Anticipation of God's Work -vs- My Stress About Things Going Right

 At my age, it's not very often anymore, that I sleep on the floor at a weekend with kids.

It's Legacy Youth Conference at Ambrose University College (where I teach). As director of this weekend, I've got 700 kids, pastors, sponsors and and 280 Ambrose student volunteers on campus
and I'm sitting in my office at 7am on a Saturday morning thinking through the day.

The anticipation of God doing something significant is in the air. The excitement and energy last evening was fantastic.... everybody is cranked about today, and what God is going to do in the lives of kids. BUT, somehow, my anticipation is tempered with the stress and worry that things will actually work and plans will not fall flat. We are counting on almost 300 volunteers to show up and step up. We are counting on the weeks of organizing to pay off resulting in the day's schedule unfolding flawlessly. We are ready; but desperate for God to carry it.

As leaders, we've all been in that place to some degree or another. We create and lead big events all the time. We have lots of stories of success and just as many stories of disaster.

Here are some of the things that I have learned after living through this kind of ministry for 30 years:

• exhaustive advanced planning is crucial
• communicate, communicate, communicate... every volunteer and every chaperone needs to have the same picture in their head as I do
• bathe in prayer from start to finish
• stick to the plan  - have confidence in your plans
• be prepared for anything - expect the enemy to show up 
• rely on your team - if they are prepared, trained and understand well, LET THEM DO IT
• support, encourage and gush on your team of leaders the whole way through
• troubleshoot and creatively correct quickly
• slow down and enjoy it - like a bride at her wedding, stressed and anxious, she needs to step back, slow down and really enjoy her big day
• remain in a position of absolute dependance on God
• like a surfer, watch for the perfect waves from the Holy Spirit and be prepared to "catch the right waves" (not every wave that comes in), allowing God to usurp my plan.
• don't manipulate people towards responding to God
• debrief with volunteers to troubleshoot, but more importantly, to celebrate what God IS doing

Today is a big day for me and the 1000 people here. I go into it with a ton of anticipation and asking God to be aggressive in doing his work in hearts.
We are ready.
I am desperate for God to do His thing... but I'm still afraid of relying on so many volunteering people.....  and I'm tired and sore from sleeping on the floor....

 
 Dave Brotherton was a youth pastor from 1984-2006 and now teaches youth ministry at Ambrose University College in Calgary. Dave is also the National Youth Guy for the Alliance churches in Canada, the director of Legacy Youth Conference, and a junior high volunteer in his church. Dave is married to Lisa and they share 2 of the greatest kids in the world. Fishing, camping, and cheering on the Leafs are some of his favorite things. 
twitter: @oldbrotherdave

Top 10 Rejected Names for a Youth Reconcilation Service

As I look forward to FREEDOM (the annual reconciliation event for youth and young adults for the Archdiocese of Vancouver) tonight, I proudly present to you the Top 10 Rejected Names for the event:

10. Somebody gonna get hurt a-real bad
9. March Badness
8. High School Confessional
7. Sin There, Done That
6. “Oh No,you dinnnnnnnt!”
5. So You Think You Can Sin?
4. The Biggest Loser
3. Come and Tell or Go to Hell
2. Amazing Disgrace
1. Go Ahead, Make My Day 

Honourable mentions include
-Hell’s Kitchen
-Can You Top This?
-Learn Not to Burn
-"You Did WHATTTTT?”
-Confess your Mess
-Shock the Priest

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     

Vision & Strategy

How do vision and strategy intersect with one another? Can they coexist and inspire creativity?

Do you take time to make plans & develop strategy? What are some of the planning wins and/or frustrations that you've experienced?





Jason has lived in Calgary, Alberta Canada since 1995, and been a youth pastor since 2001. He is married to the love of his life, Bonny, and together they have three incredible children: Saydie, Cannon and Deklon. Jason possesses a desire to see youth, parents and families become who God created them to be through loving and living like Jesus. He currently serves on staff at Centre Street Church in Calgary. He loves hockey, playing guitar, writing and creating environments and opportunities where others can realize their potential in Jesus while experiencing the full life He promised to those who follow Him!

Traffick Proofing Your Youth Ministry

If you are working with youth in Canada, then you need to be aware of the problem and the warning signs related to sex trafficking in order to better protect your teens.

Below is a list of indicators that a teen may be, or is at risk of being sexually exploited, but what do we do with a list like this?

1. Recognize that some of these behaviours are common among teens but if a series of these behaviours are present, they need to be addressed.
2. Voice your concerns; ask the teen how they are doing and if anything is troubling them.
3. Recognize your limitations. Do not fall into a counselling or investigative role; if you suspect sexual exploitation seek professional help like the police and your local assault centre.

With that in mind use the following list provided by the Government of Alberta as a resource for recognizing the behavioral signs of teens at risk of, or being sex trafficked.

ROUTINE

 drops usual friends for a new group that includes children from other schools or communities; they may be older

 skips school

 has a significant drop in grades

 opts out of traditional family events

 becomes a night person, staying out late; unable to sleep at night, sleeps excessively during the day.

