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Amanda on December 29th, 2008
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morethandodgeball.com
GUEST POST: Epic Fail
Josh at 8:59pm, February 4, 2012Have you ever really messed up? I mean, completely blown it. I have and I thought there is no way to recover from this one. I have finally figured out that it is okay to mess up and fail! Congratulations, you didn’t do it!
The great thing about failing is that it is not the end result. It is part of the process. Another element in life. For instance, Abraham Lincoln’s resume:
? 1831 – Lost his job ? 1832 – Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature ? 1833 – Failed in business ? 1834 – Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success) ? 1835 – Sweetheart died ? 1836 – Had nervous breakdown ? 1838 – Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker ? 1843 – Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress ? 1846 – Elected to Congress (success) ? 1848 – Lost re-nomination ? 1849 – Rejected for land officer position ? 1854 – Defeated in run for U.S. Senate ? 1856 – Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President ? 1858 – Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate ? 1860 – Elected President (success)
Not great. Obviously not all those events were his fault but they could have caused him to quit trying.
So, if you feel like nothing is going right….then you are on the right track. It doesn’t matter if the failure is in marriage, work, ministry, or faith. You aren’t finished yet, so if you want to go from suck to success, you only need one step. Get back up and keep trying.
Jeremy Bloom is trying to figure out life, God, and family. Follow him on Twitter – @finding_jeremy or on his blog about youth ministry.
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simplyinsider.com
I Serve Youth Workers!
Justin at 11:51pm, February 1, 2012This will be my third year at SYMC, and to say that I am excited is an understatement. I have had a countdown going on my computer for weeks, and just recently made one of those elementary school paper chain countdown things in my office. (Seriously, it droops over the picture wall!)
DISCOUNTED REGISTRATIONS are still AVAILABLE
SYMC 2010 in Chicago was my first year. I went with a couple of other youth workers in my local network who had been before and said how great it was. I was kind of reluctant to go. I had been in a valley in my ministry and felt like I was on my way out. I thought that I would go and maybe get a few good nuggets of info here or there, hear a couple of good bands, and head back to a situation that I wanted so desperately to flee. What I got from SYMC was so much more. Yes, I did get some information that I was able to use in my ministry, and yes, I heard some good music, but I got so so much more than that. I got back my passion for ministry, this wasn?t something planned but God knew what I needed and showed me just that at SYMC. I also strengthened old relationships and built new friendships and relationships. Those people I met have become some of my closest friends to this day and have [...]
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morethangossip.com
the end game
Neely at 1:01am, February 2, 2012I’ve noticed something lately about the way the church and youth ministries tend to talk to girls. We (unfortunately at times I would include myself) communicate that the end game for a girl is getting the right kind of guy. Even though we don’t mean to it just happens. Books sold to teen girls about how to get the right kind of guy (a christian book nonetheless…and I haven’t read it but I am assuming the title is meant to mislead by promising to help girls snag a guy.) A youtube video for Christian girls on how to attract a godly guy. And than we are surprised and frustrated that all girls care about is boys. Oh the irony.
We need to change the end game.
The end game for every girl we encounter should be a radical life following after Jesus. That life may include an occupation in the public circles, a life of full time ministry, marriage, kids or all of the above.
When we begin to believe in a bigger or more radical end game for girls it changes how we communicate to them. We tell their stories better. And in my heart I believe we help girls move their attention from dating to bigger dreams…from drama to radical living. Don’t we all really want that for our girls?
What do you think? What are your thoughts about changing the end game?
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juniorhighministry.com
Keys To Longevity #5: BLEED IT, BUT DON?T BLEED TO DEATH
Kurt at 11:37pm, January 30, 2012Posted by Kurt Johnston
This is the 5th in a little series about some of the things that have helped me last for almost 25 years. There is no silver bullet here, just a little insight about things that have seemed to make a difference in my journey as a youth worker.
BLEED IT, BUT DON’T BLEED TO DEATH!
Every now and then, a young youth worker will say something like this, “Youth ministry is my life!”. To which I always reply internally, and upon occasion even blurt out, “Really? That’s too bad.”
