New Wine Youth 2011

 

 This past weekend marked our annual New Wine USA conference. The USA conference sprang out of the original New Wine UK conference held ever summer which includes biblical teaching for all age groups. You can find more about it's history here it's encouraging to see how it's grown into a movement across the pond. St. Andrews holds the USA version every year which includes not only a great children's track but also a separate youth venue. I know some critics would push back and say why separate out the students to which I'd comment that you don't address a 60 year old the same way you address a 14 year old and still communicate effectively. I digress...

This year we incorporated several new aspects including our own worship team and missionary to Burundi Simon Guillbaud as our key note speaker. What struck me the most was something we did on Friday afternoon. Students were divided up into small groups all weekend. Each student on Friday was given $2 and told to pray over it as a group. Small groups were then released with the simple instructions to bless our city. It was great seeing all the groups head out and then flow back in with incredible stories. 

The name "New Wine" comes from Acts 2 when the disciples were filled with the spirit they were rumored to be drunk on "new wine" We spent a good amount of time not only blessing our city but allowing students and leaders to examine what filled their hearts too. Finally a really great part of this years New Wine was how amazing our youth leaders were. They were an all-star team of servant leaders.  Here's what one of them wrote on her blog following the weekend...

Giving and Receiving

The past few days, my church (St. Andrew's Mt. Pleasant) hosted a conference called New Wine. We've hosted it the past three years, and I've been going since we started. This year, I met with the youth ministers and jumped on board with the leadership team for the youth. I can't even explain to you the experience I had. Besides creating a life size angry birds game with angry bird stuffed animals, a water balloon launcher, and a cardboard box tower, it was amazing to build relationships with the students and witness how God was moving and working in their hearts throughout the weekend. It is crazy how God shows up when you ask him to. It's crazy how the Holy Spirit fills our hearts when we ask it to. It's crazy how we can learn so much about the heart of God if we meet him halfway and seek to get to know him. I was blown away this weekend by how much I received from giving. Who knew that giving and serving would be so rewarding.

I'll be sure to post some pics once I get them... (ehm ehmm Mr. Rutledge...)

Resource for Families: Traditions

Here's a little blog post from "The Art of Manliness" It's a great reminder about the role traditions play in anchoring us not only to our faith but to our families (the primary place that faith should be played out). My brother recently moved closer to us. We're exploring some ways to carve out some new Libbon family traditions... I'm thinking brewing our own rootbeer. Anyone know where we can get some dry ice?

For more on the role traditions can play please pick up Wayne Rice's book "Generation to Generation" it's excellent.

"A man has a healthy appreciation for positive traditions. Traditions add rhythm and texture to our lives, bind us together with others, give us something to look forward to, and simply provide a good deal of joy and satisfaction.


When it comes to traditions in my family, no day of the year is filled with more of them than the Fourth of July. My family has always done Independence Day up big, bigger even than Christmas. The day is filled with activities from morning until night; my family loves to cram as much fun as possible into the holiday. Growing up, the 4th of July created a lot of great boyhood memories, and now it’s a day I truly look forward to as it brings my whole family back together.



If you’re looking for inspiration in creating an Independence Day to remember, below I share how we do the Fourth of July in the McKay family, and the traditions–past and present–that make this holiday memorable for me.



Hang the Flag

First thing in the morning we’d hang up our American flag. We didn’t do any elaborate ceremony. Just put it up, thought about our freedoms for a bit, and got started with the day.

Go to a Parade

My hometown of Edmond, OK hosts one of the biggest 4th of July parades in the state. The parade hasn’t changed much in 20 years, but I still enjoy going to it. I love the sense of community when I’m standing next to my neighbors cheering on the local Boy Scouts carrying flags or watching a local children’s tae kwon do class demonstrate their board breaking skills along the parade route. Most of the parade, however, consists of old, fat Shriners riding on three-wheelers and driving go-carts. I seriously don’t know what the parade planners are going to do when all these guys die off and no one is there to drive go-carts that look like bowling pins. Another thing I like about the parade is my sister’s homemade blueberry scones. Nothing like munching on a tasty pastry while listening to the float for a local bank blast “I’m Proud to Be an American” from their speakers.


