Well as I said yesterday today will be the last part in this series. I kept the last commitment as a single and final commitment, not because it was less important, not because I can't count but because it is both extremely important and it finishes the series so well. Again in case you didn't read the first posts or in case you forgot please remember that I didn't write these 10 commitments, I wish I had, but I didn't. These come out of a book written by Doug Fields called Your First Two Years in Ministry.
The 10th and final commitment in our list and one that I find the most difficult is:
#10 I will pursue contentment.
Easier said than done. The first time I read this principle I said no problem I already to that. I'm content with my life, all is good, I have everything I need and I am happy! However if I had another laptop I could improve my productivity, Oh and even better if I had an iPhone that would be totally awesome I could really multi task. Maybe I could get one when I buy my new bike, or if I had a new car and bigger car I would attract more youth and have a program as good as... Well there goes the contentment principle. We live in an age where new and improved has become the norm. You don't fix stuff you buy new stuff and when we get the new stuff we want to upgrade it right away. I was at a Harley dealership last week looking, OK drooling at some bikes and the customer beside me had just agreed to purchase a 2009 Harley Davidson Fat Boy (my dream bike) valued at over $20,000.00 and the first question out of his mouth was what can I do to customize this bike? How much for new pipes, pegs, seat and chrome bling? He hadn't put 1km on the bike and already he was upgrading the basic look of the bike. I guess he wasn't content with just a Fat Boy.
The problem with contentment is that it becomes a fine line with laziness. It's easy to say that I'm not going to do this or that I'm content with everything I have. Are you really or are you just not doing anything and finding excuses. You see what I mean it's a fine line.
It's up to you to find the balance between contentment and laziness but once you do what an awesome feeling. The apostle Paul put really well in (Philippians 4:11-12) "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
I hope this mini blog post series was helpful and I encourage you to review the 10 commitments regularly as a refresher.
Talk at you later
Marty
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Lessons Learned part 5
Two more posts to wrap up this series on commitments. Today I will touch on 2 important commitments and tomorrow I will finish with the final commitment. I know it's been a while and things went a squirely lately so let's quickly recap what we have seen so far.
1. I will move slowly
2. I will regularly check my motives and evaluate my heart
3. I will steer clear from the numbers game
4. I will not criticize the past
5. I will avoid the comparison trap
6. I will focus on priorities and
7. I will pace myself
Now I know that some actually probably most of you do this already but it needs to be added to remind us why and who we are doing this for.
8. I will serve.
If you look at Mat 20:26-28 tells us that if you want to lead you must learn to serve. If you want to be first you must learn to be last, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Serving is noble, serving keeps you humble. How do you fight selfishness, serve. The most important part in those verses of scripture comes in verse 28.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Read this verse over again, now re-read it. Let it sink in, remember it and live by it. If Jesus came to serve and not be served than who am I to think that I'm better than He is!
9. I will be a learner.
Never stop learning, always keep the heart of a student. It is extremely important to be open to different concepts and teachings. I have learned so much from the youth in the last month. They can be so open and honest, actually sometimes they can be brutally honest and I respect that from them. You learn from your mistakes and I have made some impressive ones at different times in my life. I'm glad I have people in my life that can speak into my life to guide and teach me. Sometimes the pill was hard to swallow, the lessons were painful but they are also essential in growing.
So I pray today that you can find somebody like that for your life. I pray that you will always be ready and willing to learn and that you will continue to grow. I pray that you will always be a student of life.
Talk at you later
Marty
1. I will move slowly
2. I will regularly check my motives and evaluate my heart
3. I will steer clear from the numbers game
4. I will not criticize the past
5. I will avoid the comparison trap
6. I will focus on priorities and
7. I will pace myself
Now I know that some actually probably most of you do this already but it needs to be added to remind us why and who we are doing this for.
