National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville

I have been working with a group of very talented, energetic, and faithful people here at the Youth Specialties convention in Nashville this week. This year I am working with Youth Specialties on the Affirmation Team trying to show the youth ministers here how much they are appreciated and loved. I have had the opportunity to visit with a large number of youth ministers while here and listen to them talk, cry, and laugh about the ministries that they lead. There is just something special about worshiping in a room with 5,000+ people who love Jesus and love youth. If you have not told your ministers, children's minister, youth minister, music minister, or other staff that you love them and care for them this week, do that today! They are special and they love serving you. They serve you and your church every day, make sure they know how much you appreciate them. From The Ministry Group at http://www.theministrygroup.com/ at the NYWC, have a great day.

Crazy Jesus Junk

I just love crazy Jesus Junk. I just do. Some people find it very offensive and rude, some just pass it up, and others like me think it is something to think and talk about. It gives you an opportunity at the local store to share what Jesus is about. Not a little growing sponge that will grow 600 times his own size, but the real life savior. What do you think about this Jesus Junk? Offensive? Rude? Funny? Other?
Let me know. Post your opinions here or email me at eric at TheMinistryGroup.com

A big thanks for James for emailing me this photograph.

Run for your Soul!

If you have been around us at The Ministry Group long, you know how much we love what Mike Yaconelli had to say and the way that he said it. Last week I was talking to a youth minister in Texas and he was bragging about the ministry at his church and one of the things that he used to prove this to me was the fact that he and his wife had not been on a date in almost six months because of all of "the ministry" that had been going on. What? Who? When? What are you talking about.

Later that day I remembered the following story from Mike Yaconelli and I wanted to share it with those who may not have seen it yet. So, sit back, read, and think about what you are doing for the health of your church and your soul.

Run for your Soul!

By Mike Yaconelli

Recently I was talking to a youth minister about her church—which she described as a constant center of ministry and activity. While in awe of all the church was doing, I wondered what price the staff was paying.

"Oh," she said, "all of us on staff work 70 to 90 hours a week. When we were hired, it was explained to us that the time is short and those who want to be in God’s ministry need to be committed. One of the board members told me, ’We can rest when we get to heaven.’"

I didn’t reply. I was stunned.

My silence made the moment noticeably awkward. Finally I said, "Sounds to me like your minister is a workaholic."

"No," she replied defensively, "he just has a real missionary heart."

"No," I said impulsively, "he’s definitely a workaholic."

She changed the subject, but I haven’t been able to shake our conversation. In this age of the megachurch, our culture worships doing. We put busy people on pedestals—especially if the busyness results in bigger and more.

But when you take the pagan worship of busyness and add to it the biblical mandate to reach the world, you have a lethal combination. The church has baptized busyness and activity and basically formed a pact with the devil. This pact has succeeded in silencing those who criticize the trend toward hectic, overworked, burned-out, spiritually dry ministers who—in the "name of God"—neglect their families, their souls, and their physical well-being.

If I can be so audacious as to "blaspheme" the Gospel of Growth, I respectfully suggest this modern rush to urgency is not only wrong, it’s arrogance gone mad.

The moment we believe the Kingdom of God is dependent on you or me, we’ve either experienced a schizophrenic episode or we’ve misunderstood our roles as Christians.

Yes, we are to be salt and light. Yes, we are to "go into all the world." Yes, we are to "make disciples." But last time I checked, it took Jesus three years of concentrated effort to make 12 disciples—and it took them the rest of their lives to understand what discipleship means. Last time I checked, Paul suggests we are in Christ, not working for him.

If you’re a youth worker in a church in which the Gospel of Growth rules, RUN! If your senior minister is a winsome, captivating, entrepreneurial workaholic, grab your soul and get out before it’s too late.

But when you blow the whistle on the workaholic or rebel against the Gospel of Growth or suggest that God might be calling you to stop adding more activities and people and start growing the ones you have, your very commitment to Christ is questioned. Then you’re isolated, criticized, told you’re not a "team player"—and finally condemned.

Desperate to find someone to tell you you’re not crazy, you find no one in the church who will stand with you and refuse to bow to the altar of Growth.

