Farewell Pope Benedict XVI

Friday, February 28 marks the last day of service for Pope Benedict XVI - the head of the universal Catholic Church.  Pope Benedict XVI was born as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger and he is the Catholic Church's 265th pope.

The role of the Pope, as successor to St. Peter, is to lead the faithful on Earth and to pass on the Faith to the Church.  In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said to Peter, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.”  Thus, it was Christ’s intent to pass on the authority to guide the Church in His name to Peter and the apostles.  Since then, it has been passed down through the centuries.  This is called “apostolic succession.”

Much will be made in the news in the next few weeks as to who will be elected as the next pope.  The papal conclave (a meeting of the College of Cardinals) will begin on the weekend of March 9/10 and thus we there could be a new pope as early as March 11.

In the meantime, here a great blog for young people called "3 Things You Should Know About Pope Benedict XVI" from my friends at lifeteen.com

Leading Up - Relational Equity

Photo credit: Gerhard Van der Leun, Creative Commons

Relationships matter. Everyone who works on church leadership teams recognizes this fact. We're designed for relational connections with other human beings, and everything we do as leaders is connected to the relationships we have with the people around us.

Picture all the relationships you have with the people in your organization--a business, a church, a family--and imagine them all as bank accounts. You can make all sorts of deposits or withdrawals based on the time and energy you have invested into the relationship. You can make deposits into this account through a variety of ways: quality time spent together, words of encouragement and affirmation, or acts of service and gifts. Each of these relationship accounts is both unique and interrelated; a deposit or withdrawal in one account may have an effect on another. This isn't about spending time with a person in order to get something from them, but simply a tool to evaluate one's relationships with fellow human beings.

While deposits always take a significant amount of time and patience to build an investment to a mature level, it only takes one misstep to bankrupt a relationship. A negative withdrawal is fairly obvious—any breaking of trust or intentional harm quickly causes relational rifts that require time and investment in order to regain what was lost. Deceive or manipulate someone intentionally, don't follow up on a commitment you made, or refuse to apologize for a mistake, and you're emptying your bank accounts.

Take a minute and list the specific leadership relationships you have at your church. How much relational equity have you deposited into each of these accounts? How much quality time have you spent with each particular person? Relationships are mysterious and constantly in flux, but you can make fairly accurate assessments on the depth and health of a particular relationship simply through evaluating how much you’ve personally deposited in the relational bank account.

What are some ways you've built relational equity with others in your church or organization? Share in the comments!

(This post originally appeared here.)

Joel Mayward is a pastor, writer, husband, and father living in Langley, British Columbia. He is the author of Leading Up: Finding Influence in the Church Beyond Role and Experience. Joel loves youth ministry, movies, the church, and theology, and he writes about all of it at his blog.

AIKMAN OPPORTUNITY AWARD FOR YOUNG CHRISTIAN WRITERS

Patrick Henry College, Guildford Media Ltd., and reporter /writer David Aikman announced this week the launch of The Aikman Opportunity Award for Young Christian Writers. The goal of the award, say the organizers, is to identify, encourage, and support a new generation of Christian nonfiction testimony writers. Such writers can inspire both Christians and general readers with true stories of how God has worked transformatively in the lives of individuals and communities.

NOT A TYPICAL WRITING CONTEST

Most writing contests award prizes for already completed manuscripts. The Aikman Opportunity Award is different. It promises a top prize to the writer who can compose the most compelling and best-reported book proposal of the testimony story he or she wants to write. The prize, of course, will provide a solid financial base for the writer as the manuscript is being assembled.

Grand prize: $20,000 plus potential for publication

First runner-up award: $1,500 plus potential for publication

Second runner-up award: $1,500 plus potential for publication

Third runner-up award: $1,500 plus potential for publication

To qualify, contestants must reside in Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland and be between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age. All contestants must submit a 1,000 - 1,500 word article that leaves the reader yearning for a longer narrative. The article should focus on a remarkable true story of God’s grace and intervention in the life of an individual and/or their community.

A carefully selected panel of judges will short-list the applicants and create a list of finalists. Upon notification, the finalists will then be required to prepare a 2,000 - 4,000 word proposal outlining their vision and offering verification of the authenticity of their story.

Dr. Aikman recalls how he first became interested in writing and reporting.

