The topic of “conversion” has come up in conversation rather frequently lately. Generally in the context of ministry: As in, it’s our goal in ministry to bring people to Christ, to encounter Him and have a conversion experience.
In my experience, people don’t have conversion experiences by being immersed in doctrine. They don’t have conversion experiences because of a ritual. They don’t have a conversion experience while studying Scripture. People have conversions when they encounter Jesus. When they begin building a relationship with Him. People come to conversion through praying not reading.
Which begs the question, should we be teaching doctrine to the people who haven’t met Jesus? Should we be throwing people into rituals before they’ve built a relationship with Him? Should we skip the conversion and just hope that with enough scripture and doctrinal knowledge conversion will happen eventually?
That seems so backward. It’s a cart-before-the-horse approach to ministry. It doesn’t make sense. And it isn’t Scriptural either. In the Bible, the people immersed in Scripture, doctrine and ritual are the Pharisees. They’re the ones who’ve gotten it backwards. They’re the ones that Jesus says are missing the point.
Jesus’ ministry wasn’t about doctrine. He only taught doctrine when people asked for it. Jesus’ ministry was about LOVE. Jesus’ ministry was about LIFE-CHANGE. If we’re called to follow His example, shouldn’t are ministry be modeled after His?
But let’s throw out a logistical question: how do we know when to switch gears and start feeding people the doctrine, the Scripture, the ritual? Because that stuff IS IMPORTANT. How do we know when people have had that conversion experience?
“You can’t know that. It’s personal. Only God can know that.”
Really? That’s not what Scripture says. That’s not what JESUS says.
“By their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:16)
If they’ve encountered Christ, if they’re living in Him, they will bear much fruit. You should be able to look at their lives and SEE CHRIST. If they haven’t changed, if their life hasn’t changed…then their heart hasn’t changed. Then they haven’t truly encountered Christ. They don’t have a relationship with Him. They haven’t experienced conversion.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to know Christ and not be changed. And if HE is the one who is changing lives (not Scripture, not doctrine, not ritual), shouldn’t He come FIRST?
After people have encountered the WHO, then they’ll start asking the other questions: the WHY? WHAT? WHEN? HOW? And then, that’s when we bring out the cart. That’s when we dive into Scripture. That’s when we connect doctrine to their life.
The horse always comes first. Jesus always comes first.
Add your comment! »Sometimes, lessons are learned from the least likely of sources. For example, Miley Cyrus.
The radio is still saturated by Miley’s “Party in the USA” – a song that manages to be both annoying and catchy. It would be quite a stretch to call the lyrics “brilliant”, but they do teach a rather brilliant youth ministry truth.
For those of you who have been living under a rock, the basic plot-line of the song is as follows:
Miley finds herself in a new situation that is making her nervous, self-conscious, and afraid.
My tummys turnin and I’m feelin kinda home sick / Too much pressure and I’m nervous
She’s surrounded by strangers and feels out of place in this new environment.
Everybody’s lookin at me now … “She gotta be from out of town”
She’s almost ready to give up and go home.
Feel like hoppin’ on a flight / Back to my hometown tonight
But then the DJ puts on her favorite song, and she feels at home.
The DJ plays my song and I feel alright! / So I put my hands up / They’re playing my song / And the butterflys fly away … And I got my hands up / They’re playin my song / I know I’m gonna be ok
A frequent debate amongst youth ministry folks is the use of secular music. Does it have a place in your youth program? Can you play secular music without endorsing everything the song mentions? Is it an important tool in ministry?
For us, we use secular music EVERY WEEK. When the teens are gathering for dinner at the beginning of our Sunday night program, we don’t have worship music booming, we’ve got some of the hottest radio jams playing. Why? Because like Miley says, hearing your favorite song (or just a familiar song) makes you feel comfortable.
If something as simple as musical selection can make new students feel more comfortable at our program, if it gives them something to talk about with new people (”Hey, I love this song, you?”), if it makes them feel like we’re trying to reach them where they are (not expecting them to walk in the door the first time and know all of OUR music)…then it’s totally worth it.
Obviously I’m not advocating playing music that degrades women, uses profanity, advocates drug-use, promotes rampant sexuality, etc. It is definitely important to be selective in what you’re playing…and to KNOW what the song is talking about before you pipe it in (because the teens definitely will).
You can even go further than just using the music during gathering. Our first series this semester is called “Live Like We’re Dying”, and we’ve got a group of teen musicians who are gonna rock the Kris Allen song live on stage to kick off each night of the series. With lyrics like “We only got 86,400 seconds in a day / to turn it all around or throw it all away / we gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em / while we got the chance to say / gotta live like we’re dying”, it has a great message and really challenges teens to take a look at the priorities and direction of their lives. Plus, the bonus of using secular music is every time they hear the song on the radio, they’ll connect it back to the message taught that night we used it.