Hit the Fireworks Stands
After the parade, my friends and I would head over to the fireworks stands. As I type this, I can smell the wonderful aroma of black powder permeating from plywood shacks. As a kid, I remember being overwhelmed by the selection. Black cats, jumping jacks, smoke bombs (especially the ones that look like grenades), and M-80s were my go-to fireworks. My friends and I were very strategic about what we bought. We’d get a few of the fun things like tanks and smoke bombs, but most of our purchasing power was directed towards fireworks that could be used to blow stuff up. I’m a grown man now, but I’m still a sucker for a trip to the fireworks stand, and of course, blowing things up.
For more info about fireworks, check out this guide to fireworks we wrote up a few years ago.

Go See a Blockbuster Movie
After sufficiently stocking up on fireworks, we head over to the movie theater to take in a fun, summer blockbuster. Fourth of July has historically been the day film companies release some of their biggest and most action-packed movies. I can still remember many of the movies I went to see on the 4th of July. The best one by far was Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 4th of July 1989. We named the dog Indiana…



Make Some Root Beer

A recent addition to our family’s 4th of July traditions is my sister’s homemade root beer. It’s super easy and the little kids seem to enjoy helping make it.



5 gallons cold water


5 pounds white sugar


1 (2-oz) bottle root beer concentrate


5 pounds dry ice
Place 4 gallons of the cold water in a large container. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour in root beer extract and mix. Add the dry ice and put the lid on loosely so the gas can escape. Let it “brew” for about 15 minutes. Add the last gallon of water and let brew for another 15 minutes.
Have a Block Party

Growing up, all the neighbors on our street would get together for a block party. All the dads would bring over their grills to our house along with coolers of meat and beer, the moms would bring salads and desserts, and the kids would have water balloon fights and light some fireworks. We’d stuff our faces with all the hot dogs and potato salad we could eat. Sadly, the yearly Fourth of July block party faded away as neighbors re-located and kids grew-up. Do people still have block parties these days? I hope so.

To read the article in its entirety click here.

I Saw Someone Die at the Beach

Its true. Multiple people in fact. Not literally but spiritually. To mark the end of the New Wine conference we headed out to the beach for an ocean baptism. Baptism is a sacrament of our church. What that means is that it is an outward sign of an inward faith. In this case it's an outward sign of death (being lowered into the water and resurrection as a new person in Christ (being brought out of the water) Paul said it in...

2 Corinthians 5:17

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

It is, for me, an incredibly moving experience. To be present as someone not only makes that profession of Christ as King but then acts on it in a tangible way is powerful.

Thanks to C.Gore for the photo.

Resolve for Monday

Every Monday I'm going to post one of Jonathan Edwards resolutions. He
penned these while still a very young man and used them to guide
his life. What am I using to guide me, my family, my ministry??



57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

• There's freedom in Christ, hopefully you know that. Hillsong United released a beautiful song call "Aftermath" Stating that we are found in the beautiful aftermath of the cross. As a result of that our conflicts end differently. When we've done what we can to forgive and reconcile that rest is up to others. We can rest in knowing that our "misfortunes and adversities" fall nicely under the strong sovereign hand of our creator and redeemer.
• Edwards with laser focus places is concerns squarely on his duty and his sin. Those things that distract fall outside the blinders of his heading. What seeks to steal your focus?
• My prayer today..."Let it be just as providence orders it"

Search Me

Psalm 139

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."

Resolve for Monday

Every Monday I'm going to post one of Jonathan Edwards resolutions. He
penned these while still a very young man and used them to guide
his life. What am I using to guide me, my family, my ministry??





56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

• I was recently asked the question "If we're never ultimately going to beat this sin problem until we're dead and with Jesus then why try."
  I hope that troubles you as much as it does me. It's a gross
  misunderstanding of sanctification and ultimately grace. Where it came
  from however was a soul who was tired of the fight. I encouraged them
  with this... Sin is a huge problem that cruppts and leads to death.
  (Romans) Sin needs to be killed before it kills us. (John Owens: The
  Mortification of Sin is a great read on this) We kill sin, not with our
  own will power, or more rules, but with the gospel. This is done by
  crying out to the one who can save us from the death which sins brings.

• Edwards in the above quote might
  seem to be fighting in his own power against his "corruptions" however
  that would be taking one quote to define a persons theology. A broader
  reading of him will show that his "unsuccessful" attempts leads to life.
  In fact his ability and desire to war against his corruptions is
  evidence that Jesus is changing him from the inside out.

