayer answered I pondered to myself my next move or at least something to say, but due to the situation I didn't really know how to proceed. I wanted to calm the anger that was being said back and forth across the street, while also be an example of Jesus to my Landlord and the group of students.

While all this is going on in my head my Landlord quickly runs across the street because one of the boys in the group in a very threatening voice says "why don't you come over here and make me stop." Now the fact that my Landlord actually did it is pretty funny, but the scared face on all the kids as he is running towards them was even funnier. Some more yelling takes place and eventually he pulls out the police card and says if they don't leave he will call the cops. Which to my surprise worked and the group ends up dispersing.

Now I tell you this very long story because as youth worker we need to be missionaries to the youth culture that surrounds us. I missed my opportunity to make a connection with those kids, I missed my opportunity to be a healthy adult influence. I did not walk through the door that led to their underground world that God opened for me, to talk and meet with that group. Afterwards I was pretty upset with myself for not taking advantage of what was before me, and kept replaying in my head other scenarios that could of unfolded.

I thought to myself I could of helped make a difference in one of those lives, I could of started a new relationship that would offer authentic life-on-life sharing to a desperate teenager who just needs someone to listen. Or quite simply I could of had a few new friends to play X-box with in my house on a regular basis. I wish I could go back in time and walk through that door instead of just look in from the outside.

Having a missional mindset in our church, youth group, or just daily lives is what God calls us to do as his "Sent People" to help him redeem his creation. As Alan Hirsch writes in his article called Defining Missional, "to be missional means to be sent into the world; we do not expect people to come to us." To create teenage disciples that are passionate about Jesus Christ we must as youth workers go out and meet them, we have something to offer that is worth sharing.

I know youth ministry opportunities like the one I missed, usually don't pop up on a regular basis. Therefore we have to choose to missional, we have to choose to go out and find where God is already working and help his cause of saving the world. Spend time discerning how God wants to use you and your youth group in a way that best fits your context.

Caution Construction In Progress

2008-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of talk going around in the youth ministry community about changing what youth ministry looks like in today's culture. There are countless youth workers including myself that are frustrasted with they way we are currently tyring to minister to the teens in our local area. The fact is that teens are leaving the church at an alarming rate. Hence the programs/events we are using to reach students are not creating firm followers of Christ but only giving them one more thing to do in their already busy schedule. Leaving them with no spirtual habits or disciplines that they can take upon leaving the youth program.

Let's face it this mindset is only creating an atomosphere of hiding Jesus behind fun, snacks, games, and so called "relationship building times" that just scream I am only interested in you so that I can tell you about Jesus. I am not saying all these things are bad and that we should throw them out but they should not be the main medium for reaching out to teens. We need to stop waiting around for some mega-church to write a book that tells us all how to make youth ministry happen or grow in numbers. Their context of ministry is more than likely different than mine or yours therefore every church should mold a ministry that fits it's own environment.

Educational Reconstruction

As a fairly new full-time Youth Director I must confess it is easy to get sucked into believing that cool events and programs of high energy and fun are the way to go. When I came to my church the youth program was and still is called AMP Student Ministries. The only thing that I could think about was how can I make this program more "Amped Up?" How can I create a fun place that my students will not be afraid to bring their friends to. This model has been the youth ministry "norm" it is what I've been taught that you do and I just graduated last May with a degree in Youth Ministry.

Out of the two or so months that I have been working in full-time ministry this way of thinking is my greatest failure. What we need to "AMP Up" is offering a ministry where teenagers can connect, experience, and encounter God. Of course all students do this differently so having another program/event night that offers a little bit of everything to make sure I cover the whole group is not the answer.

Instead I need to live in God's presence so that I can discern how he is moving in the students lives around me but also for my own personal growth. As youth workers lets immerse ourselves into youth culture by walking down the stairs to their underground world, so authentic relationships can begin to take place.

It's time that we start teaching a new song of youth ministry that allows youth leaders to do ministry in their context. That allows unforced community to take place without a sign-up sheet for a particular event. That allows real relationships to be made without any hidden agendas. That allows the whole group to come together under the common goal of sharing God's story with others.

The Future

A few weeks ago I had my students write down anything they wanted to learn about life, Bible, theology, or any issue they could possible think of. The responses varied from each student and were typical things that teenagers want to know and or struggle with. But one answer in particualar caugt my eye of a Junior in my group. The only thing that he wrote down was and I quote "I want to learn anything that helps me make sense of the world we live in."

I think that response speaks volumes in several ways, but in the context of reconstructing youth ministry I think that it is the voice of youth culture craving for something different.

