50 Ways to Strengthen Ministry with Youth
Aug 22
Grant Reed’s words at the WIU Assembly
Grant Reed gave the student address at the WIU Assembly on 8-17-17. He had an excellent message.
It is so easy to be fragmented and let division and differences win. We don’t always have to agree, but we can be respectful of one another, compromise, and find commonality.
Jul 25
Creeds, et al.
from Creeds – Part 2 by Communio Sanctorum History of the Church season 2.
Creed – I believe = ‘creedo’ – a statement of faith. core elements
Confessions – elaborates on a Creed. a more detailed description of the things of God.
Catechism – to teacher/instruct; outlines of teaching. Have aspects of creeds and confessions.
Councils – meetings/gatherings of believers.
Jul 24
Spoudazo
Spoudazo means with energy.
We saw the Spoudazo group at Okoboji on 7-23-17.
Group of HS students from Fremont, NE.
The second to the last song was “My Story” (which, in it’s own way, lays out the Gospel).
See https://youtu.be/1TKAN-nAsu8 Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bigdaddyweave/mystory.html
It ended with Francesca Battistelli’s “Write Your Story.”
See http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show/ID/G4704/spoudazo.htm for the 11 times it appears in the Bible (NT). I especially like 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,
Jul 13
Permissible yes, helpful, maybe not
Christian Liberty
23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 24 No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.
1 Corinthians 23-24 Holman Bible
We need to look to be helpful and build up. As more and more is being allowed in our society, more and more people need to make good decisions and good choices.
Jun 21
Servant Leader – Jim McClarey
Servant Leader
I am so glad I have been able to get to know, work along side, and become friends with this man. I’ve gone on 13 mission trips (and about as many ski trips) with Jim McClarey (in blue). Those who have gone on the mission trips know that being there with Jim is a joy and fulfilling.
This picture was taken on day one of our June 2017 mission trip to Virginia Beach, VA, to do hurricane relief. Here, Jim McClarey (and Patrick Lindsey, also a mission-trip veteran) are clearing brush. The overgrowth had poison ivy in it. (Hurricane Matthew, and associated flood, hit in October 2016. For people who have been stressed and distressed with everything from the water heater to electricity to repairing floors in the house, they might have let their yard get out of control.)
On a mission trip you never know what you are actually going to do. Jim jumps in no matter how difficult the task is, with a positive attitude. (I think it’s the second year in a row Jim has dealt with poison ivy. Last year, at Little Grassy, he helped clear a path at the church camp.)
Here is a before and an after picture from the Virginia Beach yard they were working on:
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Jim McClarey is a servant leader in many, many ways. We, youth and adults, have learned much from him.
He has taught us:
- How to overcome adversity, with a smile,
- How to work hard,
- How the Holy Spirit can flow in us and through us,
- How to have fun,
- How to praise God,
- How to strive for excellence to honor God and inspire others,
- How to mentor youth,
- How to lead by example, and
- How to Knock down the Three-Pointer.
Thank you Jim!
For more information on our 2017 mission trip use the hashtag #VAMissions2k17 or visit Youth Group Facebook Album or Facebook Page.
Jun 05
C S Lewis Theology is like a map
Theology is like a map.
https://f1lt3r.github.io/mere-christianity/book-4/MereChristianity-Book4-Chapters1-2.pdf
Apr 29
About Good Friday – by M Gerson
Nice piece by Michael Gerson on Christianity
“He [Jesus] was brought down by law and order allied with religion, which is always a deadly mix.”
God is forever on the side of those who suffer. God is forever on the side of life. God is forever on the side of hope.
If the resurrection is real, death’s hold is broken. There is a truth and human existence that cannot be contained in a tomb. It is possible to live lightly, even in the face of death — not by becoming hard and strong, but through a confident perseverance. Because cynicism is the failure of patience. Because Good Friday does not have the final word.
1 John 4:19
http://quoteseverlasting.com/quotations/category/c-s-lewis-2/