Book Review - Youth Ministry in the 21st Century by Rick Lawrence

I’ve wanted to read Rick Lawrence’s book “Youth Ministry in the 21st Century. ” for a couple of months now but have been wading through “Desiring God.” But finally I’ve finished Pipers book and got a chance to dive into Rick’s book. Wonderful stuff and the interesting thing to me is that a lot of what Rick talks about is things happening here at NCBC. Here are two things that hit me:
First thing that hit me was the need to have a place that kids can be themselves. “If students know they can stop pretending and be who they actually are, with people who actually want to know them and love them… well, they’re in.” I’m always talking with my sponsors (our adult volunteers) that they need to spend time with the kids outside of our “regular” time together. Rick points to the fact kids need caring adults in their lives. If the adults are willing to share their lives with the kids - real youth ministry happens. Rick said, “At the heart of modeling is a desire to make your life a story worth telling” and I would add hearing. This reminds me of one of Kurt Johnston’s jr hi ministry “formulas” –

Middle school students + caring adults = good ministry

The other key thought that hit me was the huge impact parents have on their kids. There has been so many times in my ministry where I thought parents were the enemy. I was so wrong in thinking that way and Rick really makes a strong point about this. “Parents are, by far, the best faith sharers, evangelizers, and outreachers.” As a dad of a middle schooler I’m starting to understand this even more – my 7th grade daughter does watch my wife & me – like a hawk. This also means the youth ministry needs to poor ourselves into the parents. Rick put it this way, “it’s just as important for you to invest in parents’ spiritual growth as it is to invest in your students’ spiritual growth.” This is probably the weakest part of our ministry – we really need to work on this more.

Book Report - Desiring God by John Piper

I try to get a book recommendation each year from my good friend, brother in Christ, & mentor Mark Forstrom. This year he suggested “Desiring God” by John Piper – oh my! What a recommendation. Ever since I have had the privilege of being the middle school guy here at NCBC my spiritual life has be on a constant growth & I believe that I have matured in my faith more than I have ever in my life. Piper’s book has put me in my place of realizing that I’m really not that mature – at least not as mature as I thought I was.

I didn’t know how to put down my thoughts from the book so this time I’m going to put down a number of key thoughts that John Piper said in his book. The goal is for those thoughts are there for me to reflect, pray, and think on as my life continues:

“The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.”

“I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise…” quoted from C.S. Lews

“Praise is not an alternative to joy, but the expression of joy.”

“The aim of the Christian Hedonist is to be happy in God, to delight in God, to cherish and enjoy His fellowship and favor.”

“Because God is unique as an all-glorious, totally self-sufficient Being, He must be for Himself if He is to be for us.”

“The first thing we learn is that worship has to with real life.”

“The Word of God is not a trifle; it is a matter of life and death. If you treat the Scriptures as a trifle or as empty words, you forfeit life.”

“God is not looking for people to work for Him, so much as He is looking for people who will let Him work for them.”

“The great encouragement from John 10:16 is that the Lord Himself will do what is impossible for ‘poor and helpless worms’ like us.”

“This is God’s universal purpose for all Christian suffering: more contentment in God and less satisfaction in self and the world.”

“The deep things of life in God are discovered in suffering.”

“If we do not communicate that He is the goal and the ground of our joy in suffering, then the meaning of our suffering will be lost. The meaning is this: God is gain. God is gain. God is gain."

“The proper understanding of everything in life begins with God.”

Prayers and Review of Oct 09

Spending time in October and November to read through John in KJV. I like looking at a number of different translations of the Bible because I believe it makes me think and strengthens me. These prayers came from of my reading so far:

Lord, may I be holy because you are holy

Lord, may you be my life so your light may shine from me.

Lord, may I be only who you want me to be and no other.

Lord, may I follow your order of things.

Lord, may I receive your truth always - may it penetrate deep into me.

Lord, may I desire spiritual food over physical food.

Lord, may you stir my heart so that I might follow you even more.

Lord, I want to be all about you.

Lord, thank you for all the miracles you have done and are going to do - may I always remember it is to bring you glory that they are being done

Lord, may I come to you when you call - even if you are calling me to walk on water.

Lord, I don't even pretend to understand you but I know that I desire you with everything I have - may I never stop chasing after you.

Lord, may your spirit flow over & out of me.

Lord, my I pay attention to you

Lord, may I hear you the first time and act as you want me to.

Lord, may I only follow you - my Father.

Lord, you are I am.

WOW!! Lord, thank you for my mind may I use it only for you.

