Camp Adventure Week 1 - The Greatest Place on Earth

I've been without the internet the last few days and it's driving me crazy. Took a few minutes and got caught up today. Word has it from the campers that Camp Adventure 07 was amazing as always. If you want to see some of the coolest highlights EVER go to Corey's blog...great, great stuff.

Who is yours?

So, my new boss (that sounds weird) and I have been conversing back and forth via email and phone. On her last email, she signed it "Your #1 Cheerleader". It meant a lot to me and I've have been thinking about it. I've come to the conclusion that everyone needs to have a #1 cheerleader in their life. In particular, one who is a few steps ahead of you on your faith journey and/or profession of choice, etc. Think about it. Who has got your back and is in your corner like no other? Outside of your parents/spouse, who is your #1 cheerleader? Better yet, outside of their parents/spouse, who are you the #1 cheerleader for?

My next question is how many people can you authentically do that for? In small ways, I tried to be that for three friends today. I think people would say Jesus did it for twelve and we're not Jesus. However, if you look at Jesus' life, I think He did it for a whole lot more than just the disciples - Martha, Mary, woman at the well, Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, etc.

Reality is setting in...and reality is good!

Today my heart started beating fast when I learned my new address in Atlanta (it's a sweet apartment near 85 and 285) and received my new email address (judy@youthsource.com). I am totally stoked about my move, but am not looking forward to all the junk I have to sort through. I've got two weeks to git-it-done, so that should buy me a little time. My first day on the job will be July 2, three days later I will be on the beach in Florida brainstorming with the gang for the fall...a rough life I will lead :)

I ran hard at GCC right up until the end. John, Ang and I just finished (2:30 a.m.) finalizing all the camp stuff. While I'm heading south, my roots run deep and my ties to Michiana will always be strong. Great days are ahead...for all of us.

It's a New Day

So what do you do when you've sold your house and you have a little extra cash on your hand? Here are a few of my choices...
Get some dental work done that you've wimped out on for years (this week)
Do the lasik thing (Monday)
Buy a 17" Mac laptop (I've had it with unfixable crudy laptop PC's, I'm up for something new)
Buy a house (I haven't decided for sure on this one, but where I'm moving you get a lot more house for your buck)

Oasis Wednesday Night

Wednesday night was nothing other than a miracle only God could have provided. The weather was absolutely perfect for inflatable city. The band did really well, Corey's Clash of the Champion video rocked, Dave's year-end video was amazing and bounced around with scores of middle school faces, Johnny had them leaping, my Leaps of Faith message engaged them and, of course, the giveaways were cool. Having Mark and Rob there made it all the more special.

It was a total team effort. The coolest thing was seeing our leaders lead. They are truly my heroes. Faithful is the number one word I'd use to describe them. So many of them have been with me for over five years, some nearly ten. It's truly remarkable. I've been blessed beyond measure. When the numbers came in, the first thought was that of gratitude for the scores of friends who spent their Friday afternoon with me putting labels on Jeff's postcards so that just one more might hear. Well, 300 more than expected show up. What a way to go out! In all my years, I will never forget it!

Jesus, thank you!

Last 2006-2007 Oasis

It was a great night! I am bone tired. Final Count 1066 middle school students and leaders.

There are enough cookies to go around

So, I got up Monday morning and realized my cat's litter needed changed. I have no idea why that was on my mind, but I jumped into the car and headed to Wal-Mart. As I entered into Wal-Mart's parking lot, I passed this lady holding a sign that said something like this, "Help, my wallet was stolen, and I can't pay my rent or feed my animals." I drove right by her and felt instant guilt or conviction, I'm not sure which. I went in and got my litter and came back out. I sat in my car and watch scores of people do exactly what I did, drive right on by. The story of the Good Samaritan came to mind. It's one thing to read the story, entirely different to watch it played out before your very eyes.

