Life of a youth pastor .

Just “like” it.

by Leave a Comment

instalikes

Why? Tonight a sophomore girl that frequents our youth group had over 150 likes on a photo, yet she goes up to my wife and says, “You liked my photo!” She felt so loved, understood, valued, important… simply because my wife saw a photo and liked it. That student scrolled through a myriad of names to find my wife’s name, then seek her out, to share that she felt loved and noticed.

Bottom line, if the pic is appropriate “like it.” If the photo is appropriate just double tap the screen letting your student or leader know you where there. In a fantastic book,  “Lead Small” it mentions showing up randomly as very important to the student. One of the easiest yet personal ways we can show up randomly for a student is through social media. Follow your students on instagram, facebook, twitter, etc. and when they post that picture of them being goofy at school or bored at home, simply “like” it.

It’s become too easy. To show a student you value them simply takes tapping a screen twice, but it means the world to them. I still vote for taking them out for a Starbucks, movie, or attending a school sporting event, these can produce some more time for conversation. Though these outings can be counted as a glue for connecting with and staying connected to the student world, there is something quite invasive yet extremely valuable to a student in simply saying, “I like it”. To the student it means: I’m rooting for you, great job, cool stuff, that’s fun, way to go, I’m a fan!

Quick Tip: Clean out the inbox and keep it clean!

by Leave a Comment

spam

Here’s a spring cleaning idea everyone needs to take action on. The inbox. Why does it always seem full, overflowing, and feel like you can’t keep up? Because 1/2 of those emails are trash, they need to be thrown away. Only a few hours can save you tons of time in the upcoming year.

Last year I spent a few hours setting up filters for my gmail accounts. This has saved me from headache and all those emails I don’t want from a store I bought something at, or that website I thought I really loved until they emailed me every other day. Sure, you can go through and delete all those emails, or try and track down the mailer and “unsubscribe”, but I find another method extremely helpful. Quit playing defense and set up a spring cleaning system that will keep that mailbox clean year round.

Gmail filters are very easy to use once you get the hang of it.

1. Click on the check box of the email you don’t want.

2. Under the “More” tab click on “filter messages like these”

3. Click on “create a filter with this search”

4. Click on boxes you want to apply, in my case, “delete it” (I never want to see you again!)

5. You can also apply to other similar emails in your inbox, I usually click on “apply filter to current conversations”

6. Click on “create filter” – Boom. You’re done…with that filter, now go make another!

It’s tedious work, but well worth it.

Check out this video if the steps above weren’t clear enough for you, there are a few more ways you can use these filters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2Bk1Q9OquU

Spring clean your ministry space!

by Leave a Comment

spring-cleaning-man-221x300

My house has been through a remodel this year along with trying to make a yard out of a previous overgrown jungle. It seems like we are always spring cleaning at our house, but it feels good. It feels good to donate items to the local goodwill, sell some stuff on craigslist for cash or get those six yard bags to the curb from of all the pruning that was needed.

This isn’t only happening at home but at church too. My first “assignment” in ministry as an intern was to spring clean the church shed. Since then, I do my best to get rid of the things that aren’t needed and avoid piling stuff up in the closets. Student ministries around the country are notorious for hoarding. Don’t be a hoarder! If you haven’t used it in a year, throw it away, sell it or donate it to another ministry. The most uninviting thing a guest or family could experience is your mess, clean it up. Perhaps you need a change of scenery in your space, or you are so used to your mess you don’t see it. Ask others for feedback. You will be amazed at how much easier ministry is when you know where things are at and they are easily accessible. So, what does your storage space look like? If you don’t have storage but need some, how can I help you solve that problem or brainstorm?

Now the hard part, go clean!

Can two baptize one?

by 1 Comment

baptism

Last night was awesome.

As stated in my previous post about Young Life and my desire to partner with them… I had texted a few of their leaders yesterday and one responded by saying he was attending our churches baptism last night. Arriving at church I was introduced by one of my students to the local high school’s YL leader. We chatted for a bit and then discovered that we together were baptizing the same student! It was beautiful picture of the church and campus ministry partnering together to invest in the life of the next generation.

Our students need more than one positive influence and voice in their life. How can you cheer on those other positive voices that are outside your own independent church.

I hope to see this happen many more times in “our” ministry together reaching students for Jesus. What’s holding you back? How can you partner with your local school’s campus ministries. Do you have similar experiences to share?

Partner with a campus ministry.

by Leave a Comment

YL_9251_Logo_PrimaryALT

I am super excited about something that happened last week. I sat down with a a former youth worker from my church who also participated on staff with young life. As we chowed down on breakfast tacos I confessed my envy of young life and their fantastic contact work/ministry they do with high school students. I also confessed my frustrations of feeling like I had to compete with this ministry, wanting to see more of these kids plug into the local church, selfishly my local youth group and not just attend a YL club.

