Faith Expressed In Love

Our church staff has been thinking a lot about sticky things this past year.  Started when we read as a team through "Sticky Church" by Larry Osborne, evaluating how to create a church community that is attractive and welcoming but also is effective at keeping members active.

Along this same line of thought I recently picked up "Sticky Faith" by Dr. Kara Powell and others, offering practical ideas to nurture long-term faith in teens.  I've really been enjoying the practical info their extensive studies of former youth group kids after high school have provided about how to share a faith that is relevant to the next generation.  I recently came across the following quote which I found interesting:

"When the students in our survey were college seniors, we asked them how participation in their high school youth groups had shaped them - both then and now.  Youth group activities were rarely mentioned.  Youth group talks were mentioned even less frequently. (gasp...)

"What was mentioned was the legacy of youth leaders - a legacy derived not from what the leaders said or even what they did, but more from who they were.  As one senior with a thriving faith four years out of youth group recalled about her youth leaders, 'They were really good Christian role modes and... the relationships they had with God kinda showed me the relationship I could have with Him.'"

I suppose I've thought about this before. I know I can easily think back to individuals who had an impact on my life when I was in high school.  And I suppose I would attribute my personal sticky faith to their investment as well as that of my parents.

Now as a ministry leader, this makes me think about where I can most effectively invest my time.  I can easily say most of my effort goes towards planning the next big event or trip or preparing for my next talk.  And I do believe those things are important.  But are they the most important?  Will they have a significant impact on the faith of the students who participate?

I hope they will!  But this quote confirms for me what I've thought before.  That the volunteers who serve consistently in student ministry as small group leaders and in other roles may have a more significant impact on the stickiness of our junior and senior highers than I will.  And that's something to celebrate!

That should cause me to shift my role a little.  I mean its still important that I plan trips and prepare talks that allow students the opportunity to learn and grow in their faith.  And from a larger perspective, these programs create an environment where student and leader relationships can flourish.  But how can I encourage the adults who have an opportunity to connect with junior and senior highers to live a life that's worth noticing?  From my position as a ministry leader, I think its crucial to continually cast vision for the importance of what is sometimes a challenging role, that of a student ministry small group leader.  Because every interaction they make on a weekly basis has the potential to create a lasting impact.

So THANK YOU to everyone who makes an investment in the life of the next generation.  It may not always feel like what you say or do is making a difference, but authentic relationships have an amazing way of creating a faith that sticks!http://stickyfaith.org/

This is a video I showed at StudentLife about the real meaning of Christmas, from the perspective of a child.  Very cute...

My family has a long standing tradition each November of making the rounds at the Thanksgiving table to say what we're each thankful for.  Throughout the years, I've run the gamut on my participation, from the knowingly cheesy response to the more meaningful.

The lists typically include thankfulness for family, good health, and the essentials.  Inevitably people are also thankful for the more self serving joys in life, flat screen TVs, HD Cable, MacBooks, etc.  Regardless of the list, I always walk away from these reflections with a refreshed perspective.

I've wondered what it would be like if we made this habit of thankfulness a regular part of our routine, not just reserved for once a year?  What if we intentionally took time to reflect on the blessings God has given us?  This has the potential to create a new perspective and attitude in all facets of our lives.  Getting depressed because of the argument you lost or the car that breaks seems more petty in the grand scheme of things.

I hope to get in a habit of counting my blessings more regularly.  And in light of the amazing grace I've received in Jesus Christ, I pray I have a consistent gracious attitude which overflows into my relationships, my ministry, and clarifies my perspective.

Happy Thanksgiving!

If you walk into my house and glance at my bookshelves you'd probably guess that I love History.  In fact, I was a history major in college and about half way through my academic career I got fed up with trying to sell my books back to the bookstore at the end of the semester and getting a fraction of what I had originally spent in return.  So I began keeping all of the books I was interested in, or that looked impressive on the shelf..., rather than returning them.  As a result I developed quite a library.

I still love reading and learning about history and I've often thought about where I would go if I had the opportunity to meet someone from the past.  But I can't help but feel disconnected from those same historical figures.  They couldn't have imagined what it would have been like for me living in mid-Michigan today.  Incidentally, we only know certain information about their accomplishments or demographics, but little of who they were as people.

In light of this, its incredible for me to think that Jesus Christ prayed specifically for me, living today in Mount Pleasant, MI, in an account in the book of John 17.  As Jesus was in his final stage of his ministry on earth, he took the time to pray to the Father about his disciples and the growing church.  His greatest prayer for those who would believe in His name through the message of the gospel was for unity among believers.

If Jesus took the time to pray this specific desire for all those who would come to faith in the future, it must be a pretty big deal.  But how often does the church get unity wrong?  Unfortunately too often.  If it was important enough for Jesus to call out, it should probably be at the front of our minds.

In the same way that Jesus is inexplicably one with the Father through the mystery of the Trinity, He desires for us to be unified with each other.  Under the common goal of bringing glory to God's name and sharing the love of Christ, we should be unified regardless of difference of theology, worship style, or politics.