I decided to go and have her tell me her story. Her name was Sue and I'm not sure if what she said was true, but I'm not sure it mattered. Supposedly, she was a widow and had her Social Security check stolen at Meijers earlier this month. I told her I can't give her any cash, but wanted to help. So I went in and bought some animal food (and more litter too), loaded it in her car, gave her my cell number and told her to have her landlord contact me. I don't anticipate a call, but threw it out there if indeed the landlord could confirm her story. I envisioned her trying to pull a fast one and having one of her relatives call, as well as taking the animal food back and pocketing the cash. Both thoughts I pushed out of my mind. This whole scenario felt like it was more about me and how I would respond and less about her. I'm not going to go as far as to say that it was a "test" but sense that my response might help to keep my heart soften to "God ordained" moments and divine appointments. I'm not sure I handled the situation correctly, but know that I tried.

(Don't get the title to this post, watch Rob's message from this past weekend at gccwired.com)

Feelin' the Love

I wrote an article for my Purpose Driven Youth Ministry pals and they posted it here. Josh Griffin, who is amazing and hilarious, gave me props. What a guy!

If you could see what I see

It's our annual gathering of middle school youth pastors. We're at Forest Homes in California. The view, well, it's breathtaking. Mountains surround us. But there's not much time for the view, we're studying the brain. This year's topic is on the development of the adolescent brain. For the most part, it's not fully developed until 18, some parts not until 25. So, when you see a pre-teen or teenager doing something impulsive, doesn't seem to "get it" or has outburst of anger, there is a possibility it's linked to the fact that their pre-fontal lobe is not fully developed. It doesn't justify away the behavior, but lends help to understanding. We talked about the need for experiental learning and engaging the senses this morning, which we've always tied to different learning styles but I think it could be linked to brain development as well.

I realized we are on the right track with our discussion guides when we provide different questions and activities. The difference between a 6th grade boy and an 8th grade girl have the potential to be HUGE. We need to take that into consideration in our attempts to engage them in spiritual matters and transformation. In many cases, I think we may need to redefine a "win" in student ministry.

This is an amazing group of veterans. They are truly in the trenches.

Orange Conference - Part 3 - General Session with Reggie

Great stuff. You can tell Reggie is very cool, very smart and has a huge heart! Lovin' it! I had to type fast so there are a few incomplete thoughts and a whole lot of bad grammer.


Orange Conference Session #1 – Reggie

100 years from now the only thing that matters is someone’s relationship with God.

You’re here for one of three reasons.
You know what you are doing is kinda working but you don’t want to miss out on something that’s kinda better.
You know what you are doing is not working.
We think what we’re doing is working, but it’s not and you need someone to come alongside you and tell you.

Reggie saw 11th and 12th graders “checking out,” they heard the same thing the same way for so long that they don’t hear it anymore.

Reggie brings out a sound/beat machine. When we realize no one is listening we have a tendency just to turn up the volume.

We think it’s working because it’s working for “us”. We’ve mastered the art of blending in order to make everyone happy. We think if we can keep people happy then we’re doing well. The problem is that no one really loves it, no passion, no excitement.

Sometimes we can convince ourselves that something is working and the reality is it’s not. Are we making it easier or harder to turn to God in our style of ministry?

Acts 15. There is a principle that should challenge us to rethink if we are engaging a generation. Acts 15 – Knock out dragged out business meeting that the Gentiles were not becoming Christians the right way. Brought Paul and Silas in from the mission field. It was all about circumcision. After much discussion, “why put on a yoke that neither me or our fathers can bear.” We believe that it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are saved just as they are. Therefore we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles to turn to God.

REAL ISSUE: ARE WE MAKING IT EASIER OR HARDER FOR SOMEONE TO COME TO JESUS!