8. I will serve.
If you look at Mat 20:26-28 tells us that if you want to lead you must learn to serve. If you want to be first you must learn to be last, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Serving is noble, serving keeps you humble. How do you fight selfishness, serve. The most important part in those verses of scripture comes in verse 28.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Read this verse over again, now re-read it. Let it sink in, remember it and live by it. If Jesus came to serve and not be served than who am I to think that I'm better than He is!
9. I will be a learner.
Never stop learning, always keep the heart of a student. It is extremely important to be open to different concepts and teachings. I have learned so much from the youth in the last month. They can be so open and honest, actually sometimes they can be brutally honest and I respect that from them. You learn from your mistakes and I have made some impressive ones at different times in my life. I'm glad I have people in my life that can speak into my life to guide and teach me. Sometimes the pill was hard to swallow, the lessons were painful but they are also essential in growing.
So I pray today that you can find somebody like that for your life. I pray that you will always be ready and willing to learn and that you will continue to grow. I pray that you will always be a student of life.
Talk at you later
Marty
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Technology overload
Before I get to my new post on Lessons Learned part 5 I just want to comment on the use or should I say over use of technology. Don't get me wrong I'm not against technology, I'm just starting to have issues with the amount of technology we need to keep up. It seems like every time we get into something, or sign up to another site something new and better comes up. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm ALWAYS behind technology wise and I'm OK with that because I still believe in building relationships with people, I love the human face to face contact. Anyone who sends me something on Facebook or My Space asking to be friends I always try to invite them to lunch or for a coffee I just love and need the face to face contact. The problem is when networking becomes a full-time job I have to learn to cut back. Sometimes I feel like I'm speed dating going from one meeting to another. There is a great line or concept in the movie Jerry Maguire when he says that instead of having hundreds of clients we should cut back and build relationships with the existing ones. Unfortunately this isn't a popular concept when it comes to business and he ends up getting fired for writting his manifesto.
As of today I'm adopting that concept and streamlining my focus. I am cutting back on most of my social networks. I'm cutting out My Space and Yahoo, I will be checking Facebook only occasionally and will be Twittering on a limited basis. My main focus will be this blog, person to person tweets, the creation of a website for The Journey and The Journey Page on Facebook.
I thank everyone who follows this blog and I promise to make a better effort to be more consistent with my posts.
Talk at you later
Marty
As of today I'm adopting that concept and streamlining my focus. I am cutting back on most of my social networks. I'm cutting out My Space and Yahoo, I will be checking Facebook only occasionally and will be Twittering on a limited basis. My main focus will be this blog, person to person tweets, the creation of a website for The Journey and The Journey Page on Facebook.
I thank everyone who follows this blog and I promise to make a better effort to be more consistent with my posts.
Talk at you later
Marty
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Lessons Learned part 4
Today I will be touching on 2 points that are all very relevant and important. I will be describing separately but they can be used as one.
So here we go:
Commitment # 6. I will focus on priorities.
Pretty self-explanatory isn't it, or is it? Not as easy as you think, you can get distracted with the smallest things. There's a series of books called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" that really reflect this commitment. When everything has to be done yesterday than how are you supposed to know what has to be done first. Sit down and have a planning session, either alone or with the Senior Pastor to set a list of priorities and use those as a guideline. You will be surprised how much time you will save by having a clear list of what needs to be done and when. Everything else becomes secondary.
# 7. I will pace myself
Hebrew 10:36 really sums it up: " Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive His promise." Remember when I talked about running the marathon if you don't yourself you will burn out quickly. Be patient, take time to listen to God. He will direct you in the correct direction if you let him. It's God's time not yours and sometimes that's really hard to accept because after all we know more than God right? I have just started an exercise program and all I can think about is how much I was doing a couple of years ago and how much I'm out of shape now. I can't keep up to what I was doing in the past I need to start with the walk program, then do the walk and run, eventually the run and walk and finally to run again. When I try too hard or move too fast I crash and burn with sore feet, bad arches and shin splints and I quit again but instead of quitting sometimes you just have to slow down or walk you don't have to run all the time.
