This Summer at NMC Student Ministries

Based on my blog postings, you may wonder if I'm even working at NMC anymore.  I am, and I work with a fantastic team who has been beyond gracious and helpful as I've sat in some state of limbo over the past several months.  We are charging forward on multiple fronts, and I'm very excited about the things going on here.

• SOAR Interns:  There are 8 total, and 4 of them (Colin, Tim, Cortnery, and Carter) are involved in Student Ministries.  These 4 are fantastic individuals who have truly dove in and are hungry to experience ministry.
  
  
• ChicaGO SEMP: We have a team of  High School students that are heading back to SEMP!  SEMP was the original week-long evangelism training/experience that we tied into over the Summer.  Due to some shifts in the experience and then calendar issues, we have not attended a SEMP for 4 years.  We are excited for our team of students and leaders to head to Moody Bible Institute June 27-July 2.
  
  
• IMPACT Dominican:  There's also a team of 20 students and 5 adults heading for our 3rd stop in Moca, Dominican Republic June 27-July 7. This team has been in training since January, and I'm so excited to have Kory & Ali Lantz, Dan & Katie Weiss, and Jessica Noelle leading this crew.
   
• Summer Events:  We're doing something a little different this year.  We have 2 Junior High and 2 Senior High one day trips.  The goal of these are to simply get together to build relationships among students and leaders.  Tomorrow the Junior high takes off for an afternoon of Mini Golf, Go Carts, Batting Cages, and Video Games at Hackers in South Bend.  On Thursday, the Senior High head to Deep River Water Park for the day.  Coming in July is a Senior High trip to the Dunes.  In August, the Junior High will be heading to Indiana Beach.
  
  
• Summer Camp:  This year's theme is GREATER THAN, and we're praying that God will do things greater than he's ever done before.  The amount of kids signed up has been very encouraging.
  
  
• Sunday and Wednesday Programming:  From Preteen through Senior High I feel like we're offering some of the best programming and teaching we have offered in quite a while.
  

I love the team I work with.  As I've had to continually hand off responsibilities while we wait in limbo, they have taken and ran with some fantastic stuff.  I'm looking forward to a great Summer.

60 Days of Beauty: Day 51 - His Voice

We kicked off a 4-week series called, "He Speaks."  It's a study on listening, discerning and obeying God's voice.  The series layout:

January 19 - He Speaks, but how?

January 26 - He Speaks, but how do I make sure it's Him?

February 3 - He Speaks, but what about when He's silent?

February 10 - He Speaks, so how do I become a better listener?

Last night, I was able to pull out an oldie but a goody.  We looked at 6 key ways in which God will speak to us today.

1. The Bible - This is key to start with becuase it's right there for us to pick up at any point and hear God's Voice.  2 Timothy 3:16 and Hebrews 4:12 confirm this truth.  It's also key to start with because God's Word is essential to checking and discerning the other ways in which God speaks.  God's voice will never contradict God's Word.
2. Pastors/Shepherds - "Pastors" is a bit tricky to use in this category because we think of it as a title over the biblical understanding of those who are in a place of authority in guiding a flock.  In a student's case, the pastor/shepherd role may be taken up by parents, coaches, teachers, Small Group Leaders and other roles of authority.  God can use people of authority to speak His words to us. (Check out Jeremiah 3:15)
3. Friends - There are also those moments God will use those right around us (check out Colossians 3:16) 
4.  Circumstances & Events - Places, issues, opportunities continually come in our path.  Sometimes it's a coincidence.  Yet, there are those moments where it's clear that God is making a statement to us through the events around us.  (check out Romans 8:28)
5. Visions & Dreams - It's supernatural.  You can't explain it, but it has happened and continues to happen (Joel 2:28)
6. Still Small Voice - As a believer we have received the Holy Spirit in us, and Jesus explained that He would guide us into all kinds of truth (John 16:23).

We closed our time allowing God to speak.  It came in the form of Geoff, myself, and students taking different circumstances students may be facing and reading scripture that addresses those situations.  Students sat in silence and allowed God to what He wanted to.  In that little 7 minute exercise, there was opportunity for God to speak in every category mentioned above.  It was a powerful, and beautiful moment.

The fact that God can and is speaking to His people today is a beautiful thing.

How Do I Know?

We are in the midst of a 5 week series titled Happily Ever After? (thanks to  Josh and the gang at Saddleback HSMfor letting us rip of the series and artwork).

The series is focused on seeking to discover God's views on High School romance, dating and sexuality.

