In a previous post I spoke about some goals and what we need to be good at this year. So I am interested to know, as I talke about goals, what do you think are the goals we need to have this year? What is the list numbered by priority? I sat down to type this out with a specific goal in mind, but realized just after I typed the title that there is one that goes before all else; love.
You see goals may be the what, but love is the "why". We need to know "why" before "what" because the why motivates us to do any "what".
Love for God should motivate and drive anything, nay, everything we do. That love for god will cause an unmistakeable love for each other. Our goals this year have to do with people. It is our love for people, centered around Jr High students, that will give us excellence as we reach our goals. If love is not the motivating force, it's all done out of vanity and pride, and God will not be in it. I want God to bless all of our efforts and even do more than we can alone.
Number one goal? Be driven by an unstoppable love for God.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
pursuit of passion
I think Passion is one of the hardest things to write about. Not the passion that I have, but how to get passion. Sometimes I think you either are or aren't. I do believe someone can be inspired by someone else and catch passion, but I think it has to be witnessed first hand, like when someone talks face to face about it or you just see the fire in someone as they talk to a group. But writing about it and trying to inspire? Not impossible but it does seem difficult to me.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Intimate Love
Who or what are you intimately in love with? Let me back up.
We've all heard how the word Love is too commonly used and abused. But we even confuse Love with actions or deeds. Think about your closest friend or even your spouse. We tend to want to "show" love by what we say or do. But what happens when we "show", nay, demonstrate Love with relationship. I think that as you read this the word "relationship" may have too much a common connotation. Think about real Love wrapped up or even described by real Relationship. Just being with each other and fully invested in each other. That is real intimacy. Not intimacy in the way of romance or the world's skewed view of it, but closeness. Relationship.
That's what God wants with you, me, us. I've heard it for years but for some reason it has recently begun to sink in.
We've all heard how the word Love is too commonly used and abused. But we even confuse Love with actions or deeds. Think about your closest friend or even your spouse. We tend to want to "show" love by what we say or do. But what happens when we "show", nay, demonstrate Love with relationship. I think that as you read this the word "relationship" may have too much a common connotation. Think about real Love wrapped up or even described by real Relationship. Just being with each other and fully invested in each other. That is real intimacy. Not intimacy in the way of romance or the world's skewed view of it, but closeness. Relationship.
That's what God wants with you, me, us. I've heard it for years but for some reason it has recently begun to sink in.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
goals and challenges
As I write this, I know to whom I am writing for, but not sure who actually reads it.
I love a challenge, and 2009 is full of them. When I see a challenge, I want to make a goal. Not a futbol goal, but a personal goal and a goal for AMPED. In this I know that these will not be achieved by me alone, but they will need to be led by me. I hope each of you knows that we will need your help (personal involvement), ideas and insight, prayer, and support. The only way we can rise to the challenges we face and exceed our goals is if we do this together in a spirit of unity.
Now, on to the challenges and such:
The biggest thing is split into two parts; We need to increase our infuence in the 1) comuunity and 2) in our church. Currently, I don't feel that the students around us and the parents of the students in our church set us (AMPED) as a priority. There are many parents that do consider the Jr High Ministry as a priority for their students, but there are many who don't. Our numbers for Sunday evening services during 2008 fluctuated wildly. I know that Sunday night is not the best scenario for Jr High students, but it is not the worst by far. If and when we do become a priority in the lives of the students and the parents, I know we can be consistent and growing.
Okay, so now if we know the problem, how do we set about resolving it or even changing the direction of it?
1. Extend our borders and get outside of the church. We definitely need to do a better job of outreach. To think that our only potential is represented by the families that are currently in our church is to be closed minded. One of the immediate things we are doing about this is to have Jon Pritikin doing school assemblies with us the last week of January, followed by a Friday night rally in which all of the students from these school assemblies are invited. This is potentially thousands of Jr High students. Follow up from this is HUGE. We expect to see Students saved at this Friday night rally and at least open to dialog about God which would bring them back to AMPED.
2. Become a priority in the lives of the Jr High students whose families are currently attending Gateway Church. Okay, this has Huge potential as well. Part of me feels that if we can't do this well, we ultimately won't succeed in our mission of getting and retaining students from #1. How do we do this? It starts with great communication, followed with great discipleship. I've said it a million times; Jr High students do not drive themselves (or anyone for that matter). They are still extremely dependent on their parents to get them to wherever they are going. Parents are also (or at least they should be) the deciding factor on where the students are going and when. I kow that Sunday nights can be very difficult for families, what with being tired from all the weekend activities and getting ready for the school and work week, but we need them to see the importance of having their student actively and consistently involved in a thriving spiritual program. Did you catch that last part? If we are not making a difference and being good stewards with the gifts and talents and passion God has given us, then I don't want to do this anymore. If we are gonna have a ministry for Jr High students, then let's make it count and see some lives forever changed for the Kingdom of God!