That's all for today please feel free to send me some comments on this or any of the other messages.
Talk at you later
Marty
So here we go:
Commitment # 6. I will focus on priorities.
Pretty self-explanatory isn't it, or is it? Not as easy as you think, you can get distracted with the smallest things. There's a series of books called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" that really reflect this commitment. When everything has to be done yesterday than how are you supposed to know what has to be done first. Sit down and have a planning session, either alone or with the Senior Pastor to set a list of priorities and use those as a guideline. You will be surprised how much time you will save by having a clear list of what needs to be done and when. Everything else becomes secondary.
# 7. I will pace myself
Hebrew 10:36 really sums it up: " Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive His promise." Remember when I talked about running the marathon if you don't yourself you will burn out quickly. Be patient, take time to listen to God. He will direct you in the correct direction if you let him. It's God's time not yours and sometimes that's really hard to accept because after all we know more than God right? I have just started an exercise program and all I can think about is how much I was doing a couple of years ago and how much I'm out of shape now. I can't keep up to what I was doing in the past I need to start with the walk program, then do the walk and run, eventually the run and walk and finally to run again. When I try too hard or move too fast I crash and burn with sore feet, bad arches and shin splints and I quit again but instead of quitting sometimes you just have to slow down or walk you don't have to run all the time.
That's all for today please feel free to send me some comments on this or any of the other messages.
Talk at you later
Marty
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Lessons Learned Part 3
Sorry about that. I have neglected my blogging duties for a couple of days and left you hanging a little (that's OK sometimes the anticipation is worth it).
So here it goes. You will have excuse the mistakes that may occur during this post as I am trying to do 2 things at once, post this message and answer my 5 year old daughter's questions. If you have a 5 year old girl you know exactly what I'm talking about!!!!
Principle # 5 I will avoid the comparison trap.
This is a very big one especially for me. Being very new to this I found it easier to just go to other groups to "see and take notes" on how they do things. It was a very sobering moment to walk into a room with 115 kids worshiping and praying all together. How can you not compare what they have with what you have. It's an easy to trap to fall into if you're not careful. You know what I realized in that moment, they are not MY youth and even if they have 115 none of them come from my group. I love the youth I'm working with and wouldn't trade them for anything, they keep me grounded and on my toes at the same time. WE are a group whether we are 12 or 120 this is OUR group I don't need to compare myself against other groups or other leaders God called ME to be here not a clone of them.
I just realized that I didn't post this message I saved it instead you see I told you it is hard to do 2 things at once when you have a 5 year old.
Talk at you later
Marty
So here it goes. You will have excuse the mistakes that may occur during this post as I am trying to do 2 things at once, post this message and answer my 5 year old daughter's questions. If you have a 5 year old girl you know exactly what I'm talking about!!!!
Principle # 5 I will avoid the comparison trap.
This is a very big one especially for me. Being very new to this I found it easier to just go to other groups to "see and take notes" on how they do things. It was a very sobering moment to walk into a room with 115 kids worshiping and praying all together. How can you not compare what they have with what you have. It's an easy to trap to fall into if you're not careful. You know what I realized in that moment, they are not MY youth and even if they have 115 none of them come from my group. I love the youth I'm working with and wouldn't trade them for anything, they keep me grounded and on my toes at the same time. WE are a group whether we are 12 or 120 this is OUR group I don't need to compare myself against other groups or other leaders God called ME to be here not a clone of them.
I just realized that I didn't post this message I saved it instead you see I told you it is hard to do 2 things at once when you have a 5 year old.
Talk at you later
Marty
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Lessons Learned part 2
So today we will be touching another one of those that even though I just started I have found myself already guilty of doing and it is:
3. I will steer clear from the numbers' game.
In a society that demands a clear evaluation system the easiest one that can be used when it comes to youth ministry or small groups is how many people do you have? Success is often ranked by net income, total worth, how many toys you own or how many friends you have on Facebook. It is clear, there are numbers to back our claims and it can be used as a bench mark for the next person. I went to a comedy club once and the comedian said something like "the more friends you have on Facebook the less you have in real life!" There may be some truth to that if you spend all of your time increasing your numbers when are you building relationships?
