I just read a great, yet heart breaking article. Part of being a youth pastor is knowing that you are developing teenagers, helping them mature. I try to help teens successfully transition from being children to being adults socially, spiritually, and behaviorally. There are several things that hinder this transition, and maybe it is because I am a guy, but I feel like young men have more in their way.
I always feel like girls are always ready to mature, it doesn't mean they always act that way, but they are often looking for that next step in maturity. While guys are always looking to stay young, to play games, to remember their old toys and to buy new toys.
This I read today has some great, and frightening insight to the two major factors that are causing the "Demise of Guys" in our culture today, and it starts at a young age.
Please take some time to read this article - http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/23/health/living-well/demise-of-guys/index.html
Equipping parents to disciple
Friday, May 25, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Adventure
As many of you know, The Adventure is the new sermon series we are doing at Eagles View Church. The series is all about digging into the word of God and discovering the journey that comes along with that. Part of the series is encouraging EVC to engage in a 42-day bible reading plan (the plan can be found here).
This is a great opportunity to get you and your family reading the word of God together throughout the week. Read each day and maybe once a week gather to talk about some of the passages that stuck out to you and what you learned about it. As the parents, don't dominate the conversation! Let your teenager talk about all that God taught them through his word.
Throughout the week make sure you are encouraging your entire family to be reading their daily verses. Demonstrate for them what it looks like to give up time in front of the television or on the computer. Encourage them to find time in their own day to give to God rather than forcing them to a set time that you decide they should read.
EVC Staff members will be giving their thoughts throughout the next 42 days of how God is speaking to them. You can find posts on the EVC Facebook Page or on the staff members personal blog, such as mine - Niemanology.com. Maybe you could make these videos and posts part of your family worship time!
I really think that this can become more than 42 days of bible reading for your family, but it can become a way to worship the Lord together and hopefully become a weekly tradition for you all.
This is a great opportunity to get you and your family reading the word of God together throughout the week. Read each day and maybe once a week gather to talk about some of the passages that stuck out to you and what you learned about it. As the parents, don't dominate the conversation! Let your teenager talk about all that God taught them through his word.
Throughout the week make sure you are encouraging your entire family to be reading their daily verses. Demonstrate for them what it looks like to give up time in front of the television or on the computer. Encourage them to find time in their own day to give to God rather than forcing them to a set time that you decide they should read.
EVC Staff members will be giving their thoughts throughout the next 42 days of how God is speaking to them. You can find posts on the EVC Facebook Page or on the staff members personal blog, such as mine - Niemanology.com. Maybe you could make these videos and posts part of your family worship time!
I really think that this can become more than 42 days of bible reading for your family, but it can become a way to worship the Lord together and hopefully become a weekly tradition for you all.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Keeping an Eye on What They're Watching
In high school I worked at Blockbuster, and even before that I considered myself a movie buff, so you can only imagine what renting 5 free movies a week did for me! Ever since I was old enough to understand it, I have been fascinated with the film rating system. Since the 1920s the MPAA has attempted to rate movies to accurately inform viewers of the nature of the content they are going to see. What I have always been interested in is how do they find that fine line? What makes something G but not PG, what keeps something PG-13 but not R. Sure some movies are pretty blatant. A great amount of language and adult content obviously warrants a "R" rating. But as a student pastor, as I am sure you have seen as parents, more and more there is a blurring of the line between PG-13 and R. There is this weird grey area that has started to concern me more and more.
So how can you ensure you know what your child is going to see when he or she asks you if they can see that latest movie? There is a site I have found that has been incredibly helpful to me in knowing what my students are watching and how teach out of such things. I know this site can be an incredible tool for you as parents as well.
Go to kids-in-mind.com.
Surf around a little bit and you will get a quick sense of how they use their rating system. Each movie has a 10-point scale (1 being tame, 10 being incredibly inappropriate for children) in three categories: Sex & Nudity, Violence & Gore, and Profanity. The rating team watches a movie and takes extensive notes on each questionable scene. It is down to a science, if a woman is wearing a low-cut top, they note it. If there is a nose bleed, they see it. Their in-depth rating of profanity features a count of how many of what types of words are used, with everything from name calling to how many "F" words were used, it is very extensive. As they look at all these scenes they give it a score.
The thing I like about it is it doesn't tell you what is appropriate or not, it simply gives the facts, and you as they parent have to make the choice to allow your son or daughter to view that movie.
