eternal weight of glory

dave miers dot com

2008-02-03T23:33:00.000+11:00

Say hello to: DAVE MIERS DOT COM.

My new site has all the old posts from this blog... plus so much more!!

Go check it out. (Welcome post)

Change your Bookmark/RSS feed now: http://feeds.feedburner.com/davemiers

ps - this blog has now received its 25,000th hit

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ZEROOOOOO

2008-02-03T09:51:00.001+11:00

it drops today! stay tuned...

juan won one

2008-02-02T07:37:00.001+11:00

2wo

2008-02-01T14:17:00.001+11:00

numero threeo

2008-01-31T12:13:00.001+11:00

IV

2008-01-30T10:26:00.001+11:00

funf

2008-01-29T12:27:00.001+11:00

6

2008-01-28T12:51:00.001+11:00

seven

2008-01-27T16:20:00.001+11:00

Eternal Weight of Glory

2008-01-23T12:00:00.000+11:00

This is the final 'official' post on this blog. It's been a fun ride blogging on eternal weight of glory. Thanks for reading and commenting.

I'm going to finish this blog with the words that started it:

[16] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. [17] For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:16-18 (ESV)

I'm glad that through the death of Jesus, this life and it's afflictions are only slight and momentary compared to the glory that is to come.

Is this it then? NO!! Stay tuned for a new RSS feed, a new blog and a new adventure!

This is Abortion

2008-01-22T19:02:00.000+11:00

From www.abort73.com (h/t JT)

For Sale: 1993 Hyundai Excel

2008-01-21T12:19:00.000+11:00

FOR SALE: HYUNDAI EXCEL
$900 (negotiable)

1993 Manual Hyundai Excel
186,000 km
Late Feb Rego
Air Con
Power steering
5 Door
Runs like a dream

Dave 0428-532-665

Cling to Jesus

2008-01-20T23:06:00.000+11:00

We had our last night at CCEC tonight. The plan is to be back in a year, but we'll see what happens. (See here and here for earlier reports and stay tuned for more about '08).

I've been thinking tonight about what type of legacy I want left after 10 years of youth ministry. While there are lots of positive things that I hope we've left behind, there is one thing that I hope will be a legacy that will last for generations.

It's been said by a number of different church and gospel analysts (it may have come from Phillip Jensen?) that the gospel is never far from being lost from one generation to the next.

Step 1 - they preach the gospel (here's one clear explanation of the gospel [the goodnews of Jesus])
Step 2 - they assume the gospel
Step 3 - they neglect the gospel
Step 4 - they reject/deny the gospel

Each step may be only slight, but the implications for taking each step are massive. Those that assume and neglect the gospel, may well still believe it, but the great danger is that through their assumptions and neglect the gospel is in danger of not being passed onto the next generation.

I spoke with a number of leaders this afternoon about the need to keep preaching the gospel. Obviously we aim to preach the gospel to the 40,000 Central Coast teenagers who don't know Jesus. BUT we need to preach to more people than just the lost who haven't yet heard it.

My hope is that CCECYOUTH will be known for being a Jesus-Proclaiming, Cross-Centred, Gospel-Guarding youth group where the leaders preach the gospel:

to themselves daily
to each other
to the Christian teens in our program
to teenagers who don't know Jesus

Paul in 1 Cor 15 was desperate for the Corinthian Christians to keep trusting in the gospel, that he reminded them once again what was of first importance.

Jesus died for our sins. He was buried.
Jesus rose. He appeared.

Don't forget it! Keep clinging to Jesus. Are you in danger of assuming, neglecting or denying the goodnews of Jesus? Keep proclaiming Jesus dead, buried and risen to yourself and others.

A-League 0708 Minor Premiership

2008-01-19T23:57:00.000+11:00

I planned on going to watch Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Pheonix tonight. BUT 3/5s of the crew I was going with wanted to watch it at the pub (softies!). It was easier to stay dry in the pub - and probably a bit more comfortable too. It was a fun night. Giddy up the Mariners!

At the start of this round (the final regular season round) the top 4 were all equal on goal difference. This is rare and set up for an exciting finish to the season.

Newcastle won 2-1 last night (watch the goals)
Mariners won 2-0 tonight (watch the goals)

It means that currently Mariners are leading on goal difference over Newcastle.
Sydney and Queensland both have difficult matches tomorrow night (Sunday).

If QLD wins. They will be minor premiers. Sydney have to hope that QLD draw or lose and that they win by 2 or more to beat the Mariners.

My tip: Mariners should make the top 2 (this is important). I think there's a good chance that both Syd and QLD will be pushed hard in their matches - and one of them is bound to slip up. Best scenario is Melbourne drawing or beating Sydney and Adelaide drawing or beating QLD. QLD will probably win with Mariners second.

What's your tip for the A-League minor premiership???

PS. Check out Dale's Blog. He's been ripping it to shreds with sports posts. Go leave him a comment... he's a man longing for more comments!

Friday Foto #3

2008-01-18T12:19:00.000+11:00

Dan vs Jackson

2008-01-17T23:59:00.000+11:00

Cafe Del Freeo

2008-01-16T12:41:00.000+11:00

CCECNITECHURCH is hosting Cafe Del Freeo this Thursday (17Jan) and Friday (18Jan) night. From 7pm @ Bakehouse Cafe, Fountain Plaza, Erina.

