To my family at Rochester Church:
Yesterday, I announced I am expanding my responsibilities here at Rochester Church. I wanted to take a few minutes to address what that means for our church and the Ministry for Families with Youth.
I am excited for the future of Rochester Church. We are entering a new season filled with hope and opportunity and, as we partner with God in the future, I believe we will echo the words of the Apostle Paul, who wrote, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)
As we begin this new season of ministry, I want to begin by saying that I will continue to be involved with my ministry to Rochester’s families with youth. My new role is an expansion of what I have been doing for the last five years. My goal is to help create throughout all four LifeStages the environment we have developed over the last five years in Families with Youth. I will continue to work with our students and families as my responsibilities expand.
As I mentioned in a meeting with parents and students on September 1, my desire is to continue a significant level of personal interaction with students in the future. That will require us to raise up and equip more volunteers to help with some of the logistical functions I have personally taken care of in the past. These volunteers will allow me to continue to interact with students and families as well as address my new responsibilities. In addition, we will be considering additional staff that I would work with and mentor as a ministry partner. As we evaluate the best way to effectively minister to our families with youth, we plan to include our students and families in any significant decisions regarding staff.
In my new role, I will also be supporting and coordinating pastoral efforts for all LifeStages. Working with Elders, Pastoral Care Ministers, Staff, and others, my goal is to increase our pastoral care for the family here at Rochester Church. In addition to ministering to those in difficult situations and seasons, we are going to be more intentional about creating ways to increase ongoing pastoral connections with the families here.
There are two other aspects of my new role that we believe will aid people in getting connected and staying connected. I will be coordinating and supporting our new member integration efforts. As we seek to help people connect, grow, and serve here at Rochester Church, we are hoping to build on the things we are doing to facilitate even more opportunities for new members to become an active part of this church body.
The other piece is to help people stay connected. One of the most important venues for creating an environment where people can establish deeper roots at Rochester Church is through small groups. While small groups have been an important part of the lives of some of our members, we are convinced that we can, and must, place a more intentional focus on small groups. Small groups is one of the most important places at Rochester Church where we can connect, grow, and serve.
I am excited about the future here at Rochester Church. I believe that God is going to move powerfully around us, in us, and through us in the months and years ahead. As I have told some of you before, I believe that God does some of His best work in seasons of change. As we move into a new season of ministry here at Rochester Church, I am blessed to be a part of an incredible team and a wonderful church family. I will enjoy continuing to work with our students and their families while expanding into new areas of serving. I look forward to many more years of working in the Kingdom with you.
shine!
Jason
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
We actually played
Last night, Matthew and I went with Steven (one of my students) to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the start of the NFL season and enjoy some 60-cent boneless wings.
Whenever Matthew goes to BW's with me, it usually involves playing some trivia while eating wings and watching some sporting event. This night was no different. True to form, as soon as the server came over, Matthew asked for the Buzztime unit.
Shortly after we got there, it was time for a new game to start. The game we begin to play is called "Six." I had never played it before, but quickly realized it resembles Trivia Pursuit in terms of content. There are six categories from which your questions come. There are a number of rounds that play out in various ways. I won't bore you with all of the details of the game. If you're really interested, visit the website to learn more.
Anyway, time to get to the point of the story. As we play on, I realize we're doing pretty well. We even answered all eighteen questions right in the "Marathon" round. As we finish the game, Matthew celebrates as the screen announces that we are the champions for this location.
But nothing could prepare Matthew for the next thing that comes up on the screen. It ends up that we are ranked 18th in the entire nation for the game. When the list of the top 20 scores from every location in the US shows up, there we are at number 18.
As we leave the place and begin our trip home, I get a text message from my wife asking where we are. She had just gotten home from a meeting and wondered why her 9-year-old son was not home and in bed at 10:05pm. Being the quick thinker I am, I hand the phone to Matthew and tell him to share with his mom our victory. Not bad thinking, eh? ;-)
After he hands the phone back to me, I hear Matthew from the back. "This is better than watching the Steelers win their 6th Super Bowl!"
Being the Steelers fan that I am (Matthew is a pretty big fan as well), I respond, "Really?"
The next words he speaks are still echoing in my mind. "Yes, because we actually played instead of watching someone else do it."
Profound words from the mouth of a young boy.
How often do we invest more energy, passion, and excitement in the accomplishments of an athlete, celebrity, and other professionals?
As I continue to reflect on his words, I wonder what the implications are for the church. Do we invest more energy in the words of a preacher than in our own abilities to speak love to others? Do we have more passion about a youth minister than pouring our own lives into those of our young people? Do we get more excited about a church program than starting our own ministry?
