Old

So I just played in a basketball tournament I have played in for the last 10 years. Out of those 10 years I have been on a team that won the whole thing 3 times, second place twice, and third place a few times. This year we didn't do so well. My shin splints are about to kill me from playing so much in a short amount of time... old age? My brother told me its about time to give the game up... NO WAY! I wont be doing that for a very long time. It was good to see old friends but it won't be so good when I try to get up in the morning and get to Church.

Titles

So what comes with a title? If you are titled "Janitor" you don't do hiring and firing of employees. If you are titled "Human Resources" you don't clean the bathrooms. What about when your titled "Student Pastor"? There is no way to narrow down the responsibilities. Is it my job to lock up, clean up, make sure every kid gets home, councils, speaks confidence into lives, corrects, leads, mentors, teach, organizes, come up with ideas, plans, schedule events, build relationships, straiten the chairs, turn on the sound system, turn off the lights? The list can go on and on and on. So how is it possible for me to do all of that? Well it really isn't but i sure try!

Moses couldn't build/govern a nation alone, Noah couldn't build a great boat alone, Jesus didn't try to reach everybody alone. So why should I try to build a great student program alone? So lets say your titled "Student" or "Student Leader" or even "Student Band". Where does your responsibilities end?

When there is trash on the floor do you pick it up?

When there is a kid nobody has talked to who is visiting for the first time do you go welcome them?

Do you walk in to the Church thinking about how you can make it the best experience for you or how you can make this the best experience for others?

Do you look around at students and find one you can connect with this week or maybe invite them to the prayer room or to sit with you in service?

My challenge to you is this. When you are on your way to Church make it all about Him. And in order to do that you have to make it less about you. Make it more about those you can reach and mentor. I see the lives of Chris Cravens, Jena, Salena, Cherokee and other younger students who are needing more influences in their lives. Do you know all of the students I listed? Could you point them all out? Lets broaden our titles. Lets not just be the "student" lets REACH! Lets do whatever we can to help out. When something is needing done just do it. When a student is sitting by his or her self go sit with them. Have a REAL conversation with them. Man I love this group! I just wish I had time to visit with you all every day of my life. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

Lastly... Please do not take this as negativity. Take this as constructive criticism. We have been successful so you have all been doing things right. Now its time to REACH further. I would love to hear your positive feedback!

PB

80!

The service was nearly over when Samster brought up a sheet of paper that said "80!" on it. I was so pumped and still am. I know its not about the numbers, but then again... Yes it is! Why is the bible so descriptive with the numbers? Its encouraging is why! If he fed 10 people fish and bread it wouldn't be such a big deal... if we ministered to 5 lastnight it would have been great... but 80! WOW! We are cramped in a little room but they keep coming, they keep inviting friends. The old 80% rule is not applicable in our case.

Service is winding down and I decided to make it open mic night... here comes 1, then 2, then 3, then about 7 kids to say something. Wait! Its not the older, church raised, popular kids... its the 14, to 16 year olds who come from broken homes, poverty stricken, pasts nobody should ever have to be apart of. They came one by one to explain what Wed. nights mean to them. How if it wasn't for somebody inviting them they have no clue where they would be. I'm talking NEW CHRISTIANS! I kid with them and tell them they have that "New Christian Smell". The best part... I didn't have to say or do anything. All I did was show up and let the kids lead and worship. Not once did I have to "cheerlead" them into anything. Chris Cravens wrote a poem that I read to everybody that broke me down... broke everybody down. We were so touched by the words of this young man (15 and brand new in the church). My prayer? Simple... "Thank you Jesus" That is all I could say... what more can I say? Time for "85!".

PB

Anybody Out There?

This is my 3rd post! Kind of weak so far. I guess it's a little difficult to make myself blog when im not sure anybody is even reading it. I have done a poor job of marketing my blog at this point.

On another note... I was looking over several youth pastor forums today and found a really cool post. It was a bunch of youth pastors sharing the size of the church body compared to the student body. After looking at about 40 or so of them I am happy to say not one of them had a group close to ours. A Church body of 175 on Sundays, yet we run 75 on Wed nights! How awesome is that? I think space is a big problem at this point. Once we have a larger youth facility I believe we will grow much more... till then... im happy with trying to pastor 75 students and worn out at the same time! Ok... ramble session over! Leave a comment if you read this... would love to know at least one person has found it :)

Brad