The Home of the Def. of Cool

Reading Assignment

2006-04-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello for perhaps the last time, this blog will record the fact that I did fulfill the reading assignment for this class having read the Books "Thriving Youth Groups" by Jeanne Mayo and the book "How to Speak to Youth and Keep Them Awake at the Same time" by Ken Davis. Mayo's book seemed to fit alot more in the Discipleship mode of the reading assignment giving valuable tips at creating a Youth group enviornment in today's youth culture so that teens will feel loved, they'll feel like they belong and with that kind of an enviornment can grow to become the men and women of God they are called to be. Mayo's book was truly connective and easy to understand and follow. I feel that using her book will defintely be helpful for my youth ministry future. Creating that sense of belonging is truly, as Jeanne says, the most pirvotal and important aspect of youth ministry. Without that, evangelism and discipleship are out of the question. The other book I read for this assignment was "How to Speak to Youth and Keep Them Awake at the Same time" by Ken Davis. This book I felt gave great tips on how to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ effectively to today's youth. I felt it to be a great help for my current and future ministry. Both books were out of the Box in alot of ways and both books were very very helpful in giving me helpful information on being able to effectively communicate to teens Post-modern American teenagers as well as create a loving enviornment for them to grow. I thank Mr. Tom Rees for accetping these two awesome books to count towards my Reading Assignment for this class. I thoroughly enjoyed your class and learned alot of different ways to go about ministry in the 21rst century through the various speakers that graciously shared their hearts and visions. Thank you and May God Bless you.

Tools and Resources/ Final Class

2006-04-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

In this blog I intend to accomplish two tasks: The first is to give a good and detailed account of some of the main Tools/Resources I currently see myself utilizing in my future youth ministry and second is my take on our final class as well as the last 15 weeks as a whole. First let's look at some of the Tools and Resources i'd like to use......Obviously first and foremost-The Bible. Primarily NIV, but also will probably consult translations like the Message version so that by examining the two I can hopefully effectively communicate God's word in a manner that is understandable. I do feel that another Tool/Resource i'll use to also effectively communicate God's word is PowerPoints, especially Power-Point pictures. I feel that in our current modern day these technologies are very helpful in presenting the weekly message to the youth group. Another Tool/Resource that I plan to use extensively to assist me in effectively communicating God's word are DVD's, particularly clips from popular (but morally clean) movies and TV shows that can truly help to effectively and creatively illustrate aspects or major points from the message at hand. Also, of course we'll hopefully be able to use a good up to date sound system as well as modern musical instruments to have awesome worship time expereiences every week in a manner that will connect with teenagers musically. Lights also do help. These are all very important technological tools/resources that I feel are important for us to use in order to help create an awesome enviornment that will hopefully connect with a younger audience and will help to truly effectively communicate God's word. Some awesome book resources that I definely plan to consult in my future ministry include: The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren, Thiriving Youth Groups by Jeanne Mayo, as well as: How to Speak to youth....and Keep Them Awake at the Same Time by Ken Davis. I also plan to try and integrate Bible studies that deal with apologetics issues and so I plan to utilize books like The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel and I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek. All these books will truly help serve as awesome resources to utilize in my future youth ministry. I'm sure i'm missing more but for now I think those particular tools and resources will be what i'm mainly planning to pull from. This class was very interesting. I enjoy hearing different view points on the best biblical ways to do ministry. I felt challenged, but also very very strengthened in my own particular views on the most effective ways to go about doing ministry. With God's help i'll succeed. Thank you Mr. Rees for everything. Great class . I will soon post a blog regarding my reading materials. Thanks and God Bless