“When I was in graduate school in the US in the 1960s,” he says, “there were many demonstrations and speeches being made by radical students. As a history student I was fascinated by the parallels I thought I was seeing in the history of societies in other parts of the world. I wanted to draw attention to these parallels and so I started writing for the campus newspaper. Shortly after being hired at TIME Magazine, I was sent to cover several historical events. It was wonderful being able to combine both of my passions- - history and reporting. You get to be a fly on the rim of the mixing bowl of

history!

Later, I came across heart-wrenching stories of suffering when I covered the way in Indochina. Few things moved me more than observing the courage of Cambodian Christians as they prepared to face the cruel uncertainties of the incoming Khmer Rouge insurgents. Most of them knew they would be killed as Christians when the Communists won. It was humbling to be an observer of all this.

I witnessed war and unrest in Israel and the Middle East in the early 1980s, and the tragedy of the massacre in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989. I also began to meet China’s valiant Christian community.

I was already a Christian by conviction, having been converted in my early twenties. But all of these experiences confirmed for me the advantage and the wisdom of looking at the world through Christian eyes. I have heard several Christian testimonies during my career—stories that were beautifully crafted about people experiencing the faithfulness of God in a great variety of circumstances. In the 1970s and 1980s, there were many books of these testimonies being published. In recent years, though, the wellspring of good testimony writing has become drier. Yet, today it’s more important than ever to tell people what God is doing in the world. At the end of the day writing, especially Christian writing, is a God-given calling. In this writers’ contest I want to provide a spark of inspiration and a real practical

incentive for Christian writers to be started telling the most wonderful story we will ever hear: what God is doing in the lives of ordinary people.”

To read more about the contest guidelines, visit http://aikmanaward.com/about/how-to/

index.html . For general information see www.aikmanward.com

To receive regular updates, follow The Aikman Opportunity Award group on Facebook at

facebook.com/AikmanAward or on Twitter at @aikmanaward

Going Slow with Dr. Low

Slowly Putting on the Armor

I have been aware of the armor of God my whole life but never made a huge deal of it nor took full advantage of it.  It was something I learned at Bible Camp and Bible School and certainly have prayed it through several times but last week I slowed down and used it more intensely and specifically than ever before.

I spent over an hour with one of my Spiritual Life Coaching guests helping him put on the Armor of God in Ephesians 6 one piece at a time, one situation at a time.  We basically walked through the rest of his day, very specifically, step by step, putting on each piece of armor to protect him from his regular attacks.

Before we started this he shared with me that he often recites the armor in his morning prayers.  "That's great!" I said, "but what about a few hours later?"  It's not that God fails us a few hours later or that the armor isn't strong enough to last through a day, it's that we forget as the day goes on and even drop pieces of armor that get heavier to carry.  Picture an actual soldier - the image this practical analogy is built upon - no soldier can carry around all the armor all day - it's too heavy.  Instead, a wise soldier keeps the armor close at hand, wearing what he needs when he needs it, and holding up the pieces he needs when he needs it.  No soldier walks around holding up his shield or sword all day but has them ready for when he needs to lift them up again.

So I encouraged him to continue starting his day like this - great practice - but to continually go through the armor throughout the rest of his day too, in very specific situations.  I told him not to do this in a fearful, paranoid way, like you're dropping your armor every 5 minutes and God's Spirit does not last longer than 10 minutes - that's not the proper view.  It's simply wise to be ready, be alert and to pray continually as Scripture suggests several times.

Like most other spiritual practices this takes time and slowing down, even if it's just for a few minutes on our coffee break, lunch break or bathroom breaks throughout our day.  Otherwise, if we race through our days, dropping pieces of armor and forgetting promises of truth along the way, we leave ourselves open to the negative and fearful lies that fly at us all day.

May God equip you to live out His truth all day every day!

Things that make you go, "hmmm".

I was meeting with a group of youth workers this week. We are doing a 6 month cohort together and we had our first all day meeting together.

We were all discussing the theme of how we maintain our own spiritual vitality/growth. Realizing that we plan bible studies, review and use curriculum, plan events, etc...

We spoke of sabbath, rest and how most of the time we use ministry bible study as our own personal study time with God. Kind of a 2 for 1 bible study.

One of our cohort members asked a profound question that caused everyone in the room to stop and think because of the truth that the question revealed.