But now you have someone to stand with you.

I’m telling you that you’re not crazy. You’re not lazy. You’re not uncommitted.

And by the way, before the disciples of evangelism start shouting about the need to evangelize now, may I remind you of how many times Jesus said to the people he healed, "Don’t tell anyone. Keep your mouth shut" (Matt 8:4, Mark 7:36, 8:26, 9:9, Luke 5:14, 8:56). Not only did he tell those he healed to keep quiet, but he also told his own disciples on numerous occasions not to tell anyone (Matthew 16:20, Mark 8:30, Luke 9:21).

Obviously evangelism is an important goal and calling of the church. But evangelism is not a justification for busyness, exhaustion, burnout, or the destruction of families. Many evangelistic missionary organizations have a reputation for leaders who’ve burned themselves out on the altar of evangelism. And then—when these charismatic, driven leaders collapse under the weight of their maddening schedules—they’re tossed aside for the next leaders who’ll also self-destruct.
Youth workers, you haven’t been called to crazy, maddening schedules. You haven’t been called to reach every student for Christ. You haven’t been called to fix all the kids in your youth groups. The weight of your youth groups isn’t on your shoulders. Your calling is to be faithful to Christ and to your families—and to reach those you can. Growth is not the gospel. More and bigger are not fruits of the Spirit.

A few suggestions:
1. Ask that your staff meetings be changed to talk about Jesus and your souls rather than business.
2. Ask for one day a week to spend on your soul—away from the office—as part of your job description.
3. Ask for a personal resource budget so you can read books that will help keep your soul intact.
4. Ask for a week every two months to spend alone, in silence, praying and reading and resting as part of your job description.
5. If your senior pastor is a workaholic who can’t understand anyone who isn’t a workaholic, quit and find a new job.

© Youth Specialties. Used at www.TheMinistryGroup.com with written permission from Youth Specialties. Permission is granted to distribute articles to other youth workers within your church, but may not be re-published (print or electronic) without permission from Youth Specialties at www.YouthSpecialties.com. Smal print, small print, blah blah blah. If anyone reads this small stuff, let me know and I will give you a free widget.

http://www.theministrygroup.com/

"Scary Halls, Walls, & Stalls" will make you think!

When churches are looking to build their staff, but their facility is not kept up, what does that mean?

If a prospective church employee visits a church that is dirty, is that a deal breaker?

Is the physical appearance of a church building a reflection of the spiritual nature of the people?

Last week, my family visited in a new church in our community. We were very pleased by everything they had to offer. The people were nice, the worship music was great, the preaching made you think, and the facility was in great condition. Very very clean! In the past we have visited some churches, and served at some churches, that did not put on their "Sunday Best" for visitors. So when I read Kerry Bural's story, I knew I had to share with our readers at http://www.theministrygroup.com/

Let me know what you think after reading this.




Scary halls, walls & stalls
By Kerry Bural
Oct 6, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--My family and I recently attended a church we had never visited before, and we pulled into the parking lot eager to worship in a new place and to interact with new people.
At the door, we were handed a bulletin by a "greeter" who didn't say a single word. There was no one else around, so I don't think he was overwhelmed by incoming people. He simply said nothing. In fact, he didn't even offer a smile.

Well, at least we got a bulletin.
As we entered the building, we were immediately assaulted by the combined odors of dust, mold and undeniable "oldness." Frankly, the smell made me feel so uncomfortable that I feared it would keep me from concentrating on the teaching and worship.

I couldn't help but wonder if the odors were symbolic of the spiritual condition of the church.
Unfortunately, what we saw was as bad as what we smelled. The paint and wallpaper were a "blast from the past" that forced me into a time warp-induced head rush. The furniture was dated and dingy, and the carpet and pew upholstery were old, stained and filthy. It was obvious that no one had bothered to vacuum or pick up last week's trash from the pews.