Jim

2006-04-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

Greetings and Salutations to my instructor,

This entry will center and focus on last week's class speaker whose name was Jim. Jim was my third favorite speaker under the Youth pastor that visited a couple weeks back and Mr. Trusty. There were a number of things that Jim said that I totally agreed with and I applaud the instructor for inviting a speaker that gave a different view on some things that our class has discussed and that differs from the predominant way of thinking from some of our previous speakers ( I will explain what I mean) . Jim placed a heavy emphasis on urging us, the class to be youth ministers and leaders that's main focus is not to entertain. Jim, talking about his own expereince as a Youth leader over youth ministry; talked about how he came on the scene taking over a ministry that's main focus seemed to be to "entertain" kids and get them to have fun but not directly dealing with relevant teen issues. Jim told us his focus and primary priority was to directly deal with issues that teens encounter and to preach God's word interconnecting The Bible with teenage issues. Jim is totally right. In my humble opinion, one of the biggest problems in youth ministry is the lack of centrality on God's word. I myself have been a part of youth ministries that literally did not teach the Bible more than twice on a given four month period. Youth ministries typically seemed to be focused on the lights and glitter, the trips and games and very little on scripture. No wonder God himself says in Hosea that "My people perish from lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Not since the Reformation have Christians in general been so lacking in knowledge of the Scriptures. What a terrible tragedy. Jim is right on the money. Our focus on youth ministry should be on giving God's word to teenagers and interconnecting Scripture with teenage life and issues. Secondly in talking about youth ministry, Jim's biggest advice for the future youth leaders and pastors in the class was to be "relational and genuine", all I can say is: How true. How true. Jim's story of being taking advantage of by the lead Pastor in his early days is a clear and powerful example for us to be on the look out of being taking advantage of. Finally, I agreed alot with Jim's views on the importance of the numbers. Numbers are important and all Pastors should strive to do everything they can for growth and outreach; however the numbers a Pastor has in his or her church is NOT and should NOT be the basis for which one calls that PAstor or that church more "successful" than another. I just wanted to add also that our instructor allowed Class to let out at 8:00pm and I'd just like to thank him for that. It was a great help which benefited me mightily. God bless

Community Service Day

2006-04-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

I'm confused a bit. I don't know if we are required to make a blog entry on the class as well as turn in the April assignments. I wiill make a quick blog for last class even though I'm not very sure about that issue. Anyway, last class was held on Community Service day. I did not attend the class period due to the fact that I was totally exausted after working out in the sun for over 6 hours. To be honest, I think its ridiculous that the College holds community service day on a tuesday because that puts Night class teachers in a bind. Obviously you can't cancel the class because you dont have many classes to begin with and night class teachers have a lot of material to get through in a semester with a limited amount of time to do so. I thought it was nice of you Mr. Rees to hold class an hour later than usual to help compensate for the effects of Community Service day, but I simply couldn't resistto skip it after the day's work. I kind of regret that now. Anyway, 2006's Community Service Day was actually the best one i've ever had. I really enjoyed the people in my group. I befriended serveral people im not that familiar with but we got along and even kind of had fun together. It's fun to meet new people. Also, it was one of the best years in terms of the food :) wehich is important when your starving in the sun from working many years. I also really liked the work we did. Suprisengly, I did like it. I really felt good with what we did. Especially an old man that we worked for. His yard was like the essence of death. We also ministred to him and prayed for him. I loved that. Thats more of what I want to see through this community service day. The best part of the day was dinner which was BBQ chicken, ribs and corn. Best dinner of the year :) Well, I think thats all folks. God bless

Implementation

2006-04-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I hope you had a wonderful Easter Break. I did overall myself. Well, lets take a dive into what today's assignment due. It seems that what our instructor desires is more of a specific implementation plan for the philosophy and strategy of ministry that each of us recetnly submitted. I did mention some of my implementation plans in the Strategy section of last week's previous assignment. However, I will go more in depth of exactly what i am planning to do to implement the philosophy and strategy of my future God-willing youth ministry.....Let's first start with me as a Pastor. As I stated previously my philosophy of what a Pastor/Shepherd should be like comes from John chapter 21 where Jesus istructs his disciple pEter to both feed and care for his sheep. For teenagers and young adults this can be very tricky. With God's help I plan to try and fulfill both of those criteria. I strongly believe teenagers and indeed Christian adults are lacking the Word of God. Therfore, I plan to implement my philosophy of feeding the Word of God as a major priority by first of all obviously preaching Bible based messages on a weekly basis whether through myself or a guest speaker. I plan to interconnect the Bible with teenage issues and battles that come with living as a Christian teen in today's culture. I'm already trying to fire up implementation now by completing a Christian Teenage devotional book called "War With the World: The Teenage Battlefield". I beleive strongly in feeding God's children with his word, the problem is how we go about feeding them. I plan to implement the Bible, culture, media (including movie clips, song clips, perhaps power point and pictures) and simple down to earth teenage lanaugage to effectively communicate God's word and truth. Also, I plan ti implement Bible study groups where teens can truly talk, vent and question as much as they want. Now, the other major criteria in my philosophy that is severely neglected is "Care for my Sheep", which in my view includes loving, befriending, counseling and helping the teens I am trying to minister to. Often Pastors are distant and it seems (at least in my own personal experience) like they only care that you show up or if you help them with something. My goal is to be approachable and truly loving to teens. How do I plan to implement this goal? By befriending teens, by talking and asking questions that have nothing to do with church but more about their own personal lives and even hobbies/interests. I plan to try and befriend teeens but also to encourage to live in God's ways. I realize some Youth pastors are simply "friends" with the teens and not also an example that you can look up to. My goal with God's help is to be both as a Youth pastor. I plan to be loving, accepting, and down to earth but also an example, encourager and not to be condoning. My vision for the youth ministry itself is to be a refuge from the world. So, accordingly I plan to try to place an emphasis to youth leaders as well as those in the youth group to be loving, accepting and embracing of new comers and others. That is truly the biggest thing teens hunger for. Trust me on that. I plan to also try and have meet and greet programs that follow up with new comers and new converts. This was very effective in my youth group past. I plan to implement creating a loving and warm teenage enviornment with (Again depending on the kind of budget/church God guides me to) a youth room that is attractive to teens and comfortable with couches, awesome lights and art on the walls. Hopefully with game equipment and awesome youth worship band. I plan to also truly allow students to minister to other students through allowing student speakers, youth band, and hopefully youth dramas. I hope this truly fits the profile of what you had asked me to do for this assignment. If not, please comment, let me know and i'll fix it so that it does. But I tried to fulfill the assigment as I understood it.

