Craig Brotherston

'The wise and understanding'

2012-01-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

'The wisdom of 'the wise and understanding' has produced remarkable scientific advances. But it leaves out the most important reality, namely, God. From one side it is stunning for its achievements, and from another side it is stunning for its stupidity in missing the main thing' - Piper (Think)

New Year's Resolution?

2011-12-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

Romans 5 Rhetorical Questions

2011-12-16T07:00:00.001-08:00

1. If God is for us, who can be against us?
2. How will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
3. Who will bring a charge against God's elect?
4. Who is the one who condemns?
5. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Romans 8:31-35

I want to be like the Apostle Paul...

2011-12-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

'Paul was an impassioned mind. He believed that the gospel of Jesus Christ held the ultimate solution to the problems of the world because it had provided the solution to the problems in his own life.

The gospel was for him an objective and compelling truth. The knowledge of Christ dwarfed everything else in his life and propelled him to hazard all for regions that had not heard the name of Christ.

Paul was, however, more than an impassioned mind with a profound missionary call. He was possessed by a pastor's heart. A man with an immense capacity for human relationships, he labored, contended, and wept for his flocks scattered around the shores of the Mediterranean world, indefatigably confident that the gospel would transform them as it had him.'

Edwards: 'Romans'

Pastor Bill on TBN

2011-11-28T14:40:00.000-08:00

I was privileged to work with and serve this man in NYC from 2005 - 2008...

You're Not | by Paul Tripp

2011-11-28T13:47:00.001-08:00

When I'm
Weary and exhausted
You're not.
When I'm
Confused and discouraged
You're not.
When I'm
Fickle and unfaithful
You're not.
When I'm
Doubtful and disheartened
You're not.
When I'm
Fearful and anxious
You're not.
When I'm
Short-sighted and fearful
You're not.
When I'm
Tired and about to quit
You're not.
When I'm
Lacking in hope and love
You're not.
When I'm
Shocked and surprised
You're not.
When I'm
Angrily withholding grace
You're not.
When I'm
Unfaithful to what I've promised
You're not.
When I'm
Selfish and disloyal
You're not.
Oh, Lord of
Faithfulness and grace
I am so thankful
That
In those moments
When I'm
Losing my way
You're not.

Romans 9:19-23

2011-11-11T01:03:00.000-08:00

¹⁹ Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”

²⁰ No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”²¹ When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?

²² In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. ²³ He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.

Some interesting insights from Mr Driscoll on preaching...

2011-11-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

16 Things I Look for in a Preacher

by: Pastor Mark Driscoll on Nov 07, 2011 in Preaching

We’ve got a preachers’ Qualifying Day coming up at Mars Hill Church that I’m excited about. Currently, we have 50 or so elders at Mars Hill and maybe that many more in training. Some of the men are sensing a call to preach and cover the Sundays when I’m out of the pulpit.

So, we thought we’d have some fun with it and have a day when they each take the stage at Mars Hill Ballard to preach. We’ll give each preacher a different text one week in advance. They’ll show up to preach, and we’ll evaluate them.

And, you are welcome to come sit in if you like for all or part of the day. It’s all going down Tuesday, November 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mars Hill Ballard.

Only three men will preach this round, but there will be other rounds forthcoming. This round's contestants will be Pastor Thomas Hurst of Mars Hill Bellevue, Pastor Scott Mitchell of Mars Hill Everett, and Pastor AJ Hamilton of Mars Hill Albuquerque. They will have 30 minutes each with a shot clock and buzzer. They can bring only a Bible with them on stage.

This will be fun…for some of us. For our Mars Hill version of American Idol for preachers, I’ll play the part of Simon Cowell, minus the deep v-neck and British accent. Joining me on the judging panel will be Dr. Justin Holcomb who runsResurgence, Pastor Scott Thomas who runs Acts 29, and Pastor Dave Bruskas, the executive elder who oversees all our churches.

In anticipation of this event, I made a list of 16 things that I’m looking for in a preacher or teacher’s sermon:

1. Tell me about Jesus. Connect it all to Jesus. If you don’t mention Jesus a lot, you need to do something other than preach. And tell me that Jesus is a person, not just an idea. Help me to not only know him but to also like him.

2. Have one big idea. Hang all your other ideas on the one big idea. Otherwise, you will lose me or bore me.

3. Get my attention in the first 30 seconds without being gimmicky. Get to work. Don’t “blah blah blah” around, chitchat, or do announcements. That will make me start checking my phone. Get my attention, and let’s get to work.

4. Bring me along theologically and emotionally. Preaching is not a commentary. Commentaries are boring for even nerds to read. Your job is to do the nerd work and bring it to life. Raise your voice, grab my affections, and bring the living Word.

5. Make me like you, trust you, and respect you so that I can't dismiss you. If you want me to follow you, you have to get me to that point.

6. Avoid Christian jargon and explain your terms. The average person has no idea what fellowship means, or even God for that matter. So, tell us what you’re talking about and don’t assume we have your vocabulary.

7. Don't have points as much as a direction and destination. Take me somewhere. Take me to a place of conviction, compassion, conversion, etc.

8. Don't show me how smart you are, because it makes me feel dumb. I assume you’re smart since you’re standing up talking and we’re all sitting down listening. If you quote words in some language I don’t know, or quote dead guys to show you’re a genius, that makes me feel dumb, which doesn’t serve me well. Don’t come off like that kid in school that the rest of us wanted to give a wedgie to every time they raised their hand.

9. Invite lost people to salvation. Some people in the seats aren’t Christians. So, tell them how to become one. Talk about sin, Jesus, and repentance. At some point in every sermon just do that. If you do, people will bring lost friends. Don’t be a coward.

10. Whether it feels like a wedding or a funeral, be emotionally engaging and compelling. Some sermons are a funeral—convicting, deep, hard hitting, and life shattering. Other sermons are a wedding—exciting, compelling, encouraging, and motivating. Pick an emotional path. Have an emotional trajectory to the sermon, not just a theological point. If you pass the audition and get to preach publicly, have the entire service flow emotionally. If we do wedding songs after a funeral sermon, I’m emotionally confused. Likewise, if we’re singing melancholy hymns after a big motivational sermon, I’m also emotionally confused. So, you and the guy in skinny jeans with the guitar have got to get this figured out together.

11. Look like someone who has it together from clothes to haircut to overall presentation. You don’t need to be a model, but you should look presentable. If you have bed-head, your fly open, keep losing your place in your notes, your shoe is untied, your mic battery dies, and you say, “Um,” a lot because you’re unprepared, I may feel sorry for you but I’m not following you because you don’t seem to have a clue where you are going.

12. Tell the truth and don't be a coward. Look me in the eye and don't flinch. Don’t apologize for what God’s Word says—just say it. Say it like you mean it. Say it like it’s true. Sure, I may despise you, but at least I’ll know what God said. Get over your fear of man and assume that I may just hate you.

13. If you get lost or mess up, make a joke about yourself and keep me interested. I know at some point you’re going to mess up. The Bible is perfect, you aren’t. If I can laugh at you while laughing with you, I’ll trust you.

14. Don’t just preach repentance but also practice it. Don’t talk about everyone else’s sin and never your own. Don’t tell me all the victories you’ve had or that your sin was a long time ago. Jesus is the hero, not you. I don’t trust smug, religious folks who preach how great they are and how I can become like them. It’s smarmy.