Now, this site is in no way perfect, it is just a tool. One complaint I got from a parent once was that sometimes they make a movie seem a lot worse than it really is by using this almost scientific language. for example, it may say, "A man bends over and reveals part of his buttocks." When the scene was of a plumber fixing a sink. Get it? The descriptions give very little context on the scene, which is good, because when you read one of their ratings you don't feel like you've seen the movie. So, all that being said, this isn't the only tool you should use, but it is a tool. I would encourage you to ask around and see if any of your friends have seen the movie, so they can help you gather and opinion as well. Ask me! I see a lot of movies and have a lot of friends who watch a ton of movies too, I'm sure I can help you out.
More than anything, I know that so often what goes in the eyes and ears of these students (and ourselves for that matter) really begins to effect their hearts. As a kid I was always very imaginative, putting myself in the characters place in my mind. That can be very dangerous for some of the movies out there!
If you have any questions or comments please let me know! Feel free to comment on this post and share your thoughts with other parents.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Student Life Camp - Day 5 (Going Home)
Camp is over, students are more than likely passed out on couches all over the Saginaw area. These guys and girls have been challenged in some powerful ways and already I have had conversations with several of them talking about the amazing experiences they had.
Today went by incredibly fast. From waking up early (many of the guys got a beautiful wake up song this morning) getting breakfast, then packing up all the bags it had already been a busy morning before the students even had the opportunities to open their bibles.
The group all week has started off the day with quiet times and today was no different. My hope is that they got a great deal out of these times that were all about them personally interacting with God rather than corporate worship. A cool thing is their camp booklets have several post camp quiet time lessons so that they can spend some personal worship time at home. This would be a great way to encourage your son or daughter at home this week.
The week ended with the celebration service where the students watched some funny videos (one called "Edwin's Corner" was incredibly popular), they worshiped, and listened to a great challenge from Jeff.
It was an awesome way to wrap up the week. It was followed by the hectic loading up of the cars to go home, but everyone got a ride and that is what is important. I want to say thank you to all the parents who helped transport kids. I know it is not as convenient as hopping on a bus, but it really helped many families financially.
I also need to thank my wife Maddie and Linda Smith who were are other two adult leaders this week. They were so incredibly helpful and I couldn't have done it without them. If you see them on Sunday, please tell them "Thank you!"
I could go on and on about all the crazy awesome stuff that God did at camp. What I really want you to know is that your students met with God this week. Do what you can to encourage them to be devoted daily to their faith.
Thank you for raising such amazing, well behaved, fun students. I am so incredibly blessed!
Today went by incredibly fast. From waking up early (many of the guys got a beautiful wake up song this morning) getting breakfast, then packing up all the bags it had already been a busy morning before the students even had the opportunities to open their bibles.
The group all week has started off the day with quiet times and today was no different. My hope is that they got a great deal out of these times that were all about them personally interacting with God rather than corporate worship. A cool thing is their camp booklets have several post camp quiet time lessons so that they can spend some personal worship time at home. This would be a great way to encourage your son or daughter at home this week.
The week ended with the celebration service where the students watched some funny videos (one called "Edwin's Corner" was incredibly popular), they worshiped, and listened to a great challenge from Jeff.
It was an awesome way to wrap up the week. It was followed by the hectic loading up of the cars to go home, but everyone got a ride and that is what is important. I want to say thank you to all the parents who helped transport kids. I know it is not as convenient as hopping on a bus, but it really helped many families financially.
I also need to thank my wife Maddie and Linda Smith who were are other two adult leaders this week. They were so incredibly helpful and I couldn't have done it without them. If you see them on Sunday, please tell them "Thank you!"
I could go on and on about all the crazy awesome stuff that God did at camp. What I really want you to know is that your students met with God this week. Do what you can to encourage them to be devoted daily to their faith.
Thank you for raising such amazing, well behaved, fun students. I am so incredibly blessed!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Student Life Summer Camp - Day 4 and Pick-up Procedure
NOTE: If you are just looking for the pick-up instructions please scroll to the bottom of this post.
Then the day was filled with the last day of rec activities and family group bible studies. Our students did several team building activities during rec time that they all seemed to really enjoy, despite the (yet again) blazing temperatures. It makes it easier to continually remind students to drink water when a camp staff member passed out from dehydration during morning celebration. Thankfully he was just fine! But it does really put the importance into perspective.
I could tell at lunch today that the students were done with camp food. It is hard to do a full week of the stuff, even when the food has been as good with as many options as UTA provided.