Aaron Halt/ Best Speaker

2006-04-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Last week's class had the presetnation from in my opinion the best speaker we've had all semester. Why do I say that? Well, for starters he's a youth pastor (my ambition and passion and calling), he was an awesome speaker and I agreed with most of what he had to say in terms of his own youth minsitry philosophy and stragtegy. Let's nick pick at some of what he had to say and my take on it. Aaron focuses on relationship building in his youth ministry, which is truly the most needed focus in ministry today. From experience most Youth pastors were very distant and definitely didn't seem interested in relationship building. On top of that, neither did the kids. While I believe they all longed for that most teens in all my youth groups stayed in their own little group and clique. Most didn't become a family. That is the most needed and essential element in my opinion not only of youth ministry but indeed of all ministry. Aaron said when he preaches at an evangelistic event or function he does give a traditional altar call to come and personally receive Christ as Lord and Savior. This is without a doubt the biggest thing I disagree with on most of the speakers that have come and spoken to our class. Most of our speakers seemed, in my humble opinion, to give kind of a sugar coated washed down version of the actual gospel as it pertains to getting Saved. I realize that most of our speakers desire to be "seeker friendly" and while I agree with their goals I disagree on how they in a sense sugar code how to find the one they're seeking. Most Americans believe they're saved simply by "believing in Jesus" and frankly most of our speakers have only helped that kind of thinking. Satan believes in Jesus. It's making a decision to place your faith and trust in Christ to save you and to come in your heart and life that saves. I also don't like how most churches have everyone "close their eyes" bow their heads so as to not embarrass people. Billy Graham has it right in my opinion on this one: The Bible instructs new converts to state that publically in some way. Thats why Graham says he always make s the invitiation to come to the altar, because salvation in the Bible seems to usually be confessed in a public way. Therefore I lean towards this approach while not putting any pressure on the people to come to the altar. So, go aaron. I also like Aaron's strategies at monthly parental notification. I also did like some of his methods on attracting people to hear the message, although I personally would create catchy titles that dont seem to indicate a compromise position, thouhg i understand Aaron's logic behind doing that. So, all in all I was defintely a fan of Aaron Halt. Defintely my favorite speaker this semester. Bye

