Last week was VBS for us. We did the Amazon Expedition from Answers in Genesis. Last week drained me pretty good. I was up early every day so I could come over and get some things ready to go for the music portion of the days. All in all it was a good VBS. I think I heard there were around 80 kids here each day. The kids (well the adults) also raised $1k for one of our missionaries to buy books to ship back to Kosovo so that was pretty cool too.
All this last week our kids learned about creation and how everything came to be through God not evolution. It was a good week. our kids were able to learn about things that are not taught in schools and are most likely rejected by the schools. We had some good questions coming from the kids as well. They learned about how the earth is 6,000 years old and not millions of years old and how carbon dating doesn’t really work since the earth wasn’t in existence over 6k years ago.
Filed under: Uncategorized , VBS, Creation, Amazon Expedition, Answers in Genesis
At the beginning of this last week I decided it was time to start hitting the gym and eating right once again. So I stocked up on fruit, yogurt, whole grain breads and low fat meats. I only made it to the gym 1 day this week – yesterday. However this summer I have taken up golf once again and have decided to not rent a cart to ride in everytime I go. This summer i made the investment in a pull cart so I can walk each round. What a difference walking it makes. Not only do I shoot lower scores it is a pretty good workout.
This week hasn’t been a great week workout wise but I’m not too far off of where I was 2 months ago (my last weigh-in post). I was pretty excited about that this morning. My summer has already been busy with umpiring baseball 3 nights a week and golfing. So I’m trying to force myself to get up early and be in the gym by 6am so I can get my 2 hour workouts done and still be in the office by 9am.
Here is the result of my weigh-in today;
Last post: 339
This week: 343
So I’m only up 4 pounds over 2 months. That’s not bad at all.
Filed under: food, healthy eating, journey to 100, life, weght loss, working out , healthy, journey to 100
I have been getting quite a few emails, facebook messages and tweets about why there has been no update over the past month. My answer? It has been crazy around here over the past moneth and a half for me. I traveled to Poland the first week of April. I got back and battled jet lag and tried to catch up on work. The following week I went to IL for a pastors conference. The week after that I played catch up. The last week and a half I have been umpiring baseball games at night and haven’t felt too motivated to get up early and work out.
However summer is here and I need to get back to the gym. I’m not doing too bad though. Kind of hovering right where I was. I have my good weeks and bad weeks. I decided this is the week to get back to the gym though. I’m 40 pounds away from being where I was 12 years ago and I want to get there – then I will take a short break…maybe 2 weeks then go hard again and get down to where I was my sophomore year of college which was 245. That’s my end goal.
Thanks for checking in on me. I will have a post at the first part of next week to let you all know where I am actually at.
Filed under: healthy eating, weght loss, working out
It was 1 year ago tonight that I arrived in Newell. Alright so my first night was technically in Storm Lake. One year ago I left a great church in Ogallala, NE because God called me away from there and to another great church in Newell. I do miss some things about out west but I am very grateful that God has me where I am at. God never ceases to amaze me – and this has been one of those experiences for me.
Here are some of the great things about Bethel;
- atmosphere: everyone here has been really friendly to me since I have arrived. Believe me the ‘honey moon’ is over – still everyone has been really good to me. when you come in on a Sunday morning you can tell that our congregation cares. There’s a great atmosphere on Sunday mornings.
- worship: We have two worship teams that rotate on a monthly basis. One month on one month off and it works really well. I have been handed the reigns of our worship ministry over the past 6 months. Bethel is very blessed to have the level of talent we have on both teams. Not just the level of talent but the hearts behind the talent as well. It has been a pleasure to work with both teams and see us grow together and grow in the ministry we have.
- BSM: BSM (Bethel Student Ministries) is vastly different than where I came from. I really appreciate what we have here at Bethel with our student ministry. We are making some changes and progress with our students and it is exciting to see.
- peers: we have a good sized ‘young adult’ group within our church body and that has been a blessing for me. To have people close to my age has been really nice. I can’t say I’m good friends with everyone but I have gotten to know a few – I think fairly well. I really appreciate the friendships I have made with them. The willingness to pray for each and just hang out and talk has been really incredible and encouraging to me.
It has been 1 year and I am greatful to be here.
Filed under: Bethel Baptist , 1 year anniversary, Bethel, ministry
I saw this post on Twitter this morning form Nick Carnes. Honestly this shouldn’t be much of a shocker to us. Still as I read it I’m blown away. IF this goes through and they charge this couple this has MAJOR implications on us as believers. I have always thought a good dose of persecution would do America some good – and right now we’re seeing signs of it. Here’s a clip from the article;
Broyles said, “The county asked, ‘Do you have a regular meeting in your home?’ She said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you say amen?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you pray?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you say praise the Lord?’ ‘Yes.’”
