A friend forwarded this article to me about social-networking. Maybe because I’ve been trying to get him to join Twitter, and he is trying to tell me to stop bugging him. Who knows… What are your thoughts on social-networking? Do you agree or disagree with this article?
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HUMILITY
Every year for the past four years, I have read this book as a devotional. Many have called Andrew Murry’s book - Humility, the best work on humility ever written. To be honest, I wouldn’t know about that only because this is the only book on humility that I have read. Every time I read this book, I feel like I just got hit over the head with a 2×4… I must ask myself every time, if I am allowing the Holy Spirit to form in my heart, what Andrew Murray calls humility “our true nobility” and “the distinguishing feature of discipleship.”
Here is a brief summary of the book (Not in my words): “In twelve brief but powerful chapters, Murray underscores the Christian’s need for humility – as opposed to pride – in daily life. It goes beyond simply a call to and illustrates how this spirit should appear by seeing how Jesus took on the form of a servant.”
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“We live in a world no longer under heaven. At least in most people’s minds and imaginations that vision of reality has become little more than a caricature, conjuring up the saints and angels of baroque frescoes. And in the church only a hint remains of the power it once exercised in the hearts of believers.” A.J. Conyers… Eclipse of Heaven
I did not grow up in a house that believed in heaven, God, or anything about transcendence – we were godless and with out hope of eternity. I first became aware of the idea of heaven or anything spiritual for that matter, when my wife (Who was and is a Christian) asked me what I thought would happen to me when I died… I couldn’t answer her. I had never thought about it until that moment. Since that time – the grace of God and the hope of eternity have been my motivation for everything that I am and do – as a Christ follower, husband, dad, and in ministry to kids, students and their families.
I first read the book “Eclipse of heaven” when I was in Bible college (I went to Bible college later on in life). Eclipse of Heaven was required reading for one of my New Testament classes, which was on the book – Revelation. The professor of that class said that if there is any book that semester that he recommended us reading all the way through, it was this book (Of course he also told us to read the book of Revelation all the way through as well). This book opened my eyes to the world that I had been living in for most of my life and i have never looked back… Every year I read the book of Revelation and at the same time I read Eclipse of Heaven – and every year I have set before my eyes the concept of heaven, eternity, and a transcendent world. Every year I have captured in my mind the reality of living and active God who moves and lives among us! And every year, my goal is to help our kids, students, and their families live lives that captured the same!
Here is a summary of the book (Not in my words): So begins A. J. Conyers in this provocative book, and suggests that the eclipse of heaven has resulted in a shallower view of life and death, in a loss of cultural and individual purpose, and in moral disarray. Drawing from Scripture and the early church, Conyers calls Christians to be in the vanguard of a desperately needed cultural recovery of the world beyond. This is a powerful, persuasive plea to stop blocking heaven from our sight, and so to regain hope, meaning, and richer lives – in this world and the one to come.
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I was unpacking some boxes from our move – yeah we still have unpacked boxes,(Well my wife was, I was just adding to the mess) and found some of my books. George Barna’s book “Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions” has been a book that has influenced me both personally and professionally. What’s funny is that I originally got this book hoping that I might get some children’s discipleship tips to apply to my own kids… Instead I came to realize that this is a book that calls for a serious look as to why children’s ministry is one of the most important ministries in your church. Even though I am currently in student ministry, I still am of the firm stance that cm ministry is the most vital ministry for the health and life of the church! Maybe it’s because i am in middle school ministry and basically have my feet in both the kids ministry and high school ministry… Who knows…
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As a church, we never want to brag or boast about what we do for our community, but I am excitement about the church that I am on staff and serve. Recently, we were nominated for the 2009 Outstanding School Volunteer of the Year Award.
LifeBridge is an externally focused church, meaning – we want to connect passionate people with practical resources, tools and relationships that will help them engage their communities with good deeds and good news resulting in transformed communities and changed lives.
There are several ways we live this out in the public school district here in our area – we serve our public schools through ShareFest, teacher appreciation, etc… Many of our Lifegroups serve the public schools by being volunteers, tutors, and by just having a presences at the schools. Many of our student ministry small groups (Student attended & adult lead) also do service projects at the schools throughout the school year by cleaning the schools ground, painting, and etc.
I know our staff and church members do not do these things because they want recognition, honor, or this award. I know our motivation is that we love God and people, and we want to engage our community with good deeds and good news! Our hope is that this will result in a transformed community and changed lives.
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I’ve been thinking about the book To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller, recently. I don’t know why – maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about my life growing up, or maybe I’ve been thinking about my relationship with my son… Either way, I felt I needed to blog about this book again (I blogged about it about three years ago). This book a must read for single parent mom of boys and for anyone who works with boys that live in single parent mom households. In this book, author Donald Miller, reflects on his own life of growing-up with out a dad. He talks candidly about the effects it had on him and the struggles and trials that he went through, and still goes through.