Fall Retreat 2009

At the request of some good friends I'm still going to put pictures on http://www.flickr.com/ & link them here. Click the picture above or here to see a slide show of the pics I have of our fall retreat.

8th grade - first one for 2009-10

I have to say that I'm really excited about this group of 8th graders. They have a lot going for them & tonights 8th grade night really showed that.

Lesson Topic: Standing out in your World for God

Attendance: Average - It was a good turn out for our kids

Fun Factor - Excellent - the game was fun but the lesson was even funner

Volunteer Involvement: Average - great sponsor involvement

Music: Was Ok - the kids that lead did a good job but there is something missing that we need to figure out

Lesson Quality: Was one of the best lessons I've heard from a group of 8th graders.

Length of Lesson: 30 min

Student Response: low - the topic was solid and the lesson was good but the group was just not staying engaged like I wish they would have.

Favorite statment of the night: God's World or our world which one will you choice?

Prayers and Review of Sep 09

Been reading through Exodus for my personal time with the Lord and I must say it has been very interesting to read. I was also very surprised how much of what I read felt new to me - as if I hadn't read it before. Here are my prayers from my personal study:

Lord, may I multiply my desire to honor you with everything I say and do - even if I am oppressed.

Lord, may I be your child. Lord, there are times in your word that I really don't get it.

Lord, may I celebrate you with all that I am no matter what the situation I'm in.

Lord, may I be a slave to you and you alone.

Lord, may my heart never get hard that you would have to turn water into blood for me to change.

Lord, may I never be detestable in your eyes - may I be your servant always.

Lord, may I be all yours.

Lord, I'm your servant - make me better.

Lord, you are able to change hearts and minds - may my heart and mind always be thinking about you.

Lord, may you raise me up to be all that I'm to be on this earth for you.

Lord, may I be ready for battle for you.

Lord, may you blast the enemies of your truth with your nostrils.

Lord, may I be directed by you to your instruction and may I follow them.

Lord, your word is all true help me to see that daily.

Lord, may I take care of my family the way you want me to.

Lord, may I walk after you constantly even if it is a long walk.

Lord, when I hear from you may I be listening with all that I have.

Lord, help me understand your sayings that you want me to understand and be ok with that.

Lord, may the widows and orphans in my life be cared for.

Lord, may you find me being fair in all my dealings.

Father - may I hang out with you every day - kinda like Moses did.

Lord, I'm a saint that sins - may my heart always be prompted to turn to you.

Thank you Lord for giving all of us different abilities to make a difference in this world.

Lord, in all things that you do and share in your word may I respond to them.

Lord, may I stop being all about me and be all about you - help me LORD!

Lord, may you show yourself in the way you want me to see you - always.

Lord, thank you for showing yourself to the people of Israel through Moses - that history is so awesome and important to me.

Lord, may I always be willing to bring what every you ask of me to you - with all that I am.

Lord, open my eyes to Your truths in my life so that I might move towards you more.

Mag report - GROUP (Sep - Oct 2009)

Here are my thoughts on the newest GROUP magazine:

Something I liked: The interview of Marv Penner and his article, "The best practices of counseling teenagers" are awesome and we need to "remind yourself that we're not shrinks...we're shepherds."

Also, Megan Hutchinson's simple phrases of encouragement every kids needs to hear:
I believe in you
I am here for you
You are going to get through this
You can make good choices
You are talented, gifted, and rare
You matter

???: Jeanne Mayo used talked about goals and quoted a study of Harvard business graduates, "only 13% had goals, & only 3% of that group had written down their goals & an action plan." I remember hearing that when I was in college 10 yrs ago - just wondering if there are more recent studies out there about these stats.

Key Statement: Dave Livermore & Steve Argue made this awesome statement, "Kickoffs, events, & trips usually have a big workup, followed by a big letdown." How true & important to remember.

Creative idea: Stephanie Caro shared some great ideas to try this new school year. One of theme was to take the youth group to one school event per teen. We are doing something like this with our different groups that I think will make a huge difference in our kids lives - thanks Stephanie for the great idea.

Mag report - GROUP (Jul- Aug 2009)

I'm finally getting caught up on all my simple reports. I've read a lot but haven't taken the time to do a report on what I've read. I'm committed to try to remember what I've read and this blog is my main tool to do just that. Here is what I picked up on GROUP Jul-Aug 2009 magazines:

What I liked: Greg Stier's article on "of strippers and missionaries" really was great. I loved this thought, "Equipping kids to consistently live dependent on Jesus is the best thing we can do to set them up for a lifetime of serving and sharing Jesus." The need for our middle schoolers to understand their need for Jesus in their regular daily life is so key to them taking spiritual steps forward.

