Eventually it was gut-check time. While giving time and talent is great, that’s only 2/3 of what I’m called to do, and I’m either going to be 100% Catholic or not at all. There are no fractions when it comes to living out the Catholic faith, so I began to offer up my treasure as well. And now, I can safely say that my wife and I do the same. I know this is not an easy topic for those of us in ministry.
You just signed up for that big summer trip, collected deposits, made parents sign their life away and that they promise to pay the trip amount – now how do you fundraise for it? First of all, you did collect deposits, right?
Big events, mission trips and camps can be expensive and not all of your teens and/or youth can pay directly out of pocket. So we turn to fundraising. I can tell you, there are hundreds of ideas for fundraisers (and variations of those fundraisers) and I’ll address those in another blog soon. However, I also want to share some lessons I’ve learned about fundraisers.
Think back to the first time that you were introduced to Jesus. Think about the room that you were in. Think about everything else you had going on in your life, and think about how somehow this moment made all of those struggles fade away. Think about the people that were with you. No doubt [...]
Youth Ministry is tiring work, both physically and spiritually. Hours before the teens arrive for a Life Night, Core Teams have been setting up environments and practicing teachings. Long after the Edge kids are picked up, Core Members are sweeping up floors and taking out trash. And then there are the trips. The long bus [...]
As many of you know, I will be running my first marathon here in Phoenix on January 15, 2012. For the past 11+ weeks I have been training and will continue to do so for another 7 weeks. After thinking and praying about it, I have decided to offer up my marathon as an opportunity to [...]
I once heard someone say, “If you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.” If we want to lead teens closer to Christ, let’s find a way. If you have a small budget, who cares? Lead teens closer to Christ anyway. If you don’t have a Youth Room, who cares? Do good Relational Ministry anyway. If you don’t have a cool Music Minister, who cares? Lead teens in prayer anyway.
Before you know, there will be nothing in your life that you are in control of; everything will be in the hands of God. Then, and only then, will He be your parachute. You will have put Him on and He will be guiding your movements. I would imagine you would experience the freedom that a skydiver experiences when they are slowly descending, trusting their life to their parachute.
Trust Him with your life!
Take an honest look at yourself and ask how many times you pull out your cell phone during a youth ministry event. I would not have thought that I took it out a lot, only during those times that I thought was necessary. However, after one particular teen challenged me and said, “Oh, look, you’re bored and on your phone again,” I realized I was taking out my phone when there were down times in youth ministry.
Update: APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED BY February 14, 2012 Your Mission: Before anything else, you are answering Christ’s call to build up His Kingdom on earth. Throughout the summer, you will lead middle and high school teens closer to Christ through service, relationship, and prayer. You will build and develop practical, life-long ministry skills by [...]
During this fall football frenzy, stop and ask yourself a quick question: Am I a wide receiver?
I’m not asking if you can run a wicked slant pattern down the middle or whether you have the sweetest touchdown dance this side of the Mississippi after catching a 45-yard flea flicker pass. I am wondering if you are a wide receiver of God’s love and the many graces He desires to bestow on your life?