Shameless Plug

SHAMELESS
I looked up "shameless" on an online dictionary. Here's what I got: without shame.

My high school English teacher just rolled her eyes at that one. "You NEVER define a word with a part of the word," I can hear Mrs. Lonna Olson firmly articulate. Mrs. Olson, it wasn't me!

So I looked further for "shame" - a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.

There's a lot about my young adult years that were good, but there's much about that period of my life that fits this definition. I am not covered by shame; I'm covered by the blood of Jesus...but I'm not talking about it. I am thankful to be depending 100% on God's grace in Christ AND to not be living as a 18 to 26 year old today.

PLUG
But seven of my friends are tackling and talking about these years.

Why seven? One for each day of the week.
(Think shuffle on your personal music player.)

Why blog? If I have to explain this one, then why are you reading this blog?!?

CHECK IT OUT
grounded317.blogspot.com

Black January

When I first began as a full-time youth leader, a phrase started developing in my home. Most often uttered by my lovely bride, these two words hold a meaning of a stuffed schedule PLUS dark Minnesota days -- black January.

The average percentage of sunlight in Minnesota during January is 53%. Bottom line -- only about one-half of daylight hours are sunny, so almost half are not. Thus, black January.

But I can't blame the location, it was the schedule piece that really pressed this phrase. On average, the first 31 days of the month included multiple annual reports, an annual meeting, two to four conferences of three-day lengths, end of year wrap up activities and goal setting sessions for the year to come.

I work hard to not take home work, but my degree in Mathematics tells me not to look at the numbers on how available I usually was in those months. Thus, black January.

For this year's first month, I will spare you the details. But allow me to briefly mention that this post is my first one since JANUARY 6!

In reading through Nehemiah 13, two different words struck me. Two words of prayer to the Lord. Two words of dependence. Two words which can change my perspective when times are tough.

"REMEMBER ME, O my God, and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness." ~ Neh 13:22b

If I recall how the Lord has remembered me in Jesus and how is great love is enough, then I may gain a new view to a busy schedule.

Do I need to find better time management? Likely.
Do I need to learn how to say, "No"? Maybe (or "Yes"...I mean "No").
Can January get a new moniker? Definitely.

My only problem now is I have to wait 10 months to welcome "Blessed January"!

~ Jason

The Amount on the Bottom Line

My position returned to full-time on January 1, 2010. Thirteen months ago, I told a few trusted friends that I wondered if the Lord wanted me to experience part-time youth ministry in order to better minister to and alongside of so many that have that same situation.

I do not claim to now know the Lord's intent in it all, but I am confident He has been and is continuing to mold me. My status has changed, but so many in this economy continue to be stretched to the point of breaking. A recent article by Group ("2010 YM Salary Survey" in Jan/Feb 2010 Issue) suggests little is changing to bring financial support for those that invest their lives to minister to the next generation.

Out of FULL-TIME, paid youth pastors...
- Only 42 percent received funds for ministry resources
- Only 52 percent received an allowance for mileage/travel

Over half of youth leaders in this survey are underwriting ministry opportunities with their time and with their treasures. If that's true for the full-time people, how much are the part-time and volunteers giving?

A conversation today with a friend reminded me of the tension that still exists for the person called by the Lord to give his or her life to shepherding students. How will I pay for my needs? How will I pay for my families' needs?

The Lord provides...and there is no "but" after that statement.

Instead of a "but" comes a "better". The better place for the Kingdom servant is in the stance of paying for it with one's life. When King David was offered a prepaid burnt offering, he said, "No way!"

II Samuel 24

A no-cost sacrifice is no sacrifice at all.

Maybe the amount to write on the bottom line of youth ministry is not a financial figure, but the John Hancock of your personal signature.

How is your bottom line?

What's That Smell?

"Would you like insurance on your new cell phone?" asked Chris, the sales guy.

Hmmm...I pondered the question. Since I was strolling in with an aging phone that was baptized by our washing machine, I was about to agree when Chris added, "The insurance covers any unforseen damage to the phone like water or being baked."

Baked? Did he just say baked?

