Matt settled into his Youth Ministry Philosophy 101 class and discovered many of his predetermined assumptions were being challenged. He began facing the realization that “doing student ministry” was more than simply running meetings and activities. Up until this point his ministry had just happened, now he was confronted with the truth of “Intentional Ministry.” He was open to this…
Okay, sing along with me, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, oh…” Perhaps you remember singing this song as a child in Sunday school or maybe at camp, but what does it really mean? In Matthew 5:14 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” and in verse 16, “Let your light so shine…
Planning is vital to success in life. Few people become successful by accident; it happens because we have a goal and passion for that goal. We utilize organizational tools, seminars and personal coaches to accomplish those goals. So what about our spiritual success? By spiritual success I am not purporting a “health, wealth and self-philosophy”: I am talking about Biblical…
Matt arrived early for class brimming with anticipation. As a youth major he realized the importance of acquiring fresh educational insights along with practical experience. He desired to establish a balanced approach to student ministry. He knew every class would play a role in helping him become an effective student minister. Matt had spent time identifying the top two priorities…
“Good enough is the new perfection” captured my attention as I read the words on the sign. I found it to be extremely intriguing and simultaneously troubling. Was this meant as a joke or an excuse? I admit to being a perfectionist--or shall I say “given to excellence”--from time to time, so let me tread carefully. However, lowering the standard…
Can you imagine people actually paying for the privilege to: Stay up late or even all night? Ride on old school buses? Give up one of their week nights, week after week, for years? Be called at all times of the day and night? Sacrifice a night’s sleep for the weekend? Be involved in the lives of students with no…
Arriving at the Orlando Airport for my 7 pm speaking engagement, I checked my phone for a reply to my request for details. Neither of my emails to the 20-something coordinator had resulted in a reply. On the tram from the satellite terminal to baggage claim I tried the cell number again, but there was no answer. In my frustration…
When I was young I would visit my Grandmother, staying with her for days on end. I loved being there because she made me pound cake with chocolate syrup for breakfast. (Yeah, I have always been into health food.) She played the role of grandparent very well. I got away with things my parents would have never approved. However, her…
Do you ever feel like you have nothing to say? You stare into your blank computer screen knowing the deadline for a sermon, article, blog or book looms closer. You want to communicate but just cannot bring yourself to strike the first letter on the keyboard. Having the desire to make a difference with our communication is not the problem…
I have never found a high impact leader of influence who was not a reader. Involvement for over forty years with business, church and organizational leaders has validated this as more than just a maxim. My friend Dr. Jay Strack often says You will be the same person five years from now except for the places you go, the people you…