I think youth ministry, or any ministry endeavor for that matter, deserves some extra effort. Youth ministry isn’t for folks who are clock-watchers, who only want to do the minimum job requirements. I actually think it deserves to be led by men and women who aren’t afraid to “bleed” it a little bit. But we should NEVER bleed to death!
- When you consistently sacrifice your family for the sake of your youth ministry…you are bleeding to death. - When your friendships suffer because you spend too much time at youth ministry events…you are bleeding to death. - When you have no outside hobbies because you spend your free time with teenagers or planning events for teenagers…you are bleeding to death. - When you fail to take your day off, or you skimp on vacation time due to the demands of youth ministry…you are bleeding to death. - When you spend time in the word out of the need to [...]
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youthmissionsinsider.com
Short-Term Missions A Waste?
Jeff at 2:36pm, October 25, 2011Our good friend (and founder) Thom Schultz has an interesting take on one of the ongoing debates in youth missions – Are they really worth it?
Short-Term Missions A Waste?
What do you think? Did Thom get it right?
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smallchurchyouthministry.com
#5-Top Twelve Countdown to a GREAT YM Year
Stephanie at 6:42am, January 31, 2012Don’t sell Jesus short.
I spent the weekend with a church in a faith tradition I am fairly new to. They have a rich heritage of liturgical worship. But if one made the mistake of thinking this church’s denom is bereft of showing feelings of faith or the goodness of God, one would be wrong.
The YP of this church had a similar epiphany today. She has a deep love for Jesus but thought her diverse international students would be uncomfortable with referencing anyone but “God.” After all, they don’t declare an emotional faith and “Jesus” is just too intimate, right?
After she had a discussion with my ministry partner, Adam DeVries, she told her students she was going to unashamedly call Jesus by his name. How shocked and delighted she was when they were happy for her AND them. They cheered.
My point? Don’t sell Jesus short in your youth ministry. Kids KNOW when they come near you that there’s a good chance they’re going to hear about God. They’re even disappointed when they don’t.
Remember: Jesus is the name of the one to whom everyone will bow. It’s just a matter of when.
S
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simplyurbanministry.com
You need VISION
Jeff at 4:41am, December 18, 2010Today we will define God?s purpose for vision in your Life.q Jeremiah 1:4 ?The Word of God came to me saying, before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.?
q God had a vision a plan for you. Do you have one for the assignment He has given you?
q Vision: The picture of God?s potential, purpose, and possibilities for your life.
q Show me a person without vision, and I will show you a person who is at a standstill in life.
q Proverbs 29:18 ?Where there is no vision the people perish.?
q Life Point: The key element to getting out of my present state is the vision that I have for myself.
q Jeremiah 29:11 ?For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope,
Vision Truthsq True vision goes beyond what I can accomplish on my own.
q True vision adds value to others.
q True vision attracts vision.
q True vision must have God in it.
q Acts 2:17 ?And it shall come to pass in the last days says God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams.?
5 Road Blocks to Vision Failure- Not knowing who you are. If you don?t know who you [...]
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holysoup.com
Dumb Questions Heard in Church
Thom Schultz at 4:10pm, February 1, 2012No wonder most people walk away from church with little to show for it. Recent Barna research revealed that most people (61 percent) cannot recall gaining any spiritual insights the last time they attended church. Part of the problem stems from uninspiring content?answering questions no one is asking. (I recently sat through a sermon about [...]
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, right?
Amanda on December 18th, 2008
I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas right now. I absolutely love Christmas! The decorations, the lights. The fun and cute crafts my kids bring home each week from church. I love the music and the singing, I love the crisp cool air that comes with this holiday. I love being reminded each day of little 8 pound 5 ounce baby Jesus. I love how choked up I get thinking of how much a tiny baby can change things. It is a wonderous season…I love it.
It is sometimes a lonely season.These few weeks require super late nights for my husband preparing for the Christmas message. He will miss out on a lot of fun “family” traditions because of work. It makes me sad. But so worth it in the end, right? I am so proud of him. And love the work that he gets to do. He really is an amazing speaker and shares each year in the opportunity to give the Christmas message in “Big Church”. That means he sacrifices time during this special time of year with us. And I don’t get to spend the few days leading up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve with my husband. This year our church has 6 Christmas services. So great, right? As a pastor’s wife we sometimes have to do “traditions” different. Its hard to give up the American-Dream-Christmas.
