Tag: ministry

13
Feb

Why I Am A Conference Junky

Posted by / Blog

Let me start by saying, this is not a plug for Dedicated2012. Though, I will say, I would LOVE for you to come! Anytime you can get Chad Veach, Carl Lentz, Chris Hill, Benny Perez, and Wendy Perez in the same room its guaranteed good things are going to happen! This blog is why I personally love conferences and attend many every year and why I pay for the travel cost and conference fees personally.

#1: Inspiration. As a leader you know that you can not put a price on inspiration. It is invaluable! Inspiration comes and goes so when it comes you need to capitalize on it. Every time I go to a conference I leave inspired, energized, and excited! If for nothing else you get to worship and hear the word in a different, fresh setting and that in itself will bless you.

#2: Relationships. I have met so many great friends through out the years at conferences. I can honestly say that most of my closest friendships started at a conference. Two friends come to mind off the top of my head. I was in Utica, NY freezing attending Mike Servello’s youth conference. I ran into two guys (brothers) Robbie and Ricky Hilton. We had an immediate connection and have been friends ever since. You know never when God has a Kingdom Connection waiting for you.

#3: Life Change. I was saved, called into the ministry, filled with the Spirit, met life long friends, and the list goes on and on at conferences! YOU should work hard in your budget (ministry and or personal) to attend at least one or two conferences a year. It is a total game changer! If that is a total impossibility because of finances then make sure you are a voracious reader and “podcaster”. Keep the information and revelation flowing.

jsc

09
Jan

Why Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy are Good for Christian Girls

Posted by / Blog

Ok… lets state the obvious. As far as I know Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy are not Christians. So if you want Tebow morals or Osteen inspiration your not gonna get it! Secondly, I hate confrontation. So if your mad about this blog, I’m sorry. Lets not fight. Lastly, I am NOT endorsing their language, movies or morals. Ok? This is about what we can learn from them and how we as pastors (especially youth pastors) can empower young women to be everything God called them to be. As Serita Jakes says: “YOU, DO YOU!”

#1: You don’t have to be perfect! Now I’m not saying that these women aren’t beautiful, because they are. I am saying they do not fit the Kardashian mold. And I love that! They are confident, hilarious, smart, and are taking over Hollywood! They have found their gifts and talents and use them excellently. Youth Pastor, the young women in your ministry don’t have to be like your wife: they don’t have to lead worship and they don’t have to preach! Release them to use the gifts God gave them! Not the gifts you wish He gave them. Cooking, dancing, art, media, comedy, acting, pintrest, photography, etc. Think outside the box and release young women to be the best sanctified version of themselves they can be!

#2: Women can LEAD! Kristen Wiig has revived SNL and for that I’m grateful! Don’t be afraid to release women not only in their gifts but in leadership. This generation of women needs to be taught that you can get where you want to get to without sexual exploitation, manipulation, or a certain look. Excellence and character still work!

#3: Femininity without sexuality. Today a new dress code was put into place here at The Church. Skirts must be knee length. For some of you that may seem too long for others too short. That means that female staff, interns, and women on stage can no longer wear a skirt that goes above the knees. When I heard the rule I laughed. I laughed because I knew some would have a big problem with it and to me that is a problem. Don’t let culture tell you what cute is. Don’t feel the pressure to live up to Hollywood standards. Women are beautiful. Whether in jeans, long dresses, long skirts, or a Forever lazy! By the way, I don’t care if you wear a skirt above the knee. I care that we have a society that is telling young women that beautiful is short skirts, cleavage, and 98lbs! Just look at the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages of the girls in your ministry. Don’t tell me they don’t feel the pressure! Women like Wiig and McCarthy let young women know you can be beautiful, wildly confident, funny, successful, and smart and not fit THE MOLD! As youth pastors we should do the same

jsc