3. Have consistent and creative follow up with Jr High students, both first time guests and current AMPED students. If they have given us the opportunity to speak into their lives by showing up at AMPED for the first time, we need to let them know that we noticed and invite them back. If a student has something that they are praying about in their life and feel it important enough to let us know, we need to show that it's important enough for us to follow up with them about and ask about it. If they have made a life changing decision at one of our services or events, we need to follow up and celebrate with them and offer to be a support for them. If one of our students begins to miss consistently, we need to stand up and take notice and then take initiative to hit them up and ask how they are doing and invite them back because we miss them. Please don't feel that you need to wait on a staff member to follow up with a student. Feel the freedom and liberty to reach out to them and let them know you care. You are also the eyes and ears for AMPED and many times things can happen in the student's life that we don't know about. Let us know what you know and see so that we can join you in caring for that student.
We need to minister to the whole family. Make sure they know what we are doing, why we are doing it (very important), and when we are doing it. Let's equip parents to be Godly parents and give them the tools and resources they need for their children. Let's equip students to live a Godly life and to have a relationship with Jesus. Let's be vibrant and purposeful in all we do. Let's have a blast doing it and create some memories.
Discipleship is a key to keeping these students coming back, and more importantly, making a difference in their life that will last. My goal for Jr High students is to help prepare them for life; a life and faith that will carry them into adulthood. How many of you adults want to see these students make the same hurtful mistakes we did? Granted, they will all make mistakes in their journey, but we can help ensure that they have a relationship and support structure that will help them survive the battles of life. For us, discipling Jr High students means relationship from the time they walk through the door at AMPED the very first time all the way through their journey in Jr High 'til we realease them into Sr High. Love on them. Talk to them. Get involved in their life and be a little pushy. Pray with them and follow up with them. Ask them the hard questions. They want and need relationship; a sense of belonging. They want and need someone that challenges them and helps them to grow. Be that man or woman that they can look back when they are an adult and see how you influenced them for the better. Be the person that they thank at the beginning of their first book. Know that everything you do is important and has the potential to reach thousands even through one life. You never know who they will grow up to be and touch, but you can be intentional about your goals and dreams for them.
Live and lead with passion!
There are many intricate parts to this, more than I have space for here, but I hope you get the main idea. I look forward to the challenge and invite you all to come along with us as we enter into the most promising and prosperous year we have ever seen!
I love a challenge, and 2009 is full of them. When I see a challenge, I want to make a goal. Not a futbol goal, but a personal goal and a goal for AMPED. In this I know that these will not be achieved by me alone, but they will need to be led by me. I hope each of you knows that we will need your help (personal involvement), ideas and insight, prayer, and support. The only way we can rise to the challenges we face and exceed our goals is if we do this together in a spirit of unity.
Now, on to the challenges and such:
The biggest thing is split into two parts; We need to increase our infuence in the 1) comuunity and 2) in our church. Currently, I don't feel that the students around us and the parents of the students in our church set us (AMPED) as a priority. There are many parents that do consider the Jr High Ministry as a priority for their students, but there are many who don't. Our numbers for Sunday evening services during 2008 fluctuated wildly. I know that Sunday night is not the best scenario for Jr High students, but it is not the worst by far. If and when we do become a priority in the lives of the students and the parents, I know we can be consistent and growing.
Okay, so now if we know the problem, how do we set about resolving it or even changing the direction of it?
1. Extend our borders and get outside of the church. We definitely need to do a better job of outreach. To think that our only potential is represented by the families that are currently in our church is to be closed minded. One of the immediate things we are doing about this is to have Jon Pritikin doing school assemblies with us the last week of January, followed by a Friday night rally in which all of the students from these school assemblies are invited. This is potentially thousands of Jr High students. Follow up from this is HUGE. We expect to see Students saved at this Friday night rally and at least open to dialog about God which would bring them back to AMPED.