The county employee notified the couple that the small bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of county regulations, according to Broyles.Broyles said a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed “unlawful use of land” and told them to “stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit” — a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
This could have a really big impact on how American’s do ‘house churches’ or how we hold home Bible studies. It could radically affect the way we do church. Anytime the government steps in to tell us how to do church it’s not good. Just look at China. What are your thoughts?
Filed under: Jesus, faith , persecuted church
The topic of summer programming is a hot one right now. Last week Tim Schoyer had a great post about the ‘Seven benefits of shutting down youth ministry programs for the summer‘ and it generated quite the buzz on his blog. There are some that are for it. Some that completely oppose it. Some who don’t understand what Tim is talking about. If you are a youth pastor there is no doubt that summer programming is right at the forefront of your mind as the school year is ending up. I had a recent conversation with our SP (senior pastor) the other day about this very thing. Yesterday we continued it a little and will talk even more next week about it. I think there is some confusion on the whole topic.
Tim does a great job of explaining what he means in his recent update to the post on his blog. Here’s Tim’s thought behind programming in youth ministry,
First of all, I didn’t mention this in my previous post, but notice that the title was not, Seven Benefits of Shutting Down Youth Ministry for the Summer, with the absence of the word “programs.” In no way am I advocating that we stop ministry, just that was slow down our programming. Remember, programs do not equal ministry. Programs are tools of ministry. They’re here to help us do ministry, but programs are not the ministry.
I couldn’t agree with Tim more. Programs are great but just because you’re busy doing them doesn’t mean you have an effective ministry. I came from a church where I was busy doing programs for the ministry 5-6 nights a week. We had 12 small groups meeting through the week and I was involved in the worship ministry and the audio visual ministry of the church. I often felt like I wasn’t very effective and as I look back there are things I would do different. One of those is not be so busy so often. Ministry happens within the context of relationships not necessarily gatherings. While gatherings/ programs are good can facilitate ministry they aren’t necessarily ministry in and of themselves.
I am in favor of what Tim says – slow things down a little bit. People are gone. Attendance is eratic. So do things a little more spontaneous. Have a few planned things but focus on hanging out with students. Do things with intentionality but yet have the freedom for spontanaeity as well. Take time this sumer to get to know your students. Maybe take a road trip somewhere with a few guys. Have your female leaders do a shopping trip or a day spa with the girls.
Be relational.
Filed under: Bethel Baptist, church life, friend's blogs, student ministry , summer programming
I recently wrote a post about a new song I have been working on. I finally have a second ver for it. Here’s the interesting thing. I got it recorded in a really, really rough form. So on Twitter I asked my Tweeps (those following me) if they would be willing to listen to it. A few of them took me up on it. One guy, Justin, got a hold of me and said his band would be willing to get together and lay some instruments behind what I did. So I gave him the go ahead and then he sent it back to me.
It’s still extremely rough but it gives me a good idea of what it could sound like with a band behind it. If you want to take a listen click here to hear it. I have never liked my voice and this is no exception. I do however like the concept behind the song. Nothing will probably ever come of anything I write and I realize that. Still it’s fun to write once in a while. Leave your feedback in the comments section. I would love to hear your constructive criticism of it.
Filed under: music, worsihp , new songs, worship
Memorial Day, in my opinion, is one of the best holidays we have. Not only do we get to celebrate our vets – but it’s also just a great lazy day. Yesterday I spent a good portion of my time over at Jay’s house (our SP) with a couple of families from church. It was a great time of burger, brats, cheesy potatoes and fellowship. Did I mention I got burnt while I was there? I’m feeling the effects of it this morning. Honestly though getting burned one was of my goals. It was so beautiful yesterday. A good sunburn (for me) marks the beginning of the spring/ summer season. I love being outside in the sun.
After the BBQ I went golfing with one of my students. We played 9 holes and I did horrible. After playing 9 I drove down to Schaller to watch one of my 8th grade guys play baseball. They won 12-2 in the 4th inning. He had two great hits and afew really good plays from 3rd base.
All in all Memorial Day was exactly what I thought it would be. Lots of sun. Lots of fellowship. Some golf. Some baseball…and a great sunburn.
Filed under: Bethel Baptist, student ministry , Memorial Day 2009
I decided to get a part-time job this summer and make some more income. Alright so that’s not entirely true. I make a decent income doing what I do here at Bethel. I was asked to umpire behind the plate this summer for our little league games. Last night was my third game behind the plate. I’m actually having a lot of fun doing it. It’s not too stressful and hey and extra couple hundred bucks at the end of the season is alright with me. I’m thinking of using the extra money to get a new tattoo…maybe start a half sleeve. Just kidding mom!