???: David Hagan's "helpful hint" had a great idea - PEAK groups (Prayer, Encouragement, Accountability, & Knowing God) but he also suggest that the groups should have new leaders every 3 mths which I see as a weakness since the kids and the leaders wouldn't have a chance to really connect. 3 months just isn't enough time to make lasting impact in a kid's life.

Key statement: Duffy Robbins said this "God's not looking for savvy, hip people who know it all; he's looking for teachable people who are willing to have their eyes opened in new ways to his glory."

Something creative: Steve Case's article "The best darn Fall Kickoff idea...period" had a great idea when he shared that we could - "give kids a 'permanent' reminder of a temporary feeling" - temp tattoos are a great idea.

Prayers and Review of Aug 09

I'm back to the Bible reading plan I started a number of years ago (if you want to know how this all started click here). I've made a commitment that I would read through the whole Bible using this plan. It will take some time but what God has been teaching me has all been worith it - thank you Lord. Here are this months prayers:

Lord, may your servants be all about you.

Lord, may I rejoice in all that you are doing in my life and in others around me.

Lord, thank you for clearing my vision and reaching out to me - I am yours.

Lord, there are so many different kinds of people on this earth, may I be open to all of them because they are all made in your image.

Lord, there are so many different kinds of people on this earth, may I be open to all of them because they are all made in your image.

Lord, may my focus - my purpose be about you more and more every day.

Lord, may I have a balance of learning your truth and applying your truth in my life and in those you put around me.

Lord, may I live a life full of glorifying you.

Lord, may I be involved in loving others like you do.

Lord, I want to understand you more - help me.

Lord, may I be your man - focused on loving and honoring you - always.

Lord, you are my life, may I only "work" to bring you glory and honor.

Lord, remind me to look people in the eye and have a desire to actually spend time - face time - with them.

Lord, thank you for making me - me and helping me understand I don't need to compare myself to anyone - I just need to be the Mark Eades that praises you.

Lord, may I be gentle and creative in the way that I spend time with my family and msers.

Lord, open my eyes to your truth more and more so that I might communicated the truth better.

Lord, may your servants keep learning and growing for your glory.

Lord, open my eyes so that I might be consumed by what you want me to be consumed by.

Lord, may I be your useful instrument for the gospel to my family, friends, & the middle school kids.

Lord, may I be pure in everything I do and say.

Lord, may I be a stone that is solid for others to stand on and not stumble.

Lord, may I share when I should share and stay silent when I need to stay silent.

Lord, help me to not just take everyone’s word for fact but keep my mind alert to your truth always.

Lord, may I open your word and drink it in like never before. I'm thirst LORD.

Lord, may I be on the "straight road" to You in everything I do.

Lord, may I grow in understanding you better, thank you for being so patient with me.

Lord, may your truth be found in me.

Lord, may I be about you each day, min, & sec.

Lord, may your complete love drive out everything evil in my life.

Lord, may your testimony shine bright from me.

Lord, your love is so much greater than I could ever think of - thank you & I love you.

Lord, may I focus on your goodness and stay away from what is evil.

Lord, may I be your man, full of what you want me to understand about you and the salvation you brought to this world.

Saying good bye is really saying keep going!

One of the hard things but wonderful things about middle school ministry (and in many youth/children ministry I think) is having to "graduate" up your oldest group. Tonight we said good bye to our wonderful 8th graders of the class of 2013 (when they will graduate from high school). I wish I was a really good writer or poet to share about this group but I'm not so I will let the picture above say it - I love this group and I can't wait to see what God is going to do next in their lives.

Middle School Week by YS

Youth Specialties is honoring middle school ministry this week with a week focus on middle school ministry on their blog called "middle school week." I'm writing this at NCBC's awesome Kid's camp that we put on each year. I take advantage of this camp to get connect with some of the new incoming 6th graders. This brought two thoughts to my mind and I hope this encourages you as it does me:

1) Long team is key to successful middle school ministry. Setting here seeing the team that is working these very young kids (2nd - 5th grade) is just awesome. I know almost every kid working that is here because they had been a part of middle school ministry.

2) You can have high expectations on your middle school kids - you just have to do it slowly and individually. Here at camp we have a number of middle schoolers who have a lot of work to do to make this camp function. There are some really high expectations on them and they are doing awesome - but I wouldn’t have asked most of them to do what they are doing last year. They are maturing and they are maturing quickly if we keep the expectations balanced and help focus them on Christ - watch out! they are going to rock.

Thanks YS(check out their web site here) for recognizing this great group of kids and may every middle school/jr hi guy/gal out there know they are awesome in my book!