2. Become a priority in the lives of the Jr High students whose families are currently attending Gateway Church. Okay, this has Huge potential as well. Part of me feels that if we can't do this well, we ultimately won't succeed in our mission of getting and retaining students from #1. How do we do this? It starts with great communication, followed with great discipleship. I've said it a million times; Jr High students do not drive themselves (or anyone for that matter). They are still extremely dependent on their parents to get them to wherever they are going. Parents are also (or at least they should be) the deciding factor on where the students are going and when. I kow that Sunday nights can be very difficult for families, what with being tired from all the weekend activities and getting ready for the school and work week, but we need them to see the importance of having their student actively and consistently involved in a thriving spiritual program. Did you catch that last part? If we are not making a difference and being good stewards with the gifts and talents and passion God has given us, then I don't want to do this anymore. If we are gonna have a ministry for Jr High students, then let's make it count and see some lives forever changed for the Kingdom of God!
3. Have consistent and creative follow up with Jr High students, both first time guests and current AMPED students. If they have given us the opportunity to speak into their lives by showing up at AMPED for the first time, we need to let them know that we noticed and invite them back. If a student has something that they are praying about in their life and feel it important enough to let us know, we need to show that it's important enough for us to follow up with them about and ask about it. If they have made a life changing decision at one of our services or events, we need to follow up and celebrate with them and offer to be a support for them. If one of our students begins to miss consistently, we need to stand up and take notice and then take initiative to hit them up and ask how they are doing and invite them back because we miss them. Please don't feel that you need to wait on a staff member to follow up with a student. Feel the freedom and liberty to reach out to them and let them know you care. You are also the eyes and ears for AMPED and many times things can happen in the student's life that we don't know about. Let us know what you know and see so that we can join you in caring for that student.
We need to minister to the whole family. Make sure they know what we are doing, why we are doing it (very important), and when we are doing it. Let's equip parents to be Godly parents and give them the tools and resources they need for their children. Let's equip students to live a Godly life and to have a relationship with Jesus. Let's be vibrant and purposeful in all we do. Let's have a blast doing it and create some memories.
Discipleship is a key to keeping these students coming back, and more importantly, making a difference in their life that will last. My goal for Jr High students is to help prepare them for life; a life and faith that will carry them into adulthood. How many of you adults want to see these students make the same hurtful mistakes we did? Granted, they will all make mistakes in their journey, but we can help ensure that they have a relationship and support structure that will help them survive the battles of life. For us, discipling Jr High students means relationship from the time they walk through the door at AMPED the very first time all the way through their journey in Jr High 'til we realease them into Sr High. Love on them. Talk to them. Get involved in their life and be a little pushy. Pray with them and follow up with them. Ask them the hard questions. They want and need relationship; a sense of belonging. They want and need someone that challenges them and helps them to grow. Be that man or woman that they can look back when they are an adult and see how you influenced them for the better. Be the person that they thank at the beginning of their first book. Know that everything you do is important and has the potential to reach thousands even through one life. You never know who they will grow up to be and touch, but you can be intentional about your goals and dreams for them.
Live and lead with passion!
There are many intricate parts to this, more than I have space for here, but I hope you get the main idea. I look forward to the challenge and invite you all to come along with us as we enter into the most promising and prosperous year we have ever seen!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Perspective
I know I talked a little about this last week before service, but I want to take a look at perspective. I wrote in a previous post about milk and honey and a little about 2009. I truly wish for each of you it will be a year that you enter into the promised land personally and relationally. But sometimes our outlook or perspective can keep us from what God has for us. Take a look at Numbers 14:1-4:
Num 14:1-4
Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. "We wish we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they wailed. 3 "Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let's get out of here and return to Egypt!" 4 Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a leader and go back to Egypt!" NLT
First, Death is something we fear. We always keep it ahead of us, sometimes it seems we look to it as our future more than we look for life. Maybe we feel that death is the only thing we can be sure of. Notice in this passage they either a) would have died in Egypt, or b) will die in battle. Life and that more abundant does not seem to be an option that they choose to believe, even though the Lord told them He wants to take them to someplace great and bless them and give them long life in the land He is giving them.
Then they decide, that if they are gonna die anyway, they would rather die comfortable instead of fighting for what has been promised to them. Think about this, they have already chosen to give up and not even go for what is theirs, they are defeated before they begin and they want to take what seems like the easy way out! Do we do that? Do we opt for the more comfortable way, even if we feel like it will end in failure? kind of a "you're doomed if you do and you're doomed if you don't" approach?
Let me encourage you, beleive what He said He will do, and go out fighting for it. It's worth it in the end. Sometimes, you just need to have the right perspective.
