Uncategorized | Jabin Chavez

3 Rebukes that Shaped My Life

Posted by jabin / Blog, Uncategorized

Are You Sorry or Are You Sorry You Got Caught?

I blew it… I knew I did. I was asking my father for forgiveness. I won’t go into all the details of the story but after I apologized to my dad, he asked a very HEAVY question. “Son, of course I forgive you but are you really sorry or just sorry you got caught? If you’re sorry you got caught, you will do it again. If you’re really sorry, you will never do it again.”

That day I learned that what I do and say matters and that my life affects MANY PEOPLE. No more games. We gotta live right and repent when we fail.

It’s Time to be a Man.

I was 21 and overseeing the worship department at one of the fastest growing churches in America. I WAS IN OVER MY HEAD! I had ZERO people skills and was losing team members. Pastor Benny sat me down and opened up the Bible to 1st Corinthians 13 where Paul talks about growing up and leaving childish ways. He then looked into my tear filled eyes and said, “Jabin, it’s time to be a man and lead this team.” That day changed EVERYTHING.

No more excuses, no more complaints, just be a man and do the job.

At What Point Is Over Exaggerating Lying?

In a church culture where pastors buy Twitter and Instagram followers, lie about church attendance, and claim that every event “was the best ever!!!!!!!!!” It’s very easy to get caught in a trap of over exaggerating to fit in. This third rebuke came from my momma. She was basically saying that all of this exaggerating or stretching the truth is simply lying and that I cannot get caught up in it. She reminded me to humble myself and let God promote me and while I’m waiting, don’t lie!

10
Jan

What I Learned at a Jr. High Basketball Game

Posted by jabin / Blog, Uncategorized

First off… Jr High ministry is crazy! I am very blessed to have ‘Jr. High Whisperer’ Jay Hubbard, he has a freakish gift with this age group. I am grateful for him! Now to the game… I was immediately shocked that in the wealthiest zip code in Nevada, the gym was packed with students. The atmosphere was fun, loud, stinky, and wild. I couldn’t believe it! These very wealthy students were not playing Wii, Xbox, or watching TV. They were talking, laughing, and completely ignoring the game! HELLO! It reminded me all over again that:

#1: Youth ministry is ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS! Gateway Church says it so well, “We’re All About People”. Seven’s leadership mission statement is similar: To love and encourage young people.” My leaders don’t have to be Bible scholars. They just need to love people enough to encourage them, pray for them, give them time, and respect them. At the game, kids were having a blast and I immediately thought WE NEED TO HAVE MORE FUN AT SEVEN!!! WE NEED MORE FOOD!!! WE NEED A BETTER WAY TO LET PEOPLE EXPRESS THEIR NEED TO BE SOCIAL!!! How can you give the kids more time to talk and be heard during your youth night? A simple step may be cutting a song or shortening your sermon and add a discussion time or small groups to your service.

#2: Youth ministry doesn’t have to be perfect. As you may know, Jr. High basketball isn’t exactly the NBA – the kids didn’t care. The cheerleading was sloppy – the kids didn’t care. It was hard to hear the music during the half time show – the kids didn’t care. There were adults and parents EVERYWHERE – THE KIDS DIDN’T CARE! I love that youth groups are so cool… and at Seven we strive hard for excellence. I believe God and this generation deserve our best. I also know the kids would rather talk and be heard then watch your human video. Don’t act like you didn’t rock a Carmen tune or two!

#3: Youth ministry has to stop denying that kids have short attention spans. I know your a good preacher… I know you’re awesome! I know you’re the next Judah Smith. I BELIEVE YOU! I also know that kids are now used to tweeting, instagraming, facebooking, skyping, watching a TV show, and doing their homework all at the same time. It is NOT a good thing but kids need more mental stimulation and they need your youth service to MOVE. Halfway through the game the kids all around me were talking about going to the skate park after the game. They were already onto the next thing. You can get creative and figure out ways to work with that or you can deny it and become another boring expression of church. Figure out ways to keep the service and sermon fluid and interactive. Many of the kids feel ignored at home and need attention from authority. TAG, YOUR IT! I am not telling you to preach for fifteen minutes. I am saying you need to find the balance for that hour and half of spiritual, social, emotional, musical, and mental stimulation.

04
Jan

3 Reasons Why I Worship on Stage

Posted by jabin / Blog, Uncategorized

I worship on stage on Wednesday nights… I don’t stand on the front row, don’t chill in a green room, or hang in the back.

If you do any of those things it’s all good. Here is why I do what I do…

#1: Perspective. It is cool to look over the crowd and just see and feel the vibe. It can help you to know where to take the night.

#2: Example. Never forget this… YOU ARE THE WORSHIP LEADER. Your people need to see HOW to worship. Yes, give them all the biblical reasons and expressions of worship,however when you live a life of worship and show them how to worship they WILL follow.

#3: Leadership. Your leaders (both worship team and other leaders) need to see you and know that NO ONE is to cool to worship. Green rooms are for conferences, not a local youth ministry. Plus, it encourages your worship team BIG TIME. They are inspired and fearless knowing their pastor is up there slugging it out with them. Everyones faith rises.

25
Feb