Stay away from the numbers game instead focus on the positive relationships that you have acquired with your small group. It's a lot easier to find out what is really going on in somebody's life when there are few people as opposed to a large group.
4. I will not criticize the past.
Easier said than done. It is easy to put all the issues that you are facing right now on the person that just left. Focus on the positive from the past and build on it. Work with what works and take it from there. There is a great line in Kung Fu Panda (one of my favorite movies) "Quit, don't quit? Noodles, don't noodles? You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." The turtle is wise my friend the turtle is wise! Stop focusing on the past start a new chapter and move on. Use what worked as a guideline and build from there.
Until tomorrow remember that it's not about how many or blaming the last guy, it's about building relationships with that one kid that needs your attention now today not the last guy or the next guy YOU TODAY. A wise man once taught me that when he sits back and thinks about his youth group days he doesn't remember what was taught, everyone that was there or how many people went but he will always remember the one on one times, the before and after the service talks or the events that he went to with his Youth Pastor.
Talk at you later
Marty
3. I will steer clear from the numbers' game.
In a society that demands a clear evaluation system the easiest one that can be used when it comes to youth ministry or small groups is how many people do you have? Success is often ranked by net income, total worth, how many toys you own or how many friends you have on Facebook. It is clear, there are numbers to back our claims and it can be used as a bench mark for the next person. I went to a comedy club once and the comedian said something like "the more friends you have on Facebook the less you have in real life!" There may be some truth to that if you spend all of your time increasing your numbers when are you building relationships?
Stay away from the numbers game instead focus on the positive relationships that you have acquired with your small group. It's a lot easier to find out what is really going on in somebody's life when there are few people as opposed to a large group.
4. I will not criticize the past.
Easier said than done. It is easy to put all the issues that you are facing right now on the person that just left. Focus on the positive from the past and build on it. Work with what works and take it from there. There is a great line in Kung Fu Panda (one of my favorite movies) "Quit, don't quit? Noodles, don't noodles? You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." The turtle is wise my friend the turtle is wise! Stop focusing on the past start a new chapter and move on. Use what worked as a guideline and build from there.
Until tomorrow remember that it's not about how many or blaming the last guy, it's about building relationships with that one kid that needs your attention now today not the last guy or the next guy YOU TODAY. A wise man once taught me that when he sits back and thinks about his youth group days he doesn't remember what was taught, everyone that was there or how many people went but he will always remember the one on one times, the before and after the service talks or the events that he went to with his Youth Pastor.
Talk at you later
Marty
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Lessons Learned part 1
Yesterday I told you about this awesome book I was reading called Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry by Doug Fields (www.dougfields.com) and as I said yesterday I highly and completely recommend it to anyone and everyone in Youth Ministry in a paid position or as a volunteer leader, as someone who is just starting or been doing this for awhile it will help all of you. The more I was thinking about it the more I realized that I need to talk more about the valuable information in the book in the hopes that you will pick it up.
One of the most important lessons I have learned so far came from chapter 1, and I will go into it deeper over the next couple of days. I just think this information is so beneficial that I really want to share this with all of you whether you are in youth ministry, ministry in general or starting a small group these principles will help you. Doug Fields calls these the Top 10 Youth Ministry Commitments.
1. I will move slowly.
This is one of my major issues, I want it all and I want it NOW! The reference used in the book and in the Bible is that of a marathon runner vs. a sprinter. Are you in it for the long haul or just a 100m dash? What kind of impact will you have if you quit after 3 months, how will the youth/or the members of your small group react if you shut everything down just when the group starts to feel comfortable with each other. Can we say trust issues.