Many people do not understand the power of having an involved dad can have on a young man. When I was in undergraduate school, I remember hearing in one of my counseling classes, my professor make a statement that the father is the filter of the home. The father is the one who controls what words are used, what entertainment is aloud in the home, and etc… What he was essentially saying is that the dad is the one who will ultimately dictates what the morals and values will be in the home. And when the father’s morals and values are out of whack or absent, the kids (Especially boys) will also take the shape or lack-of-shape as that of the dad’s.
This book will help you be prepared to better help your son, or the young man that you build a relationship. It will help you understand his thought process and decision-making, and it will help you understand the confusion he is going through! I stumbled upon this book three years and read it in a couple of days. It made me laugh and it made me bawl my eyes out (People who know me, know that I don’t cry easily). My wife also read it with me and said that through this book, she can understand me better. This book has helped me on my own personal journey and has also helped me in my ministry. I am deeply grateful for Donald Miller writing this book…
Donald Miller began a foundation called The Mentoring Project which seeks to mentor fatherless kids. Here is what they say: “We are a non-profit that is providing mentors for fatherless kids. If you’re interested in changing America, one kid at a time, join us!” http://www.thementoringproject.org/
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Speaking of SuperStart… I got to tell you, I’ve been very blessed to be a part of two student ministries that have had awesome student worship pastors – I mean these guys were and are incredible (The two student ministries, being my previous church I was on staff at and the current church I’m on staff). Both of these guys could connect with high school students and middle school students, but they just don’t have the same effect with children and preteens.
And then there is Yancy… She is an incredible artist, musician, lead worshipper, and person. I’ve seen her lead middle school students in engaging worship @ Jr. High Believe (http://www.ciy.com/believe/) and I’ve been lead into high energy worship by her along with hundreds of 4th-6th graders at a SuperStart event (http://www.ciy.com/superstart/). My high school daughter and preteen daughter love her music, as well as my middle school son. You got to go to her website (http://www.yancynotnancy.com) and check out her music and maybe even book her for a children’s or preteen event at your church.
Yancy is available to come to your city to lead worship, for Worship Training, Work with your band/team, or mentor your worship leader. See tour for more details. You can download a lesson from The Worship Pulse for free: “The Pulse ” | PDF 1.3mb
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I’m already pumped for October to come! LifeBridge (The church I’m on staff at) will be hosting SuperStart again – and I’m pumped! Our students, parents, and volunteers couldn’t get enough of the event… If your in Colorado, you need to bring your kids, parents, and volunteers to this event. Even if you can’t bring anybody to the event, come and check it out yourself – you’ll want to bring them next year…
This is the best preteen event around (I think it is the only one). I have been to this event four times (And LifeBridge hosted SuperStart last year and will again this year). They change the theme and teaching points of the event every year. Both preteens and adults will love this event.
SuperStart is a two day themed event designed with the needs and interests of preteens. Preteens will experience three main sessions that are full of high-energy worship, interactive teaching, and small group time. On Saturday there is an off-site recreation time, called plug -N- play which was created to give preteens and their adult sponsors a time to build relationships.
What: SuperStart Preteen Event
Who: 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and their parents, youth pastors, children’s pastors, and volunteers.
When & Cost: See their website for this kind of information: http: //www.ciy.com/superstart/
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I recently joined a children’s ministry network called cmconnect. CMCONNECT.ORG hope is to create a renewed sense of community amongst those serving in Children’s Ministry. Since joining the network, I have felt just that – a sense of community, I recently connected with some old cm friends. I have found that there is tons of resources, ministry ideas, and plenty of networking among children’s ministers.
If you haven’t taken a look at cmconnect.org then your missing out! Go to http://www.cmconnect.org/
Here is a glimpse of the creator of cmconnect.org heart - “Our hope and prayer is to encourage you to be the best Children’s Minister you can become. In case no one has told you lately, what you do is so very important… be encouraged… you are making a difference. “ Michael J. Chanley creator of cmconnect.org
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Recently I read an article that Reggie Joiner wrote for CATALYST. I found the article motivating and challenging. Below is some food for thought from the article.
Did you know…
* how you communicate Deuteronomy 6 can either paralyze or mobilize your families?
* your partnership with un-churched parents will radically affect the influence of your church?
* you can start a revolution in teenagers when you network with other churches?
* the environments you create for children can shape their understanding of God’s story in their lives?
* the way you connect families to other families can exponentially influence a child?
* the way you don’t say something may determine whether it is really heard?
* how you minister to college students may be one of your most important investments?
* “speaking family” every week can impact the communities around your church?
* your definition of the church can determine if the next generation will walk away to be the church?
The full online article can be found at: http://www.catalystspace.com/content/read/reggie_joiner/
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