For us, secular music is an ESSENTIAL ministry tool. For teens (and for Miley), it connects with them, eases their nervousness and let’s them “know [they're] gonna be ok”.
What about for you?
What do YOU think? »I’ve heard that last year a typical LIFENIGHT had about 100-150 teens. That’s great. No, that’s awesome!
But they had 100-150 teens at a typical LIFENIGHT 2 years ago as well. And 3 years ago. That takes away some of the awesome-ness. No, that takes away a lot of the awesome-ness.
There are some people that are happy about being consistent like that. Estatic that they are bringing in as many people as the week before. That somehow if they continue to get the same result, they’re doing something right.
But it’s not that they’re doing something right, it’s that they’re doing something the same. They’re catering to a group of people who already there…catering to the community that already exists. But is that what we’re supposed to do? Is that what Jesus did? Did He just cater to the Twelve?
Ryan said something today that reeked of truth (pardon the terrible misquote, Ryan): “A community that isn’t directed outward and building up people outside of their community, is no longer a community but a clique.”
So often, especially in ministry and even moreso in the Catholic Church, we keep doing what we’ve always done to make sure we don’t scare off the people that have always been coming. We’re worried that if we do something different, if we do something that takes them out of their comfort zone, something that goes against what they want/prefer Church to be like, that they’ll flee. But so what…
Jesus wasn’t afraid to shake things up. Jesus wasn’t afraid to go against the norm. He wasn’t afraid to expect things of His followers that they weren’t used to–things that they probably would have preferred not to do.
People in Catholic ministry in particular, are so afraid of doing something new. So afraid of change. Even if that change reaches a whole new group of people. But for some reason we don’t seem to put much value in evangelization. We don’t put much value in reaching the lost–those people who NEED the Church.
That’s all about to change this year. We’re shaking things up. We reaching out to the lost. We’re bringing people back to the Church. We’re doing it, and I’m sorry if that offends you. I’m sorry if a change like that scares you. But we’re just doing what Jesus would do.
“I’m more concerned about connecting with lost people for the sake of the Gospel, than coddling Christians for the sake of their preferences.” (Steven Furtick)
Strong words. But an even stronger God. I hope my life and my ministry live up to both.
Add the FIRST comment! »This weekend was “Catechist Weekend” at my church. At the end of each Mass, someone from the Faith Formation department spoke about the need for catechists and adult volunteers in all of our children and teen programs. Tables were set up for interested people to come talk with us.
The italicized part below is a bit of what I said when I spoke:
“Let me start with a quick story from the Acts of the Apostles. Acts tells the stories of the early Church. In Acts 6, the people of the church are grumbling. They’re complaining that leaders of the Church (the Apostles) are not meeting the needs of the church community. Specifically they’re upset because the widows of the community are not being taken care of–kind of a big deal since taking care of the widows was one of the specific things Christ said the Church needed to do.
The Apostles discuss the complaints amongst themselves, then they gather together the church community. First they acknowledge the fact that yes, there are needs that are not being met. But then they explain to the church that there is only so much that they can do…that their plates are full. If they took on extra responsibilities, they would be neglect they’re other duties–the roles they had been called to fulfill.
Then they challenge the people: If there are needs in this community that are not being met, then the community needs to step up and meet those needs. They threw down the challenge that it was time for the people of the church to step up. And scripture says they did step up…the needs of the church were met by the people of the church.”
—
It doesn’t end there. The church still has needs that need to be met. The church still needs the people of the church to step up and meet those needs. So what are you doing? How are you meeting the needs of the church? How are you stepping up? How are you using your gifts to bless others and build up the body of Christ?
If you’re not doing anything, it’s time to step up. It’s time to be a part of the Church.
Add your comment! »
So in case you haven’t heard, we’re moving to Atlanta, and I’m starting a new youth ministry job. Which brings me to today’s GIMME THREE question:
What are the three most important do’s or don’ts of starting at a new church?
I’d love to hear what you’ve learned…either by your own experience, or witnessing the success/failures of another.
Add your comment! »Just thought I would fill you in one what’s going on:
For the past couple of months, I’ve been searching, applying, and interviewing at churches all over the country (plus Australia and Ireland). The goal was to find a church that embraced the relational model of youth ministry. A church that loved young people and valued them as a part of the Body of Christ. Just as important, we wanted to find a church and community that would feel home for us–some place where we could see ourselves staying and watching our kids grow up.
It was a big decision–one we did not make lightly. But after a lot of prayer, discussion and discernment, we did make a decision.
As of June 1st, I will be starting as the new LIFETEEN Coordinator at Holy Trinity Parish in Peach Tree City, GA (an Atlanta suburb, about 30 minutes from downtown).