15. Answer some objections. You know how most of us are going to push back, question, disagree, or wiggle off the conviction hook. So, anticipate those objections and answer some. Brawl with me a bit, show me you can go a few rounds, get me in a corner, and work me over until I give in and obey God. But, you have to work at it.

16. "It" is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in you and through you. I’m looking to see if you have it. I can’t explain it, but I know it when I see it.

Hillsong NYC

2011-10-08T06:04:00.001-07:00

July 2011

2011-09-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

Christianity in China

2011-09-12T03:18:00.000-07:00

Christianity in China in exploding. Accoring to the BBC today there are more Christians in China than in the whole of Europe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14838749

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

2011-03-22T13:37:00.001-07:00

To look good....

2011-01-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

We are doing 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan with our small groups - and it's really going great... but this man just sets out to challenge you from the start!

We are doing chapter 4 tonight with the boys - titled 'Profile of the Lukewarm.'

This quote jumped out the page at me:
"Are you satisfied being 'godly enough' to get yourself to Heaven, or to look good in comparison to others? Or can you say with Paul that you 'want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.' Phil 3:10"

Significance...

2010-12-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

When I look back on 2010, there are a lot of highlights :) We have now reached our 2 year mark at Dundonald Elim, working with the youth of the church, and specifically the youth fellowship group - 4:12.

In September I also started my 3rd year of my 6 year part-time degree in Theology. I am really enjoying the course, and it is good to know I am learning things that I will use for the rest of my life. (unlike GCSE Chemistry!)

2010 was the year I did 2 missions trips - first to Durban, South Africa with Lionsraw, and then to Macedonia with Elim missions (and 14 young people!)

2010 is also the year that we found out Abby was pregnant with our first child... we end the year still awaiting the arrival. (Looks like baby bro will be born in 2011!)

When I look back on 2010 - I am grateful to God for all He has done. To see people getting saved, and others grow in God through our ministry at the church, to see the little blessing that God is going to give to us, and to have a greater understanding of God’s grace, and his massiveness, and His love, and His fullness in my life has been nothing short of unbelievable!

When I look forward to 2011, I am impressed with the word ‘Significant.’

My baby’s birth will be a moment in life that is significant...

Changed lives will be significant...

Visiting a certain city will be significant...

Just being a part of the Body of Christ is significant... (1 Cor 12:19 - Msg)

When Jesus refers to the woman with alabaster jar in Matthew 26 - the Message translation quotes Jesus saying, ‘She has just done something wonderfully significant for me.’ (Matthew 26:10)

My prayer is that everyday of 2011 - I would be able to do significant things for Jesus... and to see Him do significant things in my life and others...

As I look at my diary and my time in 2011, I will endeavour to fill it with things of significance...

I don’t remember TV programmes I watched in 2010.

I don’t remember everyone’s Facebook status that I read in 2010.

I don’t remember every minute of everyday...

But I do remember times with God...

I do remember seeing God change lives...

I do remember a lot of significant moments...

Galatians 6:9

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good...”

Lord, let me live a life of SIGNIFICANCE

Rick Warren's prayer....

2010-12-21T00:34:00.000-08:00

early in his christian life...

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN DECLARATION
Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering,
I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable.
I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet
for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character,
participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting
in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking,
trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying.
Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the
membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth,
“we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions,
position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I’ll give it all I’ve got.
I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated
by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my
race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get
tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide.
I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose driven,
and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not
quit until I finish the race.
I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every
day, and generous with everything God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say, "However, whenever, wherever, and whatever
you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the
cost I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes, Lord; whatever it takes!
I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say,
'Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!'"

Jeremiah 16:19-21

2010-12-15T01:33:00.000-08:00

Lord, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble!
Nations from around the world will come to you and say,
'Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshipped worthless idols.
Can people make their own gods? These are not real gods at all!

The Lord says,
Now I will show them my power
now I will show them my might.
At last they will know and understand that I am the Lord.

Top Five Times People Are Open To Considering Matters Of Faith…

2010-12-14T14:54:00.001-08:00

#5 – After the birth of a baby (28%)
#4 – After a natural disaster (34%)
#3 – After a major national crisis i.e. 9/11 (38%)
#2 – During the Easter season (38%)
#1 – During the Christmas season (47%)

Jeremiah 9:23-24

2010-12-09T02:57:00.000-08:00

"This is what the Lord says: 'Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.

But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

Teenage girl shot to death for embracing Christ...

2010-12-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

Compass Direct News is reporting a 17-year-old girl in Somalia who converted to Christianity from Islam was shot to death on November 25, in an apparent “honour killing.” ....

Read the rest of the article here...

Youth Ministry Thankfulness

2010-12-08T02:25:00.000-08:00

To all my fellow youth workers out there - loved this from Josh Griffin's blog.

Thank you for obeying God’s call to do youth ministry:
Thanks for serving.
Thanks for teaching God’s Word to students each week.
Thanks for being silly and fun.
Thanks for be serious, too.
Thanks for listening.
Thanks for listening, especially to that one kid who seems to bend your ear each week.
Thanks for being a great husband or wife and modeling that to your students.
Thanks for watching what you watch, say and do as an example.
Thanks for pointing me toward Jesus.
Thanks for being cool with not getting as much thanks as you deserve.
Thanks for loving God.
Thanks for spending time with God regularly.
Thanks for hurting when I hurt.
Thanks for supporting my family. Thanks for believing in my teenager.
Thanks for seeing the potential.
Thanks for pushing me to join a small group and experience Christian community.
Thanks for carrying burdens.
Thanks for challenging students.
Thanks for all of the inside jokes.
Thanks for guiding me.
Thanks for being there when my grandpa died.
Thanks for what you gave up to be in youth ministry.
Thanks for not needing recognition when you should be getting it.
Thanks for taking care of your heart and soul.
Thanks for helping me learn how to share my faith with my friends.
Thanks for your affirming words to me about my children.
Thanks for you quirks that make you original, I’m so glad you’re not the same.
Thanks for doing your best every day.
Thanks for your blog posts and Twitter.
Thanks for that encouraging word on Facebook when I was down.
Thanks for your counsel on which college I should go to.
Thanks for doing our wedding.
Thanks for making an impact.
Thanks for buying me a Coke.
Thanks for telling me the truth.
Thanks for shaping my life forever.
Thanks for being there when no one else was.

(things I imagine students, parents and other youth workers saying to you this Thanksgiving)

A High-Level Leadership Question

2010-11-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

**I will be sharing this with some leaders tomorrow... (Taken from Steven Furtick's blog)

I want to give you a simple, high-level leadership question you can ask every day that could significantly enhance the way you lead. This question is for everybody. Corporate executives. Low-level managers. Teachers. Parents. Teenagers. Anyone who has any measure of influence.

How can I help you succeed at something today?

It’s simple, but this question could change the standard approach to leadership that many people take:

Cast vision. Set goals. Demand success. Wait for results.

Sounds good and authoritative. Something a leader would do. But the problem is that sometimes the deck is stacked against your people from the get go. Sometimes for one reason or another, they can’t accomplish what you’re asking for and what they genuinely want to give you. And because they can’t succeed, neither can the goals or vision you’re striving after.

Before the success of your goals can be realized, the success of the people you lead must be prioritized.

