There is a song by Steve Fee titled “Glory to God Forever”. It has been resonating in my heart for several weeks now. The song captures some of the most amazing facets of our God and sends out a proclamation shouting, “Glory to God Forever.”
Here’s what I’m alluding to… Over the last weeks, with all my efforts and plans, I come to realize every day that God has his own plans, and He plans to make them happen. Last weekend, we successfully kidnapped (and returned) all the incoming youth. They had a great time and things went, for the most part, according to my plan. I guess God had a different one that worked a little bit better. Last night, I came to the church to pick up some music equipment. I was stopped in my quest and asked to play basketball. I agreed, and within two minutes, a youth’s parent was outside asking to talk to me. (Mind you, I’ve only come to basketball once before, and my plan was not to come but something entirely different.) The parent asked me, “What did you do to my kids?”
I asked, “Well what happened to them?”
The parent said something like, “They love the youth group now. You must have done something ‘cause now they really wanna come and be a part of this group, and before, they didn’t even want to show up.” The parent thanked me, but all I could do was give glory to god for what He had done.
We don’t know what God’s plan is. Maybe we think we’re just going to run an errand, but God plans to set us up in a meeting that will change our outlook on the day. Maybe we think we’re just taking some youth on a trip, but God plans to change the lives of youth that day in a way that none of us could have ever hoped for.
I am just so thankful that things happen that I could never take credit for. I am so joyful that youth’s lives are being turned upside down. I am so relieved that we have a God who has His own plans. For all these things I say, “Glory to God forever. Glory to God for everything!”
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Successful Ministry
The following is an excerpt from an article I wrote for the FUMC Newsletter this month...
How do you measure the success of your youth ministry?
Over the last few months, I have been doing a lot with the youth. Not only in programming, fellowshipping, and worshipping, but so much more. I don’t say that to prove that I am a worthy Dir. Of Youth Ministries, and I’m not looking for a raise. What I am talking about is the thought, the prayer, and the purpose that God has been putting into me.
I knew from the beginning that numbers are not how we are to measure the success of a youth ministry, or any other ministry for that matter. But if we don’t measure it by number growth, how should we calculate it? Do we just say that it’s a success if “it keeps our kids off the street and out of trouble”? No. Prison and school can do those things. So how do we measure successful ministry? Here are a few questions I ask…
Are the youth growing in their knowledge of Jesus Christ? Are the youth growing in their personal relationships with Christ and with their peers? Are the youth coming to an understanding of where God is calling them to go and what God is calling them to do for His kingdom? If any of these answers is “yes”, then we are on our way to success.
How can you find out if we are on our way to success? Get involved. Talk to our youth. Ask them the big questions. Invest in our youth, because not only are they the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today!
How do you measure the success of your youth ministry?
Over the last few months, I have been doing a lot with the youth. Not only in programming, fellowshipping, and worshipping, but so much more. I don’t say that to prove that I am a worthy Dir. Of Youth Ministries, and I’m not looking for a raise. What I am talking about is the thought, the prayer, and the purpose that God has been putting into me.
I knew from the beginning that numbers are not how we are to measure the success of a youth ministry, or any other ministry for that matter. But if we don’t measure it by number growth, how should we calculate it? Do we just say that it’s a success if “it keeps our kids off the street and out of trouble”? No. Prison and school can do those things. So how do we measure successful ministry? Here are a few questions I ask…
Are the youth growing in their knowledge of Jesus Christ? Are the youth growing in their personal relationships with Christ and with their peers? Are the youth coming to an understanding of where God is calling them to go and what God is calling them to do for His kingdom? If any of these answers is “yes”, then we are on our way to success.
How can you find out if we are on our way to success? Get involved. Talk to our youth. Ask them the big questions. Invest in our youth, because not only are they the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today!
Monday, April 12, 2010
A New Season series- Episode 5.43
I know, I've missed a week again. As a youth director and worship leader, let me just tell you that some of us have very busy Easter seasons!
A few cool things happened over that last couple weeks. I performed as Bartholomew in FUMC Uvalde's Song of the Shadows musical/play. It depicted the story of Jesus from Christ's entrance into the city on Palm Sunday, to his death. Being in the play, you get used to the story, but I was glad to play, even a small part, in something that did affect people. I know it brought a few people to tears and scared a few parents and kids to see Judas hanging from a tree. (Yes he was real, yes he had a noose around his neck, and no, he wasn't really dead; he had a tree stand under his feet and the rope wasn't tied to the tree, just thrown over a branch.)
Easter was great, of course, because Jesus conquered the grave! Plus, some friends / youth sponsors invited Shadia and me out to their house to hang out for dinner and check out the ranch they help manage. Thank God for friends!
On that note, it does get repetitive, down here. I need to find some stuff to do. I can't wait 'til my (soon to be) wife gets here!
In youth, we're going over the Triune God! It's pretty cool. It's even more exciting to hear God speak to me, as the speaker, while I'm speaking! (Did that confuse you too?)