During free time the campus was a lot more open. There were several churches that went to play in a dodgeball tournament at Cowboys Stadium that would have cost us extra per student, but our kids didn't care, because that meant fun indoor activities like pool, bowling, billiards, ping pong, air hockey, and fooseball were all wide open. It was the first time this week I felt like the students didn't want free time to end. A lot of unity made and friendships strengthened.
Worship tonight was again just awesome and incredibly challenging. God really used Aaron Ivey to lead us into His presence and I saw many of our students actively participating in worship in ways that they had never been comfortable doing before. I hope they bring that back to EVC and it really starts a fire with congregation there. How cool would that be?!?
Jeff Mangum talked tonight about what it means to remain a devoted follower of Christ in the midst of the storms that life throws our way. One thing that I have absolutely loved about Jeff is the way he doesn't dumb down things for students. He engages them as just as important and intelligent as adults, and it grabs their attention. That means a lot to me because that is the same philosophy I have. The last thing I want is for a camp pastor to baby these students, I want them to be challenged!
We ended the night with our church group time. We took communion together and I really challenged the students to remember what God had done for them with Jesus on the cross and how that made this entire week possible. That is why we are devoted. It was a great way to wrap up our last church group meeting.
I just want to say, and I've said it a lot. This is a great group! I could not be prouder. Looking and listening to some of these other students (not all of them, but a select few) it makes me really realize how lucky I am to have such a respectful, funny, kind-hearted group of guys and girls. It just makes my heart swell with joy and pride.
Pick-up Procedure:
Our pick up plans have changed a little. The check out procedure was not clearly defined by the camp until this evening so I had to shuffle our plans. Pick up will still be at 10:00am, but the location is slightly different. If you dropped your student off then you are aware of where we will be picking up. At the parking lot next to the two dorms the students are staying in.
Our morning session ends at 10:00am, so know that if you arrive at exactly 10:00am that we might not be there yet, but we will be there soon, so just hold tight. I will have my cell phone on me so if you have any questions, feel free to call me or send me a text.
If you are not going to UTA to pick your son or daughter up then please be at EVC around 10:45am to pick them up.
Again if you have any questions please let me know, send me an e-mail, a text message, or call me. I will get it!
Thanks!
Student Life Summer Camp - Day 3
Yes, I too am surprised that UTA hasn't melted yet. It is blazing hot outside! With temps reaching 104 yesterday I was thoroughly prepared to encourage these students through any complaints or struggles. But I didn't hear anything. Not one complaint, not one headache, nothing! The combination of these being some incredibly awesome students and the fact that when we tell them to drink lots of water they do it, that makes for some awesome spirits and fun!
Yesterday all of the students participated in Water Day rec games. Tons of goofy games that involved everyone getting completely drenched. I saw all the students participating and having fun. A lot of wonderful connections have been made with students from other churches.
Last night was our third session with Jeff Mangum and Aaron Ivey. It was a great worship service and another incredibly challenging message from Jeff. I hope you got the chance to listen online.
The message last night was that we, with freedom in Christ, can no longer be stagnant and selfish in our faith, we need to take action. We need to realize that the blessings God gives us are for us to give glory to Him, not for us to put glory upon ourselves. It was a beautiful picture that God, by His grace, wants us to be involved in His works.
Our students also heard a little about Compassion International, and it really struck a chord with several of our students. Many of who now want to sponsor a child and give them hope for a future. It was great that this Student Life camp partnered with a group that EVC also works with.
The night ended for the EVC students with some crazy fun and games during a time called SL Nation. Then we headed to our church group time to take a moment to debrief before heading back to the dorm rooms and spending some time hanging out before lights out.
It was a great night! I can't wait to see what God has in store for day 4!
One more thing. Hope Barber, one of our students, sadly got sick yesterday and had to go home from camp. All of the students really miss her and we hate that she had to go home. Please be praying for her to get well soon! Thanks!
Yesterday all of the students participated in Water Day rec games. Tons of goofy games that involved everyone getting completely drenched. I saw all the students participating and having fun. A lot of wonderful connections have been made with students from other churches.
Last night was our third session with Jeff Mangum and Aaron Ivey. It was a great worship service and another incredibly challenging message from Jeff. I hope you got the chance to listen online.
The message last night was that we, with freedom in Christ, can no longer be stagnant and selfish in our faith, we need to take action. We need to realize that the blessings God gives us are for us to give glory to Him, not for us to put glory upon ourselves. It was a beautiful picture that God, by His grace, wants us to be involved in His works.