Servant leadership has often been misunderstood. It isn’t doing menial tasks that take you away from your sweet spot. Servant leadership is essentially about equipping and empowering. Not scrubbing toilets. It’s about doing everything in your power to put the people you lead in a position where they can succeed.

And their success benefits everyone.
They gain confidence in themselves and in your dedication to them.
You are setup for success because they have been successful.
The vision you have cast becomes attainable.

Make a commitment today to start asking how you can set others up for success.

If you’re a boss, ask your people if the systems you have in place are unnecessarily obstructing them from doing their job well.
If you’re a parent, rather than just demanding that your child do better in school, ask them how you can help them ace that upcoming test.
If you’re a husband, ask how you can create space for your wife to recharge spiritually so she can be everything she needs to be.

The question might create extra work for you. But the dividends it will pay will be worth it.

Quote

2010-10-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

"We should not interpret scripture in the light of our experiences, but we should examine our experiences in the light of the teaching of the scripture." - Lloyd-Jones

The push-through factor

2010-10-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

From Steven Furtick's blog...

There are a lot of different ways to know what God has called you to do with your life.

Your passions. Your talents. Your experiences. Even your misery.

But one of the greatest ways you can confirm it is by figuring out what by God’s grace you can do in a supernatural way that others can’t. In other words, what are you able to push through that seems insane or impossible to others but is relatively easy for you?

You may be able to read, study, think, and write for hours on end and do it effortlessly. You even enjoy it. But to somebody else, even making it through one book a year would be a major accomplishment.

Or you may be able to coordinate a dinner party for fifteen friends managing all the details and preparations. And you love doing it. But to somebody else, even having one family over for dinner is enough to push their stress levels through the roof.

You’re not able to do it simply because you work harder. In fact, you may have to put in half the effort other people do to get the same results.

You’re able to do it because you have been wired for it. It’s part of your unique, God-given makeup. And the fact that you’re graced to do it means it’s part of how God wants to use your life.

The next time you find yourself pushing through something that would have caused most people to quit a long time ago, stop for just one second and recognize something. You may have just found your calling.

Ghassan - Pastor in Iraq

2010-09-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

Wow! So powerful...

Ghassan from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

Rick Warren Interview

2010-09-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

Some great leadership advice...

Catalyst West 2009: Rick Warren Interview Part 1 from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Catalyst West 2009: Rick Warren Interview Part 2 from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Proverbs 2:21

2010-09-05T02:25:00.001-07:00

For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.

Hillsong NYC

2010-09-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to following the story of this church! And maybe one day visiting... so much potential in New York City!

Challenging times....

2010-09-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

I've been so challenged recently for a number of reasons, but especially because of two books I read by Francis Chan. It has been an amazing summer, including missions trips to Durban, South Africa during the World Cup and Stip, Macedonia with a bunch of our youth group teenagers. Both trips were eye-opening and amazing, and of course.... challenging. Since I have gotten back I finished both the books, and watched a movie called, 'Precious' which was again.... challenging!

The first book that challenged me was called, 'Crazy Love.' I know lots of people have used this book - and it is of course very.... challenging! But I want to share with you a portion of the Afterword chapter in 'Forgotten God.' It was of course particularly interesting to me that I was challenged by a section of a book that is simply meant to be the afterword.

It goes like this:

My hope and prayer for you, the reader, is that church people don't try to normalize you. What I mean is that we often try to calm people down who are just too passionate or too sacrificial and radical. I know at times I have done this to other people. And I've had it done to me.

Two years ago at a dinner I sat next to a man who runs a human-trafficking awareness organisation. He described how these children, most of whom were sold or abducted into the sex trade, are raped and abused every night, again and again, how they have no one to advocate for them, and how there is no way out.

That night I lay awake in my bed for hours - literally hours - and I imagined my own children in this situation. Maybe that was a stupid thing to do, but suddenly, vivdly, I was sobbing and I couldn't get the images out of my mind. I started thinking about what I would do if this really happened to my little girl. I know that I wouldn't stop until I had saved her. I would mobilize everyone I know through whatever means possible to get them to help. Lying there in my bed that night I got more and more passionate about everything I would do to save my little girl..........
I remember getting back to Cornerstone and 'rallying the troops.' I was so fired up, and I got others fired up. But over the course of several months I got distracted. People around me started calming me down about sex trafficking. They said, 'Francis, you can't save the world' and 'You're already doing so much. Don't be so hard on yourself.' And the passion I believe God gave me for children in the sex-slave trade slowly eked out of me.
Things like this happen all the time. As a church, we tend to do this to people who are passionate and bold. We mellow them out. Institutionalize them. Deaden them to the work that the Spirit is doing in them....
Instead of encouraging people who are doing courageous things for God and joining them in their discernment process of how to be faithful to what God is calling them to, we tell them to slow down and back off. Instead of being astonished at believers' courage, frequently (and unfortunately) I am astonished at believers' timidity and lack of boldness. What a contrast to the biblical model we are given!

I just know that something is stirring in me, but I'm not exactly sure what at this particular moment! I guess just recently I am being moved more and more by the thought of justice, and I have to work out how that might look in my life, and what I can do to help from Belfast, Northern Ireland... and I guess what situations are on my door step that I might be over-looking....

I also guess this is probably a good place to be.... hopefully I'll hear from God and have the courage to act.

In the process, I hope that I am not encouraging people to 'slow down' and 'back off' the things that God is challenging them about.

Francis Chan

2010-09-01T06:50:00.000-07:00

Excited to hear this guy in a leader seminar next Saturday!

What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

'Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking...'

2010-08-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 12:25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”* 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

Macedonia

2010-08-02T04:08:00.001-07:00

In 6 hours we leave for the airport to take us to Macedonia for about 11 days....

We will be helping the Elim church out there doing some work projects, and also outreach into the community.

There will be 14 teenagers and 3 leaders. We are expecting a lot from God on this trip, so if you have a minute then you can pray for us that God would use us in amazing ways to see much fruit for His Kingdom.

Oh, and you can pray for our travel - 3 flights, a coach and a 5 hour sleep in the airport both ways might just take its toll a little bit!!

How to think....

2010-07-11T02:17:00.000-07:00

"The Bible is filled with stories of God teaching people how to think. How to discern. How to sort and sift and figure out what is true and what isn't. What is good and what isn't. What brings life and what brings death."

- Rob Bell

South Africa missions trip video // Durban June 2010

2010-07-05T04:19:00.001-07:00

Lionsraw South Africa // June 2010 from Dundonald Elim on Vimeo.

What makes a nation great?

2010-06-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

"Godliness makes a nation great..." Proverbs 14:34

If you want to follow some of our SA missions trip please check on www.craigandabby.blogspot.com

I Will Search

2010-06-09T08:53:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite worship songs...

4:12 Youth Service 2010 'I Will Search' from Dundonald Elim on Vimeo.

God is speaking

2010-05-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

"The whole Bible supports this idea. God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking. He is, by His nature, continuously articulate. He fills the world with His speaking voice."

TOZER "The pursuit of God"

Mark Driscoll on Millennials

2010-04-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Really interesting article!

Pastor Mark Driscoll: Millennials are honest on faith

08:41 AM

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By Guy Lyons

Many Millennials are religiously adrift -- vaguely Christian in belief and barely Christian in practice, a new survey finds. So it's no surprise that those one in six or seven who are active and committed to faith might be feeling a little isolated.

