Sharing Churches

I could blog on this issue all day! Churches sharing resources has been a big passion of mine for a long time. I love these big mega churches that people seem to hate on (my suspicion is that jealousy is one of the main components of this). The reason I love them is because after they are done using their creative sermons, series, kid movies, etc. they give them to other churches. New Spring Church in South Carolina and Life Church in Oklahoma are two that have done so much sharing resources and the best part is their resources are free.

While I am on my soap box, I have heard many Christians get onto Rick Warren and Saddleback church. My first thought is: How do you know the stuff you're saying? aka what blog have you been reading...My second thought is: Why haven't you flown out to California and talked with Mr. Warren about these things? After all, that's Biblical and you're gossiping if you haven't talked with the person. Third thought is: Do you know how much Rick Warren has done for the church of America? the resources that he has given...One last thought: Did you know that Rick Warren said that he would let you take 100 of the best people of your church and set them up against "any" 100 people of Saddleback? Wow, that is a bold statement! Make sure you hear the truth and not some things here and there; and then talk bad about a man of God and God's church! You're hurting God's church when you make negative comments about another church and you have not even been there!

With that said, I really want to focus in on sharing resources. I have done this a lot with my current church in Green Bay. Many times, the church hasn't even known. This summer we partnered with 2 churches to help them with their VBS decorations. Valley Baptist in Appleton partnered with us by helping to make VBS decorations. We then made our own decorations, added Valley's and when we were done Valley used them at their church! I also ran into a youth pastor from another church. He talked about getting ready for their VBS program and talked about the theme. A carnival theme; perfect I thought to myself; we have decorations from 3 years ago! We allowed them to borrow our ferris wheel, turnstiles, and character cutouts. Today, Pastor Rick and I picked them back up. The report of how it added to their program and how happy they were to be able to use them was priceless.

Really that is how all churches should be; no matter the denomination! My goal is to continue to partner with churches, partner with people, partner with ministries; we need to share resources!

Persistence is Key

Summer Blast is this weekend already; boy, has the summer flown! We are excited to be celebrating the 5th Annual Summer Blast. Who knew when we started Snow Blast 5 years ago; we would be celebrating the 5th year for both events! They sure have been a hit with the kids.

Glen and I were talking about what games we would like to do this year. Always looking for new games and using the best games from years past. "Go Big or Go Home Philosophy!" I decided to do kickball with inflatable pools as bases. Yes, this way of playing the game has gotten pretty big with the sharing of the Facebook video! We won't have the slip n slides for this event; but we wanted four kiddie pools for the bases.

Glen stopped by four stores and reported back to me that he couldn't find any and that the stores had put the seasonal away! I should have figured; after all, don't stores start putting Christmas items out at this time? We needed the pools so I drove all over Green Bay going to every store I could think of. SEVENTEEN STORES LATER...I found baby inflatable pools! They were $13 originally and marked down for $5. Deal!

Sometimes one would have just given up; but when something is worth it, we strive to finish it. This adventure of looking for kiddie pools reminds me of a story in my past:

Ever feel like a Scrat?

Yeah, like a Scrat (the squirrel from Iceage). I mean where something or someone gets you so frustrated and aggravated. Then you start making noises or start screaming or just start losing it. This happened to me days before Christmas. See I wanted to get my Dad a Scrat for Christmas. My Dad loves the little guy. So, figuring it would be a breeze; I started to search for him. I searched for him in Lynchburg, Va; then Gettysburg and York, Pa (where I live); and then finally Harrisburg, Pa. I went to 4 Walmarts, 3 Targets, 4 Toys R Us, K-mart, 2 Kb Toys, JcPennies, Sears, and the list goes on. When I added it up it was like 32 stores that I went to. Oh, and I'd have to mention I did search in the Disney store. Granted, I should have known that Iceage is not a Disney movie; but a Century Fox movie. Anyways, I found one in Harrisburg, Pa. An hour away from my house in the fourth Toys R Us that I went to. He is lifesize and when you push his nose he makes Scrat type noises. Yeah, so for three days of searching for a Scrat; I now can relate to how Scrat feels in Iceage. Scrat and I have a connection. (written December 26, 2006)

I don't think this time, I was willing to drive to 30 plus stores over three states for inflatable pools...but when I have a vision and something worth it: I tend to go big or go home! Persistence is the key to seeing your vision through!

Giving Blood for the First Time

I hate needles! Let me repeat that; "I really hate needles!" There is something about a foreign object under my skin that is not supposed to be there. Side note: I also hate splinters and ticks for this same reason! With that said; I have never went and gave blood, that is willing. Sure I have had my fingers pricked, my blood tested, and I'll never forget all those allergy tests. Shots in the arms, fingers, shoulders, and the butt.

In pregnancy, you have to be careful with blood types of the father and mother. Antigens, Antibodies and Attacking Blood Fights are quite interesting. So you have to make sure that the mom's blood doesn't have conflict with the babies blood. Amber found out hers with all the blood testing and mine I was unsure of. I spent time trying to find paperwork that showed my blood type and came to the conclusion that I was going to have to have it tested. Without knowing the father's blood type, Amber was destined to get a shot.

How can you find out your blood type? Give blood! So that is what I did, I went to the Red Cross and I gave blood. The experience alone was worth it for a future story. I passed the written test, the blood pressure test and even the dreaded finger prick! The next thing was going to be the challenge; the 10-15 minutes of sitting on the table and giving the blood. I survived, ate my pretzels, drank my cranberry juice, and signed up for another appointment to give blood.

