Archive for July, 2009
My Hate Affairs With ATMs
This conflict is escalating. There’s really no way for me to win it either. But I will not give up. I will never surrender.
What’s my beef? ATMs. And let’s start off by saying this – it’s just ATM, not ATM machines. That would be Automated Teller Machine Machine brought to you by the Department of Repetitive and Redundancy Department. So, it’s just ATM.
Fist, when I put my card in, it should know that I speak English, read English, and write in English. Heck…my last name is even English. Why do I have to physically choose ENGLISH as the language of my choice? I’m not living in Brazil or Spain. English is spoken here. When I travel abroad, they don’t give me the option for English. I understand that…I’m on their turf, their rules. Besides that – if I put my card with my account information on it in that machine and it only needs my number code to access it, shouldn’t it know that English is my preferred language and just go there for me?
But the hate doesn’t just stop there. There really only should be a couple of things you can do at an ATM. Deposit money, take money out, transfer money, and maybe…..maybe by some stamps. Maybe. I’m not sure why on the stamp thing now that I thought about it. But you shouldn’t be able to refinance your home mortgage, pay down your credit card rate, apply for a home equity loan, or invest in a CD or retirement plan. People have a hard enough time reading the directions on the sun bleached screen as it is, don’t make it more complicated. I always seem to pull up behind the person who is trying to reinvent their financial lives at the ATM.
The option arrows never point directly to the buttons. It’s always right in the middle of two buttons. Annoying? No, more than that if one of the options is withdraw 20 or 200 dollars.
Braille on the ATM. Really? I mean…really?
The concrete pillars of protection around an ATM insure that you can only get close enough to the machine that you have to unbuckle your seatbelt and lean over only to realize that the button to speak to the machine in English is just out of reach. So as you open your car door, you bang the concrete pillar of protection realizing you can’t open your door either.
And the fight continues…
An Ebenezer By Any Other Name
Ebenezer: name of Hebrew origin meaning “Stone of the help” (derived from the phrase “Eben ha-Ezer”).
Stone of the help. “Here I raise my stone of the help.” A marker to help us remember the provision or presence of God.
Our students are having their own “Ebenezer Moment” this coming Sunday night. (6 pm, at Western Hills, whole church is invited). They’ve had an incredible summer. We had a few of our students lead a small group, help lead and staff our VBS, as well two weeks of Super Summer where over 6 students made Jesus the Lord of their life. Two other students feel like they are called to full-time missions. Then there are the life change stories of students making major decisions about their life because of Jesus.
I’ve been fortunate to be a part of all this. Now the rest of the church is going to be invited to get in on it as well. Student Ministry Team came up with this idea of having a worship service where the stories could be told…from the students themselves. And that’s what is coming on August 2nd. I’m amped to hear the God-stories from our students.
Perhaps this night will be an ebenezer of another kind for the rest of us, huh? Maybe we ought to have an all-church ebenezer night? I’m liking that idea…but for now – I’ll see you Sunday night.
Monday Mornings Are Like That
I hide out on Monday mornings. Read, pray, write, keep to myself. Write some more, think. Pray. If something comes up in the morning, I make sure I get the afternoon. I’ve been surprised by the reaction of other pastors when they hear of this ritual. Some have looked at me with wonder and asked how in the world do I ‘get away’ with that? I don’t know if I’d be able to function if I didn’t. Let me see if I can explain by what hit me yesterday.
I’m surprised by how many questions I’m asked as a lead pastor. (Broncos go under .500 but beat the Chiefs and Raiders, by the way.) It’s fun, cool, and very rewarding but there are times when the questions are beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. There are times when I hear the story of another person and I just sit in stunned silence wondering what in the world do I possibly bring to the table that is of any value to the situation.
That’s not being ‘humble,’ ‘sensitive,’ or insecure. It’s just the truth. I’ve never experienced half the stuff that people tell me they are walking through, yet because I have ‘pastor’ as a title – there is an expectation that I bring SOMETHING to the table.