Yes, sure enough. Chris went on to relay the account of a pleasant lady who brought in her iPhone to him. Apparently she was baking cookies and her delicate piece of technology slid onto a corner of the pan without her noticing. A few minutes later black smoke and a really weird smell was coming from her oven.

"She let me take a picture of it," Chris continued. He showed me. It looked like a small black plastic cake. I've heard of 4G before, but not 400 degrees!

After going with the insurance (how could I say "no"), the thought of the smell stuck with me. How are you and I smelling these days?

II Cor. 2:14-16 reminds us -- "Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?"

Skol Vikings

How is it that I can be so discouraged by a weak outing by the Vikes only a week ago AND NOW encouraged a week later by a strong outing against a weak (or "already-ready-for-the-off-season") Giants team?

In the past, I have made regular pre-Playoff predictions. No, the Patriots didn't get to 77 points, but I was close. Based on how up-and-down the NFC has been AND how clustered together the AFC has been, this year I make no calls.

What sounds like complaining is actually eagerness.

I cannot remember a time where all 12 teams in the playoffs have a legimate chance to end up in Superbowl XLIV.

Although I'm not predicting, I know some of you are.
What are you thinking about the Vikings' chances?

Welcome to the Family

My pastor is kind enough to ask me to preach at my local congregation once in a while. It happens about two or three times a year. I like to think of it as the fill-in for the fill-in. In wrestling with Galatians for January 3rd, I was struck by the sequence in the first part of chapter 4.

Verses 1-3 = Human heritage (spiritually)
-- sin by nature and activity; bondage of the will
Verses 4-5a = Heavenly gift -- Jesus
-- True God and True Man
Verses 5b-7 = Heavenly heritage (in Christ)
-- His adoption, His Spirit, His inheritance

The picture of God's redemptive work through Jesus as His adoption of us is powerful to me. Without Christ, we are 100% helpless under the law. With Christ, we are 100% redeemed by His grace.

Is anyone else finding that the more I take ownership of my sin that the more sweet the grace of God in Jesus is?

Happy New Year Answer?

Yesterday I raised the tension between social networking and selfishness. It is more than blogging. Rick Warren, of Purpose Driven Life fame, once called Twitter "a narcissistic time waster", but now uses it regularly.

Where is the healthy Biblical stance between self-absorbed and self-control?

Motivation appears to be at the core. "Selfish ambition" is listed in the fruit of the flesh (the sinful nature) in Galatians 5:19-21. Then "self-control" is described as one of the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23.

God's grace enables us to see both our need to put the selfish desires to death (v. 24 and 26) and to place our footsteps in line with the Holy Spirit's leading.

How would I describe my motivation walking into 2010?

Happy New Question?

Happy New Year!

My goal is to post one blog per day for all of 2010. Since I have only a teen-number of blogs to my name, it might not be attainable (as in A in SMART goals...I'll touch on that another day).

My lingering curiosity about blogging is how to be personally engaging without being totally self-absorbed. I can tell you all about my life or ministry -- the number of times in a day I deal with self-doubt or marvel at the grace of God in Jesus -- but even transparency can turn into selfishness.

My thought is by ending each post with a question, then I can truly demonstrate my genuine desire to interact on God's truth in all our lives. So what do you think?

P.S. Did I really start every paragraph with "my"?

459 Days Later

It has been 459 days.

459 days since I last blogged. It has been quite a road. I intended to mention around the end of December 2008 that I moved to part-time effective January 1, 2009. But being part-time...well...I had only so many hours that I could give to the YM department, so it seemed wise to let it go.

And let this blog go I did.

To all three of you still reading 459 days later I want to say, "Thank you!" Thank you for praying. Thank you for cheering on. Thank you for saying that encouraging youth leaders that share Jesus with teenagers is worth it.

The good news -- I will be returning to full-time on January 1, 2010. The Lord has provided. Jen and I are really grateful.

The bad news -- I have time to blog again. Your anti-donations can be sent to the number at the bottom of your screen. Call now!

Stop! In The Name of Love

It was a crisp, fall morning. The leaves were inching toward the change from green to auburn. As I turned the corner in my 1990 Buick, I found myself pulling up behind a school bus. The morning route was under way and I would get to follow for awhile.