Mike McCarthy will be playing on Thursday and a new Jazz crew on Friday. Bring ya friends!

good music. good food. good coffee. good times.

The hook, the book, the look, the took

2008-01-15T23:59:00.000+11:00

Tim Hawkins (and others) has four elements of a good youth talk:

The Hook - why ought people listen? The hook establishes, in the first minute or two of the talk, why the listener ought to keep listening. This is similar to what David Cook calls the Big or Dominant Question.
The Book - what the Bible has to say about this situation.
The Look - helping the listeners to dig deeper into the Bible and what it means.
The Took - is the 'so what?' How this part of the Bible impacts on the life of the listener.

I have listened to and given many talks to teenagers during the past year. My observation is that we are strong on the book and the look. But we are weak on the hook which leads to weakness with the took.

The hook is important in drawing the listener into hearing from the text. And the hook helps to shape the take-home cash-value 'took' throughout the talk.

What do you think makes a good hook?

For a good look - see the picture above...
(I may have lost weight - but my head's still big!)

Blog Watch #2

2008-01-14T19:08:00.000+11:00

Some 2008 blog action from some friends (mainly real + a couple of virtual).

If you are a friend and you're not up there - it's cos you haven't blogged since last year - or I don't know your address. Leave it in the comments.

ps - 2 warm fuzzies if you can identify the location of the above sign...

EDIT: Can't make it to New York in time for church this Sunday??? Watch a New York City Sermon unfold on the blogosphere... The Invisibility of God #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15 from Moff Dogs.

Incredible milestone

2008-01-13T23:59:00.000+11:00

Matt and Tash's Wedding

2008-01-12T23:59:00.000+11:00

Pictured: Matt, Tash, Row, Lisa, Sam and me. Good times.

Friday Foto #2

2008-01-11T16:31:00.000+11:00

Lifestyle - Kids and the Internet

2008-01-10T23:41:00.000+11:00

HERE (mp3) is the talk I did on Wednesday (& repeated Thursday at NLEC) in the adults tent. Here are the notes.

MyKid on MySpace

2008-01-09T18:51:00.000+11:00

Here is a page on our 'For Parents' website that is for promoting safe Internet use. It has some of the material from my 'MyKid on MySpace' talk in the adults tent this morning on summerfest.

Check it out. Let me know if there's any dud links... or if you have suggestions for other ones.

Secret link.

Stephen vs. Saul/Paul

2008-01-08T23:48:00.000+11:00

This arvo I was reading Acts 7. Stephen gives a cracker of a sermon in the court. He recounts the history of Israel and says that their forefathers were idiots for rejecting God and his prophets. He then completes the smack-down by calling them double-idiots for being doubly stupid for killing Jesus, THE Prophet.

They get cranky pants. Big time! They gnash their teeth at him and then proceed to play a massive game of stax-on with the nearest rocks they can find.

As they're stoning him, Saul (now known as Paul) is there in the thick of the action. It was at that point that I started thinking about what Stephen and Paul's relationship is like now in the presence of Jesus. Do they have some probs? Does Stephen joke about the time that he got 'stoned'? Does Paul just keep saying "I'm sooo sorry about that..."?

Then I read the next verse: Stephen prays a very Jesus-esque prayer upon death. That prayer is answered in the conversion of Saul, the chief of all sinners.

What are they both doing now? Being stoked in Jesus.

xtreme day 1 - sfest08

2008-01-07T18:04:00.000+11:00

Testify #1

2008-01-06T17:33:00.000+11:00

saturdayEV kicked off their January series yesterday. Each week during the TESTIFY series Tim interviews a member of their crew and then preaches a shorter sermon on one of the themes from the testimony.

Check out the Kristy Galea interview
Check out the sermon 'Got the wrong idea about God?'
Subscribe with iTunes

Kristy's interview was great and then Tim spoke against God being:

boring
uninterested
mean

Good stuff.

Summerfest 2008

2008-01-05T14:20:00.000+11:00

CCEC's January mission starts this week. The team arrive today. Summerfest will be launched tomorrow @ church. The program starts on Monday. Junior High program each morning @ Erina Fair Youth Centre. Senior High program each night @ EFYC.

My program: I'll be MC tomorrow at ccecnitechurch; speaking in the adults tent on "Kids and the Internet" on Wednesday; doing the same talk at the Northern Lakes sfest on Thursday; speaking at the combined youth event on Friday night; and roaming around both of the teens programs throughout the week.

The following Sunday we begin our summer series' in church. Morning: The Unique Challenge of Jesus. Nite: Wisdom for Life. saturdayEV begin a great series today called 'Testify'.

The following week nitechurch will be running Cafe Del Freeo on 17th & 18th Jan.

Good times ahead. Pray. Come. Rock on.

PS - I spoke at the Toowoon Bay Beach Mission Camper's Concert last night. They have been doing a killer job at proclaiming Jesus!