I want to put a sign up in my office that says – “I’m trying to figure out life just like you. I’ll share my ignorance and experience, if you share yours. Mileage may vary.”
But is there REALLY that expectation? Or do I put that on myself? I’ve treated my former lead pastors the same way – ask them for their insight, opinion on what I was wrestling through at the time. I’ve plopped myself down in their office (because they always had the coolest office) and just asked about parenting, marriage, ministry, theological issues, or pretty much whatever crossed my mind. I can honestly say that I never went to them expecting them to fix my problem. Why then did I go to them? What did I expect of them?
I expected them to be honest with me. If they had gone through what I was dealing with, I wanted to know what they learned and experienced. I guess I half-way expected them to push me back to Jesus. And I quickly learned that good pastors are people you can think out loud with.
Now I’m on the other side of the desk and Monday mornings are a time to remind me of this.
Fence Building with Chris Ediger
My good friend Chris Ediger is throwing it down over on his blog about legalism.
I left a comment. As we continue to reach others for and with Christ, his words are good ones to hear…be careful of building fences where Jesus doesn’t build fences.
I still think one of the hardest things for Christ-followers to wrestle with is the scandalous nature of the grace of God. Human nature likes scandal in terms of seeing the carnage it leaves, the damage is does. God likes scandal in terms of seeing what He can redeem, restore, and heal.
20 Years and Merle Mees
Yesterday we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Western Hills. In the grand scheme of things, 20 years isn’t a long period of time. Merle Mees came back to preach the sermon. He was practically the founding pastor, stayed at WH for 14 years.
It was important to me for Merle to be here, just like it was important to me to have Danny Payne come back and preach a couple of weeks ago. Why? Given the recent history of WH, I thought it’d be a nice reminder to the church that even though the last couple of years were rough, we have a heritage of joy, laughter, lifechange stories, and existing for the purpose of others. Seeing Merle and Danny lifts our eyes up a bit to see that, I hope.
Secondly, both of these men deeply love Western Hills but they love Jesus more. Because of that, both guys said things that we needed to hear. Disciple people, invest in PEOPLE. Make a big deal out of JESUS, not your programs or buildings. Don’t be hostage to your past – either good times or bad. Have a vision to exist for those who aren’t in the building.
Both men are dear friends/mentors to me. Both have challenged me to love Jesus more when I hang out with them. Both are complete nut cases and goof offs. I’ve yet to leave a conversation with either of them both challenged and laughing. We got a taste of that this morning with Merle.
When the word got out that I was going to Western Hills, Merle Mees was one of the first guys to call me. Actually, he emailed me and said “Congratulations. Call me.”
Of course, Merle didn’t have his number anywhere in that email. I hit reply “Thanks, what’s your number?”
His reply back was “I’m number 1.”
When I finally got him on the phone, we rehashed the story…he told me some of his funniest moments…and right before we hung up, he gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever been given.
He basically said “Keep Jesus front and center. In your preaching and leading – sure. But personally – in your life, in your marriage. Really, really, really keep your love relationship with Jesus on the front burners. Nothing else really matters.”
As we were hanging up he asked me — “Can you believe we get to do this? I mean, it’s work and it’s long and it can be brutal but I’m convinced that there isn’t a better job on the planet.”
I think he’s right. And I’m glad God surrounds us with guys like Merle and Danny to keep reminding us of that.
How Coolness Is Lost
Went to a youth event tonight at Sherwood Lake. It was fun, awesome, great, wonderful as is almost anytime I get to hang with teens.
Below is the actual conversation I had with a teen tonight who shall remain nameless…for now.
GE: So…if you had $15 to waste on either music or the movies, which would you choose? (Which by the way, is a great question that all youthworkers should have in their arsenal. In fact, you need about 5 questions in your back pocket so you can start and have a conversation with any teen.)
NS (Nameless Student to protect guilty): Hmmm. Have to be music.
GE: What songs or album would you buy?
NS: Hard question! I don’t really know.
GE: Okay, give me a couple of artists that you have the most of in your itunes.