My Philosophy and Strategy for Ministry

2006-04-12T13:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

During this blog I will in a sense give my own personal philosophy and strategy for current and future ministry. God has called me to be a Shepherd over his flock but especially a Shepherd after his own heart. First I will in a sense give my philosophy and then start talking about some of what I feel is already on my future agenda as it relates to my future youth ministry. Since 2000, i've always had a sense of calling to be a Shepherd for God's people. All my life i've been told I had a gift and anointing to speak but it wasn't until 2000 that God revealed that I was to be a Shepherd for him, a leader and a lover of his people. I began being molded into this role in High school. God used me and my family to quickly lead all of my high school friends to Christ and to following that conmversion disciple, encourage, counsel and even discipline my friends all in a loving way throughout my high school expereince from 2000-2003. Now, God has revealed a bit more of the next few steps in life for me. I will graduate from VFCC with a PAstoral Minsitry degree and I intend to use it to be a Youth Pastor. Perhaps one day a Senior PAstor but for now I have no desire or leading to go in that direction. My Philosophy of my current and especially future role comes from John 21:15-17. Jesus asked Peter 3 questions. 2 out of the 3 were related to "Feeding" his sheep, feeding his children his word. The other question was if Peter would "take Care of my sheep". In a sense, Jesus was asking Peter to lovingly protect, guide and discipline his children. This is one of my favorite passages of scripture and i've always felt a specicial connection towards it. From this passage of scripture, it seems to be that a true biblical shepherd (Pastor or ministry leader) should do two things: Feed God's children with his Inspired word, and love his children (doing everything we can to befriend, love, guide, discipline and protecting his kids. From my expereince usually what happens is PAstors in many American churches usually get one these two aspects of being a Shepherd right. I've had some Pastors that are amazing at preaching God's word but are absolute jerk-offs who could care less about the teens and building relationships wsith them OR those who try to just hang out and chill but not feed them God's word. My philosophy is to try and with God's help master both of these aspects of the ministry and calling that God has placed on my life. This has always been my philosophy. Now, in terms of future Youth ministry strategy i'm still in the idea/planning stage but nevertheless I do have some ideas. My future youth ministry will be as loving an enviornment as possible. I desire to make the youth group room or facility look modern down to earth for an Americna teen and cool looking from the walls which could have awesome art and drawings and even some grafittti art to the furniture with hopefully can look cool and home-like. But not home like as in like your living room; more like your basement but cooler. A major emhasis that I will put on my volunteer helpers as well as the teens themselves is RELATIONSHIP building. I will try to plan activities accordingly that will help build relationmships and create a true family like environment where you can have fun, but be yourself and get fed God's word and truth. I desire my future youth group to be like a refuge from the stroms and temptations of the world outside. We will also try to keep track of new visitiors, give them cool things for coming and also follow up on them with phone calls. Also, hopefully the future yotuh group can have a drama team, aweszome band and een make short films and videos for fun. For me, preaching will always include God's word being center focus. I always like to use clips from famous films to illustrate the message. I do like using the Bible directly, quoting chapter and verse and all. Perhaps we will always have print outs of the message. I plan on also allowing student speakers to habe oppurtunities to speak as well as my future wife. And there will be Bible studies/small groups on several differnt topics. Perhaps one will be on growing in Christ, another for girl and their struggles (for my wife to teach), one for the guys, one on apologetics and one on sexuality. Of course, they wont all be at once. So, we shall see what comes. Pray for me and for my future. I think that about does it.

David Kennard

2006-04-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Last week's presentation was very intersting to me in two main ways. First, our speaker talked alot about Catholicism and how many in his area are predominately Catholic either in the past or in the present and so a major focus of his ministry is to share the Gospel of Grace through faith alone with those who have been raised to believe they must still in a sense earn their salvation. To repalce religion with a relationship with God through Christ. The Catholic church is very close to my heart, honestly because of experiences with a former close friend. I've always been fascinated with the history of the church and in particular the Reformation. I liked alot about the different techniques that the speaker, David told us he and his church use to effectively and in a loving way communicate the simple gospel to Catholics. What continues to strike me is how naieve Evangelical Christians (including a man I deeply admire, the Rev. Billy Graham) are regarding the Roman Catholic church. Most today assume that most if not all Catholics are saved and that there are really no real big differences that divide us and our theology. While that is true to a large extent that our theology is the same with Catholicism, our theology and doctrine differ very radically on two issues: Authority (The Bible being the highest authority, verses Scripture and Tradition being equal) and the biggest which is Justification, ie. Salvation . Evangelicals believe being made right with God is decision of trust and faith in Christ alone while Catholics add works to that category. We would reject this based on Paul's letter to the Galatians who had a similar issue as well we Romans and Ephesians 2:8. The fact is, if catholic theology adds good works to the equation of salvation, then that salvation isn't really biblical. That makes ministering to Catholics in A LOVING way very important. I do not beleive all Roman catholics are lost and not saved but I do believe most Evangelicals are naieve.

Secondly and finally I strongly disagreed with some of David Kennard's "politically correctnness". Omitting terms like "Born-Again" are ion my view a serious thing. True most don't know what it means, but thats why you teach them. And while I agree with an emphasis on small groups it defintely comes across more as a social club in my view when theres practically no bible study at all nor real prayer time. Thats my view, agree or disagree.

Profile and Demograhics

2006-04-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings to my instructor who will read this. I will attempt to answer some of the questions behind what the profile and demographics are behind what my personal ministry focus and calling will be centered on following my graduation from Valley Forge in May 2007. This is of course a hypethetical analysis, since after all i'm planning to minister in this area with these kind of people but this is not for sure, since only God truly knows whether or not I will end up ministering in this area. My calling and passion at this time is Youth, particuarly teenagers and young adults, and even though my major is Pastoral ministry I intend to be a Youth Pastor first.