LANGUAGE

 adopts slang mannerisms never used before (e.g., ruder, cruder street talk)

 uses disconnected speech (one- or two-word codes)

 uses labels when referring to friends or self (e.g., adopting a street name).

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE/HYGIENE

 dresses more provocatively

 uses excessive makeup and time getting ready to go out

 has sexualized behavior (e.g., inappropriate sexual acting out or display of body parts)

 has bruises or other signs of abuse on his or her body.

Make sure your eyes are wide open when you are in the schools, working in the community and even in your own backyard. We as Christian can be the gatekeepers and watchmen of our communities. The above indicators will not only help you look out for the girls in your youth ministry but also protect the girls in your community so that the neighbour's kids a couple houses down have someone watching out for them. This is Kingdom business. 

Jane Galbreath

Jane is a theology graduate and social work student, living in Saskatchewan. She spends her summers leading international youth mission teams. She has is passionate about empowering young women to serve God particularly young women struggling with trauma and mental health issues. Jane has been a victim of sexual violence so she knows the heartache, shame, strength and courage it takes to face being a victim. Jane is a blogger and advocate for other females who have been victims of sexual violence because she knows that it is possible to not only survive but to come out the other side strong. After many years of healing Jane comes to you from that place! For more information and to visit Jane’s blog click here http://hopeforherblog.wordpress.com/about/

On Shepherding - 4 Traits of a Pastor

Photo Credit: Reza Vaziri (Creative Commons)

I was having coffee with a good friend recently, and sharing about the frequent complexities that come with a life in ministry. We closed our time with prayer, and as he prayed for me, he spoke words of vision and imagination, picturing a shepherd wading through deep and murky waters ahead of the flock behind him. It stirred something in my soul that evening, and the image has stuck with me.

The longer I am a pastor, the more I appreciate the position's origins. Pastor means "shepherd." God gave some to be pastors for the church, to equip the people for service and ministry so the body of Christ would be built up and have unity (Ephesians 4:11-13). Shepherds take care of the sheep, the people God has entrusted to their spiritual care. While the metaphor of people being "sheep" isn't particularly kind, the image is nonetheless fitting. Sheep are slow to move, skittish, easily given to wandering into danger and going along with the crowd. We all act like sheep at times. It's why we need a Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd calls others to be fellow pastors over the flock of His church, little shepherds who walk in the ways of the best Shepherd.

Here are four ways being a pastor in ministry is akin to the role of a shepherd:

Shepherds guide. Shepherds lead the way into good pastures. When the flock doesn't seem to want to move from their comfortable position into more fertile ground--"We've always been here! We don't want to change! What's wrong with the way things are?"--the shepherd patiently and loving guides the flock to where they don't want to go, but where they need to go. They have good intuition, and are willing to make the tough decisions that others won't. Good shepherds--and leaders--guide people into pastures and postures where they wouldn't otherwise go.

Shepherds protect. A good shepherd goes ahead of the flock, wading through deep and dark waters, through overgrown brush, and checks open fields to make sure it's safe enough to cross without attack. If conflict or danger approaches, most sheep are skittish and react impulsively, often causing more harm. The shepherd is the one who courageously confronts the conflict and protects the sheep, both from the danger and from themselves.

Shepherds are present. Good shepherds are with the sheep. They aren't running far ahead or avoiding the flock, though they are leading and guiding the flock where they need to go. Shepherds are present; they know the sheep, and are known by the sheep.

Shepherds sacrifice. In their protecting and guiding, shepherds are prone to injury. Being a shepherd is a fairly thankless and tiring vocation. The sheep need care and love and guidance and protection, regardless of how the shepherd may feel in a given moment. The good shepherd leaves the ninety-nine other sheep to crawl down craggy cliff walls to bring back the stray sheep who has fallen.

Being a shepherd is a tough vocation. It is often exhausting and heartbreaking and uncomfortable and frustrating. It's also a beautiful and worthy calling, partnering in the gospel with the Good Shepherd as He guides the flock into life-giving pastures and quiet waters, restoring our collective souls.

Who are the shepherds in your own life? Send them a word of thanks and encouragement today!

(This post originally appeared at The Mayward Blog)

Joel Mayward is a pastor, writer, husband, and father living in Langley, British Columbia. He’s been serving in youth ministry since 2003, and is currently the Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at North Langley Community Church. A writer for numerous youth ministry publications and author of Leading Up: Finding Influence in the Church Beyond Role and Experience, Joel writes about youth ministry, film, theology, and leadership at his blog, joelmayward.blogspot.ca.

March Break Social Justice Ideas

Looking for ideas on what you can do with your students this March Break? Here's a few simple ideas.

