It's relationships, stupid

If you remember several years ago in a presidential campaign the slogan "it's the economy, stupid" became popular. The point was that nothing is more foundational to presidential politics than the status of the economy. Jobs, inflation, investments. These are the things that swing the vote.

I wonder if God ever looks at His creation and says "it's relationships, stupid." Now, I doubt if God would call us stupid, but He probably thinks we look awful foolish at times.

We try to make other things more important. Success. Wealth. Sports. You get the point.

We even do it when it comes to religion. I mean, think about it. Christians argue about styles of worship, spiritual gifts, and various other "doctrines."

Don't we get it? God is more concerned with relationship than anything else. He has spent all of human history trying to recover the relationship that was damaged in the Garden of Eden.

Jesus is far more than a sacrifice for our sins. (Although in our spiritual ineptitude, we often focus way too much on this aspect of His mission.) Jesus is primarily God in the flesh. Relationship lived out.

We left the Garden, so God entered the world. What was damaged with Adam and Eve was repaired by Jesus on the cross. I believe God is more concerned about fixing this world than getting us to Heaven.

If all God wanted was humans with Him in Heaven, would He really have created the world in the first place? We could have skipped this whole world thing and gone straight to Heaven.

When you look at your life and the things that seem empty, hollow, or simply insufficient, think about this. God never intended for us to strive for the things of the world. He gave us this world so we could have an abundant relationship with Him.

When you think about it, the main reason we strive for many of the things of the world is to take shortcuts in relationships. Money brings us quick friends who spend time with us for what we have. It allows us connection without having to really open up. Easy sex provides quick, artificial intimacy without long-term commitment. Popularity helps us feel important to many without having to really build trust with anyone.

Real, fulfilling life is not quick and easy. Have you ever noticed that something cooked in a Crock-pot usually tastes better than something microwaved? One is a slow process that allows things to fully cook and provides time for the flavor to develop. The other provides quick heat. Life can be the same way.

When we strive for an abundant life that has real meaning, it takes time and work. It may not always be fun or exciting, but it is far more fulfilling than the microwave life many of us settle for today.

shine!
Jason

Haircuts in heaven

I just found out that the man who gave my son, Matthew, his first haircut passed away earlier this week. Here is the obituary:

AMHERST -- James Mason Stotler, 84, of Amherst, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Amherst Manor Nursing Home, following a lengthy illness. He was born March 18, 1923, in Portsmouth, where he was raised. He had made his home in Vermilion for 30 years before moving to, where he had lived for the last six years.

Stotler served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater, where he received the European African Middle Eastern Medal and one bronze star, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the American Theater Service Medals.

He attended the Columbus Barber College and owned and operated Jim's Barbershop in Amherst for many years as well as the Windjammer Barber Shop in Vermilion. He concluded his 60-year career at Delmonico's Barber shop in Vermilion. He was a member of Amherst Church of Christ. He enjoyed golfing and was an avid Ohio State football fan.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Betty Eileen Stotler (nee Weaver); sons Steve Dunlop of Lafayette, Ind., and Randy Stotler of Vermilion; daughters Vicki Turner of Amherst and Candi Ziegler of Wellington; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother and three sisters; and by his parents, Mason and Bertie Stotler (nee Thompson).

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Jim was a great man. He was humble and kind. During the time I knew him, he never made much of a fuss about anything.

I believe that a true test of someone's character can be looking at how their children turn out. (This is not fool-proof, but often a good barometer.) I had the honor of spending three years working at the church where both of Jim's daughters are members. Both of these women are salt-of-the-earth people. They would do anything for you and are great servants. One is now the wife of an elder and the other is the wife of a deacon at that church.

I always enjoyed sitting in Jim's chair. By the time he was cutting my hair, Jim was getting older and the stories would often be the same. But spending time in that chair was often the highlight of my week. He would always have an encouraging word and a smile.

I still remember the day Matthew sat in that same chair to get his first haircut. Jim was so patient with my little boy who had no real desire to be there. He just smiled and patiently trimmed Matthew's hair.

Jim will be missed. He will be missed by his friends from the barber shop. He will be missed by his church. He will be missed by his family. But I imagine that even today there are probably people in Heaven lining up to sit in Jim's chair.

shine!
Jason

Time to shine

Time to shine.

Time to be in the spotlight.

Time to show what you've got.

Athletes and others often hear this expression when it's time to look their best. Whether it's the playoffs, an interview, or whatever the situation might be, there are times when people strive to do their best.

For Christian teenagers, this expression should take on a similar, but slightly different meaning this time of year.

Today I passed school buses on the way to the church building. I listened to students talk - some with excitement, others with disappointment - about the fact that school starts today. Except for a few private schools which started earlier, most Michigan schools start back the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Today is the day students walk the halls for the first time in a few months. They will see old friends they haven't seen most of the summer and they will make new friends. They will see familiar teachers and teachers they don't know yet. There will be some classes that are easy and others that are not.

But the question I want to consider is this: Will they shine?

I know this is not an easy question to answer or an easy call to live up to. Granted, I am not a teenager in today's world, but I know it is harder than it was even ten years ago. The stakes are higher, the pressures are greater, and the environment is more hostile.

This summer I have watched many of the students in our youth ministry grow spiritually. They have blossomed in their faith and learned a lot about themselves and the adventure of following Jesus.

But will they have the strength to keep going?

It can be so hard. They have class all day, hours of homework, friends who can pull them in various directions, after school activities, entertainment, and so much more. Then at some point they have to make room for God. Will there be much room left?

If you are a student, here is my challenge: Make time for God. Even if it means letting grades slide a little bit, spending less time with friends, cutting out an activity or two, or turning off the TV. While all of those things are important, can anyone honestly say they are more important than a relationship with God?

Let me add that this is not an excuse to get bad grades, blow off friends, or quit everything. It is about priorities. It is about giving 100% to everything you do. It is about making the tough decisions to let go of things that handicap your effectiveness in the Kingdom of God.

I will admit this is not easy. And it doesn't really get easier when you are an adult. But if we are willing to make the tough choices now, choices down the road become easier and following God becomes our lifestyle.

One word of advice to parents. You can't always force your children to make these decisions. They need to learn from their own mistakes. Our role as adults is to serve as mentors and provide ever-widening boundaries to help young adults grow and develop. None of us will ever get it all right, but let's be willing to avoid the two extremes of legalism and hands-off parenting. Somewhere in between is a beautiful dance where we patiently and steadily help students find their role in the Kingdom of God.

Let's dance the dance boldly and shine for the One who made us.

shine!
Jason

The gospel in Blacksburg

I just finished watching the pregame ceremonies for the Virginia Tech football game. This is the first football game since April 16, when 32 members of the Virginia Tech community were senselessly gunned down.

Of course there was a moment of silence, a memorial video, and other tributes. But what impacted me the most is what happened right before the game.

Before most football games, the teams enter the field generally. This often leads to screaming and cheering for the home team and booing for the away team. Today, however, the teams entered the field at the same time as a symbol of unity. There was no booing. The entire stadium joined together in a loud cheer.

Obviously, most of the people in the stadium were cheering for Virginia Tech. The difference is there was no booing against the visiting team.

This brings two thoughts to mind:

First of all, why can't this be a tradition at all sporting events? Why do we feel a need to boo and put down someone just because they play for a different team? Aren't we all created in the image of God? Aren't we all human beings on this journey called life? When you think about it, does it really make sense to degrade someone because they wear a different colored uniform and play for a different team?

I am not against cheering for your team. But there is a difference between positive encouragement for a team you support and putting down someone else.

If you are a big sports fan, like I can be at times, this can be difficult.

However, the second thought is even more challenging to me. Why do followers of Jesus often treat "sinners" the same way? I use that term loosely because we are all sinners. But I use it because it is often a derogatory term used by Christians to describe non-Christians.

Why do we feel it is OK to put someone down simply because they don't know Jesus? The apostle Paul wrote, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

I would challenge us all to learn a lesson from Virginia Tech. Whether it's an opposing sports team or someone who is not yet a Christ-follower, there is no reason for us to use degrading words, attitudes, or actions towards another human being. God has called us to join Him in the mission of restoring Creation to it's original state. That begins one relationship at a time, reaching out to bring healing and reconciliation across every line that divides.

shine!
Jason

Remembering a princess

Unless you live in a cave, you have probably heard that today is the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. For weeks there have been specials, concerts, and so much more. Our world celebrates the life of a woman whose fame resulted from her fortune and the fact that she was born into the right family and married the right person. Estimates say that almost a billion people watched her wedding in 1981 and around 2.5 billion people watched her funeral ten years ago.