NS: (Sticking the dagger in my heart) Well…I’m guessing that most of the stuff I like you’ve never heard of….like Dave Matthews Band.
GE: (Stunned in silence. I holler at Amy.) Do I really look that old with the goatee now? I mean, really? Dave Matthews Band? (I look back at NS who is now laughing very hard at me or with me, not sure.) Do you honestly think I live under a rock or something?
Training Camp Around The Corner
With training camp looming near, all I’m getting on the radio around here is Chief’s news. KC just signed Matt Cassell to a long term deal, which is good but I still wonder how in the world are the Chefs (misspelled on purpose) going to protect him? Who’s going to catch the ball? Who’s going to run it?
Of course, Denver’s problems aren’t that much better, just on the other side of the ball. Who’s going to tackle? Who’s going to lead the defense? Who’s going to put pressure on the QB? I’m not sure which problems are better to have…this is why we play the games.
Cutler Saga Continued…
This week, KC Joyner got slammed because of his comments about Cutler as a Bear. For Bronco fans – nothing really new in the article. We were getting tired of the sulking on the sidelines after a bad play, 4th quarter red-zone picks and turnovers. We chalked up the first 2 years as inexperienced, this year they got harder to swallow especially down the stretch with a 3 game lead.
I think the coaches and fan were hoping that he’d grow up and out of that stuff, that Cutler’s maturity would eventually rise up to the level of his talent. It didn’t in Denver. Chicago is hoping it does there. It could happen. Plenty of stories have played out that way.
What I think is bizarre is that particular class of QB’s is turning out to be the Head Case Class of all time. Leinart, Young, and Cutler have not been the most stable bunch of QB’s. All have had their off-field issues and attitude issues. None have exactly lived up to their hype.
Other Random Training Camp Thoughts
The Broncs – Orton doesn’t thrill me but if he can protect a lead, not turn it over in the 4th quarter – I’ll take it. Knowshon Moreno is going to be fun to watch. The defense of Denver is going to be painful to watch. Addition of Dawkins is huge but not sure if it’s huge enough. He’s not a defensive lineman.
Jokeland is pathetic. They already cut their 6th round pick from this year’s draft. I have a few Raider fan friends. I pity them. It’s getting to the point when I see them, I don’t even rag on Oakland even more because it’s just too easy and painful. I just shake my head and move on. I think JaMarcus Russell will back up Garcia this year and gain 75 pounds. I hope McFadden can stay healthy so when he becomes a free agent, he can go to a team with a prayer of a chance to win.
San Diego – getting older, still have ridiculous talent to win. Still not convinced that Norv Turner is the guy to take them there but he manages to scrape by. Last year again – scrapes into the playoffs and makes some noise in the first round. The problem for the Chargers is they don’t come to play every single game. I don’t know why. It baffles my mind with LT, Rivers, and Gates how that can happen but it has the last two years.
The NFL season can’t get here fast enough.
A Taste of Brazil
Thomas, Agnes, and Melissa Schneider were in town this weekend. I first met the Schneiders in 2002. I just arrived at Grace Church in Little Rock as the new youth pastor and a group was taking off for Brazil that November. So I went. It’s been 7 years, 4 more trips with dozens of students later and I can’t wait to go back.
We’ve watched each other kids grow up through email and pictures, catching each other whenever they are stateside. There are some people you meet once and your friends forever – that is the Schneiders.
My Western Hills family got to meet 3 of the 5 this weekend. What a blessing for me to see the connection between the two.
Let me quickly preach why we’ve stay connected to them.
They are about seeing teenagers meet Jesus.
They are about reproducing leaders who love introducing teenagers to Jesus.
They are about serving their community schools with educational programs they couldn’t otherwise afford so they can introduce teens to Jesus.
They are about serving and helping small, local churches do youth ministry so they can introduce teenagers to Jesus.
They are funny and cool as heck.
I think that pretty much sums it all up. Some of favorite pics of the weekend.
Super Summer 2009 Video Clip
We’ll show this in the morning at church but it gives some pictures to what I was talking about yesterday.