Don't misunderstand. I enjoy speaking and see a lot of value in doing it with quality. I love serving teenagers and their families. My role includes developing and carrying out quality programs. There is certainly importance for all of these things in a church community. But, what happens when that becomes the most important part of someone's spiritual identity? What are the implications for their spiritual development? What does all of that mean for the growth of the Kingdom of God?
Matthew reminded me of an important key to life. Accomplishments mean a lot more when we are intimately involved. Sure, I celebrated when the Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl a few years ago. But, Matthew is right. He, Steven, and I worked together to end up ranked 18th in the nation. No, it's not a Super Bowl trophy. True, the only people that know are probably those of you reading this blog. But, isn't Kingdom work often the same way?
There are people who serve and never get any recognition. The apostle Paul wrote, "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12:21-27)
To borrow another quote from the great theologians at Nike, "Just do it." In the Kingdom of God, we are broken people serving a world full of broken people. The greatest tragedy is not failure, but rather, the failure to try. As a cracked jar of clay, I would rather risk another crack than simply sit on a shelf and watch another, better-looking jar carry the water for me.
shine!
Jason
Whenever Matthew goes to BW's with me, it usually involves playing some trivia while eating wings and watching some sporting event. This night was no different. True to form, as soon as the server came over, Matthew asked for the Buzztime unit.
Shortly after we got there, it was time for a new game to start. The game we begin to play is called "Six." I had never played it before, but quickly realized it resembles Trivia Pursuit in terms of content. There are six categories from which your questions come. There are a number of rounds that play out in various ways. I won't bore you with all of the details of the game. If you're really interested, visit the website to learn more.
Anyway, time to get to the point of the story. As we play on, I realize we're doing pretty well. We even answered all eighteen questions right in the "Marathon" round. As we finish the game, Matthew celebrates as the screen announces that we are the champions for this location.
But nothing could prepare Matthew for the next thing that comes up on the screen. It ends up that we are ranked 18th in the entire nation for the game. When the list of the top 20 scores from every location in the US shows up, there we are at number 18.
As we leave the place and begin our trip home, I get a text message from my wife asking where we are. She had just gotten home from a meeting and wondered why her 9-year-old son was not home and in bed at 10:05pm. Being the quick thinker I am, I hand the phone to Matthew and tell him to share with his mom our victory. Not bad thinking, eh? ;-)
After he hands the phone back to me, I hear Matthew from the back. "This is better than watching the Steelers win their 6th Super Bowl!"
Being the Steelers fan that I am (Matthew is a pretty big fan as well), I respond, "Really?"
The next words he speaks are still echoing in my mind. "Yes, because we actually played instead of watching someone else do it."
Profound words from the mouth of a young boy.
How often do we invest more energy, passion, and excitement in the accomplishments of an athlete, celebrity, and other professionals?
As I continue to reflect on his words, I wonder what the implications are for the church. Do we invest more energy in the words of a preacher than in our own abilities to speak love to others? Do we have more passion about a youth minister than pouring our own lives into those of our young people? Do we get more excited about a church program than starting our own ministry?
Don't misunderstand. I enjoy speaking and see a lot of value in doing it with quality. I love serving teenagers and their families. My role includes developing and carrying out quality programs. There is certainly importance for all of these things in a church community. But, what happens when that becomes the most important part of someone's spiritual identity? What are the implications for their spiritual development? What does all of that mean for the growth of the Kingdom of God?
Matthew reminded me of an important key to life. Accomplishments mean a lot more when we are intimately involved. Sure, I celebrated when the Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl a few years ago. But, Matthew is right. He, Steven, and I worked together to end up ranked 18th in the nation. No, it's not a Super Bowl trophy. True, the only people that know are probably those of you reading this blog. But, isn't Kingdom work often the same way?
There are people who serve and never get any recognition. The apostle Paul wrote, "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12:21-27)
To borrow another quote from the great theologians at Nike, "Just do it." In the Kingdom of God, we are broken people serving a world full of broken people. The greatest tragedy is not failure, but rather, the failure to try. As a cracked jar of clay, I would rather risk another crack than simply sit on a shelf and watch another, better-looking jar carry the water for me.
shine!
Jason
Monday, September 06, 2010
Conquering your fears
I have a fear of heights...a HUGE fear of heights. When we have gone on mission trips to Mississippi, I haven't even been able to do much work on the roof of a one-story house because I freeze up. I know I am a wimp when it comes to heights.
For ten years, the Millennium Force has taunted me. I have been there with family and they have chuckled at my fear. I have gone with youth groups and they have laughed and called me chicken. Regardless of the abuse I received, I have allowed my fear to remain stronger that anything people might say to me.