I want to acknowledge that Diana did some good things with her life and position. She did charity work that gained recognition for causes such as AIDS and land mines.

What troubles me is that while the media is saturated with stories and features about Princess Diana, I am hearing very little about another woman who died ten years ago.

On September 5, 1997, only five days after Diana, Mother Teresa died at the age of 87.

Here is a woman who left home at the age of 18, never to see her family again. She lived a life of poverty (according to the world's standards). She lived among the sick and dying. She invested her life in helping those who no one else would help. I could write a book about the things this humble woman did with her life.

My issue is not as much with these two women as much as it is with how the world is reacting today. While the world remembers and celebrates a woman whose life consisted of things such as money, privilege, divorce, adultery, and world travel, most people overlook a woman who truly brought the Kingdom of God into this world.

Imagine how different the world could be if young women would aspire to be Mother Teresa instead of Princess Diana. Imagine if instead of focusing on marrying a prince, young women would want to commit their life to the Prince of Peace. Imagine a world where women would forget about crowns full of jewels and strive for the Crown of Life. Just imagine...

How fitting that on a weekend when most Americans forget about the reason many people have an extra day off on Monday, we also forget about the labor of a woman who dedicated her life to helping the untouchables of this world. May God have mercy on us for not hearing His words more...

“You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

shine!
Jason

What church should be

I love the Rochester Church. Last night our entire church family gathered in the Family Room to pray together as the school year starts. Students prayed for parents, students, and teachers. Teachers prayed for students. Parents prayed for each other. It was such an encouraging time and it reminded me of what church is supposed to be.

Church should not be something we do or somewhere we attend. Church should be who we are. Church should be a loving family of all ages helping each other along the journey.

Too often church becomes this ministry and that ministry, a collection of special interest groups who gather in their corners. Don't get me wrong. Different age groups and various parts of the family need time to sort through their own unique issues. But it must never stop there.

For example, if youth ministry is just teenagers gathering in the basement every week to sing their songs and talk about their lives, something huge is missing. They need the larger church body. They need to know they are loved by senior citizens, parents, teachers, young adults, and even children. They need to know that church is more than their youth group. They need to hear the words of those who have gone before them. They need to listen to the stories of those who are further along in the journey.

In today's world of "church for my special group"  I am afraid that gatherings like last night don't take place often enough.

Now I am the first to admit that the students in the youth group at Rochester aren't always excited about times when they come upstairs to gather with the rest of the church. Last night wasn't the first time I heard, "We're not downstairs tonight? Ugh!" I understand that feeling. But I imagine that years from now (and maybe even sooner) many of those students will appreciate and remember the night that their parents, teachers, and other adults, laid hands on them and prayed over them.

The church should be a place where followers of Jesus of all ages come together to experience life and help each other along the way. Let's work on getting out of our comfortable little special interest ghettos and strive to be the family of faith God intended us to be in the first place.

shine!
Jason

Why am I in ministry?

Last night as I sat in my grad class discussing and thinking about ministering to families, this question surfaced in my mind: What is it that draws me to ministry? In addition to my love of God, my desire to serve Him and my love for people, why is it that I had dedicated my life to ministering to youth and their families?

The more I thought about it, the more I started to get a pain inside. I was taken back to my youth and I remember how lost I often felt. It's funny how when we often look back on our teen years we only remember the good stuff. But last night as I reflected back a lot of the reality of those years came to the surface.

I remember struggling to figure out who I was.

I remember wanting someone, anyone frankly, to accept me for who I was.

I remember sitting in classes, so distracted by my loneliness that I was oblivious to my surroundings.

I remember writing poems trying to vent some of the hurt on the inside.

I remember wanting a girlfriend just to give me some sort of identity.

I remember even more that I don't want to share right now.

I know that times have changed. And what scares me so much is that today's teenagers often face even more loneliness and pain than I experienced. Sure, they often hide it well from us adults, but the reality is that they have been abandoned by us.

So as I think about why I am in ministry, I think a part of it is to deal with my own issues from my teenage years. I hope that in some small way I can help parents and students find common ground. Navigating adolescence is hard for the parent and teenager. The parent wants to desperately hold on to his or her child while also acknowledging this child is becoming their own person. The teenager desperately wants to find himself or herself while still knowing that there is a safe place called home where there is unconditional love.

This dance called adolescence was not always a pleasant experience for me. There were many lonely times filled with hurt and pain.

There is no one who will go through life without experiencing pain and difficulties, but my prayer is that I will be able to help someone find a path on the journey where the pain is diminished and they have a better glimpse of the abundant life Jesus promises us.

shine!
Jason

I've got it all wrong

I am so selfish.

I can't count how many times I look at a situation or relationship and ask, "What's in it for me?"

The more I get to know God and His unselfish nature, the more I come face-to-face with my own selfishness. What can my wife do for me? What can I get out of my ministry? What will this person or that person do for me? What will I get in return if I (fill in the blank).

I hate this part of me. It reeks of sin. It drives me crazy. It makes me angry.

I don't think I am a horrible person. Or, maybe I am. But I am a sinner washed by the blood of Jesus. I was really convicted today by something I read for my grad class:

Stanley Hauerwas has argued that we always marry the wrong person. That is, we never marry the one we thought we were marrying - because marriage changes us. So you wake up one day and realize that the person next to you is not the person you committed your life to five years ago. Of course, you are not the same person either... Nobody ever chose to marry a person who is addicted to alcohol, or who develops a terminal illness. But sometimes you wake up in a marriage and that is the person you've got. Being a parent is like that too. Parents never get the children they thought they were giving birth to... What we need, when we marry or have a child, is some means of turning our fate into our destiny. As Christians, our faith provides us the means to live together as parents, children, husbands, and wives. Just as we didn't choose Samson or Sarah to be our grandparents in faith, so we didn't choose Jesus to be our savior. He came to us, not the other way around. (John 15:16) (W.H. Willimon, 1996)

Why do we so often convince ourselves that life is about us? What makes us arrogant enough to believe the world revolves around us? In a word, sin. More specifically, I believe it's pride.

It started in the Garden of Eden, continued at the Tower of Babel, and hasn't ceased yet. It is a disease human beings suffer from constantly.

We may not always get what we bargained for in life. I know I haven't. I didn't sign up for the deal where my mom died in a car accident before her grandson was born. I didn't expect to lose my mother-in-law to cancer four months after that.

There are very few things I am 100% sure of in life. But I am convinced that life is more about how I react to the situations I encounter than complaining about them. God never guaranteed a life without problems. He called me into a life where I bear the burdens of others and they do the same for me. He asks me to join Him in the plan of redeeming creation. He demands my allegiance to something bigger than me.

The more I realize that I am created in the image of God to join His work in this world, the more I realize this life is not about me; it's about helping others find the peace and joy that often gets lost in the midst of a sinful world full of darkness.

shine!
Jason

Unlikely heroes

I was blessed today to witness the baptism of a great young man. Shaun, one of the young adults that has been attending our third service, made a commitment to God today and was baptized into Christ.

Today as I watched a crowd of young adults gather around Shaun, I was taken back to a time over a year ago. I remember sitting in my office talking to Liz. Without going into details, Liz was at a difficult point in her life. We sat and talked about her life. We prayed together.

Liz had been coming periodically to youth events, but she had recently made some poor choices and many of her Christian friends had deserted her. In the midst of this disarray and confusion I met Liz. She told me I wasn't like most Christians she knows. I still remember her telling me, "You're pretty cool for a minister." (Maybe not those exact words, but something like that.)

Between now and then we have had dozens of conversations about life. The ups. The downs. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Regardless of what was going on, I always remembered that Liz was a daughter of the King of Kings.

In recent months, I have watched Liz grow and mature in her relationship with God. I was blessed to be able to baptize her into Christ about a month ago. Over the last several months, she has introduced a host of young adults to Jesus through the Rochester Church. It seems like every week Liz and her crew are bringing someone new. Shaun's baptism today was another chance to be reminded of how God is working through Liz.

Liz has experienced many more tragedies and difficulties in her life than I could ever imagine. From the death of her fiance to a life full of people who have let her down, Liz has been through so much. Amazingly, God continues to use Liz effectively despite all of her "problems." When a normal person would have given up, Liz, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has continued growing in her journey.