The school bus was at a stop to pick up a reluctant student. The lights were flashing. The stop sign extended. The teenager stepped on and the bus took off down the road.

Two parts surprised me:
+ The warning lights stayed on.
+ The stop sign stayed extended.

"Maybe the next stop is just down the block," I thought. The bus gained speed down the street, past a new road, and continued on. Lights flashing. Stop sign slicing through the breeze.

My route led me to turn from trailing this interesting sight, so I glanced to take one last look. No change. Every vehicle this bus driver would meet for the next few blocks would force others to respond to a moving, flashing, stop sign.

As I readjusted my vision to the road, the thought came, "Do teenagers see me that way?"

Ouch.

Am I a moving, loud signal of STOP to the youth I minister to? Stop talking while the youth leader is talking. Stop being quiet during the Bible study discussion. Stop doing the "bad" things. Stop spending time with the "wrong" crowd. Stop...stop...STOP!

This blog is not about discipline. That has its place and needs to be a well-handled area in a healthy youth ministry, for the sake of the teens and the honor of the Lord.

This blog is about loving Jesus and loving teenagers. It's the great commandment (Matt. 22) and the great commission (Matt. 28). This blog is about communicating truth about sin with a tear of pain, and grace with a tear of hope. Because we know the reality of both.

A potential volunteer visiting a youth group was met at the door afterwards by the youth director. He asked her, "Tell me about your experience tonight." She looked him in the eyes and said, "I fell in love."

A little startled, he asked, "With who?"

"With ALL of them," came the reply.

How do you show Jesus' love to teens?

5Ws and How: Parts III-VI

This "Catch Up" blog is brought to you by Heinz...

In the midst of summer vacation, (why do those words go together again?!?), I have stopped in some of the following exciting American cities:

* Ames, IA
* Blue Springs, MO

* Belle Plain, KS

* Caddo, OK
* Galveston, TX - the beach is beautiful
* Joplin, MO

* Rowena, SD

* Fairmont, MN

...but before I can blog on all that good stuff. I'm helplessly behind again. I loathe leaving items unfinished, so here is my "catch up" on the series I started earlier:

5Ws...Part III
WHERE Is The Best Place To Stay In Cataract, Wisconsin?
Yes, you will have your choice of 13 luxury hotels in this lovely community, but do not fall for them. The only 5-Star place "Life, Liberty & the Pursuit" endorses is the Unverzagt Bed & Breakfast. We had a blast staying with Pastor Jonathan and Hope and fam.

What were the totals again? 4 Adults and 14 Children...no, 15 Kids. It didn't seem like that many. It was great to share with the Christ Is Lord Church family. I love that your name reflects your approach to understanding Jesus.

Your choice in youth directors...well, we can visit more about that later. What am I to say? Daniel's one of my best friends.

5Ws...Part IV
WHEN To Start Looking For A Youth Director?

Today.

I suppose I should expand on that. Over the first 12 months in the position, I notice that numbers of students in a certain age group often push a congregation to make the leap to pursue a youth director. That's understandable. I am just wondering since the majority of the 33 million American teenagers are NOT connected to a local Bible-believing, Jesus-preaching church, when will that number push us to do something?

5Ws...Part V

WHO To Visit When You Travel To The Ukraine?
In my office this spring, I had Pastor Tomasz Chmiel (EEMN Missionary to Ukraine) and Pastor Alexander Gross (German Lutheran Church in Ukraine). It was an tremendous time to share about what the Lord is doing in today's teens in different parts of the globe. Tomasz and his wife Miriam have recently returned to eastern Europe after being in Mpls. Here's their website -- http://www.chmiels.com/.

5Ws...Part VI
WHAT To Do When An Infant About To Be Baptized Spits Up?
It was my pleasure to baptize the third child of a couple that I knew in Fergus. I had been asked to baptize child #1 and child #2 during our years there, so when the request came for child #3, we were ready to go. The private ceremony was warm and informal. After reading the powerful Scriptures about our sin nature and Jesus' promise, the child promptly deposited some liquid on mom. Burp rag in place, neither mom nor child were marked by it. I turned to those assembled and said, "In some ways, that response is so appropriate. We are guilty of our sin. It is right there -- mess and all. By God's Word, we need Jesus to clean us up. It is all of Him!" With that the child received the grace promised through being grafted into Christ.