1. Do a screening* of the Academy Award director's Girl Rising, an innovative new feature film about the power of education to change a girl and the world featuring star-studded narration cast, then have a discussion about it after:

2. Do a fundraiser and donate the money to a cause your students are passionate about:

• Purple Potty: Paint an old toilet purple . Tell your church community that there’s a purple potty flushing out hunger all over town . $15 sends the toilet to the yard of the donor’s choosing . $20 gets it removed and the donor gets to pick the next destination . $35 buys “potty insurance”. Make it a competition and award the prestigious “Golden Plunger” to the student who sells the most potty insurance policies.
• ‘Yarrr’d sale: everyone loves a good yard sale . everyone loves dressing up likes pirates! Combine the two for a golden opportunity to raise funds by selling your old treasures.Your awesome garb will grab the attention of people passing by.
• Check out the Famine101 resource guide at famine.ca for more ideas

3. Bring water to the well: Feel the difficulties people face in getting clean drinking water . Put a large bucket or drum somewhere in your school, church, or community centre, far away from a tap. Have your group fill it using only a small drinking bottle they carry back and forth from the tap. You could even turn this into a race.

4. Volunteer locally: Help out at a local soup kitchen or nursing home. You could also collect cans for a local food bank. 

Proverbs 29:7 "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."

*To borrow a copy of Girl Rising feel free to reach out to one of our World Vision Youth Canada Coaches:

• Eastern Canada/Quebec: Leanne_Prescott@worldvision.ca
• Central Canada: Jobin_Sam@worldvision.ca
• Western Canada: Alexandra_Hayes@worldvision.ca 

About me: I live a pretty simple life... trying to love God and treat others as good as myself... I epically fail at this but mercifully God loves me anyway... different cultures inspire me... the outdoors is my passion... I'm pursuing my MDIV / Masters in Counselling at Tyndale... I spent 22+ years in the skate / snowboard / entertainment / marketing / retail industry at the executive level... led the charge at West 49/Billabong for 12 of them... I've worked in youth ministry leadership roles for more years then I can count.. after many moons in the corporate world I switched to the dark side and am currently the Manager of Youth & Student Campaigns at World Vision Canada... but more then anything I love giving my heart to mentoring and helping youth! #lovelife #dreambig #keepitreal #socialjustice #jesusjustice I/T @cindymielke  facebook.com/cindymielke

Building The Temple (1 Chronicles 22)

Have a quick look at 1 Chronicles 22 through 2 Chronicles 5.

David had a dream. He was crazy passionate about building a temple for God. To say that he was 'driven by this dream' is an understatement. 

If you thumb through 1 Chronicles 22, you'll see that David not only stockpiled his own resources, but he collected from his leaders and then went to the people. In the end, the pile of materials was mind bending. About 8,100,000 lbs of gold; 76,750,000 lbs of silver; 1,350,000 lbs of bronze; 8,000,000 lbs of iron. Putting this into today's economy, 8 million lbs of gold (at 16oz per pound) x 16 ounces x $1000/ounce = over $129 billion in gold alone.

               

      HOW PASSIONATE WAS DAVID ABOUT THIS CAUSE?

Flip over to chapter 28:9,10,11,12,14,15,19.  David knows he's not the one God is using to build the temple. We have a brilliant description of his hand-off to Solomon. What is involved in this??

• David clearly (painstakingly) communicates his vision
• David puts the expectations way high
• David preps by stockpiling resources
• David communicates his vision again
• Detailed instructions so Solomon could carry it out meticulously - has the plans for the cups and candle holders.... And it is all written out!
• 2Chronicles5:13b,14.   Cloud filled the temple - so thick that the priests couldn't do their work.

So, here's my challenge for you...

 

What if we approached our youth ministry with the zeal, vigor, intentionality, resources, people, communication, vision, and passion that David approached the building of the temple? We sing about dancing like David (naked... cool) but David exhibited 130 billion times more passion for the building of the temple!!!  What if we sang: "build the temple like David built the temple"....   

Here's my point...

 

Zip over to 1 Corinthians 6:19. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you.

David stopped at nothing to build a dwelling place for God on earth. He insanely prepared ahead of time, he collected the best of the best resources, he poured out his highest passion, he drove this with clear intentionality, crazy attention to detail,  months, maybe years of dreaming and communicating with great detail to those that would be overseeing and doing the work... he focused on setting them up for success. This would be the BEST. This was going to be the most spectacular thing ever built.

 

How is my passion for building the New Testament temple? The New testament dwelling place for God on earth ? How is your passion for the cause? This cause makes the popular causes in our world look bland and colourless. David's intentionality in planning and preparation, his attention to detail and his crazy passion to this puts us into perspective.

Build the temple. The most spectacular thing ever built.

  dave

Dave Brotherton was a youth pastor from 1984-2006 and now teaches youth ministry at Ambrose University College in Calgary. Dave is also the National Youth Guy for the Alliance churches in Canada, the director of Legacy Youth Conference, and a junior high volunteer in his church. Dave is married to Lisa and they share 2 of the greatest kids in the world. Fishing, camping, and cheering on the Leafs are some of his favorite things. 
twitter: @oldbrotherdave