The lesson I have learned - and continue to be reminded of - is this: Never give up on anyone. You never know when someone who seems "hopeless" to some could be the next Liz. They could be another explorer on the journey of life. Just as He had done throughout history, God will take the most unlikely of characters and make them the heroes of the story. Liz is proving to be another one of God's "success stories."

shine!
Jason

Dancing with Jesus

One of the members of our church sent this to me. What an incredible video. It speaks for itself...

shine!
Jason

Communion at Texas Roadhouse

This past weekend someone blessed us with a gift card to Texas Roadhouse. (A huge thanks if you read this because it is one of my favorite places to eat!) I don't always run right out and use gift cards, but I did on Sunday. We had just spent a few hours out at the Armada Fair to watch Minor Measure perform.

As a side note, this group of teens from our church continues to get better as a band. One of the members of the group following them even commented about how good they are. Anyway, I am proud of these guys for exploring, developing, and using their gifts.

Anyway, so after getting chilly and wet at the fair, I was ready for a yummy meal in a warm environment. I ordered the usual: 6oz. sirloin smothered with onions, mushrooms, and cheese, mashed potatoes, and a cup of chili. When our meals arrived, we did what we almost always do when we go out to eat. We asked our waitress if there was anything we could pray for.

Not only did she share with us what we could pray for, she asked if she could join us. So here we are in the middle of a busy restaurant holding hands with this young woman we had only met moments earlier. We prayed for her, our meal, and a few other things.

I think this is really what Jesus had in mind when it comes to communion. This is not to discount the importance of what happens when we gather as a church. My point is to emphasize that communion is not just something that happens a few minutes once a week. It is people coming together in community to share in the kingdom of God.

Jesus himself said, "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) Isn't it interesting that God Himself said, "The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." (Deuteronomy 19:15)

So what is communion? Is it a religious ceremony, a ritual, a tradition, or a social gathering? Yes. It is all of those. It is a time for God's people to gather and give their testimony about who Jesus was and is. Paul even wrote, "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again." (1 Corinthians 11:26)

So on a Sunday afternoon in a restaurant consumed by the noise of people, the aroma of food, and an atmosphere of celebration, we were able to be witnesses to our faith in Jesus and our trust in God. It was a time to approach the throne of God with and for a young woman somewhere on the journey of finding and following God.

The next time you go out to eat, ask your waitress or waiter what you can pray for and see if church breaks out.

shine!
Jason

Remembering a friend

I still remember the last time I talked to him. It was Wednesday, August 1. Connections had ended and we were in the lobby at church. A group of college students had invited Nic to join them and go to Applebees. Nic said he didn't have any money. I opened my wallet and found three dollars. I handed him my last three dollars and told him to go get something with them. With that Nic and I hugged and he walked out the door.

Less than a week later I got the call. Nic had died. He had lost his long struggle with drugs. Nic and I had talked numerous times about this battle. Enough of the sad stuff. Let me tell you about my friend, Nic.

Nic was a young man with incredible talent and a heart full of love. Time and time again he would talk about his three greatest passions - skateboarding, his fiance, and his son (not necessarily in that order). Nic wanted to enjoy life.

I still remember walking into the hospital the week that Carter was born. I remember the joy on his face. And I could see the combination of pain and joy in his face as he and his fiance made the choice to give their son up for adoption. It was the most difficult decision I think either of them ever faced. I remember at the time being impressed with the maturity of this young man. In the midst of a life filled with trials and challenges, he was able to rise above it and make a decision that was in the best interest of that little boy.

Nic is gone now, but his memory lives on. I will always remember the times we sat in my office talking about life. The hours invested in a friendship. The times we hugged each other as we both tried to understand this journey called life.

Some lives never have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Nic's life is one of those. There is so much more I could say about Nic and about the life lessons I learned from knowing him, but I will conclude with this: I find joy in knowing that I had the opportunity to call him my friend.

shine!
Jason

Spectator Christianity

If it wasn't for the black and gold jerseys all around me, I might have thought I entered a time machine and was sent to first century Jerusalem. As the players walked off the field they were inundated with yells. People shouting their names. You could see footballs, shirts, papers, and - of course - the Sharpies. Everyone hoping for a chance to get even one autograph.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I spent a day at the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

You could tell when the most popular players walked by the crowd. The screams would get louder. The chants would begin. And people would shove towards the fence, hoping for a signature.

I won't lie. I was there. Matthew and I had a football and a Sharpie. Sure, it would be cool to get some autographs. (For the record, we got two autographs.)

But some of these people were hard core. Some had helmets and footballs full of signatures as they pursued those few autographs they still lacked. Some were staying in hotels close by so they could come back every day. It was obvious to me that for some of these people, Steelers football was their religion.

So what would possess someone to worship football players instead of God? (And this worship is not limited to football. Have you looked at a magazine rack recently?)

If I had the same impression of God that many of these people probably have, I might worship football players too. If worshiping God to them consists of going to a building for an hour or two, listening to someone speak, tasting a little bread and grape juice, and singing a few songs, I can understand. I would much rather gather with my close friends, watching hard-hitting action, enjoying chips, salsa, and your favorite drink, and screaming like crazy when your team does well. Sounds a lot more exciting to me.

But then maybe that's the problem. For many people, including a lot of Christians, following Jesus has become more like a spectator sport than something we participate in. And in a culture full of entertainment, going to church will have a hard time competing with football, American Idol, or dozens of other options.

But what if following Jesus is more than going to church? What if it is a full-contact activity where you are the one in the trenches getting dirty? What if it is more about serving others than being served? What if it is about being on the field instead of in the stands?

There are way too many couch-potatoes and arm-chair quarterbacks in church. They do little but have advice for everyone else. They are the first to complain when things don't go their way. They are the first to walk out the door when you disappoint them. Like the fan in his living room, they offer criticism without ever stepping on the field. They want to tell others how to follow Jesus while they sit in the pew.

Maybe the reason so many people are leaving church for centers of worship like football stadiums is because we have not modeled or offered them the kind of experience God calls us to. When we cease to settle for spectator Christianity and get people involved in a full-contact life of following Jesus, people won't need to worship superstars; they will be able to worship the bright Morning Star.

shine!
Jason

The King of Kings in the Queen City

Well, I have been home less than a day from Cincinnati. I am exhausted and encouraged. Worn out and lifted up. It was a great week of serving where we witnessed God at work.

I am so impressed with the team that went to Cincinnati. They very seldom complained and almost always did what was asked of them. They served the people of Millvale and allowed God to penetrate their hearts.

Saturday night's devotional time was a great ending to an awesome week. I witnessed this group of students worship God in a way I had never seen them worship ever before. Their hearts were connecting with God's. They praised God without reservation. They poured out their hearts as they sang. Then they shared what they brought with them that they were leaving behind or what they were taking back with them. This was not a reference to their clothes, but to what God had done in their lives. I was amazed at what some of them shared. I saw a fire for God. I witnessed them experiencing a new passion for God that some of them admitted they had never experienced before.

My prayer is that their zeal does not grow cold and that their passion becomes contagious. These young people went to Cincinnati hoping to have a good time and serve others. Not only did they accomplish that mission, they found God dwelling in the inner-city of Cincinnati. We all found a God that - as the apostle Paul said - can accomplish more than we can ask for and imagine. And that is a mission worth going on any time.

shine!
Jason

Mission: Cincinnati 2 - 3rd Update

Well, our trip is nearing its end. Thursday was our last day working with the kids at the community center and we will see them again at church on Sunday.

Yesterday afternoon we visited the Freedom Center. This is the location of the National Underground Railroad Museum. While we visited the Freedom Center last year, this year's visit seemed to have much more impact. The students learned about various kinds slavery that still exists around the world today including sweatshops and sex slavery. If your teenager is on this trip, be sure to ask them about the Freedom Center and how it impacted them.

Thursday was a great day as well. Our last day of the carnival and Bible time went great. Even though they were hot and tired, our students worked hard. We ended the afternoon with the kids at the center by serving them sloppy joes. Our time at the center all week has been very rewarding.

Thursday night our group participated in a prayer walk. We visited nine stations discussing and praying about all nine fruit of the Spirit. For many students it was a time of renewal, encouragement, and spiritual formation. One student commented it was one of the best nights of her life.

Today we will enjoy a day of fun in downtown Cincinnati at an outdoor market and a Reds game. Tomorrow morning we will join the Millvale community for church and then head home. It has been a great week. I hope to post a wrap-up blog early next week.

shine!
Jason

Mission: Cincinnati 2 - 2nd Update

OK, so this will be a real update.