At StudentLife, the student ministry I work with, we put a high emphasis on community and try to live out this call in the context of small groups.  Small groups seem an uncommon practice in the world today.  But, there is something inside each of us to be a part of a community that cares for each other and grows together.  I think the more we get in the habit of doing life together, the more we'll understand the significance of Jesus' call for us to be unified.

Been thinking a lot recently about how I have a natural tendency towards being anti-social.  If left to myself, lacking any inner motivation to change, my introverted personality would cause me to be alone.  Luckily, I realize this isn't for my benefit, so its a trait I typically override.

I've always been a little envious of people who seem to be naturally gifted at consistently surrounding themselves with relationships.  You know, the individuals who would be driven crazy by a day at home doing nothing and instead thrive on being with other people.  I wish that came naturally to me.

In John 4 there is a passage in which Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well.  After traveling a long way, he sits to rest and hopefully get a drink, although he has nothing to dip in to get water.  A woman approaches.  He could have easily ignored her, especially since she was a Samaritan, a population the Jews went to great lengths to avoid.  Maybe due to his thirst, he could have asked simply for a drink of water. But instead, he engages her in conversation, telling her of a more fulfilling life that could come from a relationship with Him.  And as a result, we read an entire village was changed.

Putting my imperfect self in the same situation, resting next to a well, tired, I probably would have said nothing.  Perhaps smile courteously.  If I was SUPER thirsty, I may have politely asked for a drink.  But I doubt our conversation would have led to anything very personal.  And as for issues of faith, fear of offending or coming off weird more than likely would have kept any conversation strictly about the weather.  Although, God may have come up in light of the fact that the Detroit Lions are currently 4 - 0, which I'm pretty sure is one of the signs of Jesus' eminent return.

Thinking about my tendency towards isolating myself causes me to think about how often I miss out on an opportunity to meet someone.  Every individual we pass in the store, on the street, and on the planet has hopes, dreams, and an elaborate story.  If you really think about it, that's incomprehensible.  What incredible value every person has and think about the amazing richness that can come from a life filled with relationships.

And as it deals with my call as a Christ follower, how much more important is it for me to be His hands and feet on a daily basis?  How will people discover the amazing joy of the gospel message if I'm not willing to share?  In light of this, I'm praying for renewed boldness and opportunities to build relationships with people that go beyond the superficial.  Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can change a village in the process.

There is a laundry list of lessons I hope to pass on to my two sons, Elijah (4 yrs) and Ben (3 yrs) before they grow up and leave the house.  But how often do I stop and think strategically about what these things are.  Sure, sometimes the obvious object lesson jumps in front of you, like how you should share with your friends or not check for poop in your shorts with your fingers.

Sometimes these lessons are as simple as wash your hands before you eat so you don't get sick.  Or it could be more important, like how we always treat mommy, or ladies, softly and with respect.  When I think about everything on the list I get a little nervous I'll forget something.

But I must be doing something right.  This weekend Elijah showed he inherited one of my favorite skills I developed in the seventh grade.  In middle school, I developed the ability to catch a fly with my bare hands.  I'm sure it was a feeble attempt to impress the ladies.  For the remainder of the school year I would catch flies in class and give them away as prisoners in mechanical pencil plastic lead containers.

This past Saturday we had a fly flying around in our van, which I attempted to catch but missed.  Eli and Ben saw what I was attempting to do and joined in the activity as the poor fly bounced from window to window.  As we were getting out of the van Kati got excited saying she thought Elijah had caught it.  I skeptically came to Eli's side to open his door and I checked his hand.  As he slowly opened his fingers, the fly bolted out to the open door, happy to find freedom again.  Needless to say, I was super excited and Eli had the biggest, most proud smile on his face.

Not sure if this was something that he picked up cause he had watched his Dad or if he genetically inherited some kind of super speed.  At any rate, I hope he has a better luck than I did using his special ability to pick up chicks.  And I also pray he and Ben pick up more important things their father, intentionally or unintentionally, hopes to instill in them.

Just got back yesterday from sunny San Diego! Being my first trip to the west coast, I can see why people have been known to leave everything behind and head to California. That is, unless you aren't a big fan of sunny warm weather, palm trees, and beautiful beaches.

I am preparing to teach at Crave and Element this week on the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25. I remember reading this story when I was younger and thinking the master was kind of a jerk to treat so harshly the final servant who buried the money in fear of losing it. Wasn't this servant just someone who was playing it safe and didn't want to risk angering the master if he failed or lost what he had been given. Given my own insecurities, I think I could relate.

In the midst of a busy life, lately I've felt compelled to not let life slip by. Considering I have a tendency to forget too quickly my experiences, I've figured a great way to slow it down would be to chronicle my life through story. So this blog is my attempt at assessing life.

As I was searching for an available blog name, I realized there are infinitely more "new" blogs with a single entry dated several years back then there are blogs full of posts and ideas. I suppose its a similar lack of follow through on good intentions which leaves most journals or diaries empty next to the bedside. I know I've had a few.

But I'm hoping to challenge myself and keep this blog full of ideas, thoughts on upcoming messages, zany family happenings, and much more. Thanks for checking it out with me...