I wasn't sure if we would find out the information in time; Amber was scheduled to get her shot soon. I downloaded the Red Cross Donor app and the day Amber was to get her shot; my records were displayed and my blood type revealed! I am O Negative. This developed into good news and bad news. The good news was Amber did not have to get a shot! The bad news is that my blood type is rare; seven percent of Americans have it. Which means if I ever get into a life threatening situation where I need blood; I might be in trouble! I guess my saving three lives with one blood donation, finding out my blood type and saving Amber a shot really wasn't a bad thing...I am planning to man up, face my fear of needles and continue donating blood.

5 Year Mark

I knew the statistics! I helped make the statistics in my younger years! I wanted to break the statistic! It is a known fact that the average youth pastor stays in his position between 6 months to a year and half.

Coming to Green Bay; I committed not only to break that but stay at least 3-5 years. After all, it takes 3-5 years to build a student ministry. It is sort of like a football team and a new coach; it takes time. Here I am: the FIVE YEAR MARK!

It really is surreal to be in one location, one city, one church, one position for 5 years. Prior to this position; I held a boarding school position for 1 & 1/2 years. In which; I helped to start, was a director and was one of the best experiences of my life! The boarding school, at the time, was the longest ministry position I held.

I can't say that it has been easy and there were not times I wanted to throw the towel in. It has been challenging. I mean I was ready for youth ministry; children's ministry not so much. Children's ministry has stretched me time and time again. Living in the North has it's sets of challenges; people here go to church because they want to or they are Catholic. Then there is the cold; wow, those negative temps can take the breath right out of you. Then there is coming up with new ideas, writing curriculum, learning to say no when there are too many irons in the fire, and waiting to see your students develop leadership. I could say more. Ministry takes time.

I wasn't sure when August 8, 2015 came; what feelings I would have. In five years, we have developed a well-rounded student ministry. We have added many more children ministry programs and events. We took Harvest Fest from a year of 60 church members to the 5th year having 420 people (most of them unchurched)! VBS went from averaging 20 kids a night to 50 kids a night (80 percent of kids outside the church). I have had the busiest year of my life. I've been involved in the community, sometimes, even more than church events itself. Which I have grown to love and realize we need to be out there with those that need to hear about Jesus. The last few years; I have played major roles at BLBA camp, coordinator of Green Bay Youth Pastors, a leader of the Called Out Conference, developed Study Bibles for Inmates and led worship services for the juveniles, working with middle schoolers through YMCA programs, a frequent radio guest, and just co-planned a youth mission trip in 2 and 1/2 weeks. I guess those would be just a few highlights.

August 8th has come and has gone. Looking back, for most it was just a Saturday. Granted, a Saturday that I knew meant big things for me. 5 YEARS! What a monumental moment...I was thankful that Amber recognized me the day before on Facebook, Becky game me a hug and a small gift, Pastor Rick recognized me in the service and I received a handshake from a church attender. I've never been a person that likes recognition; I'd rather it was given to my leaders or my teens. Cake, food, gifts, words, handshakes, a pat on the back, a simple congrats; I don't need them, but they would have contributed to make me feel like I made a difference in the last five years. I have no doubt that I have impacted the kids, teens, and the community. I know that my call is from God and what He wants me to do; and it means more to me than recognition. If there is one thing I have learned: is that in ministry you need to continue to move forward without recognition and keep recognizing your leaders when they enter important milestones...these are just my bold but honest thoughts from the past few days

Prayer in the strangest places

I have been convicted lately of my lack of quiet times with the Father! Going into this year; I was solid and my prayer life was developing into a strong area of my life. Then 2015 happened; my busiest year yet and my first born is not even here yet!

Now I should mention that the quiet time I am talking about is the time in the mornings that I spend with God. My prayer life throughout the day and spending time with Him is great. At the same time; having both, the block of time in the morning and a day spent with God, is the best way to go. I have spent my time over the last two years reading books on prayer, focusing on passages of Scripture that emphasizes prayer, and placing myself around people of prayer. Prayer is huge! Sort of like oxogen is needed to live; prayer is needed to survive as a Christian!

I spent some time reading E. M. Bounds and Henry Blackaby books today; while focusing my thoughts on a prayer life and refocusing to get back where I was. Blackaby was talking about when we pray; we shouldn't bring up our agenda but rather fine tune into God's agenda. I read this while sitting in my office "Starbucks." As I kept reading; I tuned into the conversation beside me of two men. I heard the phrase something like "well, I believe that there is a God and Jesus..." and a few other words. Bam, it connected! God's agenda is so much bigger than me; He is working everywhere! At that moment, I put the book down and prayed over both men. I prayed for the man that seemed to be open to the belief that there was a God and Jesus. I also prayed over the words of the man talking with him. I was right where I needed to be today; I just needed to tune in where God was working so that I could be part of what He was doing!

Then the men left; and then I knew I wasn't supposed to stop there. I started praying over the Starbucks employees, customers ordering, those sitting around me. Praying for the volunteer fireman worker, the nurse/doctor in scrubs, the girl studying, the couples, young and old. How is God working in their lives; I couldn't answer but He is!

So here is my challenge to you:

While you're are enjoying coffee at your favorite coffee stop...
While you're sitting in your office with all your co-workers around you...
While you're attending in school, because you have to...
While you're standing in line at the DMV...
While you're waiting in the movie theater for the Minions movie to start...
While you're...

Pray for those around you, pray that they will be able to see God's love, pray that the people He placed in their lives would have the courage to share His love, and always pray for an opportunity to rep Jesus in those locations as well!!!