In week 2 of our Series, we split out the gals and guys for one of my favorite nights.  I led a guys panel with the girls, and Geoff interviewed a gals panel for the guys where we answered questions to help better understand the opposite sex.

In the gals panel, one question we weren't able to get to was, "What are some of the qualities I should be looking for in a guy that will help me know he has integrity and loves God?

I promised the gals I would get our guys panels response and post it here on the blog so they can see.  Here's what the guys said:

• Does he value honesty?  Is he an honest person?
• Is he Kind - to all, not just those he's trying to impress?
• Does he show respect - to females, in particular?
• Does he treats his mom well?
• Has he set his boundaries set far away from the sin line?
• Would you be proud to introduce him to your parents?
• Is the guy “other-centered” or “self-centered”?
• How does the guy treat others? Especially the “least of these”? Is he kind and considerate or does he make fun of others?
• How does the guy treat girls? No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but does he consistently exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
• Does the guy encourage the girl…spur her on in her walk with the Lord? Does a relationship with the guy seem to assist in drawing her closer to the Lord or is it pulling her further away from God?
• Does his life show evidence that he is following Christ?  It is a myth to believe that someone has truly accepted Christ, yet there is no sign of a transformed life.
• Where are his priorities?  How important are church attendance or other opportunities to deepen his walk with God?
• Does he speak up when given opportunities to talk about his relationship with God?  Some guys may be more quiet than others, but if he never takes the opportunity to talk, there may be room for questions.

I love the thoughts the guys shared.  Hope you pay attention to them gals.

Hey mature Christian guys, throw out some of your thoughts on the topic in the comments section if you'd like.

What Gets Me Fired Up #4 - Stories

Last Wednesday Night we did something a little different that we are going to do about every quarter in our Senior High Ministry.  It was called Stories and Songs.  We ran 9th/10th Small Groups a little longer and spent a little focused time with the 11th/12th Grade in the Fieldhouse.  Once everyone was together, we removed the message element and had 3 different students share their stories (or, I guess the churchy word would be their testimonies).  What took place was a powerful time of bringing glory to God through music and lives.

There's power in story. 
Tell me a principle and I will kind of track with you. 
Tell me a story about a person who lived out a principle and you will inspire me. 
Tell me I can overcome a trial or situation and I'll be encouraged. 
Tell me the story of one who has overcome in a similar situation and I'll believe it can happen.
There's power in story, and that is what gets me fired up!

Youtubesday: Mad Movie Wednesday

We have 2 High School students who are doing an internship with us from the school.  As a part of their internship, they have been put in charge of doing Wednesday announcements.  As a part of that, they have done "spoofs" of various films and utilizing them to tell our announcements.  This one they did was incredibly creative... 

We Know You Hurt, Because We Hurt

Geoff has been doing a fantastic job at utilizing media on our Senior High Wednesday Night gatherings. This video was used in correlation with our current "To Save a Life" series. It was to set up his message called "Is Life worth living? Is life worth Giving?" It featured our leaders walking through the reality that they have had to face hurts in their life.

God As Father

I'm sharing with the Preteens tonight. We're doing a 4 week series with them called "Pictures of God." Each "picture" is really looking at a metaphor that explains who God is...

... God is a Captain.
... God is a Guide.
... God is a Judge.

Tonight, we look at God as a Father.

It's been a tricky one to think through. First off, as we try to take a concept and bring it home in the mind of a 5th/6th Grade student. Object Lessons are the way to bring things home with Preteens. Conceptual teaching can run the risk of disconnect.

The other tough part is for the varying understanding of the word "Father" present in the room. If I stand up before these preteens and say God plays a similar role in their lives to what their dads play, I may be painting a fantastic picture of a loving God who is present, sharing his wisdom, insight and inheritance with his children. To others, I may be presenting a picture of a physcially, emotionally, or spiritually absent presence in their lives.

Messages like this challenge me to communicate clearly and applicably to the crowd I'm presenting to. At the same time, and maybe more significantly I'm challenged to be a good example of a Father. Not just so my children will live a good life, but so they'll be able to better understand who God.

To Save A Life: Fall Kickoff

We're really excited about this Fall's Junior and Senior High Kickoff. Last Fall, our Student Ministries Staff sat in the Fieldhouse and watched a film that had been written by a Youth Pastor. It was going to be released in theaters in January. We were all blown away at the quality of the film, and more importantly by the powerful message to teens, both Christian and non-Christian. Unfortunately the film never received wide-spread release, but after theatrical release, we were given the opportunity to legally show the film in a church setting. The film has a significant theme that, I believe may have similar implications to us that our "Kids In Need" initiative had.

