The value of fun

I have been plowing through the book Truman by David McCullough. I am about half done and to the place where Truman, Stalin and Churchill are at the last of the Big Three Conferences. The weight of the world is heavy upon these leaders. While deciding what the post war world will look like, Truman is faced with the decision of wether to use the Atomic Bomb on Japan or not.

To say the least things in the world were rough.

The author made a point though that the leaders of the world each hosted a party during the conference and how much each of the leaders enjoyed it and how it helped them get to know one another, which was some of what their basis of trust was formed upon.

The Churches work is just as important, should we not also have fun together in order to furthur the future of the Kingdom. I believe that play must be done in the middle of the work if we are to be successful.

I saw...

the boys for th first time in awhile. Man they are getting big. It always surprises me how smart and well mannered. They are so great!

Joe and P.J. also came over to Mamo's and Dado's today. They have sweet heart and spirit. I have missed seeing those kidos on a regular basis. That is one thing I am praying for to come out of this mess, regular time with my family.

I believe that the Church should be...

• relational...the connect with the community happens primarily with relationships
• missional...about making a difference in the community it resides in, weather that be viewed in a local sense or a worldly sense
• innovation...always pushing on toward what god has next and able to adapt quickly to that.
  

This is nice...

Do Something!

"I am doing something...but it is not helpful or pleasant."

--I.Q.

My Leadership Model

Out and about?

When I am out and about with my dog Indee Anna, how does she find the mud so fast? Out of the truck and straight to the mud. Then she muds up and wants to get back in the truck...ugh...

So we get home put her in the shower, which she like and then there is a wet dog running around the house.


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Opening of Hillsong Confrence 2007

Hillsong Conference 2007 Opening
Uploaded by ajchz

Summary of MME Discussion

Here is a summary of what impacted me during discussion at the MME today:

• As student pastor, it is my job to FOCUS on the big picture and not on the fires
• I must have long term goals(5 years)
  
• Goals / vision for all of the ministry, it drives everything.
• "YM is filled with long, tiring, often unrewarding, complex, unique, intense, humorous, joy filled, and painful experiences."
• Failure comes from inadequate preparation and unrealistic expectations.

From Top 10 YM commitments:

• "I will move slowly." Ability to move slowly is from vision and long term goals. It makes it possible. Try working the calendar backward. Have a checkpoint mentality. I am in in it for the long haul, so what is the hurry.
• "I willl steer clear of the numbers game." I will not feed others appetites for numbers by making number statements. Instead I will tell life-changing stories, use words like health, communicate forward thinking and train other leaders to be concerned with health rather than numbers.
• "I will avoid the comparison trap." I will not compare myself and I will not allow myself to be compared to others. There is no way to win the game. I will be prideful or I will be dejected. It is not fair. My value comes from God's unconditional love.
• "I will focus on priorities." How do I set and pick my priorities?
• "I will serve." ...outside of the church. I think it will be healither for me to serve away from the community in some way rather than thinking the "little things" I do areound the church is my "serving." I have not felt healthy doing that lately and I need to try something else.
• "I will pursue contentment." I will be content with MY situation. God give me grace to pull this off.

I really got a lot out of the discussion today and felt fill and like I had though deeply about ministry. That is a good feeling...

Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: Where do I Start?

I just started reading, "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry" and wanted to sum it up chapter by chapter here...I am reading through this book with some other Youth Pastors here in town. It is part of a pilot program we are testing out for Darren. I am very excited about it!

• YM is a very long race and to be successful, it takes a certain amount of discipline much like running a marathon.
• Quick departure in YM often come from inadequate preperation and unrealistic expectations.
• God did not give the Israelites all of the Promised Land in one day. It came over time. I should expect this in YM.

Verses to keep in mind:

• And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:2b)
• But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would multiply and threaten you. I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to take possession of the land. (Exodus 23:29-30)

10 YM Commitments:

1. I will move Slowly.
2. I will regularly check my motives and evaluate my heart. (This has been tough for me lately and I just realized it yesterday. Man, am I a butt sometimes!)
3. I will steer clear of the numbers game.
4. I will not criticize the past.
5. I will avoid the comparison trap.
6. I will focus on priorities. (Oh look, a cloud!)
7. I will pace myself.
8. I will serve. "If you can't serve, you can't lead, at least not as Christ intended."
9. I will be a learner. "All leaders are learners. When a leader stops learning, the leader stops leading."
10. I will peruse contentment.