Sunday Review

Today I was the speaker at my church for the morning gathering. If you would like to hear it just click here. A quick summary, as followers of Christ we are carriers of His message. The message is what was accomplished on the cross. That's the Good News, the Gospel. But the Bible tells us that this Good News is foolishness to those who have not given their life to Jesus (it doesn't make sense, it's ridiculous). So how are we then supposed to communicate our message? Feel free to listen in on the podcast.

At night we had the choir from a local high school come and sing. There were 75 of them and it was awesome! They did such a wonderful job. It took a good effort from my youth and Bob (the only adult) to direct the cars. Our parking lot was overflowing and our auditorium was packed. I got to meet and talk with a lot of new people, mostly parents coming to see their child sing.

The Start Of The Youth Ministry Team (Sunday Review)

For the past 3 Sunday evenings I had been teaching about what was dubbed "Introduction to Youth Ministry" although it was more of a "What Every Church Member Should Know". When I look back over the material I see some rather basic things, but many of these things most church members probably don't know or don't put into practice. I think the thing I stressed the most was commitment, but I'm sure everyone got something a little different out of it. A lot of ground was covered in the past three weeks and now we move forward.

After the meeting I asked for those who have been praying about being on the Youth Ministry Team I'm going to be forming to come forward and talk with me for a few minutes. Five, not including my wife and myself, came forward and we briefly talked. I can't wait to work with them!

We're going to meet briefly before Youth on Wednesday night where I'll be handing them an information packet and volunteer application (many of the questions are in there because of the culture we live in; including a background check and references).

Please be in pray for this team and me.

Sunday Review

My first Sunday at Forest Park Baptist Church. There's a lot to say, but I want to keep this brief. Here are the highlights:

1. I brought the message this morning and thought I didn't do a very good job because things have been way too busy and I wasn't able to put the time I should have into it. Not that it's every by my power when I speak (at least I don't want it to be), but I felt so busy that I honestly felt "disconnected" from clearing receiving and articulating what God would have me to say (being too busy can do that).
   
2. God proved me wrong. . .and apparently my message was what it needed to be. Paul's (the senior pastor) family was visiting and his brother rethought his walk with Christ, realizing that God uses the broken, the "less-than-the-best", and the ordinary for His purpose. That was very touching to learn this evening and Paul was very excited about it.
3. Sarah and I have been showered with love, affection, meeting people, cleaning supplies, food, etc.
   
4. Paul made a point to say that I'm called by God to do work there and that even though, at times, some may question what I'm doing and not agree with me, they need to remember that I'm called by God to do what I do. He also reminded those that made a commitment to volunteer for the youth program.
   
5. Bill is the coolest old man I've ever met in my life! He's in his late 80's. He's a WWII pilot. He lost his wife about a year ago. We first met him when I was a candidate for the position of youth pastor here and you could see some of the sadness over his loss, but he still made Sarah and I laugh a lot constantly. I need to get a video or something of Bill; he's just hilariously! He wrote Sarah and I each a letter before we came expressing the most wonder things you could imagine. He has so much energy! Tonight he made a poem about Sarah and I, and he had 6 people read it with him. He had the whole room laughing. He wants to be on my the team of adults I plan on training and preparing for youth ministry (he's perfect for the kind of team I want).
6. It's looking like I may be starting with two middle school boys, Sheldon and Nick. I knew this would be a ground zero job coming into it.
   
7. Many people were asking me about Tricia, Nathan, and "the baby". I found out through Paul that 10 people have been fasting for their time of prayer for Tricia and Gwyneth. I don't know who those 10 people are; it's not something being "publicized" to the rest of the church.
8. There are a few retired pastors in this church and they're really cool guys to talk with. One caught my attention a lot with his love for apologetics. He taught the Sunday school class Sarah and I attended this morning and he did a really good job.
   

There's a lot more. But this is all for now.