After feeling like I revealed my deepest and honest feelings, I then proceeded to share what God had been doing in my heart. I know at the end of the day I will have to give an account to my maker for what I have done with the time given to me, the resources entrusted to me, and the people put in my path. For this season, God has placed almost 2,500 students right down the road not only in the churches path but also young life. We will both stand side by side one day to give an account for the students on that campus. We serve the same God and are both trying to reach students with truth in a relevant way.

So, what is the best thing a local church can do for a campus ministry like young life, FCA, Cru? Find those who are doing the ministry and simply ask the questions, “How can I partner with you?” “How can I serve you?” “What do you need?”

I began this conversation today and already something amazing happened tonight… more to come.

Will leadership sufferings expire you?

by Leave a Comment

Time-expired-by-Joel-PennerAfter being at my church now for just over 18 months as a youth pastor I have come to the realization that I have reached my expiration date. Yup, the average tenure of student pastors across the nation. But why? In comparison to other jobs and positions held both inside and outside of ministry why only 18 months? We can knock on leadership’s door and ask why and many times the excuses could vary from we can’t have more money for our ministry or more staff to help us do our job, perhaps we just feel like a step-child in the church at times, staff and parents patting us on the back thanking us for “dealing” with the teenagers. I don’t think a student pastor leaves a church or ministry because of the students, budget, or even staffing, it’s simply a leadership thing.

A nugget shared from J. Oswald Sanders in his book, “Spiritual Leadership”…

“True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost. Often it comes with a bitter cup of challenges and a painful baptism of suffering. For genuine godly leadership weighs carefully Jesus’ question: “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38b). The real spiritual leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life than we take out.”

I inherited the leadership of a student ministry with a small handful of dedicated leaders knowing we needed many more to help develop authentic faith for our students… forgetting what was behind and pressing on toward the goal over the last 18 months we now have 45 leaders and volunteers serving in student ministry! And while many give the thumbs up and applaud the numbers, we know it wasn’t just handed us. Take a good hard look at any church or ministry in the world that is growing – growth didn’t happen without painful moments and suffering that cuts deep emotionally and spiritually. In my situation I would say for every one leader recruited there has been a difficult or bitter conversation to be had with another. If anything, I have learned that my leadership sufferings have made me stronger, allowed me to carry more and develop a higher capacity of compassion for others.

The next time a challenge is added to your bitter cup or you experience painful suffering, just know that it’s part of the job description. And if you think quitting your position will excuse you from that, you are simply wrong. Challenges and suffering live at the top of the list when it comes to following the way of Christ. Hang in there, work through the bitterness and find joy on the other side, don’t quit too soon.

Explore God – Making History in God’s Kingdom

by Leave a Comment

explore-god

Driving up and down the highways of my city over the past two months I have been amazed at how many billboards look the same. The white, black and blue palates of color make up different questions, statements and a website link. Rumor has it, that this is the biggest billboard campaign the city of Austin, Texas has ever seen. With 1,834,303 people, the city of Austin and its surrounding suburbs, I believe God and His Church are on the brink of something BIG, making history for His Kingdom!

Explore God was an idea, a thought, a dream that became reality. Check this out, over 330 churches in the city are doing the same series, exploring the same questions, at the same time! “Explore God” Today marks the launch for 6 weeks worth of what can be life altering or discovering faith kinds of questions for those that might be far from God. The goal is that 100,000 spiritual conversations would evolve as a result of this series and church partnership to engage the city.

Each church has trained discussion facilitators to host small group discussion in their home, work place, or even a local pub. The point is not to convert or even argue about God, but to merely allow a safe place for questions and discussion.

My leaders and students are joining the movement. We kicked it off this morning with 160 middle school students, I’m excited to see what happens tonight with our high school students.

Would you take a moment to pray for the city of Austin? Pray those that are leading this movement but also those that might be intrigued by a billboard or conversation, that they would seek out the website and perhaps a church in their neighborhood.

Today’s Question: Does life have a purpose? Here was a quick intro video.

Many more questions, videos and materials for your church can be found on their website. www.exploreGod.com

GroupMe – A safer way to text & communicate in groups.

by Leave a Comment

GroupMe_logo_lockup_horizontalI recently had a youth pastor (Marcus Linton) ask me, “I’m looking into getting an app or some sort of program of some sort that would allow me to send out mass/group SMS text messages to my students. Could you help?”

Many student pastors and small group leaders are looking for different ways to communicate with students. I have tried multiple social media methods including facebook, instagram, emails, phone calls, and at the end of the day…drumroll please…the most effective way to reach a student where they are at is through text messaging! 96% of the time a student will check their text message right away.

We live in an era that communication is unfolding at a rapid rate. Though I’m 26 and part of the Y generation where we think anything is possible, and the world is a smaller place due to Internet and communication, I have the hardest time keeping up with the birth rate of technology. There is a new way to communicate every day.