• How are you killing your sin? Is it
  with your own ability or the strength of one who has already fought
  victorious against that great evil?
  
  

New Wine Youth

Jon Foreman

Something that's striking me these days...

The Elephant and The Ant

A friend of mine, Simon Guillebaud, preached at St. Andrews this weekend. He's a passionate missionary from a rough area of the world. Simon used a great little story that I feel applies to my experience in youth ministry over the past several years. The story goes like this...

An ant was sitting behind and elephants ear as the massive elephant lumbered along. After a short journey the pair came to a rickety old rope bridge. Cautiously the elephant made his way across, causing the old structure to sway greatly under the stress. As they safely made it across the ant whispered in the elephants massive floppy ear..."Amazing wasn't it how WE made that bridge swing."

My point being that so often I get excited about something happening in church, in the youth ministry, or even in my personal life that I'm tempted to say "Wasn't that amazing how WE made ____________ happen. " When the elephants share of the weight is the Lords.

I've been at this long enough to know there is no perfect program only a perfect savior, no powerful sermon only a powerful king, no creative worship only a creative creator, no perfect philosophy of ministry only a perfect sacrifice, no faithful team only a faithful son... and with that realization amazing won't it be amazing how the world will shake. (Hebrews 12:26)

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Resolve For Monday

Every Monday I'm going to post one of Jonathan Edwards resolutions. He penned these while still a very young man and used them to guide his life. What am I using to guide me, my family, my ministry??
55. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, so to act, as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and hell torments. July 8, 1723. 

• How different would you act if you had a glimpse of Heaven? If you knew beyond faith what lies await for you? 
• What kind of risks would you take? 
• What would you do if you saw the torments of hell? 
• What sense of urgency would that bring? 

What Has Shaped You?

I just spent about an hour paging through a song book I picked up in college. Over a hundred old worship songs and hymns that shaped my faith at a very formative time in my life. Oldies like "All In All" and "More Love More Power" it really took me back to my early years figuring out what it meant to follow Jesus. I was really blessed to be lead to Christ by a man who had a very high view of scripture. So my faith was tied to studying God's word and feeding off of it. Those first years spent week in and week out feasting on God's word continue to produce fruit to this day.

• What are the things that shaped you as you were young in the faith? 
• How has that crafted your life and ministry today ?
• How are you contributing to the shaping of others today?

My Mornings Recently

I need to confess that recently my plate's been full. Not nessessarly with physical stuff but with emotional weight, schedual stuff, life stuff.

What I've seen, in a very tangabile way, is how Jesus has provided for me opportunities to draw close to him in these times. It really sounds romantic, I know, but for me it's been almost surreal. Like clockwork starting about a week ago my eyelids pop open like cartoon blinds at 5:45 AM. Not joking.

It's allowed me time to make coffee and get some time on the porch in scritpure, in prayer, time to lay stuff down before Christ as my day gets started.

Joplin and House Guests

As some of you know from my earlier post my dad lived in Joplin Missouri. It's been an interesting road traveled with my earthly father. He arrived Monday with all his earthly belongings to stay with us and find a place to rent here in Charleston. Here are some of the breath taking pictures he brought with him.

The bright side of this storm has been that my dad saw the church jump into action immediately. He said the outpouring of assistance and compassion from God's people was amazing.

 Isaiah 4:6

"It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain."

I Love Working With Teenagers

Last night held the last meeting of a group of teenagers I've been with over the last few years. All our HS small groups break over the summer to allow leaders to rest and get time with their families. Also, over summer, life is a little nuts for teenagers and it becomes hard to consistently meet.

It was a sweet time hearing everyone's summer plans and to celebrate my awesome co leader who is moving away in a few weeks. What I really love is the sense of joy that comes from young people as they authentically know Christ. It's a sense at goes way beyond happiness and is a great challenge to myself. I can't wait to see how God uses this crew in the future.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Resolve for Monday

Every Monday I'm going to post one of Jonathan Edwards resolutions. He penned these while still a very young man and used them to guide his life. What am I using to guide me, my family, my ministry??

54. Resolved, Whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, that I will endeavour to imitate it. July 8, 1723. 

• What are the qualities of others you wish to see in yourself? Ever made a list? 
• God has made you as you however sin has messed that up royally. How had Jesus used others in your sanctification? (Sanctification = The process of becoming like Christ that is holy) 
• How does I Cor 11:1 apply?  "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
• How do you personally lead yourself?