Our students also heard a little about Compassion International, and it really struck a chord with several of our students. Many of who now want to sponsor a child and give them hope for a future. It was great that this Student Life camp partnered with a group that EVC also works with.
The night ended for the EVC students with some crazy fun and games during a time called SL Nation. Then we headed to our church group time to take a moment to debrief before heading back to the dorm rooms and spending some time hanging out before lights out.
It was a great night! I can't wait to see what God has in store for day 4!
One more thing. Hope Barber, one of our students, sadly got sick yesterday and had to go home from camp. All of the students really miss her and we hate that she had to go home. Please be praying for her to get well soon! Thanks!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Student Life Summer Camp - Day 2
Well day two is coming to a close and what an amazing day it has been. You'll be interested to know that every student woke up, without help and made it to breakfast on time (early in some cases), so let this be proof to you parents, they can do it! Waking up on their own is possible!
All the students are really finding their groove in camp today. They're getting a feel for the campus and for the schedule. I could not be more excited for the things that God will continue to do now that simple distractions such as confusion are out of the way.
Day two was the start of rec for our students. They had the opportunity to get to know a lot of students from other churches all while spending time playing some of the craziest most ridiculous games I have ever seen, and that is saying something. All our kids were having a blast, and despite another day of 100+ temperatures I heard no complaints and everyone was well hydrated, we just want to make sure that carries over to day 3!
Worship was amazing tonight. All the songs we sang we about devoting our lives to God. There was a lot of passionate worship from our students. At times I just stood quietly as I heard the voices of the EVC students fill the air behind me and to my side. It was incredible! My prayer is that is an attitude of worship that they would bring home with them and allow it to impact the worship services at EVC.
The sermon was equally as powerful. Camp speaker Jeff Mangum gave a heartfelt and passionate challenge to understand the importance of confession in our lives. Not just confession to God, but understanding how much healing comes when we let down our sinful pride and allow ourselves to be transparent with one another as the Body of Christ, as a family of broken people. This is something that, especially our younger teens, may have a hard time with. But when it came time for our church group time the spirit of God moved in a powerful way and encouraged us all to deal with some messy truths in our lives. I say this with all excitement that there was brokenness in the lives of many of our students, but there was also great healing. It was one of the more powerful times I have been a part of in all my nearly 7+ years in student ministry.
All that to say, camp is going great. I am sorry I didn't get to post this last night. It was definitely a busy night and we didn't finish till late. Be praying for energy for these students this morning. They are dragging a little bit, but they are excited and ready to take on a new day here at camp!
Remember you can send e-mails to your student by visiting the studentlife.com site and following the directions there. We had several students receive letters yesterday and they all want you guys to know how grateful they were for that!
On to Day 3!!!
All the students are really finding their groove in camp today. They're getting a feel for the campus and for the schedule. I could not be more excited for the things that God will continue to do now that simple distractions such as confusion are out of the way.
Day two was the start of rec for our students. They had the opportunity to get to know a lot of students from other churches all while spending time playing some of the craziest most ridiculous games I have ever seen, and that is saying something. All our kids were having a blast, and despite another day of 100+ temperatures I heard no complaints and everyone was well hydrated, we just want to make sure that carries over to day 3!
Worship was amazing tonight. All the songs we sang we about devoting our lives to God. There was a lot of passionate worship from our students. At times I just stood quietly as I heard the voices of the EVC students fill the air behind me and to my side. It was incredible! My prayer is that is an attitude of worship that they would bring home with them and allow it to impact the worship services at EVC.
The sermon was equally as powerful. Camp speaker Jeff Mangum gave a heartfelt and passionate challenge to understand the importance of confession in our lives. Not just confession to God, but understanding how much healing comes when we let down our sinful pride and allow ourselves to be transparent with one another as the Body of Christ, as a family of broken people. This is something that, especially our younger teens, may have a hard time with. But when it came time for our church group time the spirit of God moved in a powerful way and encouraged us all to deal with some messy truths in our lives. I say this with all excitement that there was brokenness in the lives of many of our students, but there was also great healing. It was one of the more powerful times I have been a part of in all my nearly 7+ years in student ministry.
All that to say, camp is going great. I am sorry I didn't get to post this last night. It was definitely a busy night and we didn't finish till late. Be praying for energy for these students this morning. They are dragging a little bit, but they are excited and ready to take on a new day here at camp!
Remember you can send e-mails to your student by visiting the studentlife.com site and following the directions there. We had several students receive letters yesterday and they all want you guys to know how grateful they were for that!
On to Day 3!!!
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