Rebecca McKinsey, a 19-year-old journalism student at Ohio University, is active in an evangelical fellowship on her campus in Athens and in a local church.

Inside those settings, there's love, joy and reinforcement. "We're pretty passionate Christians in my church family," she says. But outside, she often feels alone among her peers.

In high school, says Rebecca, "no one I knew went to church." She felt pressure to move away from it and people were more embarrassed about their faith than active in it. The unembarrassed believer went on to college and found that "while my peers outside the fellowship aren't malicious, they mostly make fun of our group."

Collin Hansen, 29, remembers those years. He says of the 16 people in his high school confirmation class, only two are now active in a church.

He saw no contradictions to the new research, but his own focus, as he studies for the ministry, is on that 15% -- the folks he called Young, Restless, Reformed in his book on youth who have an energetic commitment to traditionalist Christianity.

Despite lots of pressure from work or graduate school or even family members, these Christians continue to pursue their faith at great cost and certainly believe in the power of the gospel to transform themselves, their neighbors and the neighborhoods. You do see an increasingly radical group of Christians willing to step forward.

Pastor Mark Driscoll in Seattle, whose megachurch and church plants (new churches) across the country are packed with God-hungry Millennials, wrote me with his ideas of what can be done to draw and keep the faithful. Indeed, he didn't get into church life or form his beliefs until he was already 19 himself and started reading the Bible.

My personal experience having preached all over the country reveals three things:
One, adolescence is extending into the early thirties. Practically, this means that young people are delaying most major life decisions from career path to marriage, children, and even which set of spiritual beliefs they will adhere to. Subsequently, their ambiguity and lack of certainty about Christian doctrines is not surprising in light of their entire life.
Two, young people are committed to churches not built for them but built by them. Around the country young people are flocking to churches that have clear authoritative Bible teaching about real life issues, are lead by authentic leaders, include night services, use online social media, embrace technology, serve the poor and suffering, strive for community, encourage creativity, and allow young leaders to lead at the highest levels.
Three, young people are more spiritually honest. The days of feeling some sort of cultural pressure to adhere to historic Christian truths is simply gone. Subsequently, we may not be seeing younger people less devoted to Jesus Christ but simply more people being honest so that those who in the past would have professed faith they did not possess or practice are simply being honest which is more admirable than being a hypocrite.

Did you drift away from religious practice -- worship, prayer and study -- after you left your parent's house? Why? Did you come back? Why or why not?

Stop Dating The Church

2010-04-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

... Fall in love with the family of God - Joshua Harris

"Every Christian is called to be passionately committed to a specific local church. Why? Because the local church is the key to spiritual health and growth for a Christian. And because as the visible 'body of Christ' in the world, the local church is central to God's plan for every generation."

'No Perfect People Allowed'

2010-03-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

John Burke is not messing around in this book! I love this definition of Paul, and the subsequent challenge:

"Paul was a visionary church-starting entrepeneur, who sacrificed dearly to dive into the mess of a culture foreign to him. Those of us currently leading in churches need to prayerfully consider this: Are we raising up a generation of leaders ready to lay down their comfortable lives to dive into the muck? Or are we just paying church - developing spiritual dependants who consume the goods off whichever church shelf will 'feed me,' or 'puff me up with more knowledge,' or even 'feel postmodern?"

Simple...

2010-03-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

Claim Your Campus

2010-02-06T02:57:00.001-08:00

Claim Your Campus "Frozen" from Claim Your Campus on Vimeo.

Prayer - children to their Father

2010-01-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

"Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread.

Have you ever noticed that children ask for luch in utter confidence that it will be provided. They have no need to stash away today's sandwiches for fear none will be available tomorrow. As far as they are concerned, there is an endless supply of sandwiches.

Children do not find it difficult or complicated to talk to their parents, nor do they feel embarassed to bring the simplest need to their attention. Neither should we hesitate to bring the simplest requests confidently to the Father."

- Richard Foster "Celebration of Discipline"

Interesting...

2010-01-12T04:27:00.000-08:00

A very interesting article....

"Why I've abandoned outreach events" by Tim Schmoyer

For many churches and youth groups, the typical approach to evangelism is to host a big event that will be attractive to unbelievers who are invited by their Christian friends. A little over a year ago I wrote a blog post about my problem with outreach eventslike this. Back then I didn’t really have any answers for my frustrations, but now I do. I’ve officially decided to ditch outreach events altogether for a couple of reasons.

1. They end up being “Christian entertainment.”

Regardless of how much I push an outreach lock-in, publicize it, and encourage kids to bring their unsaved friends, it’s rare that students actually do so. Out of 20 kids, maybe 1 or 2 of them are unchurched. The rest are all youth group kids or Christian kids from other youth groups.

2. Low conversion rate.

If there actually are any pre-saved teens there, the percentage of those who give their lives to Christ seems to be pretty low. Maybe because it feels intimidating, maybe because there’s no interaction or avenue for asking questions, or maybe because they have no relationship with the person who is presenting the gospel.

3. Teens’ evangelism becomes dependent on an adult leader.

Most importantly, I feel like I’m doing a disservice to my teens by unintentionally teaching them to outsource their evangelism efforts to someone on a stage. What happens when they grow into adults and still feel that evangelism is the church’s job?

A better approach

Instead, I’m forming what I call “outreach campaigns.” An outreach campaign is when teens are trained and held accountable to share their faith with their friends on an on-going basis. If teens start doing this at a young age, they’ll have the confidence to continue it for the rest of their lives. Otherwise, they might always rely on the church to get their unbelieving friends onto Christian turff where someone else will talk to them about Christ instead.

If teens develop the confidence and experience of sharing Christ with their friends outside the church, the conversion rate will be much higher than events. For the unbeliever, the feeling of being outnumbered and intimidated by a Christian group disappears, ongoing interaction and questions is natural, and a relationship with the trusted friend is obviously already established.

4 ways to identify an idol...

2010-01-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

The best understanding of idols I have ever come across...

By Mark Batterson

4 Ways to Identify An Idol

When we read about idols in the Old Testament, we tend to think ofancient people bowing down to carved wooden statues. How silly. How foolish. But most of us are just sophisticated idolaters. And it's no less silly or foolish. I'm convinced that idolatry is our root spiritual problem. Maybe that's why it's the first commandment of ten?

In the beginning, God created us in His image. We've been creating Him in our image ever since. Instead of worshiping the Creator, wesettle for something less. We find a substitute god, small g. And here's the tricky thing. Most idols are good things, but those good things become bad things because they take the place of God. Instead of being the Ultimate End, God become a means to an end. We want something more than we want God. And we try to use God to get it.

So how do you identify an idol? Here are four idol identifiers:

1) What consumes your thoughts? Your daydreams are idol clues. If it's something you think about more than God then it may be an idol.

2) What bad habits do you struggle with? Your addictions are idol clues. An idol is something you cannot control. It controls you.

3) What do you spend too much money on? Your spending habits are idol clues. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also!

4) What produces your strongest emotions? Your intense emotions are idol clues. If you want to identify an idol, all you have to do is identify your emotional attachments.

Identifying an idol takes a tremendous amount of soul searching. And you have to be brutally honest. But you cannot tear it down until youname it. If you're serious, I highly recommend Tim Keller's bookCounterfeit Gods.