If you were not in paid ministry would your spiritual walk with God look any different?

I'm still chewing on this question. What do you think?

Jeff Smyth is a youth worker who has been involved in both the local church and non-profit areas of Canada for more than 15 years. Jeff lives in Toronto with his wife Heather and son Nathan.
Jeff online: ThinkYouthMinistry.com, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+

What You Wear Affects What They Hear

You are asked to speak for an event, how do you dress? Seriously this is a public speaking tip! Do you want to be taken seriously? Do you want to make a strong first impression? Researchers say that 60% to 70% of communication is non verbal. People assume things about you before you even open your mouth especially if you are a youth worker. You have something valuable to say so start off on the right foot.

Speaking of your right foot make sure you are wearing comfortable non noisy shoes. There are many thoughts that goes through a listener's mind, eliminate as many distractions as possible. I was speaking to a small group of girls when one of them out of the blue broke out and said, "I've just got to say something. Your vest is buttoned up wrong. It's been bugging me this whole time!" This was after I delivered 3/4 of the presentation. My shirt was a distraction to her from my message. This isn't a bad case of A.D.D. it can happen to anyone. Can you remember a time when you were blinded by someone's attire? Maybe it was a strand of hair that kept getting the Justin Bieber head shake every 30 seconds by the presenter.  Look in front of a mirror before you present to reduce the number of distractions.

You are looking through your closest trying to decide what to wear for your speaking engagement. 

Here is a simple rule I learned that will help you dress to impress: Wear one dress code higher than your audience.

If your audience is wearing blue jeans (casual), dress semi-casual or business casual. This includes relaxed pants, corduroy, khaki's with open collar shirts, and vest.
If your audience is business casual then dress semi-formal put on a jacket, a blazer ladies, and guy's you'll need a tie. Lastly if everyone is wearing semi-formal attire...You guessed it you go formal.

You've worked on your message and it's ready for delivery. Present your gift to the world in style and don't forget the wrapping.
For More information on dress code click the link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_code

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A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and has recently graduated from Youth Speakers University. Currently residing in Calgary she is also the Founder of The Young Women of Power Conference and Movement. To have her speak at a function email her at admin@itgspeakers.com  

REMIX Toronto 2013

I’ve never really been good at math and I know that I’ll have to probably get a math tutor for my son at some point, but when I look at the math associated with REMIX it is hard to deny that it makes sense and it’s clear that this is not your typical trip to Toronto.

Student Leadership is the heart of REMIX. They help students focus on the mission and message of Jesus through learning every morning and then experiential learning every the afternoon with a celebration gathering each night. Basically students learn, do, celebrate. 

5000 students + 300 youth groups = 16 years

Local Focus = Global Impact

REMIX is an inner-city mission trip and this should be your mission trip.

Churches are using REMIX as the beginning training ground for their students to get the basics before they go out on an overseas mission trip. This is an excellent way for you and your students do life together before you take that them overseas. Chris Folmsbee loves REMIX and what they have going on in Toronto each year.

This is one mission trip that should be on your youth ministry radar. Student Leadership training that is learning, experiencing and celebrating. Students will discover how to...

live out the mission and message of Jesus.

By figuring it out locally so they can have a global impact in the future.

This is one mission trip I highly recommend and that’s why I have been personally involved with it for the past four years.

Leading Up - Peaches and Oranges

Criticism bites. As a leader in the church, criticism is an inevitable reality. No matter how much relational equity you build or how "successful" of a ministry you lead, somewhere along the line you won't make someone happy and they'll let you know you. So how do you handle the criticism when it comes? How do you survive the discouragement, the feelings of inadequacy, and the growing sense of anger or cynicism that can rear its head?

A mentor once told me a metaphor about two leadership postures people can hold when it comes to criticism: peaches and oranges.

Peaches are soft on the outside and hard on the inside. Peaches are warm and fuzzy on their exterior, perceived as sweet and tender. They like being around other peaches. Yet a peach bruises easily when criticized, and the wounds and hurts are quite evident to everyone around. Though the exterior is bruised, the inside of a peach is hard and cold and unmoving. Scripture labels this the "root of bitterness." This hardness might never appear on the outside, but it lingers as quiet grudges and dark insecurities.