What an amazing week this has been. I will try to encapsulate it in a few paragraphs here.

NOTE: If you are not familiar with our trip, we have a team of 19 teenagers, 6 adults, and 1 six-year old who are ministering to the Millvale community in Cincinnati. This is an urban housing development where a lot of families with children live. This is our second year spending a week with the people of Millvale.

Sunday night was a great trip down. Other than the van overheating because we sat in a traffic jam for almost an hour and not getting to our destination until almost 10:00pm, it was a rather uneventful trip. (And don't worry, we have had zero problems since then with the van. We figured out it was just because the A/C was running while we were sitting still in traffic for so long.)

Monday was a day I don't think I will ever forget. The roller coaster ride started in the morning when Josh Graves called me concerned. He had heard something about Mike (not his real name), a friend of ours, and was trying to get more information. Then less than half an hour later, he called with the news I feared, Mike had died of a drug overdose. I had been working with this 19-year-old young man for over a year now. (I am sure I will have more to say about Mike in a future blog, he had become a good friend.)

Regardless of the situation back home, our team of 26 had a lot of work to do. (I can relate to how Jesus felt when he found out about John the Baptist being killed but Jesus still had to minister to the crowd.) It was our first day and we were figuring some of it out as we went along. But it went smoothly and we set up our carnival. Our team brought games and activities for the kids there to play. When the kids play, they get tickets they can cash in later for prizes.

After lunch, we had Bible time. Our teenagers did a great job of teaching the children about God. While they prepared well for their classes, their best teaching was the way they loved on these kids. I saw children climbing on our teenagers backs, giving them hugs, and experiencing love they seldom see. It was a real encouragement.

Then that evening we went to Pat Pugh's house. (Pat is the minister that works with the Millvale community.) At Pat's house we got to know Justin. Before we left Pat's house, we all sat and listened to Justin's story. It was a story of victory. Justin will admit he is not there yet, but he is on the path of overcoming and escaping his past. After Justin answered a few questions, we surrounded him, laid hands on him, and prayed for him for some time. Most of the members of our team prayed for Justin and others in the community. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have been a part of. You could see emotional healing taking place right before our eyes. One of our teens later commented that it was the closest she had ever felt to God.

Tuesday was another hot, but good day. Our students continued to work hard with virtually no complaining, in spite of the temperature flirting with 100. They worked hard, loved on children, taught their classes, and lived out the Gospel. Tuesday night's devo started around 10:30pm and ended somewhere around 12:30am. It was so encouraging to hear the members of our team share their hearts and how God is working in their lives this week.

Yesterday was hot again. But it was also good. Still more heat. Still no complaining. Still a lot of hard work and love being shown to these kids. We had intended to feed the children lunch, but when we got here this week, we found out that the summer lunch program provided a lunch. So we switched gears and served an early dinner around 3:30pm. On Wednesday we served bologna sandwiches and the kids loved it. They were enjoying another meal and time with our team. For many of these kids, the food they receive at the center is the only thing they will eat all day. One of the most touching things is the reaction of the kids as the afternoon goes on. They start asking, "Are you leaving soon?" They don't want us to leave. The children begin to hold on a little stronger, hug a little more, and stay a little closer when they sense we are getting ready to leave. For many of them, we are the most love and attention they have seen in a long time.

I know that each student will have his or her own stories to tell you. They have certain children whom they have bonded with. They will leave with memories they will never forget. And they will come home having met God among the children of Millvale.

shine!
Jason

Mission: Cincinnati 2 - 1st Update

This will be really short. Things are going really well! We have had internet connection issues so I have not been able to get on. I will update soon with details. The teens are doing awesome!

shine!
Jason

Making a splash

No, this is not a blog about baptism. (Although I could probably make it one with my training and background.)

Actually, I want to talk briefly about the encouraging week I had.

I got talked into teaching the 5th and 6th graders for VBS. If I am going to be brutally honest, I wasn't super excited, but I accepted the offer out of a sense of duty.

This 5th and 6th grade class was called "G-Force." The whole theme for the VBS was "Mighty U" based on super heros and the super powers God gives us. I honestly don't know if I have ever taught a VBS class except a class for teens.

All I can say is I am so glad that I accepted the offer. This has been a great week and I have learned a lot.

While interacting with these pre-teens I was reminded how important it is to dedicate yourself to Jesus as early as possible in life. The sooner you can learn the baby steps of obedience, the easier it will usually be to develop good spiritual habits.

I picked the title "making a splash" for this entry for a couple of reasons:

First, I was reminded this week that even these pre-teens can make a huge impact for Jesus. They showed me that someone giving a lot out of their little bit is usually more significant that someone giving a little bit out of a lot. Most young people don't have a lot of money or material items to give. But their hearts and love for people are hard to match. They can sometimes remind me of the widow with the two coins.

Also, I was reminded that I need to keep an open mind. I was blessed to be used by God this week in a way I didn't expect. Often our ideas are just that, our ideas. We need to remember that God is God and we are not. He will provide opportunities we may not understand or want to do. Too bad. God will stretch us when it helps His kingdom spread.

I say all that to tell you this: No matter how big or small you are, how important or insignificant you feel, how smart or unintelligent you think you might be, or how little you think you have to offer, God wants you to serve Him faithfully. I believe that God is much more concerned with your faithfulness than your success.

No matter what situation you find yourself in, serve God with all you have and watch Him work in the lives of those around you. That is how you can make a splash that will last for eternity.

shine!

Jason

Runaway fridge

So today, Wayne (my intern) and I are working around the church building and we get a phone call from the church office. A student from Rochester College called and they need help because they can't get their dorm fridge in their car. Our understanding of that message is that she needs help getting the refrigerator in her car.

Being the servants we are (or maybe because we would have felt guilty not to help) we decide to walk the 1/4 mile or so to the storage place. When we arrive we find the real story. The fridge won't fit in her car and she needs to get it over to Rochester College, which is over 1/2mile away. So Wayne and I offer to walk the fridge over to the college on the 4-wheel cart.

(NOTE: At this point, if this story is about your fridge, please stop reading. Thanks, Susan.)

(ANOTHER NOTE: Please do not attempt what you are about to read at home. As a matter of fact, I would probably yell at the teens in my group if they did this when I was around.)

Anyway, being two youth minister types, and because it was over 90 degrees, we were not in our right minds. Most of the trip is downhill. (This is an important piece of information.) So Wayne decides to get on the back of the cart. He reaches over the fridge and grabs on to the bar at the front of the cart.

I thought it would be funny to let go of the cart and see what happens. Well, one does not need a degree in physics to figure that out. The cart begins accelerating down the hill. At first Wayne and I both are laughing and think this is funny. However, as the speed of the cart continued to increase, both of us became concerned. I think Wayne was more worried than me since he was the one on the cart.

Anyway, as the cart started to pull away from me, I decided to run with all I had. It took me a few seconds, but I got ahead of the cart, slowed it down, and saved Wayne from certain peril.

Like I said earlier, please don't try this at home. As a matter of fact, don't try this anywhere. (If you are a boy between 12 and 20, I am sure you will ignore my several warnings.)

Although this was probably a pretty fun sight to see, it's not so funny when the runaway cart is our life and the pull of gravity becomes the pull of sin.

I have watched many teens (and adults for that matter) jump on the runaway cart of sin thinking it will be a fun ride. Unfortunately for some of them, they don't realize the danger until it's too late. When they are laying on the side of the road in pain, they realize the ride wasn't worth it.

One big difference between crashing a cart and crashing from sin is that the wounds from a cart crash will usually heal. Injuries from sin will seldom heal completely. Scars that can't be seen will continue to hurt. Pains below the surface will continue to haunt. And sometimes we can even become callous to the pain and we continue to hurt ourselves.

It could start out as an innocent party that leads to drunk driving and an accident with life-changing consequences.

It might be shoplifting one small item that turns into a habit of shoplifting and eventual jail time.

It could be smoking one joint that leads to a drug addiction that destroys your family.

It might start out with an innocent make-out session that ends up with giving away a part of yourself that you'll never get back.

The options are endless. Exciting cart rides that Satan parades before us, hoping we will jump on. He hopes we see the fun ride, but not the crash.

Even though the scars may last for the rest of your life, Jesus is there to bring healing. The best option is to avoid these mistakes that often cause a life-time of regrets. But if you have already experienced one or more crashes in your life, Jesus is there to help. And if you are in the middle of an out-of-control ride, know that Jesus is there waiting to help you.