Five different issues to think about.
STRATEGY of the song (drum track). Framework for the rest of the song. A plan of action with the end in mind. Aligned working toward common goal and common end. What would it look like if we were all on the same page – newborns through graduates?
MESSAGE of the son (vocal track). What values, faith and character are they taking with them when they graduate. Leading and teaching with an end in mind. We need to reduce the message down to the most important components. Teach them the most important parts of the Bible, not the whole thing. Recycle it in a way to make sure they didn’t miss it. Synchronize the different age groups. Whatever irreducible core curriculum, teaching the same thing at the same time. If you learn how to play together, you have synergy that you’ve never had before.
COMMUNITY. Supports, gives feel (guitar track). They need a place to belong and people to believe in them. We’re living with a generation that is hurting, need to belong and know we believe in them. We can’t have the kinds of production that compete with society, but the thing we need more than anything else is the idea of community.
FAMILY. Highlights message (backup vocals). When you have a master plan where everyone is on the same page, you’ve enabled the parent to know a way to participate in the plan. Parents are saying, help me with a plan. I don’t know how to do this. Give me a plan. Also, tell me what to say. I want to collaborate with you on what you say. It’s in me as a parent to be a part of the spiritual formation of my child. The greatest gift you can give to a parent is a plan, a specific thing to say. You are putting another person in their lives that is saying the same thing as they are.
INFLUENCE. Passion and energy of song (bass track). There is a missing component. We think the best thing is going to church, maybe we have created the mind of “going and doing something” than “being” something. They have a mission of “being” something, they are called to be the church. When we make the decision that discipleship for a teenager is as much as going and doing, as reading and praying we will have a breakthrough. Watch the 11th and 12th graders, are they checking out because they’ve heard it all. I need to know that I was created for something else.

4 Strategies of Student Ministry
1. Keep them from going to Hell
2. We need to stop them from raising Hell.
3. We can scare the Hell out of them.
4. To somehow give teenagers the kind of weapons they need to engage their communities, to rescue people living in Hell, called to a mission.

If the church doesn’t turn the dials, intentionally and proactively, then who will? The reason you are here and the reason you’re a part of this, if you don’t do this, no one else will.

There is a story in the Old Testament of a man that got extremely burdened for his home town. Nehemiah. A man who had a strategy, a plan of action, took the initiative. The Israelite people were in disgrace, they had lost their meaning, they had lost their purpose. He rallied the families to rebuild the cities. Don’t be afraid of the enemies, remember the Lord, fight for your family. When the wall was rebuilt, it was an amazing thing. When the people of God experienced not just what God did at that moment and God did through them, they were never the same. Once the wall was rebuilt, three things happened.
Those outside the wall changed their opinion of who Israel’s God was. They lost confidence in themselves, because they knew the God of the Israelites helped them build it.
Within the walls, the people listened to their God and listened like never before. Ezra stood in the court and read the word and they listened INTENTLY.
Celebration like never before.

People will criticize from outside, complain on the inside, you need to decide the stakes are too high NOT to make the changes. People may decide to leave, it may be difficult, it may be hard. Can you imagine the children of the people who saw the wall go up, they were never the same. Our prayer is that something happens in your church in such a way that children and teenagers will never be the same. They will point back at the experiences they have had at the church as a reminder of who God is.

Orange - Part 2 - Partnering with Parents

This session was INCREDIBLE...

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS
Parents want someone to come alongside them and help equip them. They have this overwhelming responsibility to raise their kids morally and spiritually, but they don’t know how to do it.

I. Problem:
1. We have come to believe that faith and character can be outsourced. It’s not serving us well. Average church has 40 hours with a kid each year, an average working parent has 3,000 hours.

2. In the past 50 years, even churched families have come to believe that dropping off kids is enough to guarantee the spiritual and character formation of their children.

3. As a result, we have raised several underequipped generations of Christian parents and grandparents who do not know how to equip their children in faith and character. They can’t teach them what they do not know (ex. A father with math)

II. The Growing Gap Between Church Leaders and Parents:
1. 85% of parents with children under age 13 believe they have the primary responsibility for teaching their children about religious beliefs and spiritual matters while 11% said their church is primarily responsible.

2. 96% of parents with children under the age of 13 say they have the primary responsibility for teaching their children values.

3. Only 19% of parents with children under 13 have ever been personally contacted or spoken to by a church leader to discuss the parents’ involvement in the spiritual life and development of their children.

III. The Opportunity:
The church may be sitting on the greatest evangelism opportunity in decades. Every parent has at least given thought to, if not spent time lying awake at night, is my child going to be alright.

IV. The Temptation
1. The number one temptation among church leaders is to view family ministry as simply another program that the church runs or a staff member the church needs to deploy

2. Family ministry synchronizes church leaders and parents around a master plan to build faith and character into their sons and daughters.