This year MY gift to our congregation, is my husband. I’m so happy to give it….he’s quite a treasure.
Goodies for Goodies…
Amanda on December 8th, 2008
Another good/bad thing about having your kids hanging around the youth minisrty, is people love to give them snacks. Students and adults alike…they all want to win the love of the pastors kids. So they give out abundant amounts of candy, chips, gum, suckers, etc… My children will come around the corner showing off their bounty with beaming faces as if I too think this is the most amazing day of their life.
My daughter being 2 is a very messy eater. Many of her favorite foods end up more on the outside than the inside of her body. To cut down on her wardrobe expenses some foods require her to eat without clothes on.
With these two things being said, just recently what has started when we go to church is- Give Molly a snack and she will take off her clothes. Awesome! So not only will she come running to find me to show off the treasure of the day, but she will come streaking through the building nudie. So perfect!
I now need a shirt or tag that reads: DO NOT feed the pastors kids!
(Luckily she’s 2 and not 16!)
Better than a Vending Machine
Amanda on December 1st, 2008
My kids an I were pulling off all the couch pillows to jump in and I stopped to have a quick snack. I had a few cheerios, a small orange slice, part of a granola bar, and some pirate’s booty. It hit the spot. I found all of those great snack foods…in the cushions of my couch! I really did eat them all. Yep.
My Own Poll…
Amanda on November 24th, 2008
I’m just taking my own poll on a subject that may be pretty controversial…
Stuffed animals decorating the dash or back window of a car.
CUTE or NOT SO CUTE?
What do you think? 
(I personally don’t get it. My gramma does it so that she can find her own car in the big parking lot at church. But I see people of all ages, that should be able to find their own cars, displaying a variety of stuffed animals. It makes sense when I see a car seat in the back, but not so much when a 35ish year-old lady gets into a car with no car seat and Hello Kitty stuffed animals all lined up in the back window.)
Top Ten Reasons Why It’s Great to be Married to a Youth Pastor:
Amanda on November 20th, 2008
10. My kids can use the church as their own personal play ground.
9. During the week I can stop by the church on my way here-or-there to pee or for a free cup of coffee.
8. I can “crash” any Bible study I want, and get a pretty substantial discount if it costs money.
7. When I loose my keys or kids on the church campus they always know where to return them, the High School room!
6. I can get all the free pizza I’ve ever dreamed of.
5. My kids are “allowed” to swim in the baptismal (just not on Sundays of course, that would be sacrilegious).
4. I can get all the Bibles I want.
3. When in a pinch Jeff can bring home some anointing oil to cook with and some communion wine for the guests. (not really)
2. I get to be an example of a loving family for students that might not know what that looks like.
1. My husband, kids and myself are loved and supported by an extended family- the church.
What are some of your favorite reasons you are married to a youth pastor?
Color Me CrAZy!
Amanda on November 16th, 2008
I just took 7 kids under the age of 5 to Color Me Mine (a paint your own mug place). One 5 year old boy, Two 4 year old boys, Two 2 year old girls, One 1 year old girl, tiny baby Scotty, now 9 weeks old, and 2 other now tired moms. We were soooo out-numbered.
I don’t even think I need to explain any further how those 2 hours went. I think whatever is going on in your mind is exactly what happened, if what’s going on is madness. I don’t think I need to explain all the paint all over EVERYTHING, all the broken pottery, the wrestling match between the 4 year old boys in the middle of the store, the amazing tantrums from the 2 year old girls, the baby puke mixed in with the pretty pink glaze on Papa’s Christmas mug. And I’m sure I don’t need to explain how frazzled we looked walking out, and I am certain you can imagine how relieved the store owners were as they saw our minivans pull out of the parking lot.
Next week I will post the outcome of our masterpieces when we GO BACK to pick them up
I’m SURE it was all worth it, right?