How does this benefit youth ministry? How can we leverage the technology that has been given to us? Well, I have been introduced to GroupMe a few times this past year and believe it is time for us in student ministry to take the dive and try this out. GroupMe is definitely safer than private text messaging, technology can be used for good and bad, especially when it comes to adults communicating with students. There are loopholes with any app, or piece of technology, this one not excused but is much more above reproach than private messaging via text, fb, email, etc. This could be the answer to your problems Marcus, give it a try and let me know if it helps. Here are a few quick facts…

  • It’s FREE! (However, regular text messaging rates apply. Most people have unlimited.)
  • Set up multiple groups (I will be setting up some for my different leader groups) Your small group leaders could set up a GroupMe for their students.
  • Collect money toward an event, project, or purchase – everyone can chip in!
  • MUTE notifications…beware, it will blow up your phone once tons of people start replying. There is a way to MUTE the group so your phone isn’t constantly beeping at you.

A glance at the past & then back to the future!

by Leave a Comment

PostcardImageGoodbyeSummerHelloFall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To say the least, my 2013 summer has been packed full of everything under the sun, from moving into a house to preparing a program switch for HS students. Here’s how my summer unfolded in review and what I’m up against for the Fall.

SUMMER, a glance at the past:

  • My wife and I had the awesome opportunity to partner with her parents in finding an investment property here in Austin, we are renting from them. We found the most amazing 1972 special in north Austin and have been doing home projects since we moved in, wood floors next month should top it off! (pictures to come, stay tuned)
  • I lead two GO! Teams, one MS & one HS trip to Branson, MO to serve the working poor and less fortunate. Each week we fed over 300 people and loved on their kids by doing kids clubs. For 34 of our MS students, it was their first serving experience ever!
  • I began a nationwide search for a position I am hiring…after many candidates God has yet to reveal the right person for the position. This search has had it’s ups and downs, but one thing is certain…God is in control and I’m trusting Him for this.
  • Calla’s brother K.J. married an amazing woman Nicole, so happy for them. We spend a week in NYC/Pennsylvania for the wedding.
  • I took a quick kayak fishing trip to the coast with a buddy. It was fun, but no fish 🙁
  • 5 different house guests among July/August… it’s so fun to have a home to house friends and family!
  • The crux of my summer was researching and pushing through a program change for our HS students. We had a successful launch on Sunday night (we moved from Wednesdays), we had 75 people attend, 25 of them being adult leaders. This was perhaps the best leader to student ratio I have ever seen, now to get more students! I’ll write more about this later.

FALL, back to the future:

  • Continue to improve and settle into a rhythm for our HS program.
  • Explore God. This is AMAZING, over 320 churches in the greater Austin area are coming together to do the same 6 week series for the city, wow! We will be doing it for students.
  • Orange Tour. Gateway Church here in Austin will be hosting the Orange Tour on     November 5.
  • I have been invited back out to Tennessee to speak at a fall camp for MS and HS students.
  • There is a possibility of helping pilot a mountain biking/mission trip in Haiti, we’ll see…
  • Calla’s parents are flying in next month, a first look at the house. Yippee!
  • We are already talking about our Christmas production and winter camp for students at Gateway, I love planning ahead.

Do you take time to reflect on what God has allowed you to enjoy in the past? Do you think and pray about upcoming activities in the future? Give it to God and trust Him.

Jesus was Homeless – Branson, MO

by 3 Comments

extended stay

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Luke 9:58

Jesus dedicated his ministry years to being homeless…he and his disciples travled a lot, relied on connections in towns for places to sleep, and they camped out if necessary. He never had a consistent “home”. Perhaps this is one of many reasons that Jesus related to those who truly had no home…those people that were abandoned by family, judged and ignored due to a particular sin, outcast due to sickness. Jesus made sure these kind of people were noticed, recognized,  and loved. Many times He went out of His way to reach this group of people.

It’s happening here in Branson, Missouri. There is a group of people here that have a heart for the less fortunate, the homeless, the working poor, those without food or shelter. Jesus was Homeless is a ministry dedicated to reaching out to those staying in extended stay motel rooms, those living in woods and other various low income housing. Each week they provide over 800 sack lunches that are taken door to door, family to family. Greeted with a smile and food, their clients look forward to the knock on the door each week. Those passing out meals don’t try to have a “gospel conversation” with them, but merely let them know that they are recognized and loved by someone. If the opportunity lends itself, JWH will pray for the person if they request it.

Gateway Branson Video from Jesus Was Homeless on Vimeo.

Along with meals, JWH is trying to help people find a way out of this lifestyle. The people living in these motels are usually stuck in a cycle of little money to no money as Branson is a tourist trap and seasonal jobs are usually the only ones you can get, unless you have higher education. JWH puts on a class each week called Jobs for Life. This class teaches necessary skills in bettering ones chances of obtaining a job.

I’m so thankful that my students were able to spend the last two weeks partnering with a ministry that is truly loving their neighbors. I pray blessings on this ministry and fruitfulness for years to come!