The master plan is focused on the five principles of Orange.
Integrate strategy – Is what we are doing transferable, easily accessible and irresistible?
Refine message – Teach less for more
Elevate community
Reactive the family
Leverage influence

3. We want to help you think through one aspect of that master plan that will help you move from information based ministry to influence based ministry as church leaders and parents partner together.

V. Moving from Information to Influence
1. Approximately 80% of children walk away from the church/faith when they walk away from their parents.

a. Our assumption: If children have the right information, their faith and character will be appropriately shaped before they leave home. Information alone is not enough (ex. Coke vs. water - go for Coke even though you know water is better, cigarette package warnings don't keep people from smoking, etc.)
b. Reality: Our attempts at information may not be addressing the life issues of children or their parents.
c. Reality: Information alone does not lead to transformation.
What happen to cast in Eight is Enough? How many elephants are in a heard? Who cares
Teaching the whole Bible to children may not be the best approach.
Moral failure prevention may not be our first and best strategy.

2. If an approach focused on information would give way to a strategy that engages the critical influences that shapes every child’s future, we believe our success will increase significantly.

3. (THIS IS REALLY GOOD) The six influences answer, or better yet, resolve six life six life questions that every child asks at some page of his or her development. By focusing on these six influences, six life changes, and developing a matter plan to deal with them, church leaders and parents are better positioned to shape and influence, the heart, mind, soul and future of a child.

Six influences that shape every child’s future, six life questions every child asks, default influences, Orange principles(s) and strategy.

1. Six Influences That Shape Every Child’s Future: A really big God I can trust no matter what.
Six Life Questions Every Child Asks: Who am I?
Default Influences: It must be about me. It must be about me.
Orange Principle(s) and Strategy: Refine Your Message. Elevate Community. First Look.
1. God made me. 2. God loves me. 3. Jesus wants to be my friend.

2. Six Influences That Shape Every Child’s Future: A burning light that leads to truth.
Six Life Questions Every Child Asks: What’s true?
Default Influences: Whatever
Orange Principle(s) and Strategy: Refine Your Message. Elevate Community. 252 Basics.
1. I can trust God (a really big God). 2. I need to make the wise choices (a burning light). 3. I should treat others the way I want to be treated (a compelling mission).

3. Six Influences That Shape Every Child’s Future: Nosey parents who make it their job to know where their kids are.
Six Life Questions Every Child Asks: Who really cares?
Default Influences: Nobody, really, nobody
Orange Principle(s) and Strategy: Reactive the Family

4. Six Influences That Shape Every Child’s Future: Another voice that sayds the same thing my parents say.
Six Life Questions Every Child Asks: Who else believe in me?
Default Influences: Whoever can use me.
Orange Principle(s) and Strategy: Elevate Community

5. Six Influences That Shape Every Child’s Future: Someone else who is going in the right direction.
Six Life Questions Every Child Asks: Where do I fit in?
Default Influences: With the people I get to like me.
Orange Principle(s) and Strategy: Elevate Community

6. Six Influences That Shape Every Child’s Future: A compelling mission that lasts a lifetime
Six Life Questions Every Child Asks: Why am I here?
Default Influences: To get what I want? (Reality, when I get it I don’t want it anymore)
Orange Principle(s) and Strategy: Refine Your Message. Leverage influence. XP3.
1. Inviting wonder (a really big God) 2. Provoking discovery (burning light) 3. Fueling passion (a compelling mission)

VI. Maximizing Influence
1. At every level of your family ministry, think about how you can leverage all six influence that shape the life of every child for maximum impact at church and at home.

2. One example would be to rethink our Family Experience at a new level. Our strategy is:
a) Once a month
b) Off Sunday
c) Separate the parents and the kids (for a few minutes)
d) Talk directly with the parents (parents lounge)
e) Focus on one of the six influences

3. Parent lounge sample discussion. Ex. Favorite Five on cell phone. Who does your child have on their Favorite Five that would say the same thing you do? Rite of Passage. Spend one day with each mentor. At then end of the time, gathered together for a feast, kid wrote a card telling each one what they meant, prayed for son, gave each mentor a Bible.