Life with Jesus is better than any ride Satan has to offer. It will still have risks, but the journey will be fulfilling and the end of the ride will be amazing.

shine!
Jason

Reckless passion

Today has been a great day!

Just a few hours ago I had the honor of baptizing Liz Trainor. I love this girl like a daughter. For the last two years I have watched her grow, struggle, ask questions, and deal with a number of difficult situations.

This is one of those days someone in ministry never forgets. A day when someone whose journey you have been blessed to be a part of makes a big step. It was exciting to see the look on Liz's face as she realized what she was experiencing. She knows she will never be the same again.

Sometimes I wish more people in the church had real conversions. For some it seems like being baptized is the thing to do. Just another thing you do because you grew up in church.

For Liz this is a real conversion. She has found a God that loves her regardless of where she has been. A God who wants to love her no matter what. A Father who wants her to realize that she is God's masterpiece.

She was not baptized because it is what everyone else is doing. She was not baptized to make anyone else happy. She was baptized because she is falling in love with God and God's love is at work in her life.

I am not saying that everyone who grows up in church doesn't have a real conversion. I know plenty of Christ-followers who have gone to church their whole life. However, we can learn something from a person whose life before Jesus was not Bible classes and VBS. We can learn a lot from someone who has seen the underbelly of life and found the light of God on the other side.

I am challenged by Liz. Every time I turn around she is bringing someone else to church. She is telling people about God. There are times her friends fill an entire pew.

Imagine the difference it would make in our churches if we all could be this serious about telling people about God. But many of us are too afraid of what people will think.

Maybe we have had life too easy as Christians. Maybe church is more about what we do than who we are. Maybe we need a little persecution.

Thanks, Liz. Thanks for showing me what it looks like to be passionate about Jesus without having to have it all figured out.

shine!
Jason

Hunger

Hunger.

Desire.

Starvation.

What do we hunger for?

What do we desire?

What are we starving for?

Yesterday I fasted. From bedtime on Tuesday until breakfast today I only drank water. I will admit it was hard at times. But it also forced me to think.

I thought about food, obviously.

I thought about God, a lot.

I prayed everytime I thought about eating. So basically I prayed most of the day.

Fasting is a purifying activity. Sure, it helps you purify your body physically. But it is much more than that.

Yesterday was the first time in a while that I really thought about what it means to be hungry for God. I feel like I have been on spiritual cruise control for while. I have been snacking on a lot of other things to fill the hunger intended for God.

Last night as I reflected on my day of fasting I was convicted to change my "eating" habits. This is not a change in grocery shopping. It's a change in life choices.

I need to hunger more for the word of God.

I need to hunger more for prayer.

I need to hunger more for quiet times of meditation.

I need to hunger more for justice.

I need to hunger more for making the right choices.

As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

I feel like I often hunger and thirst for other things that aren't so filling.

The food I ate this morning made me feel full, but in a few hours I will be hungry again. Aren't the things in this world the same way? They make us feel satisfied in the short-term, but in the long run they often create even more hunger.

Studies say that artificial sweeteners are worse than sugar because they make you think you are getting calories when you aren't. And a short while after you eat or drink them you are more hungry and thirsty than before you ate.

Isn't sin basically artificial God? It is a short-term solution to a life-long hunger. It often looks good and tastes good, but it leaves us hungering for more. And like some artificial sweeteners, it often leaves a horrible aftertaste.

Frankly, I am tired of the bad aftertaste, the empty feelings, and the lack of satisfaction. I am tired of the artificial God that Satan entices us to eat. I am tired of wondering why I am so hungry after I have filled myself with so much. It's time to change my diet.

I want to encourage you to change the parts of your diet that you need to as well. My son Matthew likes to look at the nutritional facts on food packaging. He will tell me about the amount of carbohydrates and fat. He looks at the percentages of vitamins.

Maybe we should take a lesson from him and more carefully examine the spiritual nutritional facts of what we consume.

How many sinful suggestions are in that music we are listening to?

How much selfishness is found in our desire for a certain look or label when it comes to clothing?

How much hurt is found in the words we use and the way we treat people?

How much attitude of Christ is found in the choices we make.

How much fruit of the Holy Spirit is found in our attitude?

I would venture to guess that many of us go through life and seldom consider these things. We just consume, consume, consume, and then wonder why we are out of shape spiritually. We enjoy the buffet of life without thinking about the impact our choices will have on our heart and mind.

I want to invite you to join me in a day of fasting and prayer on the last Wednesday of every month. If you are under 18, be sure to talk to your parents before doing this. And you should even invite them to join you. Imagine the impact of your whole family fasting together once a month.

Spend one day hungering for food and it could alter the way you think about hungering for God.

shine!
Jason

Rio - Final Update

Well, it's our final day here. The plane leaves in less than 9 hours. It has been a great 10 days here in Rio. Here is a little longer recap of the last several days...

Friday - On Friday half of our team finished work projects and the others went to an orphanage. After finishing the projects, our whole team was together at the orphanage. We painted a number of rooms and spent time playing with the kids at the home. It was awesome watching the team members interact with the children. Those little ones surely touched the hearts of all of us. When dinnertime came, we were joined by teenagers from another home. The pizza party was a chance to interact more with the youth. It was a truly incredible day to meet Jesus among the poorest of Rio's citizens.

Saturday - The English day was incredible as well. There were over 100 Brazilians who came for this special Saturday event. According to Dan and Kirsty, the vast majority were visitors and over half had never visited the church before. Those who came were able to practice their English, play some fun games, and enjoy a hamburger. It was a great chance to help the church make some new relationships.

Sunday - I always enjoy worshiping with the Brazilians. Their worship is passionate and uplifting. Words can not describe how amazing it is to worship in another language. It helps cement the fact that we serve a God bigger than any one nation, language, or people. There is nothing like it!

Monday and today have given us a chance to visit with a few of the Brazilians and visit Dan and Kirsty's home. Some of us even had a chance today to meet an eight-year-old Brazilian boy who lives in Dan's neighborhood.

I was so impressed with our team again this year. God always seems to bring together the right mixture of people for the task at hand. They all worked hard without complaint. They accomplished so much for God here in Rio. God's light was shining through all of them!

I have been touched once again by Rio and it's people. It is a place that has much less than us in material possessions, but they are rich in many of the things that God values. Joy. Passion. Friendliness. Valuing children. These are the things that Brazilians possess. While I am looking forward to home, I will miss Brazil a lot. There is a part of my heart that will always be Brazilian.

shine!
Jason (Michelle & Matthew)

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This trip has been amazing.  Its hard to believe that we accomplished so much in such a little time.  Every day has been full of hard work and a lot of fun.  The work with the children's home was my favorite part of the trip.  The kids were so eager to love us and hug us.  They were so sweet, and it was very hard to leave them there.  I will be staying in Rio for another week, and I am very sad that the rest of the team can not stay with me because I have grown so close with them. I hope that anyone reading this gets an opportunity to participate in a campaign like this one. It is a life changing experience.

Becky

 

Rio Update - Sunday

Wow! That is really all I can say right now. Sunday morning worship just finished and we are about to leave. Here is the last three days in a nutshell:

Friday - Work projects and time at the orphanage

Saturday - Special English Day and spending the night in a Brazilian home

Sunday - An awesome, Spirit-filled worship service

BRASIL...PRICELESS

I will try to post one more update before we leave, but I don't know if I will have access to the internet. If not, I will send a final update when we get back.

brilho!
Jason

Rio Update - Thursday

Boa noite! I hope all is going well back in the States. We are having a great time in Rio. We did get to enjoy fireworks on July 4, but not in the way you would expect. Part of our day on Wednesday was going to a soccer game. This was a soccer game in a part of Rio where tourists normally don't go. We were able to see real Brazilian soccer and even made friends with some of the locals. Matthew got to help play the drum and wave the big flag. VASCÃO! (The name of the team we cheered for, since they were the home team and Dan and Kirsty's team.)

On a different note, today has been filled with hard work. Many of the rooms have been painted, storage areas have been reorganized, the puppet stage is much further along, and more. It has been great to serve the church here in Rio. They are doing a great work!

The next couple of days will be filled with opportunities to serve the people here. Tomorrow we visit an orphanage and Saturday is the big English Day. Please pray for these two activities.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and all of you who have supported our trip financially. Your prayers and help are helping us be a big source of encouragement for the church here. Kirsty shared last night how much it means to the missionaries and the members here to have visitors travel thousands of miles to work alongside them. You are a part of that effort!