Friday Foto #1

2008-01-04T12:43:00.000+11:00

Human Tetris II

2008-01-03T23:23:00.000+11:00

Human Tetris I

Welcome to 2008

2008-01-01T13:58:00.000+11:00

Crazy things happening on this blog in 2008... stay tuned!

Trust Jesus in 2008.

Read, remember and pray

2007-12-30T23:52:00.000+11:00

Tonight I spoke about New Year's Resolutions. The most popular NYR for Christians is to read the Bible and pray more throughout the new year. What is it that will help you to follow through with this resolution?

In response to Psalm 119 it's having a heart that treasures God, His Word and obeying it more than life itself. In order to treasure God and His Word, we need to plan to spend time with him to hide his word in our hearts.

Following are some practical tools to help you: Read it, Remember it and Pray it.

READ IT

CCEC Daily Reading notes
McCheyne reading plan (this looks like a great resource!)
Free Don Carson Devotional through email - sample - based on McCheyne plan (Row and I do one of these columns each night)
Search for "Bible" in iTunes - look under "Audiobooks" to find the whole Bible for a bargain price - listen to the Bible on your iPod.
Click 'listen' at the top of any passage to listen for free online - I've just started using this - it's great!

REMEMBER IT

Navigators topical memory system (you can buy their cards or make your own based on their verses)
Fighter Verses from John Piper
Memory Verse Songs for Adults
Remember whole books of the bible
Free email-based Bible memory program

PRAY IT

Pray in response to the verses you read
Pray in response to the verses you remember
Don't close your Bible when you pray, but let the priorities of the Bible shape your priorities in prayer.
A Call to Spiritual Reformation - a good book showing Paul's priorities in prayer

Do you have any tools for reading and remembering God's Word?
Share them in the comments...

Extreme Scripture Memory

2007-12-29T18:29:00.000+11:00

Dr. Andrew Davis suggests that there are numerous advantages of memorising whole books of the Bible as opposed to individual verses. One of the key things that he says is that it's easy to take verses out of context when remembering them in isolation. (I think there are verses in the Navigators system that do this.)

My memory is often elephant-like in it's ability to retain and use individual Bible verses. I'm thinking that I might have a crack at remembering a 1 or 2 books of the Bible next year. There are some that I can already recite large slabs of such as Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians that might be good ones to start with.

Can you remember entire books of the Bible? Check out the following article for some good tips on how to do it well.

An Approach to the Extended Memorization of Scripture

(direct download)

(h/t JT)

How Can Christians Explain Truth to Others?

2007-12-28T18:46:00.000+11:00

Hiding God's Word in your heart

2007-12-27T23:13:00.000+11:00

I'm preaching on Psalm 119 this Sunday @ ccecnitechurch. In it the Psalmist is deeply passionate about the word of God. Rejoice, delight, recount, obedience, praise, understanding, wonder, zeal and love are some of his responses to the word.

I've been challenged to "not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Deut 8:3 and Matt 4:4).

The following is one way that the Psalmist seeks to feed upon the word of God:

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

Jerry Bridges says that one of the ways that the Holy Spirit guides is by recalling to our minds scriptures that we have memorised. Maybe he said that so Navigators could sell more memory verse cards! My guess is that it's based more on Ephesians 6 and being armed with the Sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God.

Here are 3 systems that might be helpful in arming yourself:

Navigators Topical Memory System. I have completed the first set of these verses which is about 60 verses. There are a bunch of other sets that I haven't completed. If you don't buy their cards... just use the verses they have on the above page and make your own cards.
Bethlehem Baptist Church (John Piper) - Fighter Verses. They do this system of over 500 verses as a church. Check the link above to find out more about how they do it, including subscribing to a Podcast with verse of the week. You can also buy the full set for super cheap from Desiring God.
Forever Grateful Music - Scripture Memory Songs by Mark Altrogge. CraigS has started using these and says that they are gold. Check out some of their samples and then order some CD's if all goes well.

Do you know more Bible verses or quotes from your favourite movies?
Do you read the newspaper or the Bible first thing in the morning?

Delight in the Word of God. Be passionate about it. Remember it. Hide it in your heart.

Do you use a system for remembering verses? Which one? What's it like??

Johnston Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T23:32:00.001+11:00

Miers Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T23:25:00.000+11:00

Jesus - King and Saviour

2007-12-25T01:47:00.001+11:00

Christmas Issue of J-Walk

2007-12-24T16:52:00.000+11:00

This is our biggest issue of J-walk ever! It's my last one as editor. To be honest... I didn't do much editing at all. I wrote the editorial. So... it's my last editorial. Alex Hartley has now begun editing j-walk. This is good... I'm excited about some of the plans for the magazine next year.

Here it is amigo...

Joga Bonito

2007-12-23T21:56:00.000+11:00

Did you see THE game? Best ever? Relive the highlights below.
Missed it? Watch video 2 & 3 below... or video 1 for just the goals.

Central Coast Mariners V Sydney FC - Goals - 22dec07

CC Mariners V Sydney FC - 1st Half Highlights - 22dec07

CC Mariners V Sydney FC - 2nd Half Highlights - 22dec07

I think that Brosque was offside when Vukovic was deemed to handle the ball outside the penalty area, so shouldn't have been given a red card. Also I think that both keepers made errors that lead to goals. Had both teams had their first choice keepers on the field, the score would have been lower.