VII. Your Challenge
1. Rethink family ministry strategy at a master level to move church leaders and parents onto the same page.
2. Rethink how the six life influences can be leveraged at every level both in content and strategy to prepare children for the life God has called them to.

Orange Conference - Part 1 - Unlocking the XP3 Strategy

Began the Orange Conference by learning how not to do registration. I truly felt for them. I would not have wanted to start a first time conference off this way. However things kept getting better as the day went on. This conference has already challenged me on a few things.

The first workshop was unlocking the XP3 Strategy. In my opinion, they should of kepted it locked until next year. According to the amazing Mark Waltz, you can't get a First Impression back. My guess is that this is GOING to be GREAT, GREAT stuff. However, I think they jumped the gun on the release. They had great presenters, but the material is just not complete or tested enough yet.

Here are my unedited notes...
Unpacking XP3 Strategy
XP3 - The Big Three
Incite Wonder
Provoke Discovery
Fuel Passion

The Heart Behind XP3
Move from information to experience. We need to move past the spectator sport mentality and approach, and let students feel like they have a chance to get the ball. They won’t remember what you say, but they will remember an experience.

Create a real sense of community. Let the small group be a place where students can ask real, tough questions. They can experience real dialog and receive authentic answers. We offer what culture can’t. MySpace is a false sense of community.

Give them responsibility. Knowing who you are unlocks passion. Don’t just tell them to be the church, but teach them to be the church.

Leave behind the “don’t” mentality. Instead of telling them what they can’t do, tell them what they can do. Write from filter of grace.

Work together with parents to create dialog and a connection at home. Instead of creating a culture that excludes parents, find ways to help parents and students “win” in their desire to connect with one another.

XP3
Small Group Dialog.
Your job is to set up discussion and create meaningful conversations.
Begin with “What did the speaker say tonight?” “What did you think about…”
It’s ok to create tension.
What’s the landing point? Give them a closing challenge.
XP = Experience
Home XP = Experience at home. Communicate, challenge and encourage parents.
Teaching Script
Video Elements
Creating the Experience
Middle School Adaptation

Life change happens best in circles, not rows.

Manowe

Rest, deck time, rest, Hope Garden, rest, trails, rest, deck time, rest...
that pretty much somes up my time at Manowe this weekend. It is one of the greatest places on planet earth to hear from Jesus. My head was swirling before I went and now it's stopped. I needed sleep and got it. I needed answers and got them. I needed Jesus and He showed up. Imagine that! It was most excellent!

I went back up there today to shoot some footage for tomorrow. There's just something about that place!

Karissa

Just got some pics from Karissa. She was in our youth ministry for years and is now a missionary in Malawi, Africa. I am so proud of her. She's gone way out of her comfort zone and taken it to whole new levels. Here she is with one of her Malawi friends.

Slow that Train Down

A friend gave me a great piece of advice that has been ever so helpful. It's one simple line that packs a punch, here it is ... wait for it ... wait for it .... "slow that train down". Slow that train down when you're sleep deprived and you can't think straight, sleeplessness only complicates things. Slow that train down when you have a influx of huge amounts of emotions you don't know quite what to do with. Slow that train down when you want to jump to conclusions faster than you can think logically. Slow that train down when... I'm not a counselor, but I've used that line with two other people and she just gave it to me.

Today at Oasis was a day of wonderful surprises. My pal Tristan stopped by and hung out. We reminisced about the days when he used to run the band and him, his sister and I would stay up talking to the early hours of the morning talking about anything and everything. I'd make him call his mom before he went home to let her know he was on his way and he'd always try to pass the buck to me. He's all grown up now, but some things never change. He went home about 1:00 a.m. Seems we still have a lot of stuff to talk about. This time we exchanged his sister, Karissa, for Chris. Karrisa is in Malawi for a second six month mission trip tour. Good times.

I had some parents stop by and give me an encouraging card and a gift. They waited in line for 20 minutes as I talked to a group of girls and a group of guys who wanted to chat for awhile about some stuff. The mom's words, "it's been on our heart to do this for awhile and it seemed like today would be a good day". Timing = perfect! I was deeply touched and totally encouraged. This card...after an appropriate time on my desk will be kept in my special encouragement file under "God's timing perfect, funny how He works that way".

