Message Title: Flooded (featuring Josh Pease)
Sermon in a Sentence: We're sunk when we try to live on our own power because God wants us to do our good works through him instead of for him.
Key Verse: "Jesus looked at them intently and said, 'Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.'" Mark 10:27
Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 4 out of 10. Pretty simple weekend, very few elements. One glitch in starting a video, but it turned into a funny bit.
Attendance: up 4% from last weekend, up 76% from the same weekend last year, up %24 from the same weekend two years ago
Service Length: 70 minutes
Understandable Message: A Josh Pease used a story about getting his car stuck on a flooded street to illustrate how silly it is when we try to get unstuck in life on our own power while completely ignoring God's ability and willingness to help. This was a strong message that was easy to understand and apply. Josh's use of the illustration had two key attributes: it was memorable, it was immediately applicable to the student's lives.
Volunteer/Student Involvement: B/B Volunteers were actively involved at the tables and greeting students. Students led in the band, and handed out programs and pens as people entered. Still noticed that many student leaders had isolated themselves to the separate balcony. A few students, however, stepped up.
Element of Fun/Positive Environment: B The video of the cameras trying to keep up with Josh Pease at the beginning was very entertaining. It could probably be tied to the theme of the service, but I'm not sure that was the point. It seemed to be just an element of fun to reinforce the point that church doesn't have to be boring; it can be fun.
Music Playlist: The Grateful, Salvation is Here, All I Need Is You Lord, Hosanna,
Dominik dominated this weekend. He's got great talent combined with a powerful passion for worship.
Favorite Moment: The most powerful moment of the night was near the end of Josh's message. He finished telling the story of being stuck in the flood with his car. Nobody was around to help him. He didn't want to turn to God for help because he was intentionally trying to keep God out of his life. The situation helped him realize that he can't do everything on his own and that he needs God. The story of Josh reconnecting with God was powerful. The miraculous resolution to the crisis was even secondary to Josh's telling how God had his attention and bonded with him in that moment.
Overall grade: B+
(this report was written by HSM volunteer Dennis Beckner)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Dealing with Discouragement
I was having some discouragement today and thought about what I could do to handle it better. Here's what I came up with:
1. Realize it's not about you. Discouragement is very me-centered. It's ugly, selfish, and wrong. For example, I'm discouraged because I don't get what I think I need, I receive negative comments from others, or I think my leadership isn't strong enough. Especially in ministry, you have to ask yourself, "Who are you doing this for?" Is it for you? For your image? For others? Or is it for God? Can you honestly say, "I'm doing this for you, Lord"? If you're truly doing it for God, you can't go wrong... He sees every action, appreciates every act of service, and smiles at every single glory.
2. Respond to discouragement with encouragement. Although it may be the hardest thing to do in a situation, it is the most rewarding. If you can receive negativity and counter it with positivity, you can never go wrong! You improve every situation and bring light to darkness. If you always encourage instead of discourage, you will always be a part of the solution and never a contribution to the problem.
3. Reconsider your expectations. Don't project your expectations onto others! Just because you are motivated, don't expect others to be motivated. Yes, you are always on time, but you can't expect everyone else to be on time. Sure, you always go out of your way to encourage others, but you shouldn't expect your co-workers to encourage you. Having high expectations of others sets you up to be constantly disappointed. Simply be who you are, and accept others as they are. You will not be the one to change them!
4. Recognize your role and push your limits. If you are frustrated with your role or feel like you aren't being challenged, encouraged, or appreciated, do something about it! You're as discouraged as you choose to be. Figure out a solution... find a way to challenge yourself, and think of creative ways to come to a solution. You may say, "But I'm just a ______ (your position/role), I can't fix this!" Instead of throwing your hands in the air and wallowing in pity, go beyond your self-imposed limits! You're only defeated once you've given up. So don't give up!
Wow. Discouragement? Come on... hit me, I'm ready!
1. Realize it's not about you. Discouragement is very me-centered. It's ugly, selfish, and wrong. For example, I'm discouraged because I don't get what I think I need, I receive negative comments from others, or I think my leadership isn't strong enough. Especially in ministry, you have to ask yourself, "Who are you doing this for?" Is it for you? For your image? For others? Or is it for God? Can you honestly say, "I'm doing this for you, Lord"? If you're truly doing it for God, you can't go wrong... He sees every action, appreciates every act of service, and smiles at every single glory.
2. Respond to discouragement with encouragement. Although it may be the hardest thing to do in a situation, it is the most rewarding. If you can receive negativity and counter it with positivity, you can never go wrong! You improve every situation and bring light to darkness. If you always encourage instead of discourage, you will always be a part of the solution and never a contribution to the problem.
3. Reconsider your expectations. Don't project your expectations onto others! Just because you are motivated, don't expect others to be motivated. Yes, you are always on time, but you can't expect everyone else to be on time. Sure, you always go out of your way to encourage others, but you shouldn't expect your co-workers to encourage you. Having high expectations of others sets you up to be constantly disappointed. Simply be who you are, and accept others as they are. You will not be the one to change them!
4. Recognize your role and push your limits. If you are frustrated with your role or feel like you aren't being challenged, encouraged, or appreciated, do something about it! You're as discouraged as you choose to be. Figure out a solution... find a way to challenge yourself, and think of creative ways to come to a solution. You may say, "But I'm just a ______ (your position/role), I can't fix this!" Instead of throwing your hands in the air and wallowing in pity, go beyond your self-imposed limits! You're only defeated once you've given up. So don't give up!
Wow. Discouragement? Come on... hit me, I'm ready!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Will It Blend?
This website is genius... a great tool for youth ministry. It will get a crowd rolling with laughter at a weekend service!
www.willitblend.com
www.willitblend.com
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
No Response ... No Surprise
So you don't get a response? That's not a surprise.
Send out a text? Shoot an email? Leave a voicemail? Still, you get nothing.
Is this normal? Yes. Should it be normal? Absolutely not.
I've noticed in the last few years and particularly the last few months that people are becoming less and less responsive. I'll send out a text to 20 people and will get 1 response. I'll email a whole team of people asking them a question or begging for help, but won't end up hearing back from a single soul.
Yikes!
In the last year, I've probably let four or five texts go unanswered and not a single email. I see responsiveness in direct correlation to dependability. Being a dependable person is a HUGE deal to me... I want people to be able to count on me. This makes it hard when I try to count on others, but the only thing I can count on is that I can't count on them.
This is something that has really got me tied up lately. Is it just me or is this really a problem? I'd love to hear your input!
Send out a text? Shoot an email? Leave a voicemail? Still, you get nothing.
Is this normal? Yes. Should it be normal? Absolutely not.
I've noticed in the last few years and particularly the last few months that people are becoming less and less responsive. I'll send out a text to 20 people and will get 1 response. I'll email a whole team of people asking them a question or begging for help, but won't end up hearing back from a single soul.
Yikes!
In the last year, I've probably let four or five texts go unanswered and not a single email. I see responsiveness in direct correlation to dependability. Being a dependable person is a HUGE deal to me... I want people to be able to count on me. This makes it hard when I try to count on others, but the only thing I can count on is that I can't count on them.
This is something that has really got me tied up lately. Is it just me or is this really a problem? I'd love to hear your input!
Why I Love the Refinery
The idea for the Refinery was originally created with "community" in mind. That is a theme that runs throughout the building and is intentionally integrated into the plans. One seating area upstairs has a group of couches placed in a circle around each other. It was amazing to see students ACTUALLY USING THEM! They are using the resources we have provided. What a blessing!
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