Next time, I'll move on to something actually from summer.
I can't remember...is it 'catsup' or 'ketchup'?

5Ws and How - Part Two

Why was the "Amazing Race Across Astoria" really amazing?

Jason Norlien and I traveled to Astoria, Oregon the last weekend in April for an excellent youth rally. Our friends at Bethany Free Lutheran put us up for the time there staying with the world-famous Editor of the Lutheran Ambassador, Pastor Craig Johnson.

Having a couple hours to visit in Craig's sports-red Madza as we traversed the Washington and Oregon roads along the Columbia River, I thought I would press him for some information.








Holt: "So what's it like being so powerful?"

Johnson: "What do you mean?"

Holt: "Hello!! The Editor of the Lutheran Ambassador?"

Johnson: "What are you talking about?"

Holt: "Pastor Johnson, are you denying that you are involved with that wonderful magazine of the AFLC?"

Johnson: "I have been instructed not to talk to the press. No comment."








Hmmm...peculiar. Pastor Craig gladly visited about every other subject under the sun, but not the Lutheran Ambassador. I will have to plumb that topic in a later blog.



Friday night was relaxed and enjoyable as students and youth groups traveled to the church for the kickoff. Laughter. Snacks. Games. Mocking the guest speaker. Apparently pictures you place on Facebook are public!

Saturday morning was dedicated to sessions. I did my thing. The students were gracious. Pastor Luke Long did a great session on applying the theme. Then came Saturday afternoon: "The Amazing Race Across Astoria".

The intro was straightforward and clear. We were to be placed in teams with driver's that knew the community. All directions (left, right, stop and buy a Wild Cherry Pepsi) were to be delivered by the team. The driver would go straight without team instructions. Each stop would provide a new clue/location to go to.

Soon after being divided up, we were off. Up and down streets. Around the corner. Back and forth. Back and forth. And for our team, back and forth at least one more time. Why? Since stopping to ask directions from the local gas station employee led to wrong info.

Finally, we came to the last location on end of the pier. The van stopped a few hundred yards away and the whole team had to cross the finish line on foot. Some teams ran. I walked as one of our team members wasn't coming down the pier. Too much back and forth created a car-sickness situation came the report. We finally met the judge and designer at the end.

"Congratulations. You're 4th."

Fourth out of six teams. Yes, Jason N's team was first. (Do you want to rub it in again, Norlien?) But our team had a blast, as did the other teams. Even if the race didn't go well, each team had a great story about their adventures.

As I listened to the tales being told, I thought about what struck me as the most amazing part of the "Amazing Race Across Astoria". The judge and designer of the race was a senior high student. My new friend struck me as the modest type so I won't share his name here -- all of us who were there know him -- but the who isn't my reason for blogging.

Many churches and youth groups when a BIG event comes leaves the planning and implementation to the adults. They're responsible. They'll get it done.

As we are concerned about developing maturing, servant-leaders, who will follow Jesus, are there settings that we can allow for them to lead? Can't the local congregation be a great place for a teenage believer to stretch his or her wings to pray, to plan, and to lead?

Will it be polished? Not always. Will there be bumps in students leading? Yes. Will it be worth it? We will see in a generation as these teens continue to live what they are being taught now. More than knowledge, let us give students experiences, skills, and attitudes that reflect a lifestyle and lifetime of following Jesus.

When the race was over, I asked Pastor Craig about the gas station that our team stopped at to get directions. It seemed odd that the store worker didn't know where a location was in his town. It was less than a mile from the spot we were trying to get to. Didn't that seem strange to him as well?

"No comment," came the reply.

I'm sensing a trend.

5Ws and How - Part One

How Do You Get Through A Meeting When Your Head Is About To Explode?

Step 1 - Recognize with your friends at the beginning that you are not feeling well.

Step 2 - Refrain from descriptions of how the headache is or how the stomach pains pinch, since that only seems to make them stronger, and breathing becomes much more difficult.

