Monthly Archives: September 2011
Raised Expectations
As a middle school pastor, I have learned that clearly identified expectations and leading toward a culture that praises these expectations earns a reputation of quality and makes a big difference.
Jr. High/middle school ministry can easily be stereotyped, the brunt of jokes and skits by the Skit guys as out of control, activity driven and basically a time to extend immaturity and lack of responsibility. It is our job, as those who work with middle school students, to make sure our ministries are not characterized in these ways. God, your students, families and your church deserve more than that. If your pastor, church leaders, parents, church members and the community are shaking their head at what goes on in our ministries, how can we expect support, volunteer leaders and real growth to happen? Read the rest of this entry
Learning Matters to God
A new study by two university professors leads to a shocking discovery: many students don’t learn very much in college. The findings of the study were recently reported in a groundbreaking book, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses by Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa. The picture is grim. Forty-five percent of students “did not demonstrate any significant improvement in learning” during the first two years of college, and thirty-six percent didn’t demonstrate much learning over four years of college. The authors note that many students drift “through college without a clear sense of purpose.” The main reason very few students are learning much in college is “lack of academic rigor.” The majority of students are not being pushed very hard in their studies. In fact, studying outside of class is at an all-time low, accounting for less than 14 hours a week for most students. Read the rest of this entry
The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus (Part 5): Your Primary Text
By Bill Allison and Dave Garda- Cadre International Minisries(Posted with permission.)
See also: Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3, Part 4
Pop Quiz
Which of the following quotes are from the Bible and which are not? Put a B next to those quotes you think are found in the Bible and put NB for those quotes you think are not in the Bible. This will be way “funner” if you dare to do it with some friends.
- “That which God writes on thy forehead, thou wilt come to it.”
- “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs.”
- “He said, ‘The prayer of you both has been accepted, therefore continue in the right way and do not follow the path of those who do not know.’”
- “A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit.”
- “In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”
- “Life is but a walking shadow.”
- “And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.”
- “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
- “Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, offer service to Me, bow down Me, and you shall certainly reach me.”
- “You hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Hell as you are.”
(To see how you did scroll down to the bottom of this post.)
Are you wondering what this little exercise has to do with the disciplemaking genius of Jesus?
Good. The answer? Everything. Read on… I’ll explain. Read the rest of this entry
The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus (Part 4): Withness
By Bill Allison and Dave Garda- Cadre International Minisries(Posted with permission.)
See also: Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3
Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to your request for additional information in box number three on the accident reporting form. I had put “poor planning” in that box as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully so I hope the following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade and on the day of the accident I was working alone on the roof of a new six story building. When I had completed my work I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of bricks left over. Rather than carry them down by hand I decided to lower them down by using a pulley, which was fortunately attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went back to the roof and attached a barrel to hold the bricks. I swung the barrel out over the side of the building and loaded the bricks into it. Read the rest of this entry
Rebound 2011: Need a little break?
Let’s be honest. Summer wasn’t an “off season” for you. Now you’re launching the fall. Why not plan a strategic getaway that will help to provide adequate inflow for your sustained overflow. Join us at Rebound 2011. Register Today.
