India Update
As I have said before, later this month I will be spending two weeks in India. I will be a part of a 4 man team to travel from the US to India and train 40 pastors in the state of Chhattisgarh. These pastors are preparing to plant churches in their hometowns. They are high on ambition and passion for evangelism, but lack theological training. That’s where we come in! In just 5 days we will try to cram in as much Biblical training as we possibly can. Read more
End of Silence
The last few weeks have been crazy busy for me, thus resulting in a lack of blogging. Here are some reasons for my lack of time online:
- Summer. The summer is starting to wind down for us here at the Tabernacle. Labor Day is next weekend, which means we only have a few more weeks of “in-season” around here (typically lasts until the end of September).
- Seminary. I have been taking a correspondence class through Gordon-Conwell this summer. The lessons are simple, but the homework and vocab memorization is time consuming. Plus, this week I have been studying for a quiz (1 of only 4 grades in the class).
- Fall Activities. We are right in the middle of big plans for the Fall season. All of us here are really excited about the potential impact of these events in the community.
- India. In a few weeks I will be flying to New Delhi to spend 2 weeks in India. The last few weeks have been very busy in terms of finalizing plans, working out travel arrangements, and preparing for the lessons I will be teaching there.
Book Review: Next Generation Leader
by Brandon on August 18, 2009
in Book Review, Resources, Training
I read through Andy Stanley’s Next Generation Leader this past week and was very impressed. Andy, Pastor of North Point Ministries in Atlanta, GA, wrote this book to help the upcoming generation of young ministry leaders. Leading a young and vibrant group of churches has provided Andy with a wealth of experience and knowledge that he seeks to pass on through this book. In the book, Stanley suggests that you focus on 5 essentials for leaders: Competence, Courage, Clarity, Coaching, and Character. Read more
Twitter Toolbox
by Brandon on August 11, 2009
in Resources, Technology, Youth Pastor Toolbox
As a result of my iPhone, I have been spending more time on Twitter. While I have always enjoyed using Twitter to keep friends and family up to date on my life, my recent spike in usage has found me enjoying Twitter in other areas. For example, I have loved the articles and websites that people provide, especially @guykawasaki and @michaelhyatt. Big name pastors (@RickWarren & @MattChandler74) and leaders (@JohnCMaxwell) provide inspiration and encouragement in 140 characters or less. News feeds like @CNNbrk provide breaking news as it happens (just don’t rely on Twitter as a primary news source). The local amateur soccer team has a Twitter account (@OceanCityBarons), allowing me to find out the score to their away games. Read more
Blessing Others Through Gifts
Gifts and acts of kindness can be a great form of encouragement. For many (including myself), a physical gesture or item speaks to their love language. Giving a gift not only shows the recipient that you were thinking of them, but also shows that you approve and are supportive of them. Plus, giving a gift often impacts the giver just as much as the recipient. Read more
Blessing Others through Mentoring
The first 2-3 years in youth ministry can be an emotional roller coaster, including the highs (finding a job, leading a student to Christ, and witnessing changed lives) and the lows (church politics, unappreciative parents, and leaving a job). Holding high expectations and an idealized view of ministry, a rookie youth worker can become demoralized when faced with realities of working in ministry. If a youth worker does not have help and support to get through these years, they are more likely to leave the ministry due to burnout. Read more
Blessing Others in Ministry
Earlier this week I received the Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium. For free.
I was given CS3 after entering a drawing on ChurchCrunch. A reader of that blog recently upgraded and wanted to bless someone else in ministry.
After receiving the gift in the mail, it made me think about blessing others in ministry. Whether it is a gift, a donation, helpful advice, or just some much needed encouragement, blessing others in ministry is an excellent way to build a Kingdom mindset. Over the next week, this blog will take a deeper look at blessing others in ministry.
(image by shereen84)
