Archive for February, 2008
TV Shows are back!
I am very excited that the Writers’ Strike is over. This means that The Office and The Big Bang Theory will have new episodes! As found here in the New York Times, the first new Office episode will air on April 10 at 9 pm. This episode is called “Dinner Party.” Who knows what will happen in this episode? Will Pam and Jim be engaged? Dwight and Angela? Andy and Angela? I know it is still 2 months away, but I am SO excited!
Book Review: Cradle to Cradle
I finished Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things last night, and I must admit that I liked the book. This is an environmental book that essentially says “Everything we are doing is wrong!” Although I may not agree with this, the book piqued my interests, so I read it. Here is an excerpt from my Library Thing review:
The most notable feature of Cradle to Cradle is the book itself. It is not paper, cardboard or newsprint, but rather made entirely of plastic. This provides the reader with a completely waterproof and very durable book which is then fully recyclable when finished. The physical book is an example of what the book teaches: we need to reevaluate and revolutionize current products.
The Bible as Manga
Just read in the New York Times that Doubleday is releasing a graphic novel (or manga) of the Bible. Entitled The Manga Bible: From Genesis to Revelation, this Bible is designed to introduce teens and tweens (the manga obsessed ones, at least) to the Word of God. While I am all about reaching unchurched students with God’s Word, I am sad to hear that the text itself is being compromised. From the Times’ article:
The medium shapes the message. Manga often focuses on action and epic. Much of the Bible, as a result, ends up on the cutting room floor, and what remains is darker.
The article’s author (Neela Banerjee) goes on to explain how the Manga Bible modifies Biblical stories to give them the graphic novel feel. Battles and action sequences are more dramatic, while laws, wisdom, and teaching sections are removed. Here is a sad quote from the article:
The Sermon on the Mount did not make the book, though, because there was not enough action to it.
I remember way back in elementary Sunday School receiving each week a short cartoon depicting a Biblical scene. This introduced me to the Bible stories in bite-size chunks. This graphic novel is a similar idea for modern students. I could see the Manga Bible being marketed as an overview of the Biblical story. However, I do take issue with it being marketed as a Bible. With a majority of the Biblical text not included, this graphic novel gives the reader a false impression. If it were being pushed as a companion to the Bible, then I think this would be a powerful tool to reach today’s students. I can still see using this in a youth ministry setting, so long as it does not replace one’s Bible.
Update: Zondervan is releasing their own Christian graphic novels (Big Z calls them “Biblical Epics”). Each works through a book of the Bible, yet they are not being marketed as Bibles.
The Guardian
I watched The Guardian again this weekend. This happens to be my favorite movie of all time, and I have seen it at least 20 times. A powerful movie that has the right combination of drama, comedy, suspense and emotions. The symbolism in the movie is great, and it makes this movie a terrific source of illustrations for lessons. Here is the poem from the beginning of the movie:
There is a legend of a man who lives beneath the sea. He’s a fisher of men. A last hope of all those who have been left behind. He is known as the Guardian.
If you have not seen this movie, close your browser right now, get in your vehicle, drive to Blockbuster, and rent the video immediately. I may be biased, but one of the best movies of all time. A+
Soggy Programs
Seth Godin recently wrote a post entitled “Soggy.” In this post, he describes new products as “crisp” and older products as “soggy,” I am assuming like a bowl of cereal. Seth writes:
New organizations and new projects are so crisp.
Things happen with alacrity. Decisions get made. Stuff gets done.
Then, over time, things get soggy. They slow down. Decisions aren’t so black and white any more.
When reading this, I thought about how Youth Ministry programs follow this same cycle. A flashy new event or method of ministry is introduced. Students are excited, leaders are energized, and you are proud. This new event is “crisp.” Then it becomes old news pretty quickly. It is amazing to see how fast a hot, new program can become a habit and then a tradition in a ministry. Soon, this “crisp” program is a “soggy” shell of its former self, and students and leaders both dread participating.
So how do we combat these “soggy” programs? Not by creating new, flashier, “crisper” programs. Instead, forget about programs and focus on people. Students are FAR more important that activities.