But no complaints from this A-League fan!

Central Coast Mariners 4 Sydney FC 5

2007-12-22T21:15:00.000+11:00

What a game!! Good times with some family 2nite at the footy. Record crowd (17,500+). Probably record score. 2 red cards. Mariners 2-0, Sydney 2-2, Mariners 3-2, Sydney 4-3, Mariners 4-4, Sydney 5-4. The referee was pretty bad. But super entertaining match on beautiful Central Coast Summer's night.

(I can't link to any match reports because smh, a-league and sbs are all too slow!!)

Ahh... wait... here's the scorecard...

Jack Miller on Prayer & Preaching

2007-12-22T08:42:00.001+11:00

"Basically I am convinced that men who do not make praying their first priority in life and ministry should not preach or pastor. As preachers they will be confusing models of a Christian man, and as shepherds they will not show willingness to die for the sheep...As we seek faith and pray together, the power will be in the preaching, and other matters such as style will begin to take their own course." (h/t The Buzz Man)

Free youth ministry resources

2007-12-21T18:31:00.001+11:00

Schmoyer smashes it with a years worth of freebies. Had a quick scan down the list - there could be some helpful stuff there.

Osama Lovely, Eichmann Banal

2007-12-21T17:58:00.000+11:00

Chris Mayes has been churning out the blog posts this month. He's got a new name for his blog: A Disorder of Things; a new header: above; and been writing some good stuff. He's in the middle of a top 10 albums of 2007 and I found his latest post on Hicks and bin Laden particularly insightful. Here's a snippet:

Well, I think like the banality of Eichmann, the loveliness of bin Laden is hard for people to take because we think evil people need to thoroughly evil with no redeeming features. They need to hold all the negative character traits including tobacco smoking (Russians, Arabs and bad guys) and poor dental hygiene.

Read the rest

A whole new world

2007-12-21T07:07:00.000+11:00

(h/t two first names)

One month to go

2007-12-20T09:56:00.001+11:00

Today is December 20. I finish up full time work on January 20. I have
a month until I finish full-time work with CCEC. Knowing that I don't
have long has increased my effectiveness. I want a good transition
such that next year CCECYOUTH continues to grow. I am tired from long
days and meeting with lots of our key leaders. But things are going
well and I'm feeling good about how things are looking. A couple of
days off over Christmas will be sweet and 2 weeks off before college
even sweeter. PS this blog post was done from my mobile...

CCEC Christmas

2007-12-19T23:59:00.001+11:00

Latest google searches to lead here

2007-12-19T14:32:00.000+11:00

steve chong sermon
weight of glory chapter synopsis
affluenza and christmas
scriptures to lose weight
eternal weight band
youth ministry conference blog
an eternal weight of glory
david miers
weight of glory
eternal weight of glory

Christmas Day Breakfast 2007

2007-12-18T23:29:00.000+11:00

Please join us! Email me to RSVP and/or to find out our address.

Legends

2007-12-17T23:20:00.000+11:00

Here's a photo from our CCECYOUTH 2007 Leaders end-of-year party on Friday. We enjoyed a sweet meal at a steak ranch and then a few more leaders joined us for dessert at Dan and Ren's. After dessert we held an award ceremony. Each leader received an award. It was great fun.

Josh Harris on Affluenza

2007-12-16T16:54:00.000+11:00

I listened to some sermons from Covenant Life Church last year on Affluenza (1, 2 & 3).

What is affluenza? Josh Harris explains it like this:

Affluenza is a nifty little word that some clever sociologist created by mixing two different words together. The word affluence means having a great deal of money. Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease. When you mash these two together, you get affluenza, which is a useful word for describing the problems generated by a rich consumer culture that has an endless hunger for more and more stuff. Affluenza is the disease of greed. It's the materialistic mindset that says getting more money and possessions is the ultimate aim of life. Affluenza is the spirit of our age, and it has infected all of us.

Josh is currently blogging the text from the first affluenza sermon. In the sermon and the blog post Josh speaks from Luke 12 on the 'Disease of Greed'. Good, challenging stuff.

Affluenza, Part 1: The Real Money Problem
Affluenza, Part 2: The Deception of Greed
UPDATE: Affluenza, Part 3: Greed Destroys Us

Christmas Tree 2007

2007-12-14T09:16:00.000+11:00

What do you think?

This 5 year old kid killed a big bear... (h/t josh)

New Podcast RSS Feed

2007-12-13T17:00:00.000+11:00

Hey punks. Here's the latest episode (#85) of On the Poddy. It's now got a new RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ccec_podcast - Go change it in iTunes now.

Judge Rules in Sermon Sharing Scandal

2007-12-13T11:39:00.001+11:00

Big news regarding Tim Keller sermons. (h/t jpj)

This is it, this time I know it's the real thing

2007-12-13T09:54:00.000+11:00

In November 2005 and November 2006, I tried to get healthy. I had only short term results:

2005 maximum 108kg
2005 minimum 101kg
2005 result 7kgs lost
2006 maximum 111kg
2006 minimum 104kg
2006 result 7kgs lost

But on both occasions I didn't stick at it. The problem? I tried too much of a quick fix solution. If you stop eating you will lose weight. So I stopped eating. Sort of. I cut out as many Kilojoules (or Calories) as possible and went on special health shakes. However, I didn't really make any lifestyle changes.