Step 3 - When asked a question, reply with a question.
For example,
Q: "Jason, what is happening with ________?"
A: "Didn't we table __________ until August 2011?"

Step 4 - When you find your mind wandering from the topic at hand, try to focus.
My thoughts bounce through everything under the sun ("Why are White Castle burgers so greasy and yet so yummy?"..."Does the quadradic equation really work every single time?"..."Why was it that Tears for Fears really didn't end up ruling the world in the 1980s?" ) , which results in a sort of stream-of-consciousness which makes it difficult to focus.

Step 5 - At least during long discussions.

Step 6 - This likely should come earlier in the list (like #1 maybe?!?), but pray.

Step 7 - A lot.

Step 8 - Sleep.

Step 9 - Ask forgiveness for sleeping.

Step 10 - Leave...before you fall asleep again.

April, May & More

Here is my catchy starting sentence...In the upcoming weeks, I will be blogging on all the great activities from April (and part of May!) that I missed writing on as they unfolded.

Yep, behind the times once again.

Dear Reader, during May you will find:
+ how to get through a meeting when your head feels it is about to explode
+ why the "Amazing Race Across Astoria" really was amazing
+ where the best place to stay is in Cataract, Wisconsin
+ when to start looking for a youth director
+ who to visit when you travel to the Ukraine
+ what to do when an infant is about to be baptized and he/she spits up all over mom/dad's shirt

I can already tell you are wondering about the last one.

Patience, my friend...patience.

Which based on my blogging speed means that early 2009 I will get to that one. Ok - skip the patience and comment on this blog, so I am reminded to keep writing!

Jason

Confessions of a Deliquent Blogger

Day 1 - I threw a new blog out there yesterday! Yes! Nice job, Holt.

Day 3 - It's only been a couple days since my last blog...I can wait a little bit.


Day 6 - Oh...it's almost been a week since my last blog. I was hoping for more interaction from my last one. Let's see if more than one person bites.

Day 10 - Only one person bit. Hmmm...now I've got to be creative.

Day 13 - Not creative today.

Day 14 - Or today.

Day 18 - When am I ever creative again?

Day 20 - I should really write something since I mentioned it to my friends in Northern MN at the Bemidji retreat.

Day 21 - Wow! Three weeks have past. Does anyone care?

Day 22 - Hey! Someone mentioned my blog today. Oh no! That means that they see that it's not been added to for so long.

Day 25 - It's March. Spring should bring some inspiration.

Day 29 - I was wrong.

Day 32 - Easter is coming up. I can write something on that...

Day 36 - Apparently not.

Day 41 - Maybe people will think my blog about Youth Group during Lent was intended to be pondered for ALL of Lent...

Day 44 - Happy Easter! Jesus is alive!
(Can't use that Lent excuse anymore)

Day 47 - Check my NCAA bracket or write a blog...bracket or blog...bracket! Go UNC!

Day 50 - A blog describing how poor a blogger I am...that's it!

Give Up Youth Ministry for Lent?

Youth ministry does not begin and end with the weekly youth group meeting. That being said, it is a significant piece of building relationships to make disciples of Jesus.

So my question is "What does Lent do to your youth ministry schedule?"

In my visits over the years (within the AFLC and outside of it), I get three general responses:

#1) No Change
The church season comes and the church season goes. The youth ministry schedule stays the same. Blessed be the name of consistency!

#2) Big Days, Big Changes
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Easter bring some radical changes (i.e. Ash Wed service is in place of youth group, Good Friday cancels out youth group for the week, etc.) The youth ministry schedule celebrates the big church calendar days with the rest of the congregation. Blessed be the name of celebration!

#3) Complete Shift
A weekly lenten service replaces Wednesday youth group (if that's when you have it) for the weeks leading up to Easter. It's as if we ask teens to give up youth group for Lent. Blessed be the name of lenten services!

I do have some personal preferences, and from years growing up until now I have been involved in, understand the value of, and ministered in all three. But your approach is much more interesting to me.

So, what's going on? What's good and what's difficult?