Profile and Demographics for the area i'm planning to go foward with after graduation are as follows. I'm planning to hopefully locate and minister in the Frederick/21703 zip code area of the state of Maryland. This area is a combination of spaces of land and some farms with rapidly growing city structure and surburban homes. This area is one of the fastest growing in Maryland. It's population has surpased well over 200,000. Some important key facts that I think clue as in to what kind of people we're minstering to are as follows:96,000 are male and around 99,000 are female. Something I really wanna focus on the stats on age groups. About 20,000 in the Frederick Maryland area are between the ages of 14-24, which is the primary group I wish to minister and focus on. Over 175,000 of the total population are white, Over 107,151 of them are in the work force in some capacity, the average househoud median income is about $65,000 a year. About 9,000 are either individually or corpoarely below the poverty level. Marriage wise: 91,960 are married while close to 20,000 are either divorced or seperated. over 46,ooo are single family home owners with a median value of $160,000 dollars or so. About 127,000 people are older than 25, with 141,390 being 18 or older. That means there's about 60-70,000 or so youth in the area that are under 18. The information doesn't give me specifics on exactly how many there are of each age group. So what have we learned about this area simply from looking at these facts? The area i'm going to is a true middle-class American area with most of the population being white (although there's defintely a diverse ethnic population that I know for a fact is rapidly growing), with the economics for the majorty being very middle class. The teenagers in this area are growing up for the most part in Surbuban middle class houses and schools. While most of these teenagers most likely grow up with both parents, there is defintely a degree of broken marriages that these teenagers grow up with and I might add these stats are a few years old. Who are these teenagers? Whats their profile? They have are very much optimistic and very individualistic. Media is a large part of teenage life, with 55% of teens saying their primary media focus is on TV and the Internet, as well as things like teen magazines. Also, of course, this generation of middle Class American teens get access to increasingly avaliable evolving technologies that have not previously been available. All these factors weigh in on this group of people my ministry focus will be on.

The profile and demographics tell me alot about the background of the people i'm planning to minister to as well as who the profile of who they are and what they're like. For the most part I feel that the key to being able to be on par with these kind of teens is be up to date on the latest cultural trends and captialize on this generations optimism and longing for purpose with biblical Christianity. I'll need to stay up to date on the latest through Televsion, music, the internet and magainzes. Also, to effectively communicate with middle class American teens it will be necceassary to utilize today's media and technology to effectively communicate the Gospel. All this and more do I learn from doing these studies.

Woman from Glad Tidings and Women in Ministry

2006-03-28T11:45:00.000-08:00

Greetings to my instructor who reads my posts,

Last week we got to be visited by a woman on staff at Glad Tidings Assemblies of God with her husband who I believe was the children's pastor at the very large church. I admit that I was a bit disappointed from the presentation given. I can't for the life of me remember the woman's name. I'm glad that we finally had a woman come to speak at the class and I think it was fitting for her to come after the look Steve Defrain gave when asked about a woman being senior or youth pastor. First, let me give my five cents on that topic and then I'll give the likes and dislikes i personally had from the female speaker. First, I am a strong advocate for women being in ministry. My own mom is truly a shepherd and a gifted preacher/speaker and i've seen first hand the kind of reception she has gotten from the male leadership common in most churches we have been involved in. She was originally raised Baptist so you can imagine the kind of rejection she has felt from that back ground, however while Pentecostal churches have been a little more open to her and women in ministry i've noticed a common thread: While several Fundemantalist churches won't even talk about allowing women in ministry, for the most part Pentecostal churches including the AG TALK about how open they are, b ut their actions do not truly back up their words. Not in all instances, but in a majorty sense. The "out of Box" reaction from Steve Defrain's face at the thought of a woman being in a Pastoral setting for ministry truly showed that. Comments were made that night that I defintely take issue with. The idea that perhaps, over time, the church will open more doors for women is simply dodging the issue. Things will not change UNTIL men of God rise up and make changes. Slavery and Civil rights are a perfect example of this fact. For hundreds of years slavery was an accepted "cultural" practice even among Christians. It took the aftermath of America's worst war to officially change that and then a hundred years later blacks were still unqual and it took the CHANGES made by Martin Luther King jr. and the Civil rights movement to bring about the cultural changes we now have. Christianity owes its biggest apology to women in my humble opinion and I will do everything in my power God willing to bring change to that.

