Todd started out at Glad Tidings as a part-time youth pastor, then moved to full-time while he was still helping out in the children's ministry. Later, he decided that he was being stretched too thin to be able to serve in both capacities and then he chose to work with children. He is now the children's full-time (paid) pastor.
This VBS is interesting to me. There seems to be a more general set of activities that other VBSs that I've seen. This seems like it would be harder to keep children involved or keep their attention. At the church that I interned at this summer had several different camps (almost like a summer camp) that kids could be involved in throughout the week of VBS. These consisted of Basketball (7 camps), Arts and Crafts, Cheerleading, Cooking, Nursery, etc. Then the kids would get together for the main services and I think I like this idea rather than the idea of general activities for everyone.
This ministry has decided to empower parents in order to help them disciple their own children. As a part of the children's ministry, Glad Tidings has a Family Fusion Event in order to get the parents involved and interact with their children. I think this is a really great idea and I also liek the letter that the ministry sends out to parents each month (I believe). I was in the youth ministry as a teen for six years and my parents got maybe three or four letters, tops, from my youth leaders about what was going on on Wednesday nights.
In order to have a successful ministry (for any ministry), you should have a group of teams that have a heart for the ministry that you lead. This will help out when the needs get larger. Also, treat people like they're people, not things to help your ministry succeed more. Care about them.
"Whatever you do, do it well, do it excellent. People will look at what you're doing and will know it's half-baked if it is." Amen.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
New Believer # 3.
1. Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
I had a good friend of mine who told me some stuff. I've always believed in Jesus, I was catholic by decent and I also went to catholic grade school and high school. Eventually the Holy Spirit hit me in the head and ever since then I can't explain it. It's just that I was so wrapped up in the spirit I knew I was born again and I realized I that I had a real relationship with the Jesus.
2. What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
I Guess it was my supernatural experience and after seeking Him I knew its real.
3. What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
Now that I'm in a follower the best things are the fellowship and also being able to preach to my family and seeing them get saved too.
4. What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
Lots of things, old habits, giving up old ways. Trying to not yeild to temptation and doing things the way Jesus would do them.
5. What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
Going to a church regularly and being in a Christian household. My immediate family is now Christian.
6. What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
Positive influences and fellowship with other Christians. Chances are you'll be better of with Christians rather than drug addicts, thats extreme but its better to be with Christians.
7. What's your deepest desire when it comes to your relationship with Jesus?
Trying to please Him and do the things He wants me to do and stay away from the things that displease Him.
I had a good friend of mine who told me some stuff. I've always believed in Jesus, I was catholic by decent and I also went to catholic grade school and high school. Eventually the Holy Spirit hit me in the head and ever since then I can't explain it. It's just that I was so wrapped up in the spirit I knew I was born again and I realized I that I had a real relationship with the Jesus.
2. What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
I Guess it was my supernatural experience and after seeking Him I knew its real.
3. What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
Now that I'm in a follower the best things are the fellowship and also being able to preach to my family and seeing them get saved too.
4. What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
Lots of things, old habits, giving up old ways. Trying to not yeild to temptation and doing things the way Jesus would do them.
5. What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
Going to a church regularly and being in a Christian household. My immediate family is now Christian.
6. What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
Positive influences and fellowship with other Christians. Chances are you'll be better of with Christians rather than drug addicts, thats extreme but its better to be with Christians.
7. What's your deepest desire when it comes to your relationship with Jesus?
Trying to please Him and do the things He wants me to do and stay away from the things that displease Him.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Brian Knorr
Brian Knorr planted a church in the poconos and mountaintop. One of the main attractions that the church usese to get the kids involved is speed stacking. This is a game where the contestant thakes a stack of 12 cups (I think), stacks it up and then unstacks them.
This type of game is effective normally for students who are from 2nd to 4th grade but would not be effective for teenages most likely. In order to help out with speed, the people sometimes use weighted cups in order to help them with speed. Families love that there is a sport and a coach but the coach actually simply cares about the student rather than yells at them.
Brian says that the people who come into their church who are not Christians enjoy the church and have no problem with it. However, Christians who come to the church may have problems with the way they do things. Brian also relayed how hard it is for churches to get into a school to hold services. He said that if it wasn't for the janitor, the church would not have survived for as long as it did in the church. Tom Rees said that the two people to have on your side at a church is the janitor and the church secretary. www.moutaintopfamilycenter.com
The Forgotten Ways by Allen Hersch
"If we have to offend someone, I would much rather offend the Christians than the non-Christians. The non-Christians will turn and walk out the door if we offend them but the Christians should be mature enough to deal with it." - Bill Knorr. I AGREE!
This type of game is effective normally for students who are from 2nd to 4th grade but would not be effective for teenages most likely. In order to help out with speed, the people sometimes use weighted cups in order to help them with speed. Families love that there is a sport and a coach but the coach actually simply cares about the student rather than yells at them.