"Super" Applies to New England

My dad delivers mail to Tom Brady's grandpa. He has brought boxes of memorabilia to Tom's grandpa sent through USPS. Being a rural mail carrier, when something bigger than the mailbox is sent my dad gets to navigate the long driveway to get the box to the front door. Hardly a claim to fame, I find it one of the most motivating reasons to watch this year's Super Bowl because New England has been overpowering.

It has been a horrible year for me in making NFL predictions, (my fantasy football team placed last in the regular season for my league) but this one should be pretty clean cut.

Patriots 77, Giants 17

OK, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but I don't think NY can play with NE. Yes, I know the regular season finale was close. Yes, I know the Giants look like a different team in the playoffs. Yes, I know Tom Brady is limping around...

But NE has been unstoppable (CC: 18-0). NE has broken records left and right (CC: Brady's TDs, Moss' TDs, most points in a season, and so on). NE has experience and talent (CC: 3 other Super Bowl rings).

And New York! They've got the wrong Manning (CC: Peyton won last year). They've got the wrong mentality (CC: Buress' comments about NY WRs equal to NE WRs?!?). They were beat 41-10 by the VIKINGS!

Even Packer fans can appreciate that reality. It looks like "Super" doesn't describe the upcoming NFL Championship but rather the New England Patriots.

My dad should get ready to make another delivery.

February Moment

This picture is our AFLC Youth Min "Moment" of the month. Our friends at the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (www.cpyu.org) highlighted this Diesel ad that appeared in the February 2008 issue of Teen Vogue (p. 11). It is intended to take a snapshot of the culture and to interact on it as we seek to shepherd students.

What thoughts does it bring to you about today's teens and youth ministry?

Join the discussion!

7 Kinds of Visitors

After we had a wonderful time with some young adults from college in our home, our oldest daughter Susanna (age 9) penned the following words...

THERE ARE SEVEN KINDS OF VISITORS

1) Adults who you enjoy and are sad when they leave.
{This description fit who we had just seen.}

2) Adults who are fun for the first half hour and then get boring.

3) Adults who you have no idea what they are saying.

4) Kids who you enjoy and are sad when they leave.

5) Kids who are fun for the first half hour and then get boring.

6) Kids who you have no idea what they are saying.

7) Salespeople.


If I was smart, I would stop blogging right now and acknowledge that I will never be as good a writer as my precious preteen.

In addition to Jen and I laughing hysterically, I thought of how do students see me as a youth guy. Am I an adult that they "enjoy and are sad" when I leave? Am I building relationships or burning bridges (no slight to Project 86!)?

Should a person recommend a resource they've never read? I've always passed on titles that I've found especially engaging, i.e. "Here Am I, Lord. Send Aaron", so I won't stop now.

Jonathan McKee's book "Do They Run When They See You Coming?" came to mind after Susanna's insightful list. It speaks to this topic.

On the same note, how do you handle what one youth worker friend calls the "dance"? You know, the ways of speaking teen-ese without being seen as a poser. I especially remember about a year ago using "bounce" as in "I gotta bounce" (AKA "I see that it is time for me to depart" for my English major bride) with four teens and one of them didn't know me very well. The three that knew me didn't blink -- the one that didn't know me kind of smirked/laughed and said out loud, "He said, 'Bounce'."

Ahhh, the life of a youth worker...

Youth Workers Retreat

Wow! You guys are amazing!

It was a blast to interact with 64 people from across the country that are investing in the lives of teens. My heart smiled as I overheard conversations about real life personal issues and about heartfelt concern for teenagers. Thanks for being transparent about your needs and your students needs. The prayer times...the worship times (thanks, Matt!)...the break-an-ankle gym times...the laughing times...I must have the best job in the world!

Dave & Rennie -- what can I say?!? Aren't they fantastic? I received comments like "they are so on target" or "they really show heart and give skills" or "can we have them back next year?"

Our planning group will discuss within the next month our 13th Annual YWR -- January 9-11, 2009 (that's weird to see in print) -- including trainers, layout, and location in HAWAII!...just kidding...exotic Wisconsin because of our tremendous service at the ARC.

Do you have ideas? I want to hear them.