The MERGE Band is on myspace

Visit and listen to the Merge Band on myspace.com at www.myspace.com/bbcmergeband.com. Our new worship song "In Christ" is now posted on there. Or click on the Merge Band MySpace link on the right.

Consistency instills Confidence

Learning is a life-long journey and life is continually changing, so therefore we ought to be constantly learning. One of the primary lessons I am learning right now is this: consistency instills confidence. This is true in all areas of life. For example, my wife appreciates it when I am consistent in my relationship with her. She wants me to be a man of my word and follow through when I say I am going to do something. When I fail to do that her trust and confidence is shaken.
Consistency is also important in my spiritual life as well. I find that when I am consistent in my daily walk with God my faith and confidence in Him is stronger and more certain, but when I am sporadic and haphazard with my daily devotions I find myself lacking spiritual confidence and conviction.
Consistency is also a valuable leadership tool. Right now my church is in the middle of pastoral transition and change often frightens people and leaves them feeling uncertain and apprehensive. Consistent leadership and communication can help alleviate some of that tension and instill confidence in people.
If I have one definite New Year's resolution this year it is to be more consistent. My sister once inferred that I am extremely predictable. I used to take that at as insult, but now believe it to be something worth striving for.

Current Reading List

The Knowledge of the Holy - A.W. Tozer
I am reading this book for the second time, but this time in preparation for teaching through it in our Sr. High Sunday School Class beginning in January 2009. Tozer is one of my all-time favorite authors.

Unchristian - David Kinnaman
This is a great book based on research done by the Barna Group. It highlights what the next generation really thinks about Christianity and why that is important to us as evangelicals.

Essential Church - Thom S. Rainer and Sam S. Rainer III
I just started this book. It is from the same authors who wrote Simple Church. This book is similar to Unchristian in that it speaks to strategies to reclaiming a generation of dropouts from our churches. I'll let you know how it is once I get into it a bit more.


Recent Completed Reads and Recomendations:
Crazy Love - Francis Chan
Humility - C.J. Mahaney

Critical Question

As we move closer to 2009 and as I move into my fourth year as Youth Pastor here at Bible Baptist Church I find myself asking some significant and important questions about the effectiveness of our Youth Ministry. Are we really being successful? Are we truly instilling in teenagers a love for God and His Word, or have we simply become a glorified babysitter and travel agent who entertain and patronize teenagers into a life of comfort and apathy? If we are being successful, how do we define that success? What is the measurable product of a successful Youth Ministry? If I had to give our current Youth Ministry a grade it would not be a high one; perhaps a C- or maybe even a D+. Sure we provide a lot of activity, sing good songs, and teach relevant lessons, but are we really impacting teenager’s lives in such a significant way that they become passionate about serving Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength? I think not. So then the question that begs asking is “How do we improve?” Obviously it will not happen overnight, but a change must be made. Right now I have more questions than answers, but as we move into the New Year I am seriously evaluating our Youth Ministry and will begin to make some significant changes over the next 6-12 months. Perhaps you have an observation or suggestion you would like to share as you think about our Youth Ministry and how to improve it. Please pass it along to me and share honestly about the needs of your family and teenagers. Here are some of the questions I have been asking myself lately; maybe they will stimulate your thinking.

Why do we do what we do and is it the best way to do it?
What role should the family play in Youth Ministry and how do we make our ministry more family oriented?
What role should the Church play in Youth Ministry?
Should we have segregated Sunday School for teenagers or combine them with their families?
How do we more effectively engage and inspire teenagers to live godly lives?
How can we be more deliberate and intentional in our programming and teaching?
What resources may be helpful in implementing change?
How do we instill godliness that transcends the teenage years?

Once we get past the holidays I would like to host a Think Tank for parents of teenagers who would like to brainstorm together about how we can improve our Youth Ministry. Right now I am looking at either Saturday, January 10 or Saturday, January 17 as possible dates for this meeting. If you are interested in being a part of this Think Tank then please contact me and let me know so I can pass along more details as they become available. I will come prepared to provide discussion guides and conversation starters as we dialogue together about how to do a better job discipling our teenagers. Please pray for me as I think through a comprehensive approach on how to do Youth Ministry more effectively.

The future looks bright!

Black Eyed Friday

Due to unexplainable circumstances I found myself at the mall on Black Friday. I usually avoid the consumer holiday at all cost, but not this year. Despite joining the fray at the unusually late hour of 1:00 PM, I was amazed at the crowds and lines. So much for a weak economy. However, I must confess a certain adreneline rush battling the crowds looking for good deals. I did come away with some jeans from Old Navy at 50% off...although I did stand in a line that stretched to the back of the store to get them. Overall it was a plesent Black Friday experience, but I don't anticipate being up at 4:00 AM next year.