On Wednesday, August 25, we will be showing the full PG-13 release to our High School students in the Fieldhouse and an edited "Church-Friendly" version to our Junior High Students in the Connection Gym.

Next Steps from Tonight

Tonight, I closed out with laying out some potential action steps. Geoff told everyone I was going to put them on my blog, so I am...

The Tension of Teaching Teens

Tonight we start a new Series with the Senior High. An Encounter with God is a three week examination of a powerful account in Isaiah 6 when Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord."

I consistently battle with a tension when preparing messages for teens (really any messages for that matter).

I have a deep burden and desire to help people know how to read and apply scripture to their lives. When communicating, the best way I can do this is to take a passage of scripture and break it down...
What is it's context (historically, geographically, literally)?
What is it saying (theologically)?
What does it mean to us (practically)?
In this approach, the text more determines the topic.


I also have a deep burden when communicating to meet people where they are at and address specific issues in their life. Sometimes the best way to do this is by going more topically focused, and looking to the text of scripture that addresses this topic. Often, in this approach, I will find myself using multiple passages/verses/stories from the Bible that will address this topic.

Both are valuable. In my style of communication, I tend to lean topical. That's why I think this series is healthy for me. We're going to look at what we can learn from Isaiah 6, and there is a lot. Tonight, we learn just how freakishly awesome and amazing God Almighty is.

I'm excited.

Some Unwritten Rules

I stand on stage and "preach" a lot.

This past Wednesday Night, I had a couple momentary "rants" where I challenged both students and adults concerning living with a temporary mindset instead of eternal. In conversation with our super-awesome intern/pastor Geoff Cocanower following, he was curious if I had any individuals in mind as I went on my momentary rants. He asked this because we recently had some discussions about individuals that fit under the categories of my rants. I told him that I did not, and as a rule, I will not share something from the stage if my motivation is to speak to an individual. It's not a rule written anywhere, but it is a rule. It made me think of if I had any other unwritten preaching rules. Here is a list of some of them.

• I will not share (call out in challenge) something from the stage if my motivation is to speak to an individual.
  Why? Because that would either be better served as a one-on-one loving confrontation. If it is encouragement, praise or affirmation, I will point out an individual from the stage, but only when I am confident that person will be able to handle to recognition with humility.
• I will avoid, as much as possible, pointing out disruptive behavior from the stage.
  Why? Because pointing out disruptive behavior will often disrupt the group even more. We coach our leaders and students that it is their role to ask people to be quiet, stop texting, etc. if it is to the point that it is distracting. There are rare exceptions to this one... If I am confident that the disruptive behavior is distracting the entire group, I will point it out.
  
• I will not ask students to go where I am not willing to go or have not been myself.
  Why? It's a matter of integrity. As I prepare for any point of challenge toward students, I will take time to ask if the challenge fits under one of these two categories. If not, I don't share it.
• I will not be the Holy Spirit.
  Why? This one's more of a fact than a rule. I want to remember that my job is not to change people. I could push and push, use techniques of manipulation or guilt, or find ways to get the response I want to see. Not my job. My job is to share truth, ask questions, and give direction toward that truth. It's hard sometimes, but I've got to remember to leave room to let God do what He's going to do.

There are probably more examples of unwritten rules, but these are four major ones that I tend to run into as I plan and prepare. In all cases, I've learned these through mistake as much as success.

Born 2 Die

Excited about a 3 week series we're kicking off tomorrow night. Born 2 Die will take a look at eternity, Christmas, and death.

December 2: Temporary v. Eternal
December 9: The Nightmare Before Christmas
December 16: The Death of Me.

The past 72 Hours

They've been crazy, but crazy awesome!

The Hayride Outreach was last night, and simply stated, GOD SHOWED UP!

We had 5 students do a powerful drama that has proved to be our most effective gospel message Presentation we've done. At the close of the drama, Geoff invited the students who would say they are Christians to stand up and walk out of the room. Those who would say they did not have a relationship with Christ, but want one were invited to stay back and talk with a leader.

I was a little confused and shocked as I saw close to 100 people stay in their seats (probably 30 were leaders there to pray with others). We clarified just to make sure... this is primarily for those who would say they aren't sure they are Christians. As we began to talk and work with students, there were many that were at a spot to drive a stake into the ground and begin to truly live out the faith they've already claimed. There were also many who said, "I'm not a Christian."