Well, time for our bi-lingual service. This was one of the highlights of last year's trip. Tchau!

brilho!
Jason

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Hi everyone!
Today has been a work day at the church building.  Depending on what floor you are on, you hear the sound of saws, hammers, laughter and the splatter of paint rolling on to the walls.

Wish you could be here to share in this wonderful time of serving and fellowship.

Blessings,
KO

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Hello Everyone,

Being in Brazil has been a wonderful experience.  The people here are incredible and have huge hearts.  I hope to come back one day.

Best wishes to all of you! - Lisa

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Hi all,

We have really enjoyed meeting the people here and they have been great to welcome us.  Our work days are long and very rewarding and we have enjoyed seeing the sites in Rio.  This is an experience of a lifetime and we are grateful for the opportunity God has given us to be here.

Blessings,

The Osborns

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Greetings!

Today has been another good day for our team in Rio!  We worked hard today and tonight, after worship, we will play hard.  Our team plus a few missionaries have challenged the Victory church to a game of soccer.  If we lose, no, when we lose we will then challenge them to a game of basketball. Wish us luck! 

Thanks to all of you who are praying for us and to all of you who have financially supported this trip.  It truly is a blessing to walk with, work with, and worship with our brothers and sisters in Rio!  It is also a true blessing to see Dan and Kirsty at work!  God is most definitely using them in powerful ways!

Love and God Bless,
Danny Cagnet

Tuesday Update

Boa noite! Evening is here in Brazil. Since it is the middle of winter here the days are short (but still warm). We are about to leave for dinner so I figured I better get this posted. It has been a great day and we are working on numerous projects.

As I write this, Sarah is upstairs teaching a Tae Kwon Do class with several helpers. Others are downstairs working on a puppet stage for the Children's Ministry. Josue, who heads up the Children's Ministry, is completely excited!

Yesterday we began our work projects and had a little time to experience the real Rio. We avoided tourist areas on purpose to see what the city is really like. One of the things that impacted me most was being in the middle of downtown and seeing skyscrapers with window air conditioning units. We are so spoiled in the US. The financial district of New York City would never settle for this. But these are the conditions these folks live with every day.

The team has been doing an awesome job so far. They have been working hard and making a lot of relationships. I can see the Spirit at work among us. As a matter of fact, many of the team members did not have time to write anything for today.

Tomorrow is our day to see a few of the well-known sites of Rio, then Thursday we are back to work. Watch for more updates on Thursday. Since there is no internet at the hotel, we can only update when we are here at the church building.

By the way, if you were a part of last year's team and you are reading this, you wouldn't believe the changes. They have made further improvements to the grounds and the building. God is at work among the people here in Rio and we are blessed to be a part of it!

brilho!
Jason

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Hey everybody!  This is the Osborn family reporting from Brazil!  Everything is going great here with the church… our expectations have been blown away!  We´re working with the church members to help renovate offices and build a library as well as other stuff.  We miss all of you back home!

OSBORN FAMILY

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Bom Dia!

Brazil is even more amazing than I remember it, and the church here is beautiful as well as all of the members. They are so kind and generous! Wish you all could be here!

 

Becky

We are here!

We have arrived safely! Our trip was long, but uneventful. We have settled into our hotel and will join the church in a few hours for evening worship. We also have the opportunity this afternoon to join Dan & Kirsty and their new English class. They just started last week and had 35 people show up, most of whom are not currently members of the Victory Church. Please be in prayer for this exciting new ministry. I would also ask that you keep us in your prayers over the next 10 days. We are looking forward to joining God in His work among the people of Rio.

shine!
Jason

Rio 2007!

From July 1, through July 10, this will be the place to hear about our mission trip to Rio. Come back soon and find out how God is at work!

Orphans among us

It seems like we are surrounded by orphans these days.

No, there are not children wandering the streets in search of a place to live. These children know their parents. Most of them live with at least one of their parents. But they are orphans nonetheless.

The type of orphans I am talking about often say goodbye to their parents early in the morning as they head off to school and they will likely not have another meaningful conversation with mom or dad until well after dinner. After school they run off to practice, a game, or some other performance. They will get home in time to grab a snack, go to their room, turn on their music or TV, and work on a little homework. They might even jump on-line to chat with friends.

I thought about this earlier today as I drove by a soccer game in Rochester. On the field are children who spend hours and hours a week with adults other than their parents. This is in addition to the seven or eight hours a day they spend at school. Then these children play a game where they might see their parents on the sideline. (At least I hope they do.)

But have we created a situation where our desire to give our children every opportunity has robbed them of the most important opportunity - meaningful relationship with their parents?

While sports, hobbies, and other extracurricular activities are not inherently bad, when we allow them to supplant the role of parents, they can become dangerous. The absence of time to build meaningful relationships at home can reduce a parent's ability to have an impact on their children.

When parents only have a few hours a week, they may often avoid conflict - conflict which is healthy for maturing a child. Others homes may be so stressed because of the hectic schedule that arguments and conflict are the norm. The lack of consistency relationally will often impact the family.

Parents must have the courage and wisdom to make the right decisions for their family. There is no one right answer for all families, but there are definitely boundaries we must maintain. We must be careful to avoid investing inordinate amounts of time in activities and events that are not as important. Over 99% of teenagers will never play a professional sport, but the vast majority of them will be a parent someday. Why are we willing to spend so much of our time and resources on athletics and other hobbies while neglecting time together as a family?

shine!
Jason

Get on the floor

Last night our youth group celebrated a Passover Seder together.

Although not all the students seemed to take it seriously, I believe that for some of the teenagers this was a powerful evening that opened their eyes to more of what lies behind the Lord's Supper. We ate food. We talked about the history of the Passover. Students took a journey back to an upper room about two thousand years ago.

These are the kind of activities that I believe are an essential part of spiritual formation. Sure, there are times for silly games and trips to fun places, but students must engage in moments that brings the life of Jesus to life for them. How much more meaningful is the Lord's Supper when we know the story behind the event? The impact of a Seder can change the meaning of communion from something we just do every Sunday because it is our tradition to an event that the community of Christ followers engage in to celebrate the promises of God.

Why do we in youth ministry often spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an event that mostly involves having fun instead of investing a significant portion of that money (and time and energy) into more spiritually transforming activities? I am not against those fun activities. We need those times when students can be relaxed and build relationships with each other and adults. But those events cannot be the foundation of our ministry. Otherwise we are often shaping students into expecting church to be fun and games.

That kind of world-view of church will not keep students engaged for a lifetime of walking with Jesus. Being a follower of Jesus can be challenging and demands sacrifice. Ski trips and other entertainment will not naturally develop an attitude that is ready for the struggles of true discipleship. These things should be the gravy on the meat and potatoes of transformational ministry.

I believe one of the main reasons we lose so many of our students after high school is because we are not equipping them for the reality of life. When they graduate from high school and church is no longer about trips and games, many of these former youth group members decide church is not their thing.

We in youth ministry must provide a realistic approach to discipleship. I would rather students occasionally complain that something is boring in the process of spiritual formation than constantly entertain teenagers just so they keep coming to youth group. The true measurement of my success is not based on how many students come to an event. (Although I would be lying if I didn't confess that low turnouts disappoint me.)  But true success for me is the student who comes back five years later and is involved in ministry (not just attending church) and is continuing in their journey to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Maybe that is why it is easier to plan the fun events that everyone wants to come to. People want immediate satisfaction. They want to see success right away. Youth ministers are just like everyone else. We want to see the fruit of our efforts. We want the approval that comes from an event that everyone liked and raves about. Unfortunately, spiritual formation doesn't always occur in this way. It can be hard work that doesn't see fruit for a long time. So we must keep our eyes set on the future and on the ultimate goal. We must always remember that youth ministry is about helping students find their place in the Kingdom of God today and preparing them to continue to grow into the person that God has created them to be.

Illuminate 2007

This past weekend the Rochester Church hosted the first Illuminate. Illuminate is a youth conference designed for today's youth. We offered sessions that included a drama workshop, a song writing workshop, beat poetry, a prayer labyrinth, and classes with Patrick Mead and Sean Algaier. Pat Pugh, a minister from inner-city Cincinnati, brought some powerful messages. Friday night included performances and worship by Minor Measure (a band consisting of Rochester youth group members) and Ekklesia (a praise band from Rochester College). Ambassadors communicated effectively through drama and Jason Tomlinson shared God's message in a unique way through Spoken Word Praise. Almost 200 students and dozens of adults came together for an uplifting weekend of spiritual growth. And we had the joy of witnessing the baptism of a young lady on Saturday night. (For more about Illuminate and to see videos from the weekend, visit www.shoutlife.com/illuminate.)