So what - or who - would finally push me beyond my fears? A nine-year-old boy. Specifically, a boy named Matthew who happens to share my last name.
Yesterday, Michelle, Matthew, and I went to Cedar Point. We rode a number of rides, but the Millennium Force was not on the list for a while. Then, as afternoon turned to evening, and the sun began to set, Matthew said the words that would force my hand. "I want to ride THAT!"
The lump formed in my throat. My heart skipped a beat. I was going to have to face the monster. I could resist others in my family who chuckled at my fear. I could ignore the laughs of teenagers. But, when my own son, my own nine-year-old son, wants to ride, I couldn't say no.
We got in line around 8:30pm. The sign said 1-3/4 hour from this point. Well, nothing like having time to think about what you're about to do. We wait and work our way through the line, starting up conversations with those around us. We got to know a really nice couple from Michigan who have a 22-year-old son in the Marines who will be deployed to Afghanistan later this year.
The conversations were a nice distraction from my fears. I was able to forget about what I was about to do. There were a few exceptions. The first was about 40 minutes into the wait when I realized there weren't any trains coming by us. The ride was stopped. But why?
We found out that a train had gotten stuck near the top of the first hill. Gulp! Wait! What am I doing?? Then I looked down at my son, who was undaunted by the news, and realized there was no turning back. Especially when he said, with determination, "I'm not leaving until I ride this."
Once the ride starting running again, the conversation resumed with our new friends and my fears faded. Until we started up the final ramp to the platform. As we entered the platform area, my fears resumed at a new level. I started asking myself, "What are you doing? Are you crazy?!?" My heart was pounding. My palms were sweaty.
We chose our line and there were three people in front of us. Good. I had a few minutes to prepare myself. The first two riders got on and their train left. I still had a few minutes to get ready. Then, another curve ball. The single rider in front of us jumped in with another single rider one car back and we were on now. What? Wait! I'm not ready yet. I thought I had a few minutes to prepare myself. But, suddenly, I found myself sitting in the car and strapping myself in.
As we are sitting there waiting, the lap bar releases. Um, hello, isn't that supposed to hold us in? The ride operator comes over the PA system. "Don't worry, we made it do that." Oh, now I feel better. (Insert sarcasm here.)
Finally, we are ready to go. The train goes forward and starts up the hill. In what seems like 2 seconds we are at the top of the hill. Way up there at the top of the hill. In this moment, I have a realization. There is nothing I can do about this. I am strapped into a chair 310 feet above the ground. I am about to drop at an 80 degree angle at speeds up to 93 miles per hour.
It is in this moment that I decide to let go and enjoy the ride. As we go over the top of the hill, I throw my arms up into the air and decide to confront my fear and engage the moment. My arms didn't come down until we pulled into the station. What an awesome ride!
As I look back on this experience, I come away with a few reflections...
Some fears are totally unfounded. While a fear of heights is not always bad, there are times that our fears can prevent us from enjoying life to the fullest.
I have a new appreciation for Christians who are afraid to fully embrace the call of Jesus to pick up their cross and follow Him. Picking up our cross can be a scary proposition.
At the same time, it gives me even more passion about calling people to conquer their fears, throw their arms up in the air, and enjoy the ride. John wrote that, "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (1 John 4:18)
The more we understand the true implications of God's love for us, our fear subsides. One of the things that removed some of my fear on this roller coaster was the realization that hundreds of thousands of people have ridden this ride and survived. They have enjoyed the ride and been secure. While following Jesus is not always safe in the worldly sense, we are secure. God's love will never leave us and never forsake us. Regardless of what twists and turns we experience in life, God will always be there to embrace us.
Jesus said that, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10) I firmly believe that a lot of people turn to other things in life for satisfaction because they have not fully embraced the adventure of following Jesus. For many people, Christianity is primarily about rules and regulations and sitting in a building every week to listen to someone speak and sing a few songs. The rich and satisfying life is so much more and calls us to conquer our fears and follow Him.
This will look different for each person. It could mean overcoming our pride and serving others who may "damage" our reputation. It could mean facing our selfishness and giving away that which defines and consumes us. It could mean opening ourselves up to others and engaging in deep relationships we have avoided because we have been hurt before.
Regardless of what your "Millennium Force" is, God is calling you to conquer that fear and discover the rich and satisfying life He has for us. I know that the next time I am back at Cedar Point, I will be in line to ride again. Sure, I will still be a little nervous, but I am looking forward to going over that first hill and enjoying the ride.
shine!