2. I will regularly check my motives and evaluate my heart.
Working with small groups I find a lot of issues come up when this principle is forgotten. Pride can set in or the sense that "I" did this by myself. This is mine and therefore it will be done my way! Dude unless your Frank Sinatra "My Way" may not be the best way! ALWAYS remember as Max Lucado wrote in his book: "It's NOT About Me". So before making decisions that can and will impact the whole group check your motives and evaluate your heart.
I think this is enough for now, so I will go into another 2 or 3 principles tomorrow. Please remember that these have been taken from the book (YFTYYM) and I want to make sure that you do not think that I stole the idea these are not my principles/commitments. They were written by Doug Fields and he deserves all the credit so that is why I encourage you to pick up the book to get the complete definitions of each point. Hopefully I will give you enough information to peak your interest and maybe you didn't know where to look so I wanted to guide you in the right direction.
Talk at you later
Marty
One of the most important lessons I have learned so far came from chapter 1, and I will go into it deeper over the next couple of days. I just think this information is so beneficial that I really want to share this with all of you whether you are in youth ministry, ministry in general or starting a small group these principles will help you. Doug Fields calls these the Top 10 Youth Ministry Commitments.
1. I will move slowly.
This is one of my major issues, I want it all and I want it NOW! The reference used in the book and in the Bible is that of a marathon runner vs. a sprinter. Are you in it for the long haul or just a 100m dash? What kind of impact will you have if you quit after 3 months, how will the youth/or the members of your small group react if you shut everything down just when the group starts to feel comfortable with each other. Can we say trust issues.
2. I will regularly check my motives and evaluate my heart.
Working with small groups I find a lot of issues come up when this principle is forgotten. Pride can set in or the sense that "I" did this by myself. This is mine and therefore it will be done my way! Dude unless your Frank Sinatra "My Way" may not be the best way! ALWAYS remember as Max Lucado wrote in his book: "It's NOT About Me". So before making decisions that can and will impact the whole group check your motives and evaluate your heart.
I think this is enough for now, so I will go into another 2 or 3 principles tomorrow. Please remember that these have been taken from the book (YFTYYM) and I want to make sure that you do not think that I stole the idea these are not my principles/commitments. They were written by Doug Fields and he deserves all the credit so that is why I encourage you to pick up the book to get the complete definitions of each point. Hopefully I will give you enough information to peak your interest and maybe you didn't know where to look so I wanted to guide you in the right direction.
Talk at you later
Marty
Monday, March 2, 2009
Lessons Learned in Youth Ministry
So the first lesson that I have learned so far, YOU CAN'T DO ALL BY YOURSELF! Wow how deep is that, I should get a book deal and start a tour. But seriously you can't. I have read 3 books in the last week and they all basically say the same thing. You need help, you should ask for help or get help. Same message said three different ways. And I agree with them. So I decided to get some help and use the free resources that are out there and available to everyone. It's amazing what kind of help you can get when you put the call out there. I'm a brand new youth pastor where do I start and I need help!!!! Within a matter of minutes the resources, the advice, the offers to help were really coming in because everyone out there wants you to succeed. It's not a competition it's a brotherhood. One of the best pieces of advice that I have received in the last couple of weeks has been the suggestion that I pick up a great book called Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry written by Doug Fields. What an awesome book and extremely helpful. I read this book and I feel like I'm sitting with Doug and he is answering my questions. The scary thing about this book is the fact that the answers seem the be coming in the order that I would actually be asking them if he were sitting in front of me.
If you are just starting out in Youth Ministry and you are wondering what am I doing here I strongly recommend you pick up this book it is worth it's weight in gold. I hope that someday I have the opportunity to meet Doug in person because I really want to thank him for the great advice.
Talk at you later
Marty
If you are just starting out in Youth Ministry and you are wondering what am I doing here I strongly recommend you pick up this book it is worth it's weight in gold. I hope that someday I have the opportunity to meet Doug in person because I really want to thank him for the great advice.
Talk at you later
Marty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)