Toby Mac and 2800

Toby Mac and 2800 youth pastors and leaders. Need I say more.

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B.U.S.Y

Im too busy

BUSY = Being Under Satans Yoke


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To Young Not To

So I'm here at the symc 2010 conference. For many reading this blog you have no idea what that is. Simply put, it's a conference designed to encourage and equips youth pastors and leaders to do life and ministry better. We hear from some of the best minds in youth ministry and we get to rub shoulders with others from around the world who live daily the same challenges and struggles we do and who enjoy triumphs just like ours.

One of the things that has caused me much internal turmoil was my age. 33 years old may not seem old, but then try staying up for 24 hours at a youth lock-in after working 45 hours at church that week as well as a second job to make ends meet so that the necessary provisions can be made for your wife and three children. Oh yeah, there was the school play, the two soccer practices for my sons soccer team (that I coach) and his game. Just for good measure let's throw in there a seminary class or two. Mabye now you understand a little of my life. So I have been tired and feeling old and wondering if this is life at this age then mabye it's time to step out of youth ministry. I could be a senior pastor, they only work on sundays ( ha). Then I arrived at this conference and started watching people. I started having conversations and ( as weird as this might be) listening in on others conversations. I realized just by looking at who was here that I am the average age of the youth guy here. If I had to guess I would say that about 70% of the men here are in their mid to late 30's. WOW!! And throught conversations, both mine and "others" I realized that many are wrestling with the same juggeling as me.

So, for me this issue has been laid to rest. I'm not to ripe for youth ministry, I'm just coming I to season.

On a side note, it's neat to see that youth ministry is no longer a bunch of 20 year old kids acting as fun directors, but is now a maturing group of christian men leading generations of teens into the life long presence of Jesus.

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Location:Bryn Mawr Ave,Des Plaines,United States

A Pizza Hangover

So were here for the SYMC in Chicago. Were having lunch at Giordanos and we got their "famous" deep dish double decker massive pizza. Now I'm in a joyous kind of pain after eating just two pieces. But it's oh so good.
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Location:Glenlake Ave,Leyden,United States

Simply Youth Ministry Conference

Well were getting ready to leave in about and hour for chicago. Becky and I are looking forward to a great weekend of rest and encouragement. Were also hoping that we can leave others encouraged. 10 years in youth ministry has given us some perspective that we did not have when we were starting out. Hoping to meet some new youth guys near us. It's good to have friends who understand your life and motivations. So you may hear me asking " will you be my friend". Just say YES. See you all tonight.


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Mounting Anticipation

So the Haiti team is just about two weeks from departure. All of us are feeling a heightened sense of excitement and for me at least an increased sense of wonder at the unknown. I am truly excited and at the same time somewhat aprehensive about leaving Becky for a week right now. But you know, god is faithful. I am sure that I am supposed to be on this trip and as I have seen in my life so far, when I comply in simple obediance God fixes all those little details, even ones we never think of. Our God is awesome and today he brought me to a place that I needed to be. A place I have struggled to be in recent weeks and have finally found. This place is one of comfort where I can truly say it is well with my soul.

"I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me". - Philipians 4:12-13

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Quick to forgive and slow to anger

I want to mention something that isn't new but bears repeating. When someone does something wrong we need to be slow to judge their motives. We need to allow them time to come clean and then we need to forgive them. Often we look at another and we react by throwing "stones". Boy how fast we forget thy we are surrounded by the glass walls of our own life. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. It's what Jesus did and it's what we are supposed to do. It's the Christian way.

"A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense."
- Proverbs 19:11

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Location:S 18th St,Lafayette,United States