Coffee and Money

I'm a fan of coffee and a fan of saving money so when I cam across this article on LifeHacker I got a little excited...

How Much You’ll Actually Save by Making Your Own Coffee

We all know it's cheaper to make coffee at home rather than buy it at Starbucks, but weblog The Simple Dollar breaks down how much you'll actually save—even if the coffee you make at home is on the more expensive side.
In part of their "Saving Pennies or Dollars" series, in which The Simple Dollar investigates whether certain money-saving tricks are actually worth it, they research how much your standard home-brewed cup of coffee costs you. Surprisingly, even if you're making pretty high-end coffee at home, you're still saving quite a bit of money over buying it at a coffee shop:

Depending on what exactly you order at your typical coffee chain, a 16 ounce coffee will set you back somewhere between $2 and $5. The variation here is pretty impressive, but even if you're comparing the low end of a purchased coffee with the high end of a homemade cup, you're still talking about a savings of a dollar per 16 ounce cup. It's quite likely you're saving even more than that.
The time invested is perhaps five minutes total per day, and [my wife] is probably saving $2.50 or so per day, making for a pretty good hourly rate. Plus, she believes the coffee made at home tastes better.

So, in case there was ever any doubt that that french-pressed, expensive coffee you made at home wasn't worth it, you can rest assured: you might have expensive tastes when it comes to home-brewed, but you're still saving a significant amount over pre-made any day. Hit the link to see their math, and make sure you're not overdoing it on that caffeine.

Advent Like No Other...

This Christmas like those in the past comes with the challenge to block out the noise and focus on the child. A child like no other. This Advent for me is a season of waiting and preparation. It's a season of holy expectation and examination. It's a season that our youth ministry will be defined by 3 words...

• Resist : We're resisting the siren's call that happiness and joy are found by what we own. When the reality is that our stuff is actually what ends up owning us.
• Worship : Not just singing but with our whole being. If Christmas stands for the birth of the messiah, the one who saves then our lives become reoriented around that truth.  Tis the season to find our true north again. 
• Send: A truth I'm learning is that gratitude is never silent. Where am I pressing into the darkness. Who am I helping on mission?
  
  
   Oh Come, Thous Day-Spring, come and cheer 
  Our spirits by thine Advent here
  Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
  and death's dark shadow put to flight
  Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel 
  Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Some Photo Highlights of Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving in pictures..

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Five Iron Frenzy Is Back!

It's true. A new song is out and album is in the work. This has been the greatest Thanksgiving eve ever.

Impact's Announcements

Here's some video fun from some students at Impact.

World of Warcraft

So today in 2004 Blizzard Entertainment released The World of Warcraft. 7 Years later there are over 10 million people subscribed. You might say big deal, Facebook has a bunch of users. I'd retort yes, however WoW is a paid monthly subscription.

So here's my leadership question. What's the motivation? How has the medium of MMORPG (which stands for Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) have such and amazing following willing to vote not just with their clicks but with their wallets?

I wonder if it's not the perfect blend of community, mission, and safety?

• Community:  In that the world that Blizzard created is populated by people. Actual human beings making decisions and having conversations. There's a social aspect to it. 
• Mission:   There's a goal, a win, a fight, sacrifices need to be made etc.
•  It's safe: You never see me. I never have to look you in the eye. At best you hear my voice. In fact all you see is what I want you to see me as. You see my projected avatar of myself. The only risk involved is if I send my guy into a bad situation and he drops dead. I just get to start back from the beginning.

How does this resonate with how I lead my family, the ministry, and myself? 
Might there be a bigger mission, a broader community, a safter venture we could call people to.
Simon Guillebaud missionary to Burundi says "You are, after all, immortal until God calls you home."

Siri, Iphone, Podcasts, and Redeeming My Commute.

*This post is in no way intended to be a plug for Apple.

So recently I bit the bullet and laid my old Iphone 3g to rest. As a result I picked up the Iphone 4s. It was like going from a 98 Dodge Caravan to Ford Mustang. (Trust me I know because I did that only in reverse.)

One thing that has really surprised me is how it's effected my commute.  I have a 25 min commute from my doorstep to my desk. I while ago I started filling that time with sermons, leadership teachings, and all the seminar CD's I could find. With the onset of the modern music era that all transitioned into podcasts. So now just about ever major conference, leader, and wingnut with something to talk about has their own free podcast.

My commute and other wasted time is now filled with teachings, and preaching from great leaders. This, in turn, sparked all kinds of ideas and rabbit trails in my mind. The problem is that when I'm driving it's not the most opportune time to jot down a note, blog post topic, teaching idea, or leadership nugget.