In a health magazine I picked up somewhere, it said that it normally takes a few attempts for a health kick to kick in. I think it's kicked in! Two failed attempts... but this time I know it's the real thing.

The results:

October 16 2007 = 114kg
December 13 2007 = 104kg
2007 result so far = 10kgs lost

The difference? Regular exercise. I've been going to the gym 4 or 5 times per week. I have been cutting out Kilojoules, but once I reach my weight loss goals I'll gradually increase them.

My next goals:

100kgs by Christmas (if not New Years)
95kgs by the start of college (feb 2008)
Evaluation. Set a lower goal? Or stay at 95kgs?

Why 95kg? That's what I was when I was 18 and fit and healthy.
Why at all? Health is good. I want to serve Jesus for as long as possible.

Has spending 6hours+ a week doing exercise diminished my current work? No not at all. I think I'm more productive and better managing my time.

Get fit fool.
----------
Prior Coverage:

3 warm fuzzies up for grabs. Q1 Name the song that the title of this post comes from. Q2 Name the artist. Q3 Name the year the song was released as a single. YOU CAN ONLY ANSWER 1 QUESTION... and they must be in order...

More sex, more booze, more toys

2007-12-12T09:55:00.000+11:00

According to a survey (h/t CraigS), teenagers are getting more sex, more booze and more toys. Drugs and smoking aren't as popular. The survey shows teens are wealthier and more materialistic.

The results seem to be consistent with my observations of local teenagers. Some of the young guys I've met through the gym and high school scripture are very serious about their health (they want to look hot) and staying clear from drugs - yet they like hooking up with chicks and drinking beer - preferably at the same time! Likewise everyone has an iPod, an Xbox 360, a PlayStation 3 and a boxed set of their 10 favourite TV shows.

I was never allowed to get a gameboy. I'm glad. I think my parents helped me not to be as materialistic as I could be...

The Gospel - Mark Driscoll

2007-12-12T01:10:00.000+11:00

Streetbrand Magazine

2007-12-11T15:06:00.000+11:00

Just stumbled onto Streetbrand Magazine: youth culture, faith talk, positive living.

I haven't read enough to comment on the quality of the content... but had a quick look at their latest issue and it seems to be good with cultural engagement and design/presentation.

Stay tuned for a new issue of the best teenage magazine on the internet... need I say the name? J-walk (just in case you've lived a sheltered life!)

Fluoro Party Pic

2007-12-10T06:14:00.000+11:00

Good times @ Friday night's Fluoro Party. Stay tuned for more pics, a podcast and another world record attempt video...

2008 Announcement

2007-12-07T09:15:00.000+11:00

Next year I'll be studying at Bible college. It's been decided that we will leave CCEC for a year (and return in 2009). This is a bummer, we don't want to leave - but know it will be valuable... so are looking forward to having a break, thinking more about Jesus, and checking out some other churches & youth ministries. Row will continue in her current job in Gosford and we will continue living in the same house. I'll be available to do a bit of speaking.

CCECYOUTH Fluoro Party

2007-12-06T21:53:00.000+11:00

Party Time!! Let’s get fluoro. $10 (includes dinner). North Avoca Surf Club. 630-900pm. Friday December 7.

CCEC Carols 2007

2007-12-06T21:47:00.000+11:00

This Saturday on the Oval @ Erina High School.

Chaos in the Classroom - James Fong

2007-12-06T12:15:00.000+11:00

I haven't read the whole article - but if you are a high school scripture teacher - GO READ THIS ARTICLE!!! Classroom management is probably the most significant skill that high school scripture teachers need. You may be a gifted Bible teacher, but unless you can manage the class there won't be an opportunity to teach the Bible.

James Fong is an experienced scripture teacher and shares some useful strategies.

What strategies do you use in the classroom? (Would love to hear from any teachers... not just scripture).

Watching the USA - Jon Thorpe

2007-12-06T12:04:00.000+11:00

Jon recently went to 2 conferences in the USA: Youth Specialties' NYWC and a Passion conference.

I'm interested in the bigger picture of youth ministry in Australia (and the world). Jon has some mixed feelings about the youth ministry scene in the USA. Lots of good stuff - but significant things missing.

Go check his thoughts out here.
(There aren't any comment facilities over there... so feel free to leave any here)

Good Stuff on Youthworks.net

2007-12-06T12:01:00.001+11:00

Jon Thorpe (in an email) linked to a section on the youthworks site called 'good stuff '.

I'd never seen it before. But there's a whole stack of articles on there (4 on the above link and a bunch of archived ones too). It's in an obscure place and they really ought to put an RSS feed on it to make it more useful. I might link to some...

Ferrero Rocher Record Attempt

2007-12-05T09:21:00.000+11:00

Jodie McNeill has a new job...