As for the female speaker, the cool thing was that she was the more head leader in the church and her husband was the Children's pastor. My compliments to the Instructor for inviting that kind of couple to speak. However, I was disappointed by the constant talk about Glad Tidings and less about the woman herself. I wanted to hear more about her personal testimony as well as her struggles as being a woman in ministry. She only briefly talked about these things and I also wanted to hear from her husband and hear his take on his wife and their marriage. I was defintely a bit let down. Also, I was just wondering if we will ever hear speakers from other denominations. Obviously Valley Forge is an AG school, however one thing Ii defintely wish would change from our chapel speakers to class speakers is have more men and women of God from other Bible believing churches of different denominations, even non-denominational speakers. Just a thought. Well, I think that about does it on my thoughts for this week. God bless

Small Group Lesson

2006-03-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

Greetings and salutations,

This particular blog will focus on the teaching that i lead for in the small group that I have been attending and an additional blog will be posted that deals with our speaker last week. For a while now, I have been heavily involved in a small groups home Bible study called "Teens for Jesus", although it's becoming more of a "Young Adults for JC" kind of Bible study. During this small groups meeting which is held every other friday night at a home, young people gather together to hear a lesson mainly taught by the Bible study group leader Damaris, but also they pray together and then break into a more fellowship mood by blasting music (usually Christian rock or rap), eat snacks (chips, pretzels, cookies) and simply hang out and talk. For a while now i've been involved in this Bible study anually helping lead and be involved, as well as provide rides for people to get there. I was actually approached 2 weeks ago and was asked to teach a lesson. So, I did. I've taught in settings like this before and have preached at youth groups so I now the difference between a sermon and small groups teaching. So, I began praying and thinking about a message. A light bulb lit up in my brain and I was able to come up with a messaage based on a story in 1 Kings chapter 22. This story deals with one man of God that spoke the truth and refused to comprimise even with the "religious" majorty that was willing to do so. The message dealt with going against the grain and being people of integrity both in a Christian setting and a Non-Christian one (since some of the attendees of the small group are actually Christian college students). The message b egan with reading the story and going around asking for peoples intake on what was happening in the story. We went around and heard comments. From there I delved into different situations where we may be faced with those kind of setting and I had comment and feedback from those in the circle. Then I added a few more scriptures that backed up what we had been discussing and then I talked about a quote from the Columbine Martyr Rachel scott when she felt rejected by her so called friends that were church goers because she got serious about her faith. After that, we closed in prayer. It probably lasted about 25-30mins. This is the usual time it takes me for these kind of lessons and settings. So, that was it, and I actually did enjoy it and felt that the teaching connected with each of the people present in a different way. I love small group lessons because you have an ability to connect on a deeper level than at a church or youth group setting. So, that was it. I hope this surfices what you wanted to hear from us. Thats all folks, for now.

Mr. Trusty

2006-03-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

Greetinings All,

I had an awesome Spring break which was made complete by my getting the movie "Walk the Line" as a gift from my parents and sister and going to visit the National Zoo in Washginton DC. But anyway, down the business. Due to my sickness a few weeks ago I still feel a bit lacking in my blog entries so even though Mr. Rees said that turning in the interviews online could count as a blog entry for our class period before the break i decided to go ahead and make one for that class anyway. I must say of all our class speakers and presentations made thus far I never was so moved, and so attentive than when Mr. Trusty came to speak to our class. He had a moving testimony both how he became a Christian but also such a powerful testimony when talking about his ministry experiences. If there is one thought that continues to get my attention whenever I think of Mr. Trusty's presentation it is this: What the Grace of God can do in someone. Alot of times we hear about God's grace when we recieve Christ but we don't remember as Christians that our dependence on God's grace and mercy does not end when we become saved, rather our daily need for it is just beginning. Mr. Trusty's story was touching and moving and he also truly exposed some of the biggest traps I see people in ministry and even VFCC students fall into and that is loosing and neglecting that personal walk with Christ. Jesus said in John 15 that each of us must personally remain "in him", in the vine. Mr. Trusty also emphazised that personal success is not all about titles and numbers but even more about your personal relationship with God, your character and also how you manage your family. The focus is usually on ministry success but Mr. Trusty did a good job at telling how many in the church considered him this major Success all the while he had truly felt like a faliure because there was no real substance or relationship between him and his Heavnly Father. Again, very moving presentation by Mr. Trusty

Interview Number Four

2006-03-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

Interview with Adam

#1 What do you think is the greastest need in your area?
In our area we need a greater committment to community. I think this committment needs to come from those within the community and definetly from our area's community churches. Churches should be having a greater committment to helping others with their different needs.

#2 Are you actively attending any church?
No

#3 What are a few issues or topics that interest you?
Sports, movies, music; life

#4Why do you think most people don't attend church?
There is a lack of sincerity within the church, there's alot of talking from Churches and christians but little action to back up that "talk". Also, i've noticed when i've been in churc that the church doesn't follow up with visitors who come to visit the church. After they make a big thing of their "first visit", they don't follow up and the vistor doesnt feel like they fit in.

#5 If you were to look for a church, what kinds of things would you look for in it?
I'd look for a church thats actions back up their claims, and i'd especially want to feel like I belong. There should be an atmoshphere, an eviornment where people feel like they are part of a family. There needs to be alot more fellowship in church, and thats what i'd look for.