Thank you Siri. If you're not familiar with Siri, she's Apple's shot at a virtual assistant. A few years ago, so the story goes, Apple bought a company which had developed a speech to text program.  What you would dictate would then appear on the screen in text. Surprisingly it was actually fairly accurate.  The folks at Apple got a hold of the program and intergrated it into their latest phone.

So now when I'm struck by an idea in the middle of my commute I simply tap my phone and tell Siri to remind me in 20 min about a verse I need to look up, a concept that I need to flush out, or simple that email that I've been meaning to reply to for weeks. I'm pleased and my brain is a lot less cluttered. At least I hope so.

Resource for Families : How's Your Heart?

I heard a conversation with Andy Stanley. If you're not familiar with him he's a popular pastor and writer from Atlanta. Andy had a great comment on how parents interact with their kids. He was asked what does he do to keep the lines of communication open with his kids? The answer was shockingly simple. Ever night, every single night he can, he asks his kids before they go to bed... "How's your heart?"

I love this question...

• It doesn't assume the answer. Questions like are you doing OK? Imply that if they are not then somethings wrong. 
• The routine of it is comforting to kids. In a world that changes so fast what is holding your family together? 
• It's open ended. The "how are you." question invites a simple "good". How's your heart can also invoke a simple response from the students end but odds are they are asked "How are you." multiple times a day yet people honestly and openly asking about the condition of their heart is probably a rare thing.  

No one loves students more then God and he's intrusted them to their families. For anyone, let alone a dad, to probe the depths of their heart is not only an adventure but also a calling!

Sabbath

Taking care of my own soul today.

Location:S Goose Creek Blvd,Goose Creek,United States

Missional Leaders

Here's where I've been all week. Lots of stuff to process, chew on, and spit out.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Pat St,Mt Pleasant,United States

How Busy is Too Busy?

Recently I've had several conversations with students on the topic of time, stress, and schedules. Several years ago I'm not sure I would have had these conversations. One student is applying to 15 colleges, another student is volunteering multiple hours a week at a local hospital, another group of students are involved in an extracurricular (no sport) activity which meets 5 days a week for 3 hours after school.  I met a student in 6th grade who has a blackberry to keep their calendar on.

• How busy is too busy not only for a teenager but for any of us? 
• Where is rest in our calendars? 
• What happened to the command of sabbath? 
• What is this doing to a young person's development? 
• Am I trying to save myself? 

 I think there is a bigger question behind this mentality driving things.

Is God sufficient and sovereign enough to trust with my future?

A Little Fun for Friday

 

Guess what comes out this Sunday? 

Why I No Longer Mentor Students: Part 2

A few days ago I started a post about why I no longer mentor students. It generated quite a buzz which I'm happy about because I fully believe it's time we strategically look at this concept of mentoring. As I spoke in my previous post the office of mentor is not only a dangerous one for the student but also holds a host of traps for the one holding it.

Outside a coffee shop a young balloon artist being taught the ropes 

 What I feel I need to do at this point is define what I mean by "Mentor". Typing the word into google produces a mind numbing response and a number or wild promises. One post I read said that to be a mentor "there is little that can give such satisfaction as being a mentor" another reminded me that its also a city in north west Ohio. The most coherent definition states that it's the "informal transmission of knowledge". I like that one for a number of reasons we'll talk about later. What my experience in Christian culture has been is that a mentor takes the responsibility off of the parent to disciple their student. I know a lot of good parents out there who mean well, love their kids, and want them to know and love Jesus yet they turn to the youth worker as a "mentor" in order to fix some behavioral aspect. For example I was walking out of a worship gathering lately when father stopped me and said "Aren't you the youth guy" (I detest that term "youth guy" FYI) I responded "yes" and shook his hand. He then told me that his teenage son was in a "heap" of trouble and he needed to "get him to me." As if him being in my very presence will will undo the mess that sin and poor decisions has bore in their lives. Now I'm being a little hard on the guy because I'm sure he's a good dad working with what he's been dealt. However this idea of mentor as savior has to first be repented of in youth ministry and second has to be addressed in our culture.

A Better Way

Let me tell you about Tim (and Tim if you ever read this be flattered just not to flattered) as a teenager I was great at getting into heaps of trouble. God in his providence crossed my path with a man named Tim who loved the Lord, scripture, and was obedient to them. As our paths kept crossing I came to respect him, observed him, learned from him. In many aspects Tim was a mentor to me. Yet it was done in such a way that the negetive aspects of the concept were avoided by putting first things first.