Num 14:1-4
Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. "We wish we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they wailed. 3 "Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let's get out of here and return to Egypt!" 4 Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a leader and go back to Egypt!" NLT
First, Death is something we fear. We always keep it ahead of us, sometimes it seems we look to it as our future more than we look for life. Maybe we feel that death is the only thing we can be sure of. Notice in this passage they either a) would have died in Egypt, or b) will die in battle. Life and that more abundant does not seem to be an option that they choose to believe, even though the Lord told them He wants to take them to someplace great and bless them and give them long life in the land He is giving them.
Then they decide, that if they are gonna die anyway, they would rather die comfortable instead of fighting for what has been promised to them. Think about this, they have already chosen to give up and not even go for what is theirs, they are defeated before they begin and they want to take what seems like the easy way out! Do we do that? Do we opt for the more comfortable way, even if we feel like it will end in failure? kind of a "you're doomed if you do and you're doomed if you don't" approach?
Let me encourage you, beleive what He said He will do, and go out fighting for it. It's worth it in the end. Sometimes, you just need to have the right perspective.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Milk and Honey
I don't know about you, but my days right now are spent looking back at 2008 and preparing for 2009. I have had many experiences during 2008, many learning experiences. Now I know that I will be learning as long as I'm alive, we never get to the point that we know everything; this year has been no exception. Anyway, As I look ahead to 2009, I am reminded of Caleb in Numbers chapter 14 verse 8 as he explains to the people of Israel what he saw in the land God was to give them:
8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us! 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" NLT
One phrase I want to look at especially; It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. I have heard this reference since I was a child and I don't think anyone has ever explained it to me. I felt like I had an idea, but never fully explored the meaning. Let me give you some background on the story where this is mentioned. The people of Israel were slaves in Egypt for many years, and finally god had sent Moses to lead them out. There were many miracles that happened on their exodus (play on words) out of Egypt; there was no doubt god was with them. Before going all the way to the land God was giving them (Exodus 3:8), Moses sent a comittee of 12 men to take a look at the land and see what they were in for, or how big the job was for them to take over this land that God told them would be their new home. When the men returned to Moses, they seemed overwhelmed. Ten of these men said that the job was not possible. they warned Moses that they would not have success if they proceeded as planned. Then two men, Joshua and Caleb, spoke up and said they could do it. Caleb described the "promised" land as a rich land flowing with Milk and Honey.
To me, these words describe what we are looking at when we peer into the year 2009. As I write this I feel like Caleb as I have looked into 2009 and the possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead of us. I see the coming year as a land of Milk and Honey. The Milk represents growth and prosperity. It describes a time when our creativity is going to be raised and the influence of students will increase. It indicates healthy growth in our leadership. Honey describes a sweetness that can be likened to dessert after a meal. Not only will we have favor of growth and health, but we will be able to enjoy it. It will be a time filled with joyful experiences, like the frosting on the cake.
I want to explore this thought with you all over the next few weeks as the new year approaches. We have many responsibilities with what we do, but with that come many opportunities for growth and with growth comes a fullness that cannot fully be described. Be encouraged for what's in store for us as we move in to what God has for us!
8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us! 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" NLT
One phrase I want to look at especially; It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. I have heard this reference since I was a child and I don't think anyone has ever explained it to me. I felt like I had an idea, but never fully explored the meaning. Let me give you some background on the story where this is mentioned. The people of Israel were slaves in Egypt for many years, and finally god had sent Moses to lead them out. There were many miracles that happened on their exodus (play on words) out of Egypt; there was no doubt god was with them. Before going all the way to the land God was giving them (Exodus 3:8), Moses sent a comittee of 12 men to take a look at the land and see what they were in for, or how big the job was for them to take over this land that God told them would be their new home. When the men returned to Moses, they seemed overwhelmed. Ten of these men said that the job was not possible. they warned Moses that they would not have success if they proceeded as planned. Then two men, Joshua and Caleb, spoke up and said they could do it. Caleb described the "promised" land as a rich land flowing with Milk and Honey.
To me, these words describe what we are looking at when we peer into the year 2009. As I write this I feel like Caleb as I have looked into 2009 and the possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead of us. I see the coming year as a land of Milk and Honey. The Milk represents growth and prosperity. It describes a time when our creativity is going to be raised and the influence of students will increase. It indicates healthy growth in our leadership. Honey describes a sweetness that can be likened to dessert after a meal. Not only will we have favor of growth and health, but we will be able to enjoy it. It will be a time filled with joyful experiences, like the frosting on the cake.
I want to explore this thought with you all over the next few weeks as the new year approaches. We have many responsibilities with what we do, but with that come many opportunities for growth and with growth comes a fullness that cannot fully be described. Be encouraged for what's in store for us as we move in to what God has for us!
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