Oranges are tough on the outside and soft on the inside. Oranges have a firm and confident exterior, still flexible and pliable, but assertive and unshaken when they experience the bumps and bruises of criticism. Oranges don't bruise easily. When criticized, oranges maintain a soft interior, with a posture of humility and grace for themselves and others. There isn't a hard heart or a root of bitterness on the inside. Oranges can bump up against others and maintain a sense of self-differentiation. Oranges must be careful to not roll over others heedlessly or appear to be hardened and immovable.

Ultimately, handling criticism in a healthy way means having a sense of humble confidence. he paradox of humble confidence. Humility comes from a realistic view of oneself in light of the grace given us in Christ. The word originates from the Latin "humus," meaning "earth, dirt." It is knowing and embracing the reality that we are dust. Connected with humility is a confidence in one's vocational calling and identity. A confident leader finds their identity in Christ, seeing themselves as a child of God, deeply loved and called to His mission. We're loved dust. This Christ-based identity allows His love to foster a confidence in Him, knowing we are created in His image and any gifts, strength, or opportunities we have are a demonstration of His grace in our lives. With humble confidence, a leader can handle any criticism that comes their way because the criticism doesn't define them or shatter their identity.

When it comes to criticism, which posture do you tend to maintain: a peach or an orange? Run with the metaphor: is there another fruit that best describes how you deal with criticism?

Joel Mayward is a pastor, writer, husband, and father living in Langley, British Columbia. He is the author of Leading Up: Finding Influence in the Church Beyond Role and Experience. Joel loves youth ministry, movies, the church, and theology, and he writes about all of it at his blog.

Matt Maher Returns to Vancouver

I'm taking a break from the traditional youth ministry blog post this week and instead relinking to an interview I conducted with singer/songwriter Matt Maher last year.

Take a look at my post from February 2012 called Creating Soundtracks for God: An Interview with Matt Maher.

I've been blessed to know Matt since the mid 90s and we are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming him once again for a concert later this month.  Last year the concert drew almost 1,000 people for a night of worship and witness.

This year's concert is on Saturday, February 16 at the Vancouver Convention Centre from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.  Cost is $20 and it's general seating.

You can purchase tickets here or by contacting me.  I hope you'll consider joining us for a powerful night of worship.

Clayton Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie.  He has served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes develop their own youth and young adult ministries.  When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks.  Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo

Going Slow with Dr. Low

Yesterday I met with a man at a retreat centre who described himself being on a merry-go-round while feeling convicted that God was calling him to another area of the playground.  We prayed, meditated and waited in a silence for a while to seek God's leading.  It occurred to both of us that, before jumping off a merry-go-round, one must first slow iit down or you can hurt yourself on your way off.

In order for this man to even want to slow down he recognized Jesus standing a little off in the distance calling him to another spot in the playground.  He couldn't see Jesus clearly because he was spinning so fast but he knew he had to slow down because he was being compelled to look more closely and hopefully make his way over.

What does your life look and feel like right now?  Are you at the center of your calling or are you seeing, hearing or sensing something or Someone off in the distance calling you to something different?  Not only do we need to slow down to make a change but sometimes we need to slow down even just to recognize the invitation in the first place.

For more lessons from the playground check out Playground Prayers and Monkey Bar Meditations.

Book Review: I Am Second

I love stories. Especially when you hear about a life that was transformed or changed through an experience that they went through (good or bad). I love when my spirit is bubbling up inside me as I listen to a story and when it gets to the end I can boldly say to the story-teller, “That’s the God I know!”

As I sat down to read this book over a few days, I was excited because I had used several of the videos from I AM SECOND in various youth ministry contexts. Each video is visually simple yet powerful, verbally thought provoking, and very inspiring. (I used three “V” words there, cool!). I am also a person who loves things visual, seeing a person share their own personal story, seeing their facial expressions of joy or pain is very powerful. Yet when I read, I love to visualize what I’m reading.

As I began the book I kept having this sense of confusion come over me because it wasn’t clear to me who was telling each of the stories I was reading. Every story, through out the whole book, kept switching from first person to third person. I then jumped ahead to a story I had seen on video that impacted me personally and started reading with expectation. I was let down because as a reader I wasn’t sure who was telling the story. I was left...

(read the rest of my review at thinkyouthministry.com)