#6 What advice can you give pastors who want to be helpful?
I think pastors need to know their Bible (alot of pastors don't seem to know what they're talking about), pastors should actually listen to people and shouldn't beat them down with their truth. Also, pastors need to not condemn people.

My thoughts: Again, with all four interviews now completed the common threads I see from the people interviewed is mainly two things: 1) they all want to feel like they belong, they all believe church should have a personal fellowship/famil;y aspect to it. Interesting since our Bibles agree with them. 2). They all feel like Christians are more condemning than loving, and quick to speak rather than following up with what the Bible teaches which is that we be "quick to LISTEN". Three out of the four interviewers all echoed that call.

Interview Number Three

2006-02-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

Interview with Tom:

#1 What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
the greatest need in my area is more compassion, people need to learn to love others.

#2 Are you actively attending any church?
no

#3 What are a few issues/topics that interest you?
World Hunger, Pollution and other issues that deal with the globe as a whole

#4 Why do you think most people don't attend church?
Because they're treated like crap by people in the church and even by church leaders when the people realize they don't believe like they do. Also outsiders feel like the church has alot of rules that everyone must follow and its a big turn-off to people.

#5 If you were to look for a church what things would you look for?
Messages/sermons, powerful music (worship), and also I believe there should be prayer time where people can express themselves with God without limits.

#6 What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful?
Don't be so hard on people that aren't living the way you think they should be, and when someone talks to you about their spiritual life listen to their words and if they dont wanna hear what you have to say don't keep pushing your words on them because they won't listen.

My thoughts: I found alot of Tom's comments to be very wise and defintely echoing the comments and advice from some of my other interviews. Generally the non-churched world doesn't want to be hit over the head with a Bible, they want to be encouraged, and loved. I would add however that pastors can't go to the other extreme and enver stand by biblical principals and morality. It is a balance that must occur. Above all, we should love and I think Tom's comments defintely place emphasis on that.

Interview Number Two

2006-02-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Interview with Craig:

#1 What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
More recreational activies (activties that would involve more community focused activities that are designed to socialize and break down barriers)

#2 Are you actively attending any church?
I try sometimes but lately I haven't really attended any church

#3 What are a few issues/topics that concern you?
The war and situation in Iraq and getting laid

#4 Why do you think most people don't attend church?
Probably because they go out party on saturday nights, stay up and out late so then they have a hard time getting up to go to church on sunday mornings.

#5 If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
The person that is doing the speaking and preaching has to be excited about what they are talking about and there should be a point at the end of the preaching that comes across easily that they are trying to make.

#6 What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
If you want to help people you probably will end up helping them, but I think when people think of pastors what often comes to mind is someone that tries to tell you what the best choice is in a situation but sometimes the best thing a pastor can do is just listen to the person.

My thoughts: What struck me about craig's interview was the frankness of what he spoke in answering my questions. You see Craig is a typical American who if you were to ask "Are you a Christian" would answer "Yes". I've personally known craig for years and he would say he is but his lifestyle shows otherwise. At the same time it is refreshing in a sense to hear this kind of talk again because being in the ""christian" bubble can make you forget that there is a lost world outside. Also, I did like alot of craig's advice regarding pastors. There is a need for passion (as craig said himself) as well as moral guidance from pastors but also there needs to be alot of listening. Any counslor will tell you that.

Interview Number One

2006-02-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

Interview with Brittney:

#1 What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Brittney at first asked me "Physical needs or?", to which I answered that the question seemes generic so any kind of need that she felt was especially needed in her area. Brittney then answered that honestly the greatest need she felt in her area were the need for more and bigger roads due to the traffic issues that she expriences in her area. I kind of chuckled.
#2 Are you actively attending any church?
Brittney answers that she does have some religion in her and that she has visited several churches however she has yet to become active in a specific church.
#3 What are a few issues or topics that interest you?
Brittney is interested in topics and or issues that impact every day life, things that are practical and especially in things that she would personally agree with rather than oppose.
#4 If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for in a church?
Brittney answered that it would be important for the church to be small enough that she could know people in a personal basis, she'd have to agree with their beliefs and the church would have to show that it truly cared about people and their needs and would share their faith.
#5 What advice would you give to pastors?
Brittney said: Be open, listen, do not condemn, and let people know that you are available to help.

What stuck me about Brittney's answer was the mere practical things she advised as well as what she'd look for in a church. She definely desires personal fellowship in a church, desired also that christians would show they cared. I thought her answers were thought-provoking and practical.