I have been reminded of some things about working alongside of parents over the past three games and I think they apply to student ministry as well. So here there are;
Parents will rip you apart: Unfortunately this goes along with some church parents as well. i can honestly say that in my first year here at Bethel this hasn’t happened to me yet – but I know it will. In some ways I welcome it. I’m not perfect and I make mistakes like everyone else. Iw ill always be the first one to acknowledge that upfront. I like constructive criticism. When a parent comes to rip you apart remember that there is something valid in what they are saying. Sure maybe not everything is factual or correct but dig through what they said and see where the truth in it is. I have found that everytime a parent comes to me there is at least 1 small thing to take away from the interaction. Be loving and generous even in those difficult conversations…you may even win a new fan to your corner.
Be ready to help a student out: While calling balls and strikes behind the plate I am able to help ‘coach’ (in a limited capacity) the kids from both teams whether they are at bat or playing a position on the field. I am working with 1st-6th graders so I am reminded that i have to be gentle with them and do my best to help make them better students of baseball – it’s a huge learning process. The same is true in student ministry. We are here to help our students along and soemtimes even call balls (close calls) and strikes (pointing out times when they are blatantly not following Christ). It gets ugly but we need to do so lovingly. It’s our job to come alongside of the parents and help them coach their students through their faith. Just like, as the umpire, it’s not my job to coach the kids on my own but to help the coaches help their teams abide by the rules in the book – so it goes with us as youth pastor’s/ leaders.
Humble pie: I have made some questionable calls in my first 3 games – there is no doubt about it. Some of the coaches and parents have let me know as well. I have ate some humble pie over a few of my calls – but I let the call stand. When is the last time you had to eat a good ‘ole piece of humble pie in ministry? I bet it was pretty bitter and hard to swallow wasn’t it? As youth pastor’s/ leaders it is essential for us to recognize times when we need to take a huge bite out of the pie of humility – sometimes even when we know we are right. Sometimes we have to lay aside our pride and save the relationship as long as it doesn’t hurt or tarnish our integrity. How are you at being humble? When is the last time you apologized to a parent or student?
We’re on the same team: As an umpire I want to help both teams play to their best ability by enabling the rules in a fair way for both sides. As youth pastor’s/ leaders we are on the same team as the parents in our churches. Do we act like it? Do we interact with them and let them know that we are wanting to help them coach their student along in their faith journey? Even as I write this I know there are parents I know I need to interact with better so this is a good reminder for myself as well. How are you doing with your parents? Maybe it’s time to eat some humble pie and restore that relationship with those you may not get along the best with.
I think these are 4 principles that can help us in youth ministry. Sometimes ministry isn’t easy or glamorous – but then again if you’re looking for ease and glamor in ministry maybe you aren’t in the right calling.
Filed under: Bethel Baptist, faith, student ministry , baseball, student ministry, umpiring
I am getting excited as fall is really not that far away. We are making a big change within our student ministry here at Bethel. All 22 of our 8th graders will be freshman next year leaving us with 1 7th grader going into the 8th grade and maybe 3-4 sixth graders going into the 7th grade. So we have made the decision to combine the middle school and high school ministries next year. This really was a team effort from the leadership team of BSM (Bethel Student Ministries).
I know there are some questions and some logistical things to consider and talk about and those will be addressed in the coming months. Here are some reason we are making the change:
Outreach: One of the MAJOR reasons we are making this move is so we can be more outreach focused with CHAOS (high school ministry). Wednesday nights are still considered ‘church’ night in our area and sports practices are out early so kids can go to church. This really opens up our potential base for students coming in over Sunday nights where we compete with open gym at the high school.
Sunday nights: We miss 50% of the Sunday nights through the year becuase of different church functions where we can’t have youth group becuase of an event or meeting going on. We will move our discipleship groups to Sunday nights. Hopefully some of our groups will make the choice to meet on other nights or even possibly in the morning before school.
Leadership: We want our juniors and seniors to be able to step up and have leadership opportunities over our middle school students. We want our middle school students to see that you can be sold out for Christ, make a difference and still be cool while doing it. This is where our older students can step up and have a bigger impact on the lives of younger students.
Overall we feel this change is vitally important to the health of BSM. As leaders we are excited about this change. We are even already planning a back to school bash for this next fall. A concert of sorts and already have one confirmed band to come and play. It’s going to be a great night for our students to bring their friends to to not only have fun but also hear the Gospel from someone much cooler than me.
Filed under: Bethel Baptist, concerts, faith, student ministry , studen ministry
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