summer is almost here

as i have been working on our programs for this summer, i find myself wondering at times if there is too much going on. sometimes we pack our schedules so full of stuff, that we are just busy. we lose sight and we lose perspective on who we are and what we are about. i have to keep that as a caution ahead of me. if i am not well, what i am doing won't be done well. we have our regular stuff going on: small groups, jr high and high school nights. during the summer we also add a movie night, mission day, and beach day to the regular routine. we also have two camps and a high school mission trip, all a week long. we kick it off with a huge school's out party and end it with outpouring and a trip to busch gardens.

with all that is going on and my commitment to what i do, i am reminded of even stronger commitments to myself, my wife, and to God. these must come first. i intentionally take fridays off to spend time in those areas. i truly believe that if i maintain and develop even stronger relationships is those areas what i do in ministry will have an even larger impact than what i can imagine, not that i am great or good, but because God is great and good. if am just busy, i won't rest, i won't be focused, and i will move slow and lack patience, rendering me quite useless to say the least. yet, if i am fresh, energized, and growing, much more will be accomplished because of it. obvious i know, but much easier said than done.

paradigms of youth ministry

at the large church initiative today, i sat in a class that was discussing the need for a new paradigm of youth ministry in the united methodist church. this need is due in large that there is little education specific to youth ministry (outside of a few good books) or specific about how to do youth ministry and all the tasks that come with it. many people go into a career of youth ministry with the passion and desire and receive little or no training prior to being placed in the position. we know that most people don't last more than 2 years in youth ministry on average and many move on long before that. in the methodist church there is a great standard set for pastors to be ordained and to take lead in a church. yet, for other church staff there is very little education offered and what is available is difficult to receive, unless you go back to school full time again. the methodist church should set a minimum standard for its youth ministries. this will bring quality to the ministry and quality to the spiritual growth. it will also give the church a higher level of integrity. but the church's should get involved in helping to make this training and education available. i think this is the beginning of a conversation that needs to continue. it will take quite some time for this idea to be moved into action and will need to continue throughout the denomination.

outpouring speaker for 2008

jason gant, director of student ministries at church of the resurrection in kansas city, will be sharing the scriptures with us at outpouring in august 2008. take a listen a recent sermon he gave at their youth group.

if you would like to see more, check out their videos at blip.tv.