We’ll be loading up the family and moving to the Atlanta area on May 29th.
It’s going to be a busy summer. In addition to weekly programs, we’ve already got planned: a week of Catholic Heart Work Camp in Tennessee; a beach retreat; a Steubenville conference; a Mexico mission trip; a golf cart scavenger hunt; and more!
We are both super excited about this move and this new ministry opportunity!
With that said, we are also sad about leaving behind all of our friends and family here in Houston. So we would LOVE to see you before we leave!
What do YOU think? »First, let me say that I think the swine flu thing is a bunch of media hype.
Second, even if it is a bunch of hype, you probably shouldn’t kiss any more pigs for a while.
By popular request, we’re selling an even newer version of our popular Chuck Norris shirt–now printed on an army green shirt.
These shirts officially go on sale on MAY 27th for $15, but if you pre-order your shirt before April 23rd, you save $5 and get* your shirt for only $10!
*Pre-ordered shirts will not be shipped until May 27th.
“You are the salt of the earth.” (Mt 5:13)
One of the biggest debates among Catholics and protestants is the issue of salvation–particularly the role that works and deeds play. Catholics hold to the notion that both faith and works are important; Protestants, that salvation is obtained through faith alone. The question: who is right? Can we both be right?
We are called to be the “salt of the earth”, or as Israel Houghton puts it, is is our purpose to be “salt and light in the world”.
What does it mean to be “salt”? I heard it explained once by Tony Evans. In a radio spot, he explained the theology, as he often does, with a story. When you sit down in a nice bar and order a drink, they bring you a snack with your drink. Peanuts, pretzels, party mix — something salty. Why? To make you thirsty. To make you want to order another drink. To make you want MORE.
* From here on, I might be straying from what Dr. Evans said on intended, so don’t assume he agrees with anything I say below. But he might.
It is our calling to be salt. It is our calling to make people thirsty. It’s our calling to help people catch a glimpse, a taste of this Jesus thing and want more. And how do we do that? By living out the Gospel. By loving others. By serving others. By works and deeds. If they don’t see something special or different in us, then they won’t care to hear about why we’re different.
If you’ve found salvation in Christ, if you’re a Christ-follower, then you are called to be salt to the earth. A saved person, should be a salty person. If you are saved, you should be able to measure that salvation in salt.
Don’t read that the wrong way. A whole heaping pile of salt isn’t a substitute for faith (Lot’s wife proves that). No, you can’t buy salvation with salt (Catholics and Protestants agree on that), but you should be able to measure it in salt.
So the question is: how salty are you?
Add the FIRST comment! »I was driving home from the Austin area late last night, and I stopped in a gas station to grab a beverage. I talked with the the cashier for a few minutes – just small talk – but then as I was leaving, he said something that caught me off guard.
Me: Have a good night!
Him: Have a better one!
That’s the heart of a servant in one line. It’s not about me having a good night, it’s about you having a better one. It’s not about me getting something to eat, it’s about making sure you’ve eaten your fill. It’s not about me getting a good seat, it’s about making sure you’ve got a better seat. It’s not about me, it’s about you.
Christ calls us to be servants: “whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). It’s not about us, it’s about the people we serve…and we should serve everyone.
Add your comment! »A couple of weeks ago, I went out tho California for the PDYM Conference. It was an amazing conference! But now I’m stuck trying to pay it off.
So I had an idea, why not create a cool t-shirt and sell a few to help cover some of the costs. So I did, and I’ve been selling these shirts for the past month or so. The shirt below is available for purchase for $18.
Blog about it, Twitter about it, Facebook about it.
Shirts will be printed and shipped by April 10th.
AS OF APRIL 7TH, I NEED TO SELL FOUR MORE SHIRTS TO COVER HALF THE COST OF THE TRIP. (40 more to cover the whole trip.)
So, help a brother out…buy a shirt. Or four!
SPECIAL PRICING IF YOU ORDER MULTIPLE SHIRTS! GET 2 SHIRTS FOR ONLY $30! Also, by popular request, there’s now a donation option (it’s in the Quantity drop down).
I’M BRINGING RIGHTEOUS BACK?
The shirt is inspired by 2 Timothy 2:22 – “Turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.” And of course the other inspiration is Mr. Timberlake. Justin Timberlake.
I think that I probably have a very different perspective than the majority of youth pastors at PDYM: they’re listening to a session and applying it to the ministry/church they work with, I’m listening and applying it to the kind of ministry/church I want to work for.
During the first session, Doug Fields (@dougfields) talked about things they value in the Student Ministry of Saddleback. They value relationships, food, empowering students, and trusting in God to name a few (longerlist available on Nick’s post). All good things. All important things. But what struck me was something he said after going through all these things:
“We don’t want you to be like Saddleback.”