2007-12-05T00:00:00.001+11:00

...Director of Youthworks Camping Ministries

Teenage Mental Health

2007-12-04T22:43:00.000+11:00

Jon has left a long comment below. Check it out. It's in response to Tim.

Jon is a health professional - so heroic youth pastors - listen up!

Tips for helping a cutter find relief

2007-12-04T17:02:00.001+11:00

I haven't read this yet... but looks interesting.

Listen to their pain
Ask questions
Cutting can become a chemical addiction
Find good Christian counseling for the student
Encourage them spiritually
Surround the cutter with encouragement
Research cutting yourself
Offer some alternatives

Read the article from Tim Schmoyer

Phrases that Crush the Spirit of Creativity

2007-12-04T16:58:00.001+11:00

From youthministry.com

We tried that before.
It costs too much.
That's not my job
They're too busy to do that.
We don't have the time.
Not enough help.
It's too radical a change.
The staff will never buy it.
It's against company policy.
We don't have the authority.
Let's get back to reality
That's not our problem.
I don't like the idea.
I'm not saying you're wrong but...

read the rest here

ypulse

2007-12-04T12:22:00.001+11:00

here's the link

three ways to live

2007-12-03T18:52:00.000+11:00

Two ways to live is gold. Tim Keller pushes the response to 'live my way' (as opposed to 'God's way') a bit further into 'moralism' and 'irreligion'. It's very good.

I heard it in this (mp3) sermon (found here) and then found the above youtube vid that had a short summary of the idea.

I think it relates to the post I did last night. If you think you know how (or at least what I'm thinking) leave a comment...

Loving the lost

2007-12-02T22:09:00.000+11:00

There are two extremes on the cultural engagement spectrum. At one end there are Christians who are no longer being shaped by the Bible but by their surrounding culture. At the other end are Christians who denounce everything in culture as wrong.

My observation is that reformed evangelical Christians are more likely to fall into the latter. We run in the opposite direction from culture. We create Christian schools, home schools, Christian contemporary music, Christian sports comps, Christian monastic communities (sometimes in the guise of a theological college), Christian political parties and the like.

I've been reminded a number of times lately of a quote from Francis Schaeffer that has stuck with me. It's the final paragraph in a chapter describing the despair experienced in the lives of 19th and 20th century artists. As I first read the chapter I began to laugh at the desperate things done by some of the artists. That was until the final paragraph. A timely rebuke:

These paintings, these poems, and these demonstrations which we have been talking about are the expression of men who are struggling with their appalling lostness. Dare we laugh at such things? Dare we feel superior when we view their tortured expression in their art? Christians should stop laughing and take such men seriously. Then we shall have the right to speak again to our generation. These men are dying while they live; yet where is our compassion for them? There is nothing more ugly than a Christian orthodoxy without understanding or without compassion. (The God who is there)

There's a significant relationship between what Schaeffer is saying and humble orthodoxy.

3 warm fuzzies up for grabs. 1) name of artist above. 2) name of painting. 3) museum where it's hung. (one per person)

best. wife. ever.

2007-11-30T16:43:00.001+11:00

her name is row.

Psalms, Party

2007-11-30T16:34:00.000+11:00

Yo nitechurch peeps. Just a reminder that we have a partay tomoz. Let the good times roll from 3-9pm @ the pjs. Also we begin a mini-series in the Psalms this Sunday night. Get some reading notes to prepare from the new(ish) website.

G-Champs & Cabinet

2007-11-29T15:44:00.001+11:00

Lots of political news today with the Liberal leadership being voted on and team KRudd being announced.

Just thinking about the similarities between a Ministry Cabinet and our G-Champs.

A cabinet member of the government has their portfolio (education, industrial relations, immigration, arts, etc...) but continues in the core of their work in representing the people of their electorate.

A G-Champ in our youth ministry champions one of the purpose areas (glorify, gather, grow, give, gospel, gladness) but more often than not continues in their core work of coaching a G-team (small group Bible study).

The differences?

Politics is important. In the eyes of the world it may not seem it - but in the big picture of eternity our g-champs (and g-team coaches) are doing a far more profound work than all of team KRudd combined.

Best thing about summer...

2007-11-29T09:32:00.001+11:00

...eating a mango over the kitchen sink.

Agree?

Blog Watch #1

2007-11-29T09:08:00.000+11:00

Michelle -santa - don't stop here
Moff Dogs - On Hillsong, Discernment and Bribery in the Police Force
JPJ -monday morning melancholy
Josh Harris -Clarification on Dating and Courtship
Idol worshippers - here and here
Criminal - it's called hit and run
Kurt - Junior Highers and Materialism
CraigS - The Top Blog Dog

YMC07 #8 - Youth Ministry Conference 07

2007-11-29T01:22:00.000+11:00

On the whole, Youthworks run a very good conference. The cross of Christ was preached and there are many encouraging things going on around Sydney evangelical youth ministries.

There was some great content from the Bible on leadership. I would have been interested in hearing something of some reflections on secular leadership and the lessons we can learn from business organisations. There were some specific isolated comments from one speaker who is not a fan of transplanting business principles into the church. I disagree with him, but there wasn't really a forum to talk it through.