The Crossroads (contemporary service) band has finally played a Sunday morning since my arrival. We had 2 acoustics, a bass, and drums! I hope that it will eventually develop into a set group with acoustic, electric, bass, keys, and drums. I'm looking forward to seeing it progress.
Well that's all I feel like sharing for now.
Until the next episode,
Brent
A few cool things happened over that last couple weeks. I performed as Bartholomew in FUMC Uvalde's Song of the Shadows musical/play. It depicted the story of Jesus from Christ's entrance into the city on Palm Sunday, to his death. Being in the play, you get used to the story, but I was glad to play, even a small part, in something that did affect people. I know it brought a few people to tears and scared a few parents and kids to see Judas hanging from a tree. (Yes he was real, yes he had a noose around his neck, and no, he wasn't really dead; he had a tree stand under his feet and the rope wasn't tied to the tree, just thrown over a branch.)
Easter was great, of course, because Jesus conquered the grave! Plus, some friends / youth sponsors invited Shadia and me out to their house to hang out for dinner and check out the ranch they help manage. Thank God for friends!
On that note, it does get repetitive, down here. I need to find some stuff to do. I can't wait 'til my (soon to be) wife gets here!
In youth, we're going over the Triune God! It's pretty cool. It's even more exciting to hear God speak to me, as the speaker, while I'm speaking! (Did that confuse you too?)
The Crossroads (contemporary service) band has finally played a Sunday morning since my arrival. We had 2 acoustics, a bass, and drums! I hope that it will eventually develop into a set group with acoustic, electric, bass, keys, and drums. I'm looking forward to seeing it progress.
Well that's all I feel like sharing for now.
Until the next episode,
Brent
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A New Season series- Episode 4.5
Well I missed a week, but I was pretty busy, so I'm excusing myself. As the one who holds me accountable on this, I get that privilege.
Some neat things are happening on this weeks episode. I went to a Youth Leaders lunch"eon" for the Kerrville District. The bummer was that I had to drive to Llano. The plus was that I was out of the office all day. Another bummer was that my allergies have have horrendous, causing the drive to Llano to be terribly painful and frightening when my eyes could hardly stay open most of the drive.
Last weekend I also got to buy part of Shadia's wedding bands and scope out mine. I now know who is going to officiate my wedding and just need to hash out the details of vows and order of the ceremony. I'm pretty excited to do that soon. I'm most excited to just be married already. I want a wife in this house, 'cause I want it to be a home. Plus, communicating plans for a wedding over phone and driving to San Antonio/San Marcos every weekend is highly overrated (and I don't think it's highly rated to start with).
Anyway, I have to go help the Hand Wringers chime choir now. They're desperate for help and I'm musically knowledgeable, so off I go.
Until next week. Hopefully, that episode will be more entertaining. This one almost put ME to sleep just telling it. Sorry.
Brent
Some neat things are happening on this weeks episode. I went to a Youth Leaders lunch"eon" for the Kerrville District. The bummer was that I had to drive to Llano. The plus was that I was out of the office all day. Another bummer was that my allergies have have horrendous, causing the drive to Llano to be terribly painful and frightening when my eyes could hardly stay open most of the drive.
Last weekend I also got to buy part of Shadia's wedding bands and scope out mine. I now know who is going to officiate my wedding and just need to hash out the details of vows and order of the ceremony. I'm pretty excited to do that soon. I'm most excited to just be married already. I want a wife in this house, 'cause I want it to be a home. Plus, communicating plans for a wedding over phone and driving to San Antonio/San Marcos every weekend is highly overrated (and I don't think it's highly rated to start with).
Anyway, I have to go help the Hand Wringers chime choir now. They're desperate for help and I'm musically knowledgeable, so off I go.
Until next week. Hopefully, that episode will be more entertaining. This one almost put ME to sleep just telling it. Sorry.
Brent
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A New Season series- Episode 3
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
So does anyone out there actually know who St. Patrick is?!?! He's known as the patron saint of Ireland and pretty awesome! He was from Britain, captured as a slave, and taken to Ireland. When he escaped, he fled back to Britain and joined the church. Soon after, he was called by God to return to Ireland and spread the gospel to the country that had previously enslaved him! What a baller Christian!!!
Anyway, I am SO thankful that I was never enslaved, in spite of being told what to do as a little kid. Although, I probably told my little brother what to do more than anyone...I was kind of a lame big brother. I'm getting better. Anyway, I bought my little brother (who is red-headed, yes, we are Irish) a giant green leprechaun hat over the Christmas break. It's pretty darn awesome. I hope he wears it today.
So apparently, "Be Thou My Vision" is an 8th century Irish hymn and a beautiful one at that. Now, I am a Youth Director and a Worship Leader who sings contemporary music, but there's just something so timelessly beautiful, peaceful, and majestic about that hymn.
Anyway, my prayer today is that among the many activities of this week (office, centerfuge, ultimate frisbee, worship practice, etc.) , I would do as St. Patrick and spread the gospel to those who need to hear it the most, whether friend or foe.