Spoken Theology

"You need to consider this: your theology—as tight as you think it is—is underdeveloped if you are not speaking it, sharing it. On a practical level this means you should be sharing the gospel with those God has sent you to."

Joe Thorn



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Dawn Patrol: The Importance of Others

5:45 AM the worst sound of my day happens... My alarm clock gently reminds me that it's time to get up. However it's quickly followed by one of the best parts of my day. "Dawn Patrol" is a term from surf culture which means a very early morning surf session. I roll out of bed press pot some coffee and hit the road. All things considered I'm feeling the sand under my toes by 6:30. The beach is quiet, the sand cool, no wind and the sound of waves crashing. 

I'm not alone. I was invited into the this group a few years ago. (All guys are welcome) We meet every Friday at 6:30 on the Isle of Palms 30th Ave A. For me it's a time to be fed, a time to laugh, a time to surf, and get to know a few other guys. This year it's been great to look down the line and see all the crew floating on their board waiting for that next wave. Guys who have been surfing since they could swim and guys who are out for their first time. Personally it really breaks me out of my "youth ministry" bubble and allows me to get to know other dudes. It's hard to describe but being out there floating on the waves with other men knowing that we all in our own way are following Christ has a very refueling affect on me. If there are better ways to start the day, I'm not aware of them. 

Here are a few of the first guys to get there.

Resolve for Monday

Every Monday I'm going to post one of Jonathan Edwards resolutions. He penned these while still a very young man and used them to guide his life. What am I using to guide me, my family, my ministry??

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723. 

• Is the goal to do "good" in high school to get into a "good" college to get a "good" job and marry a "good" person to have "good" kids and have a "good" retirement by the lake and leaving behind to your kids a "good" inheritance?
• Is the American Dream God's dream for his people?
• I will count it a fail if I get to the end of this race and say I wish I ran it differently. How are you living today with tomorrow in mind?

A Bad Call

Sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder what they were thinking....

From the Asso. Press.

BERWICK, Pa. — For one group of central Pennsylvania eighth-graders, a recent field trip to Baltimore included lunch at Hooters — a restaurant better known for its busty waitresses than its food.

The Berwick Middle School students were visiting the National Aquarium last week. Chaperones took them to various restaurants for lunch because the group of 100 was too large for a single place.

The Bloomsburg Press Enterprise reports Tuesday that one group of 15 to 20 students ended up at Hooters.

Superintendent Wayne Brookhart says that while he wishes the group's coed chaperones had chosen another restaurant, he has not received any complaints from parents.

Hooters spokesman Mike McNeil says the restaurant chain often hosts groups, including sports teams and church organizations with teens and younger children.

I want to know what "church organizations with teens and younger children." go there??

Resources for Families: Honoring Teens When It's Hard

Charlene, the Children's Minister here at St. Andrews sent me this from www.biblicalparenting.org. It's solid as Charlene has a great eye to discipling youth. Enjoy...

Honoring Teens Even When It's Hard

"It's especially harmful when parents give up or become hostile in response to teen rejection. We believe this to be a serious parenting mistake that may contribute to young people searching for different friends and authorities who will listen and accept them.

A problem arises when a person's worth or value is not easily apparent. A dad might dishonor a teen because he doesn't appreciate her and even considers her opinions and actions foolish. He may overreact, pull away, or make sarcastic remarks. Mom may react with anger when treated poorly and over time lose any sense of value she once had for her son.

When others' worth or value is not easily apparent, a person must learn to honor by faith. Each person has intrinsic value to God and is significant and worthwhile to him. Often when you start with God's perspective you recognize the value of even a difficult person. Stories abound of parents who have continued to be faithful even when all seemed hopeless, only to find the teen to make major steps of improvement.

A teen is formulating a worldview and opinions about life. When parents dish it out the same way teens do, the teens often get hurt. As parents, we must continually look for ways to challenge our teens to maturity without harming our relationship with them.

Teens have a way of treating you like dirt one minute and asking for money the next. Sometimes we must just say something like, "I'd like to take you to the mall but I feel uncomfortable about the way you asked me to leave your room an hour ago. I'd like to deal with that problem first before we go on living life as normal."

When challenged with the concept that honor means to value others, one parent responded honestly, "My fifteen-year-old son has become so hurtful I just don't see how to value him. I don't feel like I can honor him at all."