Are the programs and events that we are running offering any sense of the world we live in? Teenagers pretty much have all the fun and technology they want at their finger tips, why should the church try to compete with that? Let's offer them something that created this world, that transcends this world, that loves everyone in this world. Let's offer a journey of relational missional community that experiences the absolute truths of God, because they are craving for it whether they know it or not. That is what makes sense in this world!

In many ways I don't want to step outside the comfortablity of youth ministry as I know it, due to the fear of uncertainty of how to exactly reconstruct youth ministry within my context. Or the thought that maybe students, parents, or my church won't like it. But I don't have a choice if I want to fulfill my calling ministering to teenagers in the present time.

As a youth worker I am stepping out in faith to change youth ministry. I know it won't always be pretty and that more than likely I will make some mistakes. But I believe those periods of brokeness are necessary to remind you that God is in control of what is going within your context.

Sacrifice Your Thankfulness

2008-11-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

Through my devotions today I received a good lesson on why we tithe or give to the Lord, and I thought that it was very appropriate for this time of year. These are the verses that I came a crossed, along with my reflections of these verses.

"14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."

"23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God."

Psalm 50:14-15,23

Before today I never thought thankfulness as a sacrifice that we can give to God, but it is a crucial part of the equation of giving. The Bible tells us that God created the world and everything in the world is his, therefore we can not give him anything that he needs. We give to remind us of our obedience, we give to show our faith, we give to help others, and lastly we give to show God our thankfulness for all that he has provided for us. So that if we require a need to be filled we can call on his name and he can rescue us.

Sacrificing our thankfulness has much significance and we must not forget to do it out of love. For his ultimate sacrifice was the greatest act of love that we will ever receive, and provides us much to be thankful for. The equation for sacrificing our thankfulness is simply this; Give out of thankfulness to show and receive love, so that the Lord's glory and salvation may be revealed back to us.

SHH Listen...

2008-11-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

I believe listening is a skill, some people have it, others refuse to do it, and some people do not even know where to start when it comes to using their ears. Often I find myself having the same conversation with people, retelling the same details that I did once, twice, or even three times before.

When I find myself in this situation I begin to wonder does this person really care of what I have to say am I just wasting my time. These people are so caught up in everything about their world, their life, their needs that they couldn't possibly remember anything that you recently told them. It's not that they intend to be rude to you or even selfish, but for some reason they just cannot listen, its just all about them.

I find that these people are also afraid of silence and or find it very hard to sit still, mainly because they must constantly being trying to fill some need in their own life. I just want to tell them Stop! Take a deep breath, don't move, don't speak, just listen. We all have times of only thinking about our self or maybe not listening the best we can, I am not trying to point any fingers here because I am guitly as well.

My point in all this is simply this, we all need to be aware of how God is moving and what he is speaking. Luckily when we speak God always listens and think we owe it to him to listen when its his turn. Through prayer we should sit in God's presence meaning you are with God and he is with you. Our prayer needs to be a conversation a process of both talking to him and then listening. It's very easy to talk but it takes a lot to humble yourself and listen. I believe that God can speak in miraculous signs or wonders but that he speaks even more to us through gentle whispers. It is a challenge to listen but it's one that we need to overcome.

Stop! Take a deep breath, don't move, don't speak, just listen.... What happens after the dot dot dot may change your life!

It's Not About Me

2008-10-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last week I got the opportunity to set up my new office as the Director of Youth Ministry at Valleyview Alliance Church. I am so excited about doing full time ministry and seeing if all my school debt was worth it. (I know it will be) When I graduated in May I truly expected to have a job all lined up and ready to go, but to my surprise that was not the case. But finally now I am in a place where I know God wants me to be.

After I finished placing the final piece of furniture in my office just how I wanted it, I took a second to soak in the moment of starting ministry. That night when I went to bed I could not fall asleep due to the excitement of everything new that now surrounds me. I had thoughts of how and could make the ministry better, I imagined all the cool youth retreats and events, and all the new people that I would get to meet.

When I came into my office the next morning I started off with prayer, and God very quickly gave me this message. “This is not your church or your youth group, for they are both mine. I have placed you here to serve in my ministry.” But when I heard that I kind of brushed it off and continued in my new found enthusiasm. Later that day I received an e-mail from my Dad and in it he placed one of his famous one liners that are used for advice. Usually it’s “don’t do anything stupid”, but today was different. In the last line of the message before he signed his name he wrote “Remember It’s Not About You.”

I thought about that for a second then remembered what God told me in my devotions earlier that morning, and then realized what they were both trying to tell me. It’s not about me or what I want or think that I have plans for. It’s about listening to God to hear what he wants and to follow his plans. It’s about putting down my selfish desires and simply doing ministry the way God needs it done. A lot of what we do is all about impacting our own world and forget about what really matters, impacting the Kingdom of God.