I am grateful to the dozens of people who sacrificed hours and hours of their time to make this event a success. Hearts were touched and lives were changed because of the efforts of these tremendous servants. Many of them make my ministry a joy not just for one weekend, but all year long. The hearts of the people at the Rochester church are huge and their desire to serve is incredible. God has blessed me with a great body of followers of Jesus to serve beside.

As I reflect on the weekend, one thing continues to come to mind. It is amazing what God can do when we get out of the way and let Him work. People were free to express themselves in worship. Teenagers were able to explore different ways to live out their faith. God's word was preached without restraint. The Holy Spirit was unleashed and people were impacted.

Today's generation of young people often does not understand the constraints that previous generations have placed on God. This is not to condemn or criticize previous generations. Each generation experiences God in a unique way. But when the church tries to force every generation to experience God in the same way - their way - there will be struggle. This has been the story of the church for centuries. Whether it is Martin Luther questioning indulgences or Martin Luther King, Jr. attacking the racism of the church in the 20th century, there have been innovators in every generation that cause us to reconsider where we are and where God wants us to go.

Today's youth have an important voice that must be heard in the church. They will cause us to examine life-long beliefs and consider new ways of expressing our faith. They will challenge our presuppositions and question our reasoning. And in the process - as iron sharpens iron - we can all grow in our relationship with God.

The new ways of the younger generation do not have all the right answers. But neither do we. Every generation must be willing to work alongside those with different views and different ways of doing things. Only then can we become the body of Christ working together in unity. Unity is not the presence of conformity, it is the absence of division. Jesus did not want cookie-cutter churches and Christians. He wanted a chosen people, a holy nation, His very own possession. We are called to be Christ-shaped followers of Jesus who don't find our identity in our style of worship or list of doctrines. Rather, we are called to seek our identity in the One who gave us life, Jesus Christ.

shine!
Jason

The neuterization of our youth

At the outset, this might see to directly contradict what I just wrote in the last two entries, but stick with me...

I think we have neutered our youth. Many of them have become uninterested in church because it isn't really relevant to their lives. And they might be right. We want them to do church our way, live out their faith our way, and understand God and the Bible our way. But what if our way is wrong? Or maybe the better thought is that maybe our way is wrong for their time.

But you might argue that we do Christianity the right way. Really? Many in my particular tribe believe that we are the "First Century Church" or the "New Testament Church" or a variety of other phrases that basically state that we do church the way it was originally intended. Really? Do you really think they sang all those songs written in the 1700's and 1800's? (Oops, that was a few years earlier.) Do we forget the fact that the first church building was probably built in the 3rd century? What about those passages in Acts chapter two that talk about followers of Jesus meeting daily and sharing all they had? I think you get the point.

What if what we call Christianity isn't best for the next generation? Before you panic, I am not talking about the core beliefs of Christianity. God is still God. Jesus is still His Son. The Holy Spirit is alive and well. I think we need to stick with the seven "ones" in Ephesians 4.

I think the fact that we have missed the boat on this thought is what is driving many children from the faith. We want them to continue doing church our way. A way that may not connect with their generation or the culture they are in the midst of. So they leave because we have constructed a God that doesn't fit in their construct. Our "God" doesn't make sense based on what life looks like to them.

It is so cliche , I hate to say it. But the youth are not the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today. Look over the history of God's people and you will see those who accomplished great things at a young age. Josiah was a mere 26 when he called the entire nation of Israel to renew their covenant with God. Joan of Arc was never made it past her teen years and is still remembered to this day. Martin Luther King, Jr was in his mid-20's when he began developing as a leader in the civil rights movement. Cassie Bernall was seventeen when she was killed in the Columbine massacre for voicing her faith in God.

I will readily admit that I get uncomfortable at times when young people want to express their faith in new ways. Whether it's new music, a new way to share the Good News, or a new approach to ministry, every generation has a way of irritating the last generation.

We like church the way we have grown used to. We like the songs we sing. We feel like we have figured out what it means to be a Christian. And just as we get comfortable with what have, along comes the next generation to stir the pot for us. And how we react will make all the difference.

For those of us who are unwilling to engage in conversation with the next generation because "we have it right," their children will react in a number of ways. Some will accept a faith that never really becomes their own faith. Others will leave God. Some will find a church that is more relevant to their life.

Others just say to let them go and do their own thing. This can often lead to a church that follows the "Friends" model. (I am talking about the TV show, not the religious group.) In this scenario, there is little wisdom gained from previous generations and many of these Christians fail to respect or reflect on the tradition and history of the church. This type of movement seems to be more popular in recent years as churches are buying into the "marketing" concept of church.

I think a healthy balance is what we really need. Young people need room to explore their faith knowing that they are supported by a loving family that covers multiple generations. This is hard! Hard for everyone.

For teenagers it can be hard because they don't want to listen to the "old people."

For adults it can be a challenge because they want teenagers to be safe and not repeat the mistakes of the past.

For youth ministers it can be a challenge because we want to make teenagers and parents happy. And the truth is that when we are being most effective, we will frustrate people on both sides. Teenagers will be angry with us because we challenge their sinful behavior and seem to take the side of their parents in some situations. Parents will be upset with us because we seem to undermine their authority as we help students to sort out their own faith.

If we want to help families with youth engage the faith journey both individually and collectively, it will require patience, love, prayer, and a lot of work. It is not for the faint at heart. And we have to acknowledge that we might make more mistakes than we want to along the way. This is a difficult calling we have answered.

One of our chief goals should be to help teenagers see the wisdom of adults, as misguided - although often sincere - as it may be, while helping parents see the passion of teenagers, as misguided - although often sincere - as it may be. There will be plenty of sin and struggles to deal with for everyone involved. We must continually encourage each other to look more and more like Jesus. But we must be careful that we discern the difference between sinful behavior and behavior that just looks different than what we are comfortable with.

This is not easy. It is easy to jump to conclusions and make rash judgments. It requires much more effort to look at each situation and willingly engage in conversation. But when we are willing to make the extra effort, we can free our teenagers to develop their own faith, a faith that will last. And when they do that, there is no limit to how God can use them to expand the borders of His Kingdom.

shine!
Jason

The ghettoization of our youth, Part 2

I'm assuming most of you have seen at least one episode of the TV show Friends. These six young adults all sharing life in a variety of ways. In some ways that show reminds me of a phenomena that is happening in the youth culture today. Just like the lives of those six friends, our youth often exclusively turn to one another for advice and guidance as they face difficult decisions and struggles in life.

Don't get me wrong; I believe that our youth need to share with each other, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable. But should this take place in a realm void of more mature and experienced voices?

I will admit that this is a difficult balancing act that I still don't feel like I often handle the right way. I struggle to give students enough freedom to process information and make decisions while still trying to offer a different perspective. Sometimes I say too little. Other times, too much. But I would rather fail trying than not try at all. That would be real failure.

Adolescence is a challenging time for everyone involved. Students want freedom and security. Parents want control and distance. Other adults want growth and obedience. We all dance the dance of "growing up." We want our teenagers to develop and grow into mature, responsible adults. We also want them to listen to us and do what we ask. Like a cold front and a warm front coming together on a Spring afternoon, this often results in a storm. And unfortunately, we adults often react with one of two extremes. We either shut off conversation or we fight back.

I'm not sure why this happens. Let me offer some suggestions. We adults are too busy and don't have time for this. We are already incredibly stressed and this brings us to a boiling point. We have our own issues of insecurity. We don't feel like dealing with it. And sometimes, I think we realize that our kids are right and we don't want to admit we are wrong.

No, this is not an exhaustive list, but it is something to think about.

So many people want to blame MTV and other aspects of the culture for what is happening to our children. The last time I checked the TV in my house has an on/off switch and the ability to change channels. Do we have a right to be concerned about the garbage that our teenagers are surrounded by in culture? Absolutely. But if all we do is complain without involving ourselves in the situation, we have no right to object.

I'm not talking about protesting MTV or railing about the decline in moral values. Sure, we can talk about those things. But if we are not engaging our young people directly and getting involved intimately in their lives it's not just irresponsible; it is sinful.