Bible Reading

2009-12-31T03:38:00.001-08:00

My favourite online Bible resource has really become YouVersion. They have great resources including an online community, Bible reading plans, a live option and a great version for mobile devices.

If you are looking for a Bible reading plan - they have 20 online of all different lengths and content. Check it out here.

New Testament Church

2009-12-30T03:17:00.000-08:00

"What comforted me most as I was prayerfully thinking through our next season was a lengthy study through the New Testament in which I searched for what God promises to do for the church.

As I studied, I learned that God promises to grow his church, select elders, save people, bless the teaching of his Word, gift people with exactly the abilities the church needs, and providentially make up for human mistakes if people are repentant of their sins.

By the end of my studies, I was confident that our future would be fine because the heavy lifting would continue to be done by Jesus and that we just needed to trust him with obedience and keep going."

- Mark Driscoll (Confessions of a Reformission Rev.)

God promises:

- To grow his church

- Select elders

- Save people

- Bless the teaching of his Word

- Gift people with exactly the abilities the church needs

New Spring Church: Christmas Opener

2009-12-29T07:44:00.001-08:00

Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

Dear Pastor…Sunday’s Coming…

2009-12-21T01:41:00.000-08:00

From Perry Noble's blog - here

Dear Pastor…Sunday’s Coming… December 18, 2009

Hey pastor…

Sunday’s coming…

It will be here in less than 48 hours!!!

Are you ready?

This week will be someone’s first week in your church!

Your church is a powder keg WAITING to explode!!!

God wants to do things in your church that would absolutely blow you away if He were to download it all on you at once.

Sunday’s coming…

People will be in your church that are one heartbeat away from hell…

Will you share the GOSPEL?

Will you call for commitment?

Sunday’s coming…

You have been called, equipped and empowered by God to do what you do!

He knows where you are!

He knows what you are going through!

He has NOT forgotten you!!!

Have you BEGGED God to do something unexplainable and undeniable?

Have you allowed something to distract you this week?

Have you become obsessed with anything or anyone other than Jesus and the vision He has poured into you?

Sunday’s coming…

The next Billy Graham, Bill Hybels or Rick Warren COULD be sitting in your church this Sunday…heck, they MIGHT not even be saved yet…

There is UNLIMITED potential within the people in your church who know Christ.

People want hope!

People want to change!

People want to LIVE!

They need to hear YOU tell them about CHRIST!

Sunday’s coming…

Let’s put on our game faces…

This could be the last message that you ever get to preach…EVER!!!

Sunday is NOT a burden…it’s a gift…GO FOR IT!!!

Lionsraw

2009-12-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

A video about the missions trip that 4 of us from Dundonald Elim are going on - June 2010.

Lions Raw BBC Documentary - Inside Out 16/11/09 from RawTV on Vimeo.

I love this prayer...

2009-10-26T05:18:00.000-07:00

God, help me move forward at the speed of your direction and intention,
no matter how painful the transition may be.

Wow! I would not only like to move forward - but 'at the speed of your direction and intention...'
Powerful stuff!

Taken from this original blog post.

ASBO...

2009-10-19T03:38:00.000-07:00

My friend Jenn often publishes these short funny cartoons on her blog, but today is the first day I have ever really looked at more of them. They really make you think, and often have a harsh reality attached to the humour. I hope they make you think too!

ASBO stands for 'anti-social behaviour order.'

Taken from this website.

Meditation

2009-10-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

'Celebration of Discipline' - RIchard Foster

"If we hope to move beyond the superficialities of our culture, including our religious culture, we must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation. In their writings all the masters of meditation beckon us to be pioneers in this frontier of the Spirit. Though it may sound strange to modern ears, we should without shame enrol as apprentices in the school of contemplative prayer."

I love the church...

2009-10-09T01:51:00.001-07:00

An article from Craig Groeschel's blog:

I Love The Church
by Craig Groeschel

I love the church more than I can describe.

Bill Hybels has often said, “The local church is the hope of the world.” I believe those words with all my heart.

Many people today specialize in criticizing churches. While I acknowledge our (American) churches have a lot of room to improve, I see so many good things:

I love that many are becoming more missionally minded.
I love that churches are putting more emphasis on building people than on building buildings.
I love that churches are working together.
I love that many people really believe the Church can make a difference in the world.
I love that many churches are becoming more passionate about worship, holiness, and knowing God through His word.
I love that many churches are becoming passionate about reaching those far from God with the gospel of Christ.
While I applaud and support many parachurch ministries, to me, (and I believe to God), nothing replaces the power of what God wants to do through the local church.

I love the church!

What do you love about what God is doing through His church?

Grace...

2009-10-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

"I do not treat the GRACE of God as meaningless. For if by keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die." Galatians 2:21

Elevation church resources

2009-09-02T04:38:00.000-07:00

Elevation church in North Carolina has just launched a free church resources website - click here where you can download sermon graphics and series, and even t-shirt designs! It is definitely worth checking out - and sign-up is free.

Youth Crew...

2009-09-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Meeting tonight.

Doug Fields - 'The Nine Components of a Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry'

1. Power of God
2. Purpose
3. Potential Audience
4. Programs
5. Process
6. Planned Values
7. Parents
8. Participating Leaders
9. Perseverance

2 Corinthians 4:7
"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."

Twitter: Rick Warren

2009-08-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

Only recently did I sign up to follow Rick Warren on Twitter. But MAN... this guy brings it on a consistent basis. Every day - sometimes multiple times a day - he brings wisdom and new revelation! Amazing!

Here are some of my recent favourites:

The source of a criticism doesn’t invalidate its truth.Even a broken clock is right twice a day.Discern & learn.Prov.12:15

A church doesnt have compromise truth 2 reach others but U do have 2 be nice 2 them when then show up!1 Pet3:15 B polite!

When I hear"I didnt get anything out of worship today" I say"Sorry but our worship wasnt done 4 u.It was 4 God."1Chr.16:29

"God ONLY expects me to be FAIITHFUL" is a lie He also expects u to be FRUITFUL! That provesTRUE discipleship.Jn15:8 (Something my own Pastor has stated before!)

U r as close to God as u CHOOSE to be Don't ACCUSE others or EXCUSE urself.If U feel far from God, guess who moved?Ja4:8

Anyways - all of these are only from the last few days!! Amazing!

Blogging...

2009-08-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about blogging/social media etc... and how much it has been taking over the world! What does this mean for the future? As someone involved with youth ministry - what does this mean for the future of church/ministry - and what role will the internet play? I have a great interest in these areas, however why do I still feel hesitant to fully embrace them? What do I think about online church? How can the requirements of church be fulfilled through a weekly online session?

I hope that as society transitions more and more to online methods that we can use blogging/videos/social media/online communities as TOOLS to advance the Kingdom, but maybe I am still not convinced that they should take the place of REAL church, REAL people and a REAL relationship with God.

As someone who has never really sold myself to blogging regularly - although I like to keep up with other people's blogs - I was inspired recently by someone I came across (online!) recently - Steven Furtick. His blog post was called, 'Please be patient with us.' In it, he explains how he blogs/tweets to share with you how they are doing some things that are working in their church now - but how he knows that he doesn't have it all worked out.