As we continue to follow up, we are excited to see what God has in store.

5 Cool things Coming to NMC

1. Feed the Children First Serve Saturday (an official K.I.N. event) - All 5th-12th Grade students are heading to box up food and care supplies for Kids In Need this Saturday. We're hoping to see AT LEAST 150 there to take part.
2. Hayride Outreach - It's October 14, 2009. A Night for students to invite their spiritually lost/struggling friends to an event where we will (through drama and testimonies) share what a relationship with Christ is all about.
3. 5K.I.N. A 5K for Kids In Need - Saturday, November 14. This event was birthed through the vision of an NMC student, and is being organized, promoted by NMC students. The goal is to raise awareness on Kids In Need, and raise financial support for RETA and an international orphanage..
4. Silent Auction for the Baby Center - Saturday, November 14-Sunday November 22. Students are donating their valuables to be auctioned off (silent style). All funds raised go to the AGC Baby Center in Kenya, Africa.
   
5. Winter Retreat: December 27-30 at Spring Hill Camp in Evart, MI. It's a key time for students to CONNECT, and it creates an encounter to experience spiritual CHANGE.

Parents and students, hop on the train, cause we are moving.

Wendesday Night Youth: August 12

Finishing out a night of prayer walking at NorthWood High School by praying over other schools represented at NMC. There are pictures of those schools spread out on the tennis court. It's been a great night.

Taken last night during completely student led worship. It was a great moment as students owned the night and sought to dive in now that they're home.

Tonight at FYBY

It's been fun letting the students run wit our Wednesday Night Gathering.

Tonight, with our PhillyGO team out and our IMPACT team doing our final meeting, we'll be looking at a smaller group. 3 of our students have been putting together a plan that will involve some fun and laughter, as well as create an opportunity for deeper conversation and interaction.

They're doing a GREAT job. I'm really proud of them!

Live From FYBY

Samantha is sharing her testimony at FYBY. It's a great story of religion to relationship. I love hearing stories like hers.

A Summer Without Interns

We don't have SOAR interns this Summer. For the past 9 years, there have been college students who come in for our Summer internship program. They run the Wednesday Night Youth and Sunday Morning Youth Class Program.

Their absence is a part of us taking a break and re-imagining how we do internships at NMC. A good thing. For our Summer Program, it was a scary thing. Classically, our Student Ministries staff dives full-in to our Summer Trips (GO trips, IMPACT, Summer Camps) as well as takes a little time to breathe from the weekly programs. So, we had to come up with some ways to do Wednesdays and Sundays a little different than we've ever done before.

Enter FYBY and AWAKE.

FYBY stands for "For You, By You" and is a completely student led gathering. I and the other adults are only there to serve as encouragers. There is a group of 10 students who have taken ownership to see the nights happen. In discussion with them, they felt like the best way to spend our summer would be in building strong connectedness and worshipping outside the box. So that's what we're doing. Some weeks are all interactive games. Some weeks, students will share their life stories (a.k.a testimonies). Some weeks will be spent in prayer, worshipping to CDs, in silence, reading scripture. Based off the first week, I'm encouraged with what we're doing.


AWAKE is kind of a joke name. Sunday Morning Youth Programming is ridiculously tough. One of the main reason is that no students are awake. So, we thought it would be fun to give it the name for what is not happening. Yet, I really believe we've found something that students will wake up for, and truly benefit from. Each week, one of our veteran key Senior High Adult Leadership Team members will be sharing an extended version of his/her testimony. The testimony is then followed by an interview time from me, as well as questions from the crowd. I love what this accomplishes as it allows our students to become familiar with some of the coolest people around. Also, nothing "preaches" better than someone's personal experience walking with Jesus Christ.
My wife, Janelle, started us off yesterday, and it was awesome. I could see kids somewhat shocked to hear that the pastor's wife is a human being who has faced failure and trials, and is seeking to live in a way that honors God with both the beauty and the scars that are her life.
I was pumped to overhear a student talking to another... "Hey, we should make sure we get the other girls here. This is going to be good this Summer!" It's every Sunday morning at 9:30 in the Fieldhouse!

Youtubesday: This Wednesday Night: Splat Experience

I'm very excited about the event we are hosting at NMC tomorrow night (Wednesday). Our Connection Band will be partnering with worship painter Mark Eckel for a night where we will have the opportunity to connect with the greatest force in the Universe, our Savior.

As a part of the night, there will be a recording made for both CD and DVD. Mark will be creating a mural that is 24' wide and 10' high.

Here's Mark in action...