Summer plans

I think this summer will be very different from those in the past. i have said no to camp this year (or at least staying there) because of our mission trip to Kansas City which is going to be a great time for all that come. this is one of the first times that i have said no to something and at times i feel a little guilty but i am sticking to my guns.

Mac Convert

Ok well it is done.  I have officially gone over to the other side, i am a mac!  With my other computer (dell) it was the limiting factor but now with the mac i am the limiting factor.  That does not make me feel comfortable but it is pushing me to learn more.

The one great thing is the new look i think it will even give the ministry.  We can make things more engaging and more efficient.  So pray for me as i learn my way through this.

Prayers for Jason Raitz & Family

Hey i would like all of you to pray for Jason Raitz and his family.  Jason is a friend and fellow middle school ministry worker, his home was burned and they have lost just about everything from what i hear.  The family is all safe but they have 4 kids and are staying with a friend until they work things out.  

Please pray!

Willow Creek Visit

I was able to go and meet with Jason Raitz last weekend and observe how Middle School Ministry works at Willow.  We had a great time with Jason and appreciate his time with the family.  I have many questions that may help me in the future and was glad to connect with Jason again.

God thank you for the volunteers and ministry partners that you send to all of your called ministers because without them we could not do what God has called us to do.

New Year

With the New year you always want to look back and reflect on both the good and the bad in order to make the new year better.  I always look to those hard lessons learned through ministry and life in order to maybe change how things were done.  I know that is easy to say but...

The picture you see is from the best mission trip I have ever been a part of.  we had 30 middle school students and 6 adults that went to Boston to work with family shelters and homeless kitchens (they taught me on this trip).  Unforgettable!!!!

I am observing several different ministries this year for comparison reasons and to know where we can be better and more effective.  The issue is knowing what may or may not work where you are, things are not always transferable.  If you know this there may be parts that are and parts that are not.  I am meeting with Jason Raitz and Scott Rubin this weekend at Willow Creek, i am looking forward to that.  Jason is a very dynamic speaker if you have never heard him before.

God is always there for all of us...thank you God for allowing me to be one of yours! 

Discipleship

I have been reading a book "Transforming Discipleship" and the funny part is although i have never read this book before it talks about things that i have passed on for the last couple of years.  Looking at Blanchard's model of situational leadership that i taught in the military for a number of years and putting to discipleship or how Jesus would lead is key to our journey and passing that along to others on the journey.  As we journey together with others and discipling those that God has put in our lives.

Stages are: Directing, Coaching, Encouraging, Delegating.  If we look at the Christian journey people acting as mentors or disciplers really lead others by these stages and those following are prepared for the journey better when they are in relationship with others that are able to journey with them.  

Tell me what you think.    

Christmas Time

I have found that i love this time in Ministry.  It allows me time to think and dream about the things coming up and the coming year!

You see it is during this time i get to slow down and evaluate what we have done and are doing.

This is the time of year where many look towards the birth of our Savior, and this year i think it adds hope!  with the economy and our country in the position it is people are now looking for hope.

That Hope they are looking for is in the Risen Savior and they are looking to Him through us and the church at times.  May we be aware that God is using us.