But it was this statement that got me:
'Be patient with me. I’m not preaching, teaching, blogging and tweeting because I think I’ve got it figured out. But I figure our church owes it to you to figure it out in front of you. To learn out loud.

We’re bound to hit some bad notes. But at least we’ll have ‘em recorded for playback. Should make some fun blooper reels.'

So, all this to say that I feel like maybe I should blog a bit more. Maybe I should share about how we are doing things. Maybe before, I would have felt like you were thinking that I was trying to be a know-it-all, but now I know I can say that if it helps you then great, and if not it will at the very least remind me in the future where we have come from and what God has done!

Do I owe it to you to figure it out in front of you? I will try. But what better platform than online - where anyone can share in it. And hopefully this is one way - where we don't REPLACE church with online community - but ENHANCE it, and help each other.

That's My King!

2009-08-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

They showed this video at Hillsborough Bible Week a few weeks ago - and I thought it was awesome! And then last night I found it on Youtube. It was played on a worship night, and about half way through got a standing ovation, clapping, shouting from the youth crowd. There's just something about declaring all who God is - I love that I can say - 'That's my King!'

Abby singing in church...

2009-08-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

'Not Guilty' by Mandisa

Elevation Church

2009-07-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

I came across this guy recently through a link from lifechurch.tv and my ears pricked up. His name is Pastor Steven Furtick, and he is the pastor of Elevation Church in North Carolina. I have now listened to a few of his sermons, and for such a young guy - he really seems to have a lot of wisdom and depth! The whole story just seems really cool - 29 year old guy who in the space of three years has started a church, and now has 5,000 people. Which doesn't always initially impress me, depending on where the people came from, but it really seems that God is doing some great things through this church!

This is the bio from the website.

Pastor Steven Furtick
Pastor Steven grew up in Moncks Corner, South Carolina where at age 16 he realized God's plan for him to start a life-changing church in a metropolitan city.
This vision became a tangible reality when Elevation was founded on the faith of 8 families who risked everything - sold houses, quit jobs and moved to Charlotte believing that God would turn this city upside down for his glory through the local church. That risk has resulted in a remarkable return.
At the three year mark, we've grown to more than 5,000 in attendance each week between our three locations. Since our launch we've seen more than 4,800 people receive Christ. In 2007 and 2008, our church was named one of the 10 fastest growing churches in America.
The heart of Pastor Steven's message is revolutionary faith and how to approach every experience from a visionary perspective. As a leader under 30 years old, his unique passion for seeing God's purposes fulfilled is igniting a fire here in our city and beyond.
Pastor Steven attended North Greenville University, received a B.A. in communications and went on to complete a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, Holly, and two sons Elijah and Graham.

You can also check out:

Elevation Church here
Pastor Steven Furtick's blog here
His wife's blog here

Sermons from Dundonald Elim

2009-07-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

Some of the recent sermons from the Dundonald Elim pulpit... definitely worth a listen!

"How do you feed your soul?"
"Christians are not camels"
"The joy of the Lord is your strength"
"Now"

No Other Choice

2009-07-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

My favourite song right now!

"I have no other choice but to trust you, that's all I can do..."

Blessed

2009-06-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Our youth drama team are performing tonight at an event called 'Celebration of Youth.' It is a secular event, and we got an offer to take part - so they get to celebrate youth, and it is a good outreach.

But the issue was that we were going to take the whole youth to watch, but found out on Monday that we could only have 15 tickets instead of 50!! So my plan was out the window, and now I had nothing planned for youth!

So, I would just like to say thank you for the Tweedie/Lennie family who came to my rescue, and have actually organised everything for 4:12 tonight - I have had to do nothing!! They are putting on a BBQ at their house, they have quad bikes, and football planned - it is going to be great. And it is gorgeous weather today in Northern Ireland. I feel blessed!!

Good Friday

2009-06-24T03:40:00.000-07:00

Some highlights from when we took the service on Good Friday.

Slow Fade

2009-06-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just watched this video on Youtube from Casting Crowns. I heard the song, and loved it - but it was even better to hear the story behind it. A great interpretation of Psalm 1.... it will give you something to think about!

Any ideas?

2009-05-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." Hebrews 10:24

Any ideas?

I like this thinking....

2009-05-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning days of Willow, creative teams I've led have always placed a high value on "blue-sky days". While the duration would vary, the meetings were always called for the sole purpose of dreaming. Periodically I'd gather the team, present an interesting challenge, and then ask them to remove every single boundary, restriction, and practical consideration from their brains. The question I encouraged them to consider was,

"What would we do to advance the kingdom of God if there was nothing to stop us from doing it?"

Before...

2009-05-18T02:54:00.001-07:00

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away, and you have their shoes.

Magnify God...

2009-04-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

/Honey I Shrunk the kids. My Pastor preached an awesome sermon on Sunday - Check it out - it's really worth a listen.
As I magnify God, and my view of God gets bigger - my problems/issues seem smaller.

A Night of Hope at Yankee Stadium

2009-04-30T04:04:00.001-07:00

I love the fact that Lakewood can fill out the new Yankee Stadium with people - and lift up the name of Jesus!
Check out the awesome musical arrangement of the praise and worship.

God Loves You!

2009-04-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

This is a video from our Good Friday service. The young people took part - and we used the 4 points for the service.

God loves you - it's a fact!

I'm a little into quotes....

2009-04-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

Some good ones, from a recent lecturer of mine.

"The heart cannot rejoice with what the mind rejects."

"You can teach what you know, but you can only reproduce what you are."

VISION - "A picture of the future that produces passion."

Seasons...

2009-03-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

I follow Craig Groeschel's blog on google reader - he posts almost every day. And I love it! I almost wait in anticipation for the wisdom that he has to share for the day. He is a young guy too - and it surprises me just how much wisdom that he has. I love this post about being aware of what season you are in.

Working With God’s Seasons
Proverbs 20:4 says, “If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.”
In ministry it is so important to work with God’s seasons. Instead of always wishing for the next season, we should embrace the season we’re in.

Here are a few examples of how to work with the seasons:
If you’re a church planter, you won’t be any more of a real church when you have a real building. Enjoy the ride in portable facilities. You’re in a special season.
If you’re 50 years old and not naturally a cool person, you’ll look silly trying to act and dress 28. Embrace your season and be a mentor instead of a buddy to the next generation.
If your church is debt free and strong, don’t pretend like everything you have is for you. During this season, your greatest calling might be to fund the next generation’s vision.
If you had a singles ministry that worked for 9 years, but is no longer effective, celebrate the 9 years of success. Close it down and do something different. Don’t keep something on life support once its season has passed.

Because I was 28 years old when I started Life Church, I always felt like I was the young guy with everything in front of me. I’m not the young guy any more. (It happened so fast.) Now rather than just building our church, I embrace this season of lifting the next generation to do more than I’m able to do.
How can you better embrace this season?

Quote of the week

2009-03-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

"But could I imagine life without the pursuit of God-given dreams? Definitely not." Mark Pugh

Day 3 - 4:12 @ The Gathering 09

2009-03-21T08:26:00.001-07:00

Day 2 - 4:12 @ The Gathering 09

2009-03-18T06:27:00.001-07:00

Day 1 - 4:12 @ The Gathering 09

2009-03-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Check out the video! We took 33 young people and 6 leaders away to a youth conference in Telford, England - run by the Youth department of Elim - www.serious4god.co.uk We had a blast - was a great weekend - hope you enjoy the video...