It’s not about being the next Saddleback. It’s about figuring out what is important to you in ministry and making that a priority. Me? I want to be doing relational ministry. That’s what’s important to me. That’s what I’m looking for in a church. That’s the one non-negotiable, the one essential.
- Having a youth building would be nice, but not essential.
- Having a killer budget would be nice, but not essential.
- Having a weekly youth service would be nice, but not essential.
- Having an assistant would be nice, but not essential.
- Having a great salary would be nice, but not essential.
- Having a large number of involved students would be nice, but not essential.
- Having a bunch of committed, passionate adult leaders would be nice, but not essential.
All those things would be great, and I hope that they come as the program grows (though I wouldn’t turn down a church that already has them), but they’re not essential. I left my previous church because they didn’t see the value in relational ministry. I put my family in financial stress because I did.
Relational ministry: that’s what’s important to me.
Add the FIRST comment! »Day one of the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Conference is over, and before I post something of substance, some thank yous:
- Thanks Roy (@soulshaper) for the Taxi service. Without your help I’d still be hanging out at the airport.
- Thanks Josh (@joshuagriffin) for taking the time to tour us around the Refinery.
- Thanks to the teens of Saddleback for an awesome worship session! I’ve been to many BIG conferences with “professional” worship bands that were less talented, less energetic and less passionate than y’all. And as Nick (@nickcarnes) said, they were worshipping like they didn’t even care we were there.
- Thanks to my kill ball team, Cactus Jack’s, no one else could have scored a fifth place finish with such style and class (so what if there were only 5 teams).
- Thanks to my cousin, Kim (@JonzMom), for hooking me up with a place to stay and stocking the fridge with Dr. Pepper.
- And thanks to all of you who are Twittering about the conference. You can follow the tweetstream here.
Download the MP3 version of this post.
- Imagine if you only had one week left on earth, how would you spend your time?
- Imagine if you could take back one thing–one decision, one action, one word–what would it be?
- Imagine if money didn’t matter, would would you do with your life?
- Imagine if nothing was impossible, what would you accomplish?
Now, imagine if we stopped making excuses. Imagine if we stopped relying the cop-outs listed above.
- Imagine if we stopped putting things off.
- Imagine if we learned from our mistakes.
- Imagine if actually followed our calling.
- Imagine if we realized that nothing is impossible.
Imagine if we had faith the size of a mustard seed:
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” (Lk 17:6)
“…you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. And nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17:20)
Imagine if we had faith the size of a mustard seed:
There’d be tons of mulberry trees in the ocean and mountains moving back and forth constantly–because you know we would test out those verses.
But think about it. Faith the size of a mustard seed? A mustard seed is only 2mm in diameter. All we need is 2mm of faith, and we can MOVE MOUNTAINS! Which begs the question, what is this “faith” that Jesus is speaking of? Where can we see it in action?
“By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s…
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household…
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out…not knowing where he was to go…
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac…
By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s fury…
By faith the Israelites crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land,
By faith the walls of Jericho fell…
By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the disobedient…What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured… Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented… because of their faith…”(cf Heb 11:7-40)
Faith, the Letter to the Hebrews explains, is “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (11:1).
By faith the dead were raised, the blind were given sight, the sick were healed.
All of those things can be done. We can do them, by faith.
All of those things and more can be done. We can do them, by faith.
- Imagine if we stop the killing of unborn children. It can be done. We can do it, by faith.
- Imagine if people didn’t go to bed hungry. It can be done. We can do it, by faith.
- Imagine if everyone had clean water to drink. It can be done. We can do it, by faith.
- Imagine if the church met the needs of her people. It can be done. We can do it, by faith.
- Imagine if every person on earth knew the name, the love and the power of Jesus Christ. It can be done. We can do it, by faith.
- Imagine if every knee bowed down and every tongue confessed that HE is Lord.
The eleventh chapter in Hebrews, after listing all the great men and women of faith, after listing their accomplishments, concludes by saying, that despite the great faith of these, “God has foreseen something better for us” (11:40).
But the problem is obvious: I don’t have a mustard seed’s worth of faith. Not even close. And you may not have a mustard seed of faith. And the people you serve with might not have a mustard seed of faith. And even your pastor might not have a mustard seed of faith.
But imagine if, collectively, we did. Imagine if, in working together, sharing our faith, we do have a mustard seed’s worth of faith. Imagine if, together, as ONE church, as ONE body of Christ, we could move mountains.
Imagine if.
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WHAT AM I? Creative. Energetic. Techno-savvy. Innovative. Artistic. Easily Distracted. Family-Oriented. Relational. Passionate. Weird. Dynamic. Engaging.
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