Why Student Ministry Is STILL Important
Yes, I’ve been quiet over the last few weeks. A much needed time of recharging and DOING life instead of just writing about it.
This past year in Christian Education (don’t get me started on that term) circles there has been some debate over the need/effectiveness of student ministry in the ‘new culture.’ There is always room to critique and change HOW we’ve done student ministry. In fact, that should happen every year inside every youth ministry. We’re in the middle of doing that right now at Western Hills. That’s healthy, freeing, smart, and will force a team to keep their vision in the center versus their calendar.
However, to move to the point of saying we no longer need it but need to focus on adults instead is throwing out the baby with the bath water. I always thought that. After my experience yesterday…I’m even more convinced how important student ministry is inside a local church.
The fam and I loaded up and spent the day in Salina, KS where our high school students were spending Super Summer this year. 27 girls, 3 guys, 6 sponsors, and 2 nurses went from Western Hills. (Note to all Topeka area high school boys…do the math. That’s all I’m sayin’.)
Let me jot down my random observations of yesterday…
Brandon Gunn, our intern, is a freakin’ beast. I’m watching this guy explode in his giftedness and calling. He’s grown so much in his walk with the Lord over the last 5 months. I’m humbled and bless he’s a part of this team. Students talk…so do staff. And what they are saying about how he leads is good. Questioner, encourager, teachable, passionate, relational. All of that is good. But what is impressing me more about this young man is this – you can see him falling more in love with Jesus than student ministry or the church or students or a position. THAT is what being a great leader is really about.
Our volunteers get it. We’ve had 4 students trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior this week. I asked every one of them the same question yesterday – what turned the light on for you? What made it clear that this was the decision you needed to make? Every one of them mentioned one of our volunteer leaders. The music and the preaching and the atmosphere – helpful? Sure. But our adult volunteers made it clear. THAT is huge – another adult that isn’t mom and dad that they can unpack questions with and trust.
Shared experiences help create momentum. A couple of the students that accepted Christ wanted to be baptized immediately. I gotta be honest…I didn’t want to do it. That’s a big deal, didn’t want to steal that opportunity and moment from parents or our home church. It’s a huge celebration for us as a local church. I had my list of reasons.
Then I listened to their particular stories. I can’t/won’t get into the particulars here but it would have been more wrong and damaging of me to NOT baptize them in the lake at Webster yesterday. The whole time I’m hearing their stories, I KNOW that God is just hammering on my pride and list of reasons. HE’s telling me – shut up and obey me. Baptize these girls.
Our students are getting it. When we actually baptized them, I had the other students that were instrumental on their journey with me in the water. I told them that when they come out of the water, the journey is starting, not ending. Before we do this, I gotta know are you willing to keep walking on this journey with them AFTER they come up?
You could see the light bulbs come on. For many students, the youth group is the only context they have to walk with Jesus with other people. They may have complacent or even combative contexts when they go back home and if they don’t have others to walk with Jesus with, they’ll die on the vine. It stresses the importance of smaller groups of lifewalking than ever before.
What students really need in an adult volunteer… Spend a week at a youth camp, and you quickly feel your age. It’s exhausting – physically, emotionally, spiritually. It’s work. It’s fun, it’s awesome, it’s rewarding beyond words but there is no denying it…it’s work. And as an adult it’s easy to see what we DON’T bring to the table. We can’t run as fast or as long as we used to. We’re not as physically talented as we once thought we were. We aren’t as cool as we thought. All of these thoughts can get exposed when you spend time with students.
I honest believe that these thoughts are from the enemy. I don’t talk like that alot – maybe I should. But the reality is that teens need wiser, deeper adults around them. Someone other than mom and dad to listen, speak, and question Jesus in their life. Safe places for them to unpack their questions, to figure out their faith. They need to see it in somebody other than their parents. They don’t need an athletic trainer, a running buddy, someone who can win at sports or tug-of-war. That’s fun but not eternal.
And this is why student ministry is STILL important.