The Gathering 09...

2009-03-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning we set off with 33 teenagers and 6 leaders for Birmingham, to travel to the annual Elim youth conference - 'The Gathering.' We are meeting at the church, 6.30am in the morning, before we set off on our flight from Belfast City airport to Liverpool. At Liverpool we will pick up two coaches and a car to take the drive to Birmingham where we will be staying. I know that it is going to be a great time of fun and fellowship - but also that these teenagers (and hopefully me!) will have an amazing encounter with God. Please pray that it would be a life changing moment in their lives - at a time when their decision making is really shaped. If you want to follow along in the fun, we will be posting videos and photos at www.dundonaldelim412.blogspot.com

Youth Room

2009-03-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

After a few weeks of painting/decorating, picking colours and fabric - the youth room is looking a lot better than before! We had our first night of [network] last night - our 17-20's ministry. We had a great night, and everyone was impressed with the improvements to the room! Thanks to everyone who helped!

Network

2009-02-15T14:42:00.001-08:00

One of the reasons Abby and I came to Northern Ireland was to start a 17-20s ministry at the church. That will be beginning officially on March 2nd. We are very excited, and are currently painting a room in the youth halls, and buying some furniture and decoration. We are attempting to make it modern and cool in a coffee shop way. I will post some pictures when it is finished. Here is our official invitation...

Rick Warren on preaching...

2009-02-12T14:24:00.000-08:00

"Jesus taught profound truths in simple ways. Today we teach simple truths in profound ways."

Something to think about as you prepare your sermon!

Marriage, Family, Ministry

2009-02-10T01:20:00.000-08:00

I like this article... (by Brian Berry)

I’ve been a full-time, paid youth pastor for a little over 14 years. I also just celebrated 14 years of marriage. I have three children (ages ten, eight, and five—all boys) I first was a youth pastor. I then became a husband. I then became a father. But if it stays in that order, I’ll be on a road to becoming an absentee father, a divorced man, and a former youth pastor (likely in that order).

If you’re a youth worker who is married with a family, then you know the constant pressure of ministry and family. You know the pull that says, “I yearn to be a great spouse and parent first.” You know the counter pull that says, “Ministry is a full-time job and you’re a youth pastor 24/7 by calling, not by trade.”

So every summer, after the school year is behind me and before the next one begins, I evaluate. I search and dig and wrestle with where we are in ministry. I ask myself, “What did we do right and what did we do wrong?”

This year, I did some intentional evaluating with my wife too. Maybe it’s my mid-thirties calling me or the gut check that comes with the reality that my oldest is entering middle school, but whatever the reason, it was time to evaluate not just ministry, but a lot of other things too. If you can identify, then perhaps this process might help you. The evaluation is built upon the following assumptions:
The best thing you can do for your marriage is bring a healthy you to the union.
The best thing you could do for your kids is give them a healthy marriage.
The best thing you could do for your youth ministry, church, and the community around you is to exemplify a healthy family.

So, with those assumptions affirmed, here are the questions my wife and I asked ourselves:

1. HOW ARE YOU?
If you unpack that question, it might look like this: How are you spiritually, physically, and emotionally? What do you need to be a child of God first and a friend, spouse, or parent second? Are you getting enough alone time? Are you healthy? Where are you hurting? What personal goals do you have at this stage in life? What can I do, or our family do, to help you be free to be who God made you to be?

2. HOW ARE WE?
If you unpack that question, it might look like this: Are we getting enough time together? Do you feel loved and supported by me? How have we grown together this last year? What lessons have we learned? What discoveries have we made? In what ways is our union tighter? Where have we become lazy? Are we becoming better lovers, friends, and teammates? Is there anything you need from me to help you be all that God has called you to be in our marriage?

3. HOW IS OUR FAMILY?
If you unpack that question, it might look like this: Do our children know they are loved and valued as a high priority? Do they get enough of our time? What are their individual needs right now? What are our plans for family vacations and days off? How is our schedule as a family affecting us? How are we managing the finances of our household? What are our future plans and goals? How is our influence in the community? How are we, as a family, growing to become more and more the people that God has created us to be?

I pray that these questions produce a huge blessing in you, your marriage, your family, and then the kingdom of God.

Maribel & Sielke

2009-02-02T02:09:00.000-08:00

Maribel & Sielke, two of our friends from Metro Ministries in New York are staying with us right now. Yesterday, they got to experience some Northern Irish church! My Pastor asked Maribel if she would share her testimony last night, and she did an awesome job!

You can check it out online @

http://dundonaldelim.org/index.php?option=com_sermonspeaker&task=singlesermon&id=10138&Itemid=120

Just copy and paste the link in your browser.

4 points

2009-01-31T02:03:00.000-08:00

We have been doing a teaching series in 4:12 called 'Back to Basics.' It was designed to simply remind us about some of the basic principles from the Bible that should be a part of our LIFESTYLE, and not something that is just somewhere in our lives. One of the weeks was 'Outreach' - and we introduced the 4 points products to 4:12. They are just a great tool that I had seen used at Metro. The youth have gotten very excited about all the stuff, and as part of the announcements video this week they had a 'commercial break' where they inserted a '4 points' commercial! Check it out...

Latest 4:12 Announcements...

2009-01-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

4:12

2009-01-20T06:35:00.000-08:00

Just in case you are not really sure what we do - check out the video! We had a youth service on Sunday in church, and it was great! This video was made by the young people themselves, so the church could get a preview as to what happens on a Friday night!

Wise words

2009-01-13T03:07:00.001-08:00

... from my pastor for the New Year.

All the Time in the World

2008 has gone and not one moment of it can be regained. You have all the time in the world. The same 60 seconds in a minute that everyone else has, the same 60 minutes in an hour etc. You don't need more time you need to be decisive about how you spend the time you've got. Don't live in the past - it's a waste of time. Don't hanker after some bygone time when things were better -its not wise (Ecc 7:10). Seize the minutes of this New Year and use them as fully and as fruitfully as you can. You have all the time in the world but spending it or squandering it is your choice.

Only in NYC...

2009-01-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

can you find an iPod vending machine!!

Perspective

2009-01-12T08:02:00.001-08:00

I really love this perspective on different churches from Craig Groeschel - very Godly!

The Differences I’m Thankful For
by Craig Groeschel
I’m thankful for the:

Social conscious of the United Methodists.
Emphasis on being born again from the Baptists.
Focus on holiness from the Nazarenes.
Power of the Holy Spirit in the Charismatics.
Evangelistic hearts of the seeker sensitive leaders.
Message of grace from the Lutherans.
Attention to right doctrine from the Bible Church leaders.
Heartfelt worship from Pentecostals.
…and much more more!
I’m thankful that God uses different Christian Churches as His light in a dark world!

What are some of the differences you’re thankful for?

New Video!

2008-11-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

We just took over the Youth in Dundonald Elim church, and we changed the name to '4:12' This is for 1st Timothy 4:12. We just made our first announcement video entitled "What's the 4-1-2?", and I am very excited to preview it for you!

Check out how long it lasts! That's right 4mins 12 secs!

A Little Longer...

2008-09-23T13:36:00.001-07:00

I was recently at Henry and Sandra's wedding in NYC. As part of their wedding ceremony they played a really awesome song called 'A Little Longer,' by Brian & Jenn Johnson. Abby and I loved the song, and had to look it up on iTunes. The words are amazing, and really put some things back into perspective for us...

