I have not been active here at all even though that I have had intentions to be. I am going to try to focus on blogging for a month but do it with a purpose - ministry. So, I decided to create a new blog with that purpose. With it being new and intentional on what I will be writing about, maybe I can do it. We will see. If you stop by here and see this, maybe you wanna check out what is happening there:
Thoughts On Ministry
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Free Ice Water --- NOW !!!
A few days ago, I was on a mission trip with our pre-teens. We joined four other churches and overall it was a grerat experience. Here is a picture of our team:
The group is not what I first expected. I thought that we would be taking 15-20 students from our 5-6 grade ministry. But, that did not happen. However, what did occur was that we took three families and having three families do a trip together was awesome.
Now, onto the free water.
On Wednesday, we decided to go and get some ice cream at the local place to get the best ice cream intown. When we went in to the store, we were the only ones there. We were ordering for us and we were also treating the 4 staff members back at the church, so we had 11 ice cream orders to fill. There was one teenage worker in the store and she did fantastic putting all 11 orders together. We decided to make life easy on her to put it all on one ticket. Honestly, I think it was the obvious church.
While we were in there, another church group came in. They all had their money out individually and was very apprehensive while we were in there. As soon as our oder was complete, we exited the store and went back to the church.
Thirty minutes later, I hear an adult minister complain about the teenager who was working the same store. He was upset because he wanted a free water and she would not give it to him (store policy). Now, I will also remind you that he was the one leading the group that was paying individually, he did not order a thing and they sold water bottles for .69 cents (I do believe). It was hot out and he could not believe they would not give out free water and he let her know about it.
As I listened to the story from a distance, my heart broke. A minister lamblasted a teenager for following store policy. I could not let it go. I went to worship time with my group and after the worship experience, I excused myself.
I went down to the ice cream store where she was still working and the store was still hopping. I waited in line and when it was my turn, I said to her:
Thank-you for serving us so graciously earlier. I heard about what happended after we left with the water, is it true. She confirmed. I said, I want to apologize on their behalf and for the trouble that they gave you, I want to give you a tip.
She was speechless and grateful.
I am amazed at times how rude we can be to others and it breaks my heart that it is fellow ministers who are the cause of pain at times; to me it is unexcuseable.
I did not spend time with her to hear her story because of how busy she was. I am not sure if she is a followe of Christ or not. But, I cannot imagine what her thoughts may be when she got a rude awakening from a minister.
Think before you speak and act ---- anytime. Not to mention when you are on a mission trip.
The group is not what I first expected. I thought that we would be taking 15-20 students from our 5-6 grade ministry. But, that did not happen. However, what did occur was that we took three families and having three families do a trip together was awesome.
Now, onto the free water.
On Wednesday, we decided to go and get some ice cream at the local place to get the best ice cream intown. When we went in to the store, we were the only ones there. We were ordering for us and we were also treating the 4 staff members back at the church, so we had 11 ice cream orders to fill. There was one teenage worker in the store and she did fantastic putting all 11 orders together. We decided to make life easy on her to put it all on one ticket. Honestly, I think it was the obvious church.
While we were in there, another church group came in. They all had their money out individually and was very apprehensive while we were in there. As soon as our oder was complete, we exited the store and went back to the church.
Thirty minutes later, I hear an adult minister complain about the teenager who was working the same store. He was upset because he wanted a free water and she would not give it to him (store policy). Now, I will also remind you that he was the one leading the group that was paying individually, he did not order a thing and they sold water bottles for .69 cents (I do believe). It was hot out and he could not believe they would not give out free water and he let her know about it.
As I listened to the story from a distance, my heart broke. A minister lamblasted a teenager for following store policy. I could not let it go. I went to worship time with my group and after the worship experience, I excused myself.
I went down to the ice cream store where she was still working and the store was still hopping. I waited in line and when it was my turn, I said to her:
Thank-you for serving us so graciously earlier. I heard about what happended after we left with the water, is it true. She confirmed. I said, I want to apologize on their behalf and for the trouble that they gave you, I want to give you a tip.
She was speechless and grateful.
I am amazed at times how rude we can be to others and it breaks my heart that it is fellow ministers who are the cause of pain at times; to me it is unexcuseable.
I did not spend time with her to hear her story because of how busy she was. I am not sure if she is a followe of Christ or not. But, I cannot imagine what her thoughts may be when she got a rude awakening from a minister.
Think before you speak and act ---- anytime. Not to mention when you are on a mission trip.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Milwaukee
Here is our "fun" group picture on the church steps of Unity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 18 youth and 4 adults converged on the city to team up with YouthWorks and 2 more churches.
More pictures and stories to come.
More pictures and stories to come.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
The New House
We have recently moved into a new town and a new house. We moved to Fishers where I currently serve at a local church. Below are four pictures of our new house:
The Front Lawn and House
Our Basketball Hoop / House from the Street
Our Side Yard: Swing / Patio
Inside Front Door
The Front Lawn and House
Our Basketball Hoop / House from the Street
Our Side Yard: Swing / Patio
Inside Front Door
Friday, May 27, 2011
Jacob: I Refuse
Jacob sings I Refuse at the school talent show. I am so proud of him that he had the courage to enter the talent show and then to enter the talent show with such a powerful meaning song.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Confirmation Sunday
This past Sunday (May 22nd), we had confirmation Sunday. We had a great group of students, peer guides, and adult leaders. Here is a picture of the confirmation class:
This year, I moved the confirmation service to the worship service and it went really well and the church seemed to appreciate the fact that we were there together.