Jason
For ten years, the Millennium Force has taunted me. I have been there with family and they have chuckled at my fear. I have gone with youth groups and they have laughed and called me chicken. Regardless of the abuse I received, I have allowed my fear to remain stronger that anything people might say to me.
So what - or who - would finally push me beyond my fears? A nine-year-old boy. Specifically, a boy named Matthew who happens to share my last name.
Yesterday, Michelle, Matthew, and I went to Cedar Point. We rode a number of rides, but the Millennium Force was not on the list for a while. Then, as afternoon turned to evening, and the sun began to set, Matthew said the words that would force my hand. "I want to ride THAT!"
The lump formed in my throat. My heart skipped a beat. I was going to have to face the monster. I could resist others in my family who chuckled at my fear. I could ignore the laughs of teenagers. But, when my own son, my own nine-year-old son, wants to ride, I couldn't say no.
We got in line around 8:30pm. The sign said 1-3/4 hour from this point. Well, nothing like having time to think about what you're about to do. We wait and work our way through the line, starting up conversations with those around us. We got to know a really nice couple from Michigan who have a 22-year-old son in the Marines who will be deployed to Afghanistan later this year.
The conversations were a nice distraction from my fears. I was able to forget about what I was about to do. There were a few exceptions. The first was about 40 minutes into the wait when I realized there weren't any trains coming by us. The ride was stopped. But why?
We found out that a train had gotten stuck near the top of the first hill. Gulp! Wait! What am I doing?? Then I looked down at my son, who was undaunted by the news, and realized there was no turning back. Especially when he said, with determination, "I'm not leaving until I ride this."
Once the ride starting running again, the conversation resumed with our new friends and my fears faded. Until we started up the final ramp to the platform. As we entered the platform area, my fears resumed at a new level. I started asking myself, "What are you doing? Are you crazy?!?" My heart was pounding. My palms were sweaty.
We chose our line and there were three people in front of us. Good. I had a few minutes to prepare myself. The first two riders got on and their train left. I still had a few minutes to get ready. Then, another curve ball. The single rider in front of us jumped in with another single rider one car back and we were on now. What? Wait! I'm not ready yet. I thought I had a few minutes to prepare myself. But, suddenly, I found myself sitting in the car and strapping myself in.
As we are sitting there waiting, the lap bar releases. Um, hello, isn't that supposed to hold us in? The ride operator comes over the PA system. "Don't worry, we made it do that." Oh, now I feel better. (Insert sarcasm here.)
Finally, we are ready to go. The train goes forward and starts up the hill. In what seems like 2 seconds we are at the top of the hill. Way up there at the top of the hill. In this moment, I have a realization. There is nothing I can do about this. I am strapped into a chair 310 feet above the ground. I am about to drop at an 80 degree angle at speeds up to 93 miles per hour.
It is in this moment that I decide to let go and enjoy the ride. As we go over the top of the hill, I throw my arms up into the air and decide to confront my fear and engage the moment. My arms didn't come down until we pulled into the station. What an awesome ride!
As I look back on this experience, I come away with a few reflections...
Some fears are totally unfounded. While a fear of heights is not always bad, there are times that our fears can prevent us from enjoying life to the fullest.
I have a new appreciation for Christians who are afraid to fully embrace the call of Jesus to pick up their cross and follow Him. Picking up our cross can be a scary proposition.
At the same time, it gives me even more passion about calling people to conquer their fears, throw their arms up in the air, and enjoy the ride. John wrote that, "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (1 John 4:18)
The more we understand the true implications of God's love for us, our fear subsides. One of the things that removed some of my fear on this roller coaster was the realization that hundreds of thousands of people have ridden this ride and survived. They have enjoyed the ride and been secure. While following Jesus is not always safe in the worldly sense, we are secure. God's love will never leave us and never forsake us. Regardless of what twists and turns we experience in life, God will always be there to embrace us.
Jesus said that, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10) I firmly believe that a lot of people turn to other things in life for satisfaction because they have not fully embraced the adventure of following Jesus. For many people, Christianity is primarily about rules and regulations and sitting in a building every week to listen to someone speak and sing a few songs. The rich and satisfying life is so much more and calls us to conquer our fears and follow Him.
This will look different for each person. It could mean overcoming our pride and serving others who may "damage" our reputation. It could mean facing our selfishness and giving away that which defines and consumes us. It could mean opening ourselves up to others and engaging in deep relationships we have avoided because we have been hurt before.
Regardless of what your "Millennium Force" is, God is calling you to conquer that fear and discover the rich and satisfying life He has for us. I know that the next time I am back at Cedar Point, I will be in line to ride again. Sure, I will still be a little nervous, but I am looking forward to going over that first hill and enjoying the ride.
shine!
Jason
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