I love this picture

I normally take HORRIBLE pictures, keeping my eyes open is a miracle in any of them, but this one I like. It was from Second Saturday last weekend. One day it will make the wall of fame. My prediction, at least three of these young ladies will play some serious college basketball one day. My other prediction, along with scores of other GCC students, all of them are and will represent Jesus well.

I asked Ashley who would win if they played their moms (who are ridiculously amazing) and she thought her and her friends could take them. Now that would be a game to watch...and record!

10 Years Today

Today was the day I crossed over into a new decade. I started getting paid for what I love to do ten years ago today. How does the saying go, "find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life" ... something like that. While the last few days have been a mental and emotional overload, youth ministry is still the love of my life. Great, great days are ahead. I think this weekend we got a taste of it. My family and I went to the 5:30 service, but chose to give up our seats for the house was packed.

Everything is easier with friends

I hate to workout where you go round and round on a treadmill, even with the new attached TVs it's boring to me. However, I love to play just about any sport known to man (or woman). I've been playing basketball for about two months now and, even though my pinkie hasn't recovered from week one, I absolutely love it! With the exception of a 5 minute break, we run from one end to the other for over an hour. It's sweet. Initially, I was fighting for every breath, but after about week two everything was good. What it's done for my mind is amazing as well. The group of women that I play with are fun, amazing and without drama. I'm enjoying getting to know them about as much as I enjoy playing. New friends, good times.

Wow – who changed the light bulb

Did you ever have something you couldn’t quite figure out or put your finger on, but then all of the sudden you got it? Like you had a 60 watt light bulb action going and all of a sudden someone exchanged it for 120 watts. That’s what happened in one split moment in the car going over to the Marriott after a great, but very long, day. What I realized takes a huge weight off my shoulders, but saddens me at the same time. I’m not sure what to do with this new found realization, but will figure it out in time and a whole lot of prayer.

This is what my day looked like:
8:30 a.m. Up and jumpin’ – I hate mornings, always have and always will!
9:30 – 3:00 All day meeting – On a “helpful” scale of 1 to 10, a strong 9.95!
3:00 – 4:00 Checked the Oasis stats that should be showing on email reports. Done and to the amazing Dave!
4:00 – 6:00 Worked on a project I was bent on starting and completing today – Finally!
6:00 – 6:45 Previewed service for tomorrow night – It’ll be a hoot!
6:45 – 9:00 Went to Ruby’s silent auction, got the bids up on a number of them, helped sis clean up (she totally hooked Ruby up with a great conference room) – Go Back2 Back! I will now have a Ruby Moyer wall of fame if I ever find a new house – two paintings and picture.
9:00 – 9:30 Went to see Karen and Bob at Memorial Hospital – both of Bob’s mom and dad are in at the same time – heart attack and possible pneumonia.
9:30 – 11:00 Had dinner with Karen and Bob at Steak and Shake – I love loyal and long-time friends
11:00 – 5:00 Processing a thousand things going through my mind while I finalize some Oasis stuff.
6:13 a.m. Still serious stuff spinning through my head, it will have to finish spinning tomorrow (or I guess, that would mean later today)

Bye, bye Gateway and Dell, make way for the IBM ThinkPad

Computers and me do not get along. I'm convinced there must be magnets in my fingers or something...maybe the Diet Mountain Dew flowing through my veins is really liquid Krypton and has an adverse affect on computers. Ed, in the IT department, is more positive. He thinks I must be doing something pretty amazing for the Kingdom and the Devil tries to derail me through my computer.

First, the Gateway died a slow death (after being wiped clean and having everything reinstalled 3 times), then Dell #1, then Dell #2. I treat them nice, honest I do. They work great for awhile, then they get slower and slower and slower, then they begin crashing and crashing and crashing. You would not believe how many hidden temp files (or whatever they're called) I have from crashing. Today, when I booted my computer, my pal Phil couldn't believe I still couldn't get to my email 10 minutes after hitting the "on" button.

Fortunately, I only needed to get on for awhile this morning, then I shut that thing off for the very last time and traded it in for an IBM ThinkPad. IT is convinced there is no way this thing is going to die on me. I hope they are sooooooooooo very right!