God calls us to be involved in the lives of our young people. Not in a overbearing way. Not like a dictator giving orders. By the time our kids are teenagers it's too late for that. We tell our six-year-olds what to do, not our sixteen-year-olds. Sure, parents still have parental authority and children still need to obey their parents. But the teenage years are a time of letting go and getting ready to leave. And this requires a fundamental shift in how we engage adolescents. We are no longer giving orders. We transition to a role that looks more like a coach or mentor. We give direction and send them out to "play the game."

Ok, so what does all of this have to do with ministering to families with youth? Everything.

(Let me interject this all-important statement. We youth ministers must realize we don't know everything. We must show humility as we interact with parents. Most of us are not yet parents of a teenager. Parents have a lot of wisdom that we will not gain for years. But, we have something to offer to the conversation. We have a perspective as someone not in the midst of their battle. But let's be sure we don't come across as know-it-alls, because we aren't.)

Having said that, we need to help parents as much as we help our students. Sure, the way we engage parents will be different, but we must do it. We should look at ourselves as a translator who can help bridge a gap between parents and teenagers. Will we mess it up sometimes? Sure. But God's grace will carry us through.

Our role with parents and their teenagers is both the same and different. In both situations we are more moderator and facilitator than we are imparter of knowledge. We don't have all the answers, but we have something to offer to the discussion. We are a third party that can see both sides.

(Sidebar here: We as youth ministers have to be willing to be seen as "uncool" sometimes by our students. This can be hard, because we want to be liked by our "kids." But if we are truly going to be agents of transformation and reconciliation, there will be times our students simply won't like us. Now, I am not talking about the whole youth group hating us. But there will be times that we need to stand up for the parents, and teenagers won't appreciate that. But if we are honest and a person of integrity, students will learn to trust us and respect us. As a matter of fact, in my experience, most of the times I have challenged a student in a situation like this, they have ended up respecting me more in the long run. But to be honest, in the short-term I am sure I have sometimes been called words that I couldn't say in front of the church.)

Anyway, if we want to overcome the ghettoization of our youth we must encourage our parents to get involved in their children's lives and help them transition as their role changes in the teen years. This is both a programmatic and thematic endeavor. We must develop programs that encourage dialogue between students and their parents. We should offer opportunities for families to engage. We should find tools for parents to help them be the best parents they can be. At the same time, we need to be a champion for parents and teenagers. We need to remind students that their parents are not the stupidist (is that a word?) people in the world. We need to remind parents that these are still the children that love them (in spite of how they might act).

What happens in the teenage years is fundamental to the rest of a student's life and how we deal with those years will shape the kind of man or woman a teenager becomes. Our role is not to coddle students and reinforce their self-image of having all the answers. But neither is our role to constantly put them in their place and tell them everything wrong that they are doing. Our role is to join with parents and other adults in engaging them in an ongoing dialogue as they develop into adults. We must be their guides, their mentors, and their voices of reason in a world full of bad advice. When we can strive for that goal and help them make better decisions, we will equip them for the years ahead. And to me, that is real success in ministry. It's the kind of success that is not measured by how many kids show up on a Wednesday night. It is measured by how many students are faithful followers of the Christ five years down the road.

shine!
Steck

The ghettoization of our youth

Before you run to www.dictionary.com, yes "ghettoization" is a real world. The definition is the noun form of ghettoize, "to place or collect in a ghetto." In other words, a group of people that gathers in one area to live.

Anyway, my question is this... Are we in youth ministry guilty of ghettoizing our youth? I would venture to argue that this is not a malicious or intentional action. Rather, I believe it is an extension of what we believe or are led to believe is best for our students. Most youth ministry conferences I go to invest a good chunk of time discussing how to make teen-friendly ministry. We talk about teen culture and how to bring the gospel into it. How we can be relevant.

I believe these are important questions that must be answered. They are valid considerations. But I think we often take the shortcut of stopping there. We build ministries around a mini-church of youth. Whether it's a basement, a room upstairs, a separate building, or just one classroom, we create this "place" for our students to belong. Their safe haven from the "old people." The place where they can be kids. And in the process we often rob them of the vital cross-generational influence that God intends for them to have.

Some of the most mature Christian teenagers I have met never had a youth minister. They grew up in a small church where their parents and other adults were the youth ministers. They didn't have a "professional" creating flashy classes, coming up with trendy events, and spending time taking them to various youth events. They were shaped and molded by mature Christians who provided the wisdom and experience of years of following Jesus, making mistakes, and growing in faith.

I am not putting the full-time youth minister down at all. We play a valuable role in the faith development of teens. We just shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. Our goal is not to be THE adult for our students. We should simply be one person on a team of adults who seeks to transform students into the image of Jesus. If we full-time youth ministers would invest as much time in adults as we do in students, our efforts would be multiplied exponentially. If there is one thing we need to learn, it's this one truth..."It's not about us!"

I firmly believe that one of the factors that often leads to the ghettoization of Christian youth is the youth minister's feeling that he has to be the savior of the students. Again, I don't think that the vast majority of youth ministers do this intentionally; it is result of our calling. We care about students. We want them to know Jesus. We pray for them. We minister to them. The problem is that we need to learn to let go and find our true role.

When students go off to college, I would venture to guess that most of them don't call their youth minister a few times a week to update them on the happenings at college. These young adults call their parents. (Or at least most of them do.) Sure, they will talk to us when they visit home. They might chat with us online or send us a message over Facebook or MySpace. But for the vast majority of students, their main contact back home will be mom and dad.

We MUST tap into parents and other adults if we really want to make the biggest impact on our students. To some youth ministers this may sound strange, but the truth is that we need to spend less time with our students to have a greater impact. Why? Because we need to invest some of that time in other adults. I realize that what this looks like will vary for every church. I serve a church of over 1200 members with a youth group close to 100 in number. Just a few years ago I was serving a church of 150 people with a youth group just over a dozen. These two situations call for vastly different models. The principle is the same, but the praxis will be different.

I could go on and on about this, but let me finish with a few questions for you to ponder...

How much time do you spend with students?

How much time do you spend equipping other adults?

How much time do you spend with parents?

If those three areas are not fairly balanced, you may need to reconsider your approach.

And here is one more "gut check" question...

How do you feel when a student tells you how much another adult (besides their parents) impacted them or when they want one of your volunteers to baptize them instead of you?

I have been there. I know how that can sometimes feel like a punch in the gut. It was just a little under two years ago when God really convicted me of my "savior complex." And I can tell you that the more I learn to let go and let other adults get the credit and spotlight, the more I am able to accomplish for the Kingdom. Here is an example in closing...

Yesterday, one of our teenage boys who is a senior in high school came forward to be baptized. He wanted his dad to baptize him. Ok, fair enough. But then he asked Ed, one of his small group leaders, to take his confession in front of the church. The old me would have almost been more upset about who was taking his confession than celebrating the fact that he was making one. And add to that the fact that this young man called his small group leader two days earlier to tell him about his decision, but he never called me.

I am so glad God has softened my heart in this area. Does he need to do the same for you or your youth minister? There are so many other topics I wanted to address in this general topic that I have not even gotten to and will have to tackle another time. Until then, keep on working to help families with youth transform into the image of Jesus.

shine!
Steck

Mid-course correction

This blog will continue to be a place for me to simply discuss life and the experience of being a follower of Jesus. However, I have a new blog at www.jasonsteckel.net.
My new blog at www.jasonsteckel.net will be a place for my thoughts on ministry to families with teenagers. Here at the Rochester church I am a part of an exciting and innovative approach to ministry. While I am sure we are not the first to consider a different way of doing ministry, I feel like there is something special happening here at Rochester. It is much bigger than any one person. It is a movement. A gathering of people seeking to transform lives in ways that are sometimes outside the box.
Thanks for stopping by.

shine!
Jason

Mid-course correction

My blog is changing its content. Up to this point, my blog has been a place for me to simply discuss life and the experience of being a follower of Jesus. Those posts will continue to appear on my other blog at www.jasonsteckel.blogspot.com.
This blog will now be a place for my thoughts on ministry to families with teenagers. Here at the Rochester church I am a part of an exciting and innovative approach to ministry. While I am sure we are not the first to consider a different way of doing ministry, I feel like there is something special happening here at Rochester. It is much bigger than any one person. It is a movement. A gathering of people seeking to transform lives in ways that are sometimes outside the box. Thanks for stopping by.

shine!
Jason