By now, I was having sensory overload. My emotions were running high, but for all the wrong reasons.
Then I made my worst mistake of the morning: I visited the restroom. I was aghast to find dirty fixtures and a trash basket overflowing with ... trash (I'll leave it at that). I'm still mystified by the condition of this room. How did it get into such a deplorable state without anyone noticing? We were among the first to arrive, so this catastrophe couldn't have happened that morning. Was it left from Wednesday night?

All this happened before the service even started. By the time we broke out the hymnals, my ability to focus on the wonderful truth of Scripture and commune with the one true Creator God was significantly stifled. To be honest, I hardly remember a word that was sung or spoken.

In fairness, the experience was slightly salvaged when a few people took time to be friendly and speak to us. I'm sorry to say those efforts couldn't erase the negatives indelibly etched in my mind.

By the time we left, I felt like a good, long, hot shower was the only solace for my soul and body.
The experience kept me reeling for the rest of the day as I reflected on the many turnoffs I had faced in just one hour. Why was this church in such bad shape? Why are so many church facilities in a similar condition? What can be done about it?

As believers, we understand and say we believe that everything should be done for the glory of God. The condition of a church's facilities reflects a congregation's view of God and influences an unbeliever's perception of God. Are we doing ministry in such a way that it reflects His glory? Are we satisfied that we are presenting our best?

Here are a few suggestions for avoiding the "Scary Halls, Walls and Stalls Syndrome":
1) Assess the current condition of your church facilities. Acknowledge if and where they need cleaning or improvements and commit yourself to doing something about them. Decide now that you will take action. Your mission matters and your guests deserve better.

2) Be honest about the style and condition of your facilities compared to other facilities in your community. Is your parking lot in good condition? Is your landscaping fresh and tidy? Is your furniture and décor up to date? Visit the newest local mall and restaurants to get a feel for the architecture and décor of businesses in your community. How does your church stack up?

3) If you are not on your church staff or in leadership, enlist support from one or more who are. Together, identify and recruit a couple of the most detailed-oriented and germaphobic super sensors you can find. Give them a cool new title like "Details Matter Coordinators (DMC)" or "Guest Experience Optimizer (GEO)." Empower them. Give them a budget to work with. Give them authority over the House and Grounds Committee. Encourage them to ask a lot of hard questions and to make no assumptions in their evaluation.

4) Encourage the DMCs or GEOs to take a prayerful walk through the church campus, asking the Holy Spirit to open their eyes to details that may have been overlooked. To do this well, it takes some serious objectivity. They should pretend to be a guest seeing your facilities for the first time. Have them look down at the dirt on the baseboards and up at the spider webs in the ceiling corners. They should notice the rust in the restrooms, the stains on the carpet and the clutter on the tables. This should take them awhile. They should leave no stone unturned. If they are really brave, have them open the cabinets and closet doors.

5) Introduce the new DMCs or GEOs to your congregation and dub them as THE authority on facility freshness. Inform your congregation that your church is serious about going to the next level in this area and that the DMCs or GEOs have been empowered to help get you there. Give them a few examples of areas that need work.

6) Start and continually update a master "Facility Freshness Hit List." Consider inviting members to submit their concerns for inclusion. Divide the list between items that will require funding and those that require manpower only.

7) Get to work! First, determine your priorities. Don't try to accomplish everything in one week. The process should take several months to accomplish initially and then it should be an ongoing part of your ministry. Second, delegate what you can. Keep an eye out for church members who have really high standards to utilize their skills. Outsource anything that needs a professional touch. Methodically chip away at the hit list and watch how positive change energizes people to make a difference in the Kingdom.

Cleanliness and well-thought-out presentation matters in every store, restaurant and business we visit. When dealing with the facilities that play host to eternal and holy matters, why in the world would we not realize that how we present our message really does matter and details really are important?

Kerry Bural is vice president for public relations and marketing with the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

Copyright (c) 2008 Southern Baptist Convention
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The Ministry Group
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New Ministry Openings with The Ministry Group (at www.TheMinistryGroup.com )

We are currently searching for several ministry openings. All at this time are for youth ministers in Arkansas and Texas. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in finding out more, please contact us at www.theministrygroup.com or email me at eric@theministrygroup.com.

Please pray for me as I pray for you,


Eric