Finally I'm Back

2006-02-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

Hello All or just Mr. Rees,

The week before last I was extremely sick and was unable to come to class. It wasn't fun but i figured it would happen eventually. I e-mailed you Mr. Rees about what I should do with regards to posting on a class that I never attended and didn't hear back from you so I will just move on and post today about last tuesday's class. I have to say last Tuesday was probably my favorite class thus far in the semester. I like the kinds of questions your having the class think about because it is very relvant and important in today''s culture. We began our class with a fascinating video interview of two non-Christians who were asked a series of questions pertaining to their own views of spirituality. Their answers revealed where they were personally on the ladder of finding the truth. It was interesting but not at all suprising to see their views. One of the two in particular seemed very close and very open to getting answers pertaining to such things as "How do I get to heaven"? Although the two individuals were obviously non-Christian they were also open to Chrisitanity, as they told many tales of being witnessed to. However, as usual the "Christians" again always seem to beat people with the truth rather than love on people with the truth. That I believe is our biggest problem in how we witness. Another thing however that was sad to me was the common perception by the two individuals and indeed by most of the secular world in that they believe they do have a relationship with God and are fine believing that their "good deeds" would be enough to get them to heaven. This sparked a debate in the class of which I was fascinated by: At what point is someone christian? I, like the instructor of our class am in the middle. I do not believe there is another way to be made right with God other than through the sacrafice given by Jesus Christ. Howeever, I don't believe you must say a "specific sinners prayer" to have that moment of conversion. For example, Dr. Marino said when he got saved he looked up at the celing and with a believing heart oin Christ said "You win". My girlfriend also had a similar experience where she got saved on her own through reading the Gospels without a specific prayer. The Bible says we must be "Born Again" spiritually which comes through a moment of decision of trusting in Chrirst to save, how this happen may differ from person to person. However, we cannot be confused in thinking that someone who "believes" in God and Christ is saved when at the same time they live unchanged and beleivve their own goodness will merit salvation/ Thats anit-biblical. It was a very interesting discussion. Then we had speakers from Kai Alpha, which was also very interesting. I always find college ministry fascinating because College is quite a battlefield for Christians, since studies show 80% will lose or turn away from their faitn in college. I applaud ministries like Campus Crusade for Christ and Kai Alpha and hope to work on a future project that may help in that battle. Well, I think thats alot more than 300 words so. Adios

hola

2006-02-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, has it really been a week already since my previous post? Well i'm back and i'm here yet again to talk about what we discussed in class last week, my opinions on it, and whatever else i feel like talking about because its my POST! anyway, if i remember corectly we dicussed several succesful models in several churches around the country that literally started with few and today have thousands and thousands of people. Obviously, these churches are popular and have attracted many people to their church, although I would add that doesn't mean that the Gospel being preahed is indeed the full and complete Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is something we have to remember because 2 Timothy warns that in the last days many will run to teachers who tell them what they want to hear and not neccesarily the truth. Just because a church is big and popular doesn't mean it's on target scripturally. Even our instructor did add that while numbers are nice and obviously growth is a good thing that should be pursued, it must not be our focus in ministry. I've seen so many ministers get so focused on numbers, rather than on discipleship. How many people did Jesus Christ disciple? Oh yeah 12. Anyway, while most of what was said I agreed with especially when it came to certain un-conventional outreach efforts the thing that I feel we have to always remember and sometimes forget is actually something that a student said in class that I believe is very true even though he was attacked a bit for his comment and that is that if you do preach the full and complete Gospel of Jesus Christ it will offend people. If you tell people that confess Christ that Jesus loves them and show that love and that's it, your in error because so often Amerircan Christians especially take "Jesus loves me unconditionally" to mean they live the way they want. Romans 6:1 says that shall we go on sinning so that grace may increasE? BY NO MEANS. I agree in showing the love of Christ to all, and to respecting our differences. but guess what? some teens in my youth group arent gonna like hearing that sex is for marriage or that they need to change and deny themselves and take up the cross if they want to follow Christ. Some people just wont like that. Thats the way it is. I think thats it for today. God bless

I have arrived

2006-01-31T12:13:00.000-08:00

Hola,

This would be an entry from the one and only Stephen Joseph Mitchell. Why did I create this blog? Because I had to of course. So far our, Developmental Outreach and Discipleship class (the class this blog was required for) has been very interesting. We had intense class discussions over the methods of the Preacher Joel Osteen and whether or not we should buy and download other sermons and bascially fitting it for your own congregation and church. The class seemed divided over both issues, however I personally believe that while Joel Osteen isn't heretical he is a bit sugarcoated in his presentation of the Gospel (which explains why it's so popular). Also, I personnally have no interest in getting someone else's sermon for my own church. For me that takes away from the uniquness and purpose that God has me there for. Again though, I have no problem with those whose views differ from mine. I guess thats all for now PEACE

SJM