The Dreaded Comfort Zone

I think every couple of months or so I look back to see what I have done in ministry.  I have started to not only look back but really challenge myself on how I do ministry.  We are doing a series on evangelism and have partnered with the LifeBook movement to empower and enable students, that normally don't talk about their faith, to start conversations with their classmates.  I can't express how much I love LifeBooks.  They are free, interesting to teens, and inspire churches to work together.  Their only goal is to saturate schools with the Word of God.  And they are free, did I mention that?

The way we do our ministry is first Sunday of every month is our EPIC service, and the other three Sundays are small groups and/or events.  We introduced the idea at our service, prepped them during small groups and even talk about it at the events.  There are 4 videos to help train and they are only five minutes long.

Here is the thing, I CANNOT challenge students to do something out of their comfort level without leading the way out of my own.  I sat down with our youth ministry team and challenged them to give out five LifeBooks at their jobs or in their personal time.  I wanted them to share their stories.  God gave us all a charge to evangelize and even though I do that as a youth ministry director, I needed to do that in my life.  I am going to be honest.  It wasn't easy.  I was rejected, high-fived, thanked, and cussed out in three days time.  It was great!  Awesome experience.  I plan to do more to get uncomfortable.

What are you planning to do?  What are some experiences you would like to share?

Roller coasters - The good and the bad

Our youth ministry (EPIC) went to Rock the Universe at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL.  We had an awesome time, but I learned a lot at this event.  I love roller coasters, but I really don't like roller coaster teenage drama.  

Jim Gaffigan jokes that if you ever want to spend a lot of money to sweat, get tired, hear your kids whine, and stand in lines all day...then go to Disney.  It certainly was not that bad.  I was actually really surprised how unifying the event was overall for our students.

We drove 8 hours, checked into a hotel, headed to Universal.  I was tired by hour 3 of driving.  Here is how I not only survived but thrived.

• It is not about the rides, but the relationships with teens.  Make it more about them.
• Play ridiculous road games or make some up.  We had a blast and it started the trip off right.
• Pray...a lot.  Together, alone, in your sleep.  Just pray.
• Enjoy the music even if you don't care for the artist.  The fact that teens are listening to God's message is awesome.
• Someone will complain, or get sick, or both.  That's okay, they will get over it.  Hopefully.  Just point out the positive and distract them with a free drink.  Pray with them.
• You will want to go home before they do.  I believe they call it .... sacrifice. 
• Have meals together and talk about their favorite experiences or their worst.  Both can be fun, right?
• Lastly, be the example to follow in word, conduct, faith and screaming on roller coasters.

1 Thess 5:14 CEV  "My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn't living right.  Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone."  

Clearly, Paul took teens to amusement parks.  I wonder what his favorite roller coaster was?  How do you survive and thrive on these types of events?