The workshops are sometimes not as well prepared and presented as the talks. This is disappointing. I think for the conference to keep growing the quality of the workshops must continue to improve.

Having said that, I plan on continuing to attend. For me the best part of the conference is the breaks. I enjoy catching up with new and old friends to talk about youth ministry. It's a great encouragement and worth the cost of the conference alone.

Did you go to the conference? Would love to hear your comments...

YMC07 Blog Summary:

YMC07 #7 - All Mankind

2007-11-28T23:09:00.000+11:00

The band formerly known as The Richard Beeston Band, All Mankind, played the congregation music at the conference.

It was very good. Tight, rock, well-arranged, good song selection.

There was one funny song that was played a couple of times. Can't remember it, didn't know it, it was something from 1999. The lyrics spoke of lifting your hands and dancing to God. The lyrics in and of themselves were kind of funny, but the funniest thing was the fact that there was not one person lifting their hands or dancing!!

ALL MANKIND have some exciting plans for 2008. Check their website for info or to book them. Not sure if they're the best band for teenagers - but for young adults and up - they nail it.

YMC07 Blog: #1 - Leadership;#2 - Get yourself a mouthguard, #3 - Get into shape, #4 - Veteran Forum, #5 - Dinner, #6 - Woodhouse & French.

YMC07 #6 - Woodhouse & French

2007-11-28T00:57:00.000+11:00

John Woodhouse and Jim French were the two speakers on Tuesday.

Woodhouse spoken on leadership from 1 Samuel 24. He argued that the whole of 1 Samuel is about leadership. From the Judges to Eli to Samuel to Saul to David. There were helpful insights on the contrast between the people's King (Saul) and the Lord's Anointed King (David). The take home application of 1 Samuel, and indeed the whole Bible, is that first and foremost we are not to look for what type of leader we are to be, but what type of leader we need. Jesus is the leader that Israel needed. Jesus is the leader I need. Amen.

French spoke on 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Here's the structure of the talk:

The Youth you lead belong to God
1) The seriousness of leading (v1)
2) The nature of the leadership (vv2-5)
3) How to finish leading strongly (vv6-8)
What legacy will you leave?

Some good stuff. Good to think through implicit and explicit training. Good to think through the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Fantastic reminder of the sovereignty of God in our ministry.

YMC07 Blog: #1 - Leadership;#2 - Get yourself a mouthguard, #3 - Get into shape, #4 - Veteran Forum, #5 - Dinner.

YMC07 #5 - Dinner

2007-11-27T05:56:00.000+11:00

Over the last 3 years at this conference, I haven't ever made it along to the dinner on the first night. That trend continued again this year!

But. Row came down and we hung out with one of Row's school friends and her fiancé. Good times: Good (Vietnamese) food. Good fun. Great conversations.

YMC07 Blog: #1 - Leadership;#2 - Get yourself a mouthguard, #3 - Get into shape, #4 - Veteran Forum.

YMC07 #4 - Veteran Forum

2007-11-26T23:59:00.000+11:00

"An opportunity to talk about ministry life or the big picture of where youth ministry is going in Australia - it's up to you."

That is what was written on the brochure... so I spent a good chunk of time on the train in the morning writing down thoughts and reflections on Australian Youth Ministry and dreaming.

But.

While what we talked about was helpful: how to work with a senior minister; staying fresh for the long haul; getting accountable and similar things, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. Still good, just not talking about the big picture of youth ministry. I might turn my couple of pages of reflections on the train into a blog post... so stay tuned.

YMC07 Blog: #1 - Leadership;#2 - Get yourself a mouthguard, #3 - Get into shape.

YMC07 #3 - Get into shape

2007-11-26T23:58:00.000+11:00

Steve's second talk was from 2 Timothy 3:1-17. Another engaging and scripture-rich talk.

INTRO - Steve told a funny story about meeting Goran Ivanišević 3 times. As a result Steve was influenced by Goran to play tennis. We are all influenced by something...

1A) LEADERS SHAPED BY SELF (2 Tim 3:2-5) these people who are lovers of themselves instead of lovers of God aren't just some randoms. They are actually people who appear to be Christian leaders.

1B) THE EXAMPLE OF LEADERS SHAPED BY SELF (2 Tim 3:6-9) these are fake leaders with a fake gospel. They gain control over weak-willed women and, like Jannes and Jambres, they oppose the truth.

2A) THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL (2 Tim 3:10-15) Paul is a great example to Timothy and us. Being an example: a great way to learn; and a great way to teach.

2B) LEADERS SHAPED BY SCRIPTURE (2 Tim 3:14-17) There's nothing more important than having our lives shaped by the scriptures. The scriptures: make us wise for salvation; are breathed out by God; and are useful.

We were challenged to reflect on what influences us... the world or the scriptures?

YMC07 Blog: #1 - Leadership;#2 - Get yourself a mouthguard.

YMC07 #2 - Get yourself a mouthguard

2007-11-26T23:45:00.000+11:00

In the first session today, Steve Chong spoke passionately from 2 Timothy 2:1-14. Awesome! We've been dealing with some big things lately so it was a timely message that brought me great encouragement.