Brian says that the people who come into their church who are not Christians enjoy the church and have no problem with it. However, Christians who come to the church may have problems with the way they do things. Brian also relayed how hard it is for churches to get into a school to hold services. He said that if it wasn't for the janitor, the church would not have survived for as long as it did in the church. Tom Rees said that the two people to have on your side at a church is the janitor and the church secretary. www.moutaintopfamilycenter.com
The Forgotten Ways by Allen Hersch
"If we have to offend someone, I would much rather offend the Christians than the non-Christians. The non-Christians will turn and walk out the door if we offend them but the Christians should be mature enough to deal with it." - Bill Knorr. I AGREE!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Bill Ellis
To get people to come to church, Bill and his wife started knocking on doors and inviting them to church. This and advertising in the Penny Saver were uneffective methods, but when Bill's wife started making friends at her children's school, that was a better way to get word of mouth out.
Part of the church's success had to do with location. The church grew 100 people when they moved to Oakmont. http://www.riversideconnect.com/ In order to be missionaries to our home land, we should learn how to integrate with our culture and have a go and be mentality rather than a come and see mentality.
Bill's church has approximately two routes in which they deliver meals to 20 people. I think that this is a great idea - it's almost as if the church is providing for part of the family, which is what it should be. This is more than once a year, but it's continual and support will not stop unless (i'm sure) they ask for it to.
There are two ways of understanding what the church is. Those include the functional view and the incarnational view (God's place or God and His people). Our challenge is to help people who go to church turn into people who see themselves as the church in order to put God on display to the world.
Consumerism and discipleship are at odds with each other. Weakest area in David Crosby Jr.'s church was discipleship and his church was the attractional church. Jesus didn't ask us simply to believe in Him, He asked us also to follow Him. The Gospel is more than just getting to Heaven...Amen.
Just a note: For some reason, I wasn't as captivated this week. It was very hard for me to pay attention and I'm not sure why - I have been getting enough sleep, so I don't know. I liked that there was a simple golf series clip that was shown. I personally think that movies like that may be a step backward simply because of their content BUT the video wasn't geared simply to me, so I think it was a good idea.
Books: The Simple Way, Jesus for President, Myth of a Christian Nation
Part of the church's success had to do with location. The church grew 100 people when they moved to Oakmont. http://www.riversideconnect.com/ In order to be missionaries to our home land, we should learn how to integrate with our culture and have a go and be mentality rather than a come and see mentality.
Bill's church has approximately two routes in which they deliver meals to 20 people. I think that this is a great idea - it's almost as if the church is providing for part of the family, which is what it should be. This is more than once a year, but it's continual and support will not stop unless (i'm sure) they ask for it to.
There are two ways of understanding what the church is. Those include the functional view and the incarnational view (God's place or God and His people). Our challenge is to help people who go to church turn into people who see themselves as the church in order to put God on display to the world.
Consumerism and discipleship are at odds with each other. Weakest area in David Crosby Jr.'s church was discipleship and his church was the attractional church. Jesus didn't ask us simply to believe in Him, He asked us also to follow Him. The Gospel is more than just getting to Heaven...Amen.
Just a note: For some reason, I wasn't as captivated this week. It was very hard for me to pay attention and I'm not sure why - I have been getting enough sleep, so I don't know. I liked that there was a simple golf series clip that was shown. I personally think that movies like that may be a step backward simply because of their content BUT the video wasn't geared simply to me, so I think it was a good idea.
Books: The Simple Way, Jesus for President, Myth of a Christian Nation
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Unchurched Friend #3
This is a friend of one of my friends who was once a Christian and no longer is. They are obviously aware of the truth of God, are embittered by the schemes of hypocritical Christians and those who say they love but don't truly.
1. What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Discovering myself.
2. Are you actively attending any church?
Nope.
3. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Right now, nothing.
4. Why do you think most people don't attend church?
The thought of a "forced" choice saying to change their ways or suffer hell.
5. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
If i was, on fire christians, respectable ppl, sure nobody is perfect but ppl who try leave a bigger impression then ppl that don't.
6. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Kindness to everyone, not afraid to speak the truth.
7. What is your longterm goal for your life?I have no goals right now, i'm not sure what i wanna be or do, all i know is god exists and i'm not worshiping him. Living every moment knowing if you died you'd go to hell sucks so i try not to think about it.
1. What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Discovering myself.
2. Are you actively attending any church?
Nope.
3. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Right now, nothing.
4. Why do you think most people don't attend church?
The thought of a "forced" choice saying to change their ways or suffer hell.
5. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
If i was, on fire christians, respectable ppl, sure nobody is perfect but ppl who try leave a bigger impression then ppl that don't.
6. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Kindness to everyone, not afraid to speak the truth.
7. What is your longterm goal for your life?I have no goals right now, i'm not sure what i wanna be or do, all i know is god exists and i'm not worshiping him. Living every moment knowing if you died you'd go to hell sucks so i try not to think about it.
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