P.S. If you are not reading Seth’s blog, you are missing out. It is truly remarkable how clear he makes things.
Senior Pastors and Youth Ministry
Josh posted about an article entitled “What I Wish I Knew about Senior Pastors…” I noticed in the article that 2 of the 5 points were about the Senior Pastor’s involvement/support of the youth ministry. After reading the article, I feel like point #5 is a key way to gain the Sr. Pastor’s support. Here is a quote from point #5 of the article:
If you are not updating your boss on the goings-on of the youth ministry, don’t be surprised if your boss is not “up” on your work. All bosses are a little different. Some love email; others voice mail; some love scheduled updates; others prefer on-the-fly conversations; some want numbers; others want stories. Your mission is to discover your senior pastor’s style and match it to your regular updates.
Updating your Senior Pastor/Executive Pastor/supervisor is vital for a ministry. Here are 3 reasons why I feel communication with the Senior Pastor is vital to your ministry:
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You show excitement for the ministry. Face it: the Senior Pastor is your boss. You want to show him that you are enjoying your job. By regularly updating him on the ministry, you are showing him that Youth Group is more than just the programs, but rather the relationships.
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You pass your excitement to him. The Senior Pastor wants the youth ministry to go well. However, most Pastors don’t have the time to check up on your ministry all the time. By communicating with him, you get him excited and entheusiastic about the youth ministry. In turn, he will pass on that excitement to others in the church as well.
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You give him a better understanding of the church. Youth ministry is a key part of most churches. Your Senior Pastor wants to keep tabs on it. He wants to know what’s working and what’s not. By keeping him informed about the Youth Ministry, you are giving him a fuller picture of the church as a whole.
As I said above, most Senior Pastors want to support the Youth Ministry. It is your job to keep him informed about the ministry.
My Birthday - 2008 Edition
On a winter day 23 years ago, I was born. My entrance into the world would prove to foreshadow things to come: I was screaming and I came out backwards. Go me and my birthday! As I am 23, I realize that I am no longer a kid, and most people are thinking I am an adult. In this past year I have started Grad School, worked hard at my job, and have grown as a person and a Christian. In the next year, I hope to continue in my growth (personally and spiritually, hopefully not physically!), gain more experience in ministry, and figure out what God has in store for my life. Isn’t that what any 23 year old wants from life?
Predictions - Super Bowl Edition
Just about to head to the Youth Group Super Bowl Party meeting and had to make my predictions. It is very tough to do, since neither team is the Eagles, and since I dislike both teams. I do believe it will be a good game, and that the Giants will give the Patriots a run for their money. The game will be just as close as it was the last time these teams met (in Week 17). However, the Patriots team is more experienced and mainly veterans, so they have been here before. Plus, coming this close to history/perfection and losing is not an option for the New England team. That is why the Patriots will win 31-28.
UPDATE: Well, I was wrong with my prediction, but am glad with the result. The first 3 quarters were not that great, but what a 4th quarter! Even though I dislike the Giants, I am glad that they beat the Patriots, and they sure deserved this win.
Polar Plunge 2008
Today was my church’s annual Polar Plunge. We started this event back when I was in High School, and I have been a part of it almost ever single year. This year, we had the church community sponsor Plungers, with the money going to the upcoming missions trip to Haiti. My family and I thought this was a great idea, so they sponsored me. In return, I put ads on my body for my family. Here are the pics:
Before the Plunge I kept warm with my Carharts.
I drew my ads on with a Sharpie, with ads on both arms and over my heart…
… as well as a large ad on my back.
We got a sizable group from the church to this event, both in participants and in viewers. I don’t know how much we raised, but it will be used for a good cause. Hopefully we can promote more unique ways of raising money and awareness for missions trips in the future.
Crazy Mind Games
Josh at More Than Dodgeball posted this crazy mind game:
I always get frustrated with these mind tricks. I don’t like to be told what will happen to me. Just like any other human, I want to prove them wrong. However, my foot changed directions, just like it said. Even when I tried really hard, it just started drawing out the letter “B”.