Praise God,
Brent
So does anyone out there actually know who St. Patrick is?!?! He's known as the patron saint of Ireland and pretty awesome! He was from Britain, captured as a slave, and taken to Ireland. When he escaped, he fled back to Britain and joined the church. Soon after, he was called by God to return to Ireland and spread the gospel to the country that had previously enslaved him! What a baller Christian!!!
Anyway, I am SO thankful that I was never enslaved, in spite of being told what to do as a little kid. Although, I probably told my little brother what to do more than anyone...I was kind of a lame big brother. I'm getting better. Anyway, I bought my little brother (who is red-headed, yes, we are Irish) a giant green leprechaun hat over the Christmas break. It's pretty darn awesome. I hope he wears it today.
So apparently, "Be Thou My Vision" is an 8th century Irish hymn and a beautiful one at that. Now, I am a Youth Director and a Worship Leader who sings contemporary music, but there's just something so timelessly beautiful, peaceful, and majestic about that hymn.
Anyway, my prayer today is that among the many activities of this week (office, centerfuge, ultimate frisbee, worship practice, etc.) , I would do as St. Patrick and spread the gospel to those who need to hear it the most, whether friend or foe.
Praise God,
Brent
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A New Season series- Episode 2
Well, I haven't actually had any episodes (or incidents) yet, so praise God for that!
Anyway, instead of just telling you what's going on in my life in the form of a chronological progression of events, I think I'll share what's been on my heart and stayed there.
Last Wednesday (my first as a Youth Director) God moved in my heart in the worship time with the youth. As I began to share MY story, I began to long to be a part of theirs. I began to earnestly desire to share God's love with them in a REAL way. I don't want only to share the message with them in words but through action in everyday life. God put a bit of His love for them into my heart, and I was stunned!!!
Today a funeral for a man named Brian is taking place. He died at too young an age (as we feel most people do). However, I was so thankful for the response a man made after Brian's death. In sight of this sudden loss of life, a friend of Brian, who is quite a bit older, came to church and asked how to be saved. Well, on Sunday, he proclaimed his belief in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and was BAPTIZED! How much more could we ask than through death, a life be saved?!?! Praise God for He SO loved the world that he gave his ONLY begotten Son that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not die but have ETERNAL LIFE! Praise the Father, Praise the Son.
On a side note, my beautiful fiance is coming to visit me in Uvalde today. I love her so much!
God bless you today,
Brent
Anyway, instead of just telling you what's going on in my life in the form of a chronological progression of events, I think I'll share what's been on my heart and stayed there.
Last Wednesday (my first as a Youth Director) God moved in my heart in the worship time with the youth. As I began to share MY story, I began to long to be a part of theirs. I began to earnestly desire to share God's love with them in a REAL way. I don't want only to share the message with them in words but through action in everyday life. God put a bit of His love for them into my heart, and I was stunned!!!
Today a funeral for a man named Brian is taking place. He died at too young an age (as we feel most people do). However, I was so thankful for the response a man made after Brian's death. In sight of this sudden loss of life, a friend of Brian, who is quite a bit older, came to church and asked how to be saved. Well, on Sunday, he proclaimed his belief in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and was BAPTIZED! How much more could we ask than through death, a life be saved?!?! Praise God for He SO loved the world that he gave his ONLY begotten Son that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not die but have ETERNAL LIFE! Praise the Father, Praise the Son.
On a side note, my beautiful fiance is coming to visit me in Uvalde today. I love her so much!
God bless you today,
Brent
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A New Season
It's coming to the end of day 2 at my new job. Yesterday I started as the Director of Youth Ministries at FUMC Uvalde, TX. Once the library moved out of my space, I found my office. Although, I'm a little sad now because for a little bit I was reminded of the days when I built forts from cardboard boxes and couch cushions. Now I have nothing to hide behind when the pastor comes to find me. Just kidding.
I'm really excited about it. So far, the people have been very welcoming and have said they are SO glad that I'm here. Hopefully, they'll be as excited when I tell them we can use a hand. I have faith in this congregation though. They've been very encouraging to me and Shadia and have seemed to be very supportive of the youth and their involvement in the church.
At any rate, it's the beginning of a new season. I'm starting a new job in a new town with new responsibilities. I am finally out from under my dad's paycheck and paying my own bills and rent. I'll be married before I know it and can't wait to see what else the season brings.
Until next week, I hope. (I'm gonna try to do this thing weekly now.)
Brent
I'm really excited about it. So far, the people have been very welcoming and have said they are SO glad that I'm here. Hopefully, they'll be as excited when I tell them we can use a hand. I have faith in this congregation though. They've been very encouraging to me and Shadia and have seemed to be very supportive of the youth and their involvement in the church.
At any rate, it's the beginning of a new season. I'm starting a new job in a new town with new responsibilities. I am finally out from under my dad's paycheck and paying my own bills and rent. I'll be married before I know it and can't wait to see what else the season brings.
Until next week, I hope. (I'm gonna try to do this thing weekly now.)
Brent
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)