What can I do for You?
What can I bring to You?
What kind of song would you like me to sing?

'Cause I'll dance a dance for You
Pour out my love to You
What can I do for You beautiful king?

'Cause I... can't thank You enough.
I can't thank You enough
All of the words that I find... and I can't thank You enough.
No matter I try... I can't thank You enough.

Then I hear You sing to me
"you... don't have to do a thing
Just simply be with me and let those things go
'Cause they can wait another minute

Wait... this moment is too sweet
Would you please stay here with Me
And love on Me a little longer"

I'd love to be with you a little longer
'Cause I'm in love with you

More pics of Beautiful San Diego...

2008-07-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Beautiful San Diego

2008-07-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

From June26th - June 30th I got the privilege of going to the west coast with Pastor Bill! I had never been to California before, but PB was speaking at a church in 'El Cajon', close to San Diego, Cali. He was the main speaker at a teenage youth conference called 'FutureQuest.' (Check it out at 'futurequest.tv')

I started travelling on the Thursday, and it was supposed to take about 9 hours to get from New York to California. It ended up taking 16 HOURS!! I was flying through Houston, Texas but there were thunderstorms, so they landed my plane in Lafayette, Louisiana! So, I had the privilege of having a really great chat with a lady on the plane from 94th street, Manhattan - a musician! 4 hours on the plane later and we landed in Houston, Texas, my next flight left super late to San Diego, and it managed to be a really looonnnngggg day!

Next day (Friday) was Pastor Bill's main day at the Youth Conference. He spoke at the am and pm services. Included was an afternoon leadership workshop. I was there to play keyboard for Pastor Bill's altar calls, and it was so amazing to see the teenagers respond to everything that he was saying. You could see that God changed many lives there. I just kept thinking that the teenagers were super privileged to get to hear Pastor Bill's perspective on life and ministry at such a young age. On the last night, I watched how Pastor Bill finished a long day, preached and had an awesome altar call. Many preachers at this stage would exit and go rest, especially when they know they have to speak the next day, and even have additional meetings. But I watched as God used this man of God to continue to minister to the young people by letting them form a line while he took time to hug each one of them, and speak into their lives. Many teenagers lined up, and God used Pastor Bill in a powerful way. There were about 1700 teenagers in attendance.

Afterwards, the pastors there commented how God probably ministered more AFTER the altar call than before! No one in their right mind would have blamed Pastor Bill for leaving right after the altar call, but thankfully he didn't miss what God was doing. I felt so privileged to have witnessed this, and also jealous that I didn't have this experience as a teenager!
On Saturday, Pastor Bill spoke for the adult service at the church, the first of three weekend services. (www.foothillschristianchurch.org) Sunday topped off the next two services, before I got a guided tour from Jeremy around beautiful San Diego!!

I couldn't believe that it has REAL palm trees, just like the movies!! I loved it. In one afternoon, we went downtown, seaport village, balboa park and to coronado island! I loved the city, the culture and the lifestyle. Definitely one of my new favorite places!

Check out this sermon from Pastor Bill on the website from the Sunday morning: one of his best ever. (http://web.mac.com/fccrob/FCC_Podcast/Sermon_Podcast/
Entries/2008/6/29_How_Do_We_Love_God_(audio).html)

Teenmania 2008

2008-07-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

For some pictures and a testimony visit:
http://www.globalexpeditions.com/trips.php?TripId=435

And for more news and stories check out:
www.metrobelarus.blogspot.com

I will post next week with my side of the story! Please pray for us, and the awesome teenagers - we will do more outreach Tuesday and Wednesday!

Leaving NYC....

2008-06-28T22:38:00.001-07:00

In Spetember we make our move to Northern Ireland. Abby and I are going to be working for the church in Dundonald. www.dundonaldelim.org We will be working with the children, youth and outreach ministries. As well, I will be studying theology at Bible College. We are very excited about this new adventure in our life!

We also have a very exciting summer schedule, with vacation, camp and visiting friends & family before we get settled in Norn Iron. Please pray for us to get settled quickly and to get all the logistics figured out!

This is our schedule for the next few months:

July 1st-July 10th Teenmania Brooklyn, NY
July 12th - August 5th Vacation in America
August 11th - 22nd Camp - Upstate NY
August 24th Last day working for Metro
August 25th - Sept 6th Rochester, NY (Hannah & David)
September 8th Belfast, N.I
September 10th - 24th Denmark (Abby's parents), Holland (Cindy & Gideon)

We are excited for this transition, but I guess sometimes I forget that we are actually moving country!!
New things in store....

Wepa Puerto Rico

2008-06-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

Summer time at Metro is always a time for big events in the adult department! One of my favorites is Wepa Puerto Rico, when all the Puerto Ricans come out and all the wannabe puerto ricans like me! 'Que tu tas mirando?'

Semester is over... with a block party!

2008-06-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

Spring semester 2008 is now over! 13 weeks of hardcore sunday school everyday has passed. I really had an awesome time, we had a lot of fun, and a lot of great ministry times with the people!

Every week on Sidewalk we have a theme, and our last theme was a 'Block Party.' We had lemonade, nail painting, face painting, make your own party hat, gave away water guns, target gift cards - everything! Was really cool! It is a great opportunity for new people to come and hear about Jesus. We did have some crazy thunderstorms, but we managed to judge when they were going to come pretty well. We ended the four days having reached 1,521 people with the gospel! Was awesome! God is so good!

2008-04-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Spring Semester 2008.

March 2008. I turned 22. I began my 7th semester at Metro. My 1st semester as a married man. I feel a greater sense of calling and excitement to be serving God than ever before. I don't know where this journey will take us, and on some level it's great, because i have very little worries. I feel more than ever that I serve such an awesome God that truly ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. No dream too big.

So, we enter this semester with a great sense of expectation - that truly this will be 'the best semester ever.' And it will. I am convinced. I feel so blessed that God has done so much in Abby and I at Metro Ministries. I feel so blessed that one of my interns - Jerusha is a missionary kid. Her mom is a Dutch lady who left Holland at the age of 19 by herself to go reach the nation of Guatemala. Jerusha truly has a similar spirit. She may not be quite as confident as her mother, but I love that she won't let anything stop her. I feel so used by God to be able to impart anything to this young woman. Then there's Sara from France. She has great dreams to open orphanages in South Africa. But the difference about Sara is, compared to most of the other christians I meet is that - she will actually do it!! She is not just talking but truly walking out her christianity. Never before have I quite felt this way about a semester.

Then there's Abby and I. While we serve in New York, we feel Russia calling. We get to serve God and Pastor Bill's vision here at Metro, while learning so much - a great privilege. And amazing preparation for the future, when God opens the door for us to fully follow the vision he has given us.

Pray for us this semester - life is very exciting....!!!!

New things....

2008-03-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Wow guys!
I was in church today (Metro Christian Centre) and some of the new interns were there already! I can't believe that HardC.O.R.E training starts on Tuesday! However, me and Abby went to the Encounter at church on Friday night and all day Saturday, and God did some amazing things in both of us... now I am really excited for semester!
Please pray for us this week, as we try to 'figure out' the interns and that they will get placed in the right team. My 7th semester at Metro is around the corner...