INTRO - Steve began by making it clear that Christian leadership is hard. The Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ himself each had a tough time and it shouldn't shock us if our ministry is a bit like theirs!

1) LEADERS NEED STRENGTH (2 Tim 2:1) - this strength comes not from ourselves but it's the strength that Jesus gives by his grace. We aren't just saved by grace but we depend on grace for our ministry.

2) LEADERS WORK HARD (2 Tim 2:3-7) - Soldier. Athlete. Farmer. They all work hard. They all lead from the front. Lately I've been tempted to give up and so I was particularly struck by the image of the Athlete who finishes the race. (Note to self: keep eyes fixed on the finish line. Continue in single-minded devotion).

3) LEADERS REMEMBER JESUS (2 Tim 2:8-14) - Wow. How good is verse 8: "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel"! It's easy to get so busy that we forget the big picture. Remember Jesus. Having a tough time? Remember Jesus.

YMC07 Blog: #1 - Leadership.

YMC07 #1 - Leadership

2007-11-26T23:35:00.000+11:00

I'm attending a youth ministry conference run by youthworks this week at moore college, newtown. My prediction (and hope and prayer) is that it will be more cross-centred than the conference on the Gold Coast a month ago.

I've really enjoyed this conference over the past 3 years. This year the theme is on Leadership. Bring it on...

New J-walk & Podcast

2007-11-24T00:50:00.000+11:00

Yep. Check them out. Here and here.

j-walk.ccecyouth.com or podcast.ccecyouth.com

Commuting with Christ

2007-11-22T20:56:00.000+11:00

Joel PJ is blogging!! Fully sick. I think I'm the one who pushed Joel to blog. He keeps sending me links all day and each time he sent one I'd say "You really should start a blog Joel..."

His first post is sweet. It's about sharing Jesus with some nutty woman handing out KEVIN07 while waiting for a train. Good stuff.

Definitely worthy of subscribing.

Looking forward to more...

Freedom

2007-11-22T17:03:00.001+11:00

Hayesy has 2 types of it

It's ALL about JESUS

2007-11-22T14:49:00.000+11:00

Tripod - Gonna Make You Happy

2007-11-22T13:41:00.000+11:00

Above is a live version. Here is the film clip version.

Giddy up

2007-11-21T20:31:00.001+11:00

here

Party Inheritance

2007-11-21T15:37:00.001+11:00

Only three more sleeps until the election. Awesome! When election time comes we normally get booted out of our hall for youth group so that they can set up the polling booth. During term 1's state election we ran junior youth group in the school's canteen area. Had a dodgeball tournament - fully sick! So hopefully this election day eve will be as fun.

On our junior youth camp on the weekend, I heard more political discussion from junior high than I ever have before! Quite remarkable... you should have seen the food fight across the tent between Team Kevin and Team John! I made a claim that when you're a teenager you're political views are not your own by inherited from your parents.

I was interested to read today an article in the SMH all about Party Inheritance. According to an ANU study 70% of young people align themselves to the party of their parents.

I have been voting for 10 years in local, state and federal elections. I still vote with my parents... but that vote is increasingly becoming my own. I've claimed for a long time that I'd be willing to swing, I just haven't yet! Even if my political views are now my own, I think it's difficult to separate my views from the views of my parents that have shaped my upbringing.

How much are you still shaped by the political views of your parents?

HOT ELECTION LINKS:

Howard007
Michelle is asking some questions on "Christian" political parties.
This site looks helpful - but is a waste of time. It's slow and crashes. And I don't think the candidates have really jumped on board (at least in my electorate)

Video Conversion

2007-11-21T15:21:00.001+11:00

Haven't check it out yet, but THIS could be handy... (h/t tim)

Fake tree with bright lights

2007-11-21T09:07:00.000+11:00

The Rebel's Guide to Joy - Johnny Cash

2007-11-18T15:57:00.000+11:00

Row and Dave

2007-11-16T07:36:00.000+11:00

Went and saw Nicole's final artwork for uni last night. Good times in Newcastle.

>New post on saturdayEV.com
>Camps this weekend
>Free Rice

2 Warm fuzzies for the name of the cafe and the street it's on.

Justin Buzzard on Rob Bell

2007-11-15T13:17:00.001+11:00

Rob Bell, the gods aren't angry tour: San Francisco (Some Reflections & Concerns)

I just read Buzzard's thoughtful critique of Rob Bell's latest tour. If you are familiar with Bell's popular nooma videos, it would be helpful to read it to get a better idea of Bell's 'gospel'. I haven't heard Bell live, but having listened to some of his sermons and having read Velvet Elvis, agree with Buzzard's concerns. Buzzard provides a timely reminder of the good news of Jesus' death for our sins, absorbing the anger of God. "I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." (John Newton)

Walt Mueller on engaging with youth culture

2007-11-15T07:29:00.001+11:00

Why I Don't Live in the Bunker: Reflections on the Youth Worker's Place in Culture (I haven't read this - just bookmarking to read later)

saturday EV's youth ministry

2007-11-14T14:46:00.001+11:00

I'm guest blogging on saturdayEV.com for the next couple of weeks. In my first post I talk about saturdayEV's youth ministry. Check out some of their sermons while you're there. Peaceout.