This year, I moved the confirmation service to the worship service and it went really well and the church seemed to appreciate the fact that we were there together.
Monday, April 18, 2011
This Past Weekend
We had our "weekend" ministry in Indianapolis this weekend.
On Saturday, we went down to the Women Shelter to do a recreational night with the women and children. Then, on Sunday, we did our Meet Me Under The Bridge (feeding the homeless).
With everything that goes on at church and life in general; these make the weekends very busy. However, at the same time, it is so refreshing and it is so great to serve and it is so wonderful to see students willing to serve as well.
On Saturday, we went down to the Women Shelter to do a recreational night with the women and children. Then, on Sunday, we did our Meet Me Under The Bridge (feeding the homeless).
With everything that goes on at church and life in general; these make the weekends very busy. However, at the same time, it is so refreshing and it is so great to serve and it is so wonderful to see students willing to serve as well.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Rollercoaster: Serving In Indy
One of the things that I committed to doing when we moved to indianapolis was serving the city. My family lives in the city (technicaaly). We have an Indianapolis address and live in one of the townships but we live outside the belt.
Our church is in the NE suburb of Indianapolis. Thus, I have tried to connect our students to the city and help meet the needs of the city.
Well, this week was an interesting week and to me, it was a rollercoast experience. Unfortunately, it is the end of the week and I flew down the hill after a few "high" experiences.
Monday: i went to the Men's shelter with a few of my 6th graders and we served a meal and helped clean up. I also had the opportunity to listen to Shawn share his story.
Tuesday: My family went down to one of the local churches downtown who runs an afterschool program for one of the Indianapolis Public School. They only had a few kids there but it was great to read to them, eat with them, play uno and just share with them. I have been there a few times and there are two students there that I think that I am connecting with.
Wednesday: I met with the volunteer coordinator for our local refugee organization. I think that this will be a great opportunity for us as a church to connect and "adopt" a family. We should really know more about how we will connect early next month.
Today: We have been "kicked off" the volunteer list at the women's shelter because we did not meet our commitment today and they can no longer count on us. This makes me sad. We should be able to make the commitment.
Our church is in the NE suburb of Indianapolis. Thus, I have tried to connect our students to the city and help meet the needs of the city.
Well, this week was an interesting week and to me, it was a rollercoast experience. Unfortunately, it is the end of the week and I flew down the hill after a few "high" experiences.
Monday: i went to the Men's shelter with a few of my 6th graders and we served a meal and helped clean up. I also had the opportunity to listen to Shawn share his story.
Tuesday: My family went down to one of the local churches downtown who runs an afterschool program for one of the Indianapolis Public School. They only had a few kids there but it was great to read to them, eat with them, play uno and just share with them. I have been there a few times and there are two students there that I think that I am connecting with.
Wednesday: I met with the volunteer coordinator for our local refugee organization. I think that this will be a great opportunity for us as a church to connect and "adopt" a family. We should really know more about how we will connect early next month.
Today: We have been "kicked off" the volunteer list at the women's shelter because we did not meet our commitment today and they can no longer count on us. This makes me sad. We should be able to make the commitment.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Rob Bell & Eugene Peterson
I purchased the book the first day that it came out. I bought the Kindle version. I had to start loading up my Kindle (a present from my parents). I enjoyed the book. I do not think that I agreed with everything that it said and what he believes but that is okay because I do not think that I have read an author where I have agreed 100% with that person.
I am thinking about doing a reread and doing a write-up on all 8 chapters for my thought process. Maybe if I did that (committed to it), it will/would jump start my blogging again.
I have read 50 +/- reviews/blogs from individuals and most of them are from people that did not like the book. I have read a few from those who have enjoyed it and wrote some great reviews. I should have book,marked all of them for references but that would be another fail on my part. However, today, I wanted to share with you an interview that was on churchleaders.com. It is an interview from Eugene Peterson on Rob Bell and the book:
What are your thoughts regarding Rob Bell’s book and the controversy it ignited? What inspired you to endorse the book?
Rob Bell and anyone else who is baptized is my brother or my sister. We have different ways of looking at things, but we are all a part of the kingdom of God. And I don’t think that brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God should fight. I think that’s bad family manners.
I don’t agree with everything Rob Bell says. But I think they’re worth saying. I think he puts a voice into the whole evangelical world which, if people will listen to it, will put you on your guard against judging people too quickly, making rapid dogmatic judgments on people. I don’t like it when people use hell and the wrath of God as weaponry against one another.
I knew that people would jump on me for writing the endorsement. I wrote the endorsement because I would like people to listen to him. He may not be right. But he’s doing something worth doing. There’s so much polarization in the evangelical church that it’s a true scandal. We’ve got to learn how to talk to each other and listen to each other in a civil way
I really wish that we could have civil conversation in all manners.
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