• First Things First : Tim is wise and that's what initially drew me to be around him. It wasn't his charisma, or position but Jesus moving my heart to hear scripture taught by him.  The end point was God's glory through Jesus as revealed by scripture not my own personal growth. I wasn't around him to get out of a mess or to be a better person instead I was learning about Jesus. Every "mess" I brought him eventually led me back to Christ.
• Title: Tim was never named my mentor by anyone other then me. We didn't enter into a formal contract or have some special service or met one on one weekly. 
• Time: Even though Tim and I remain friends and he still prays for me on a regular basis my season of mentoring is over. It was never supposed to last forever. I was going to be around Tim and his ministry for my last 2 years of high school and then I was off to college. Every so often I'll get guys asking me to mentor them. I have to dial that down. Do you want "informal transmission of knowledge" in your ministry? your leadership? your teachings? your theology? I might be able to guide you in one of those but all of them forever. Sorry. 

Isn't mentoring just discipleship? 
Semantics perhaps but I'd define the end goal of a mentor-ship as "I'm better" where as the end goal of discipleship as "Jesus being more treasured" in a persons life. 

Would I disciple a person?
I'd say yes with these outlines...

1. Set amount of time. We're going to walk this together for a season. (6 weeks etc) 
2. I'm a brother in Christ not a "Sensei" I'll sharpen you by helping you apply the gospel to your life daily. 
3. The center will stay at the center.  In the book "Breaking the Discipling Code" Putman says that a disciple will love what Jesus loves, live as Jesus lived, and leave behind what Jesus left behind. That's the goal. No podiums maybe a cross.

In Light of the Recent and Tragic Events In Our Community...

Dear Parents of St. Andrew's,

In light of the recent and tragic events in our community involving children and ministry, we wanted to write you as the parish staff responsible for the oversight of our children's and youth ministries. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families, children, churches, and organizations that have been affected by the actions of one person. We continue to pray for all those whose lives have been impacted by these recent events.

In working with children and young people we realize there is a trust that is built between parents and a church. We appreciate and take seriously your trust in us as leaders. As the staff who oversee the children's and youth work at St. Andrew's, we want you to know that we have in place not only the best practices for training our staff and volunteers but also the highest standards of conduct for people involved in our ministries. Every leader in our ministries undergoes a thorough criminal and credit background check. Any flag that comes up as a result of the background check automatically disqualifies the individual from working with children or youth in any capacity. Once a person is invited to join our ministry team they receive ongoing training throughout the year (we've worked closely with Darkness to Light) to identify and respond to children who may have been victims of abuse. Additionally, staff members have to complete a mandatory abuse awareness program in order to function in leadership positions with children and/or youth at St. Andrew's.

In addition to equipping our ministry volunteers and staff we want to be a resource to you, as a parent, as well. To that end, have invited Sherri and Jim Grady, both members of St. Andrew's, and both of whom have extensive training and professional backgrounds in the area of sexual abuse, to come to St. Andrew's on Wednesday, December 7th. We will gather with parents and other interested individuals from 6:30-7:30 pm in the downstairs youth room. The goal of the evening will be to educate and place in the hands of our parents information and resources designed to keep our (your) children safe. Childcare will be available and Middle School youth group (BASIC) will happen as part of our normal Wednesday evening activities. We hope that those offerings will make it possible for you to join us.

Grace and peace,

Katie Kenis
Children's Ministry Team Leader

Dave Libbon
Youth Ministry Team Leader

St. Andrews Church, Mount Pleasant

Impact's Yuck Worship Project

This is a great outreach we did involving some fun goo and competition. After we explained how as we are covered in yuck so our sin covers us and even more so is a part of us. We are a people in need of a savior. The whole evening is finished with worship!

Impact Fall Retreat Recap

Here's the video from this years Fall Retreat...

Why I No Longer Mentor Students: Part 1

 Mentoring is a tricky, sneaky word it can have so many meanings for so many people. As a youth worker some might think that it's just part of the job. In one sense it is but in a different sense it's very destructive. I've come across many people who I'd consider my "mentors" they've been godly lovers of Jesus who have pointed me to the cross and away from sin. However none of them would actually take the title "mentor" (at least in the way pop culture would like it to be given) let me explain my beef then perhaps suggest a better way...

"The human heart is a factory of idols." ~ John Calvin

It's true. We make an idol out of anything and anyone we think will save us. Having a hard time, going through some rough stuff? I can't count the times I've thought if only I had a mentor to guide me through this. What I was really saying is .."If only I had a savior." Many people, when they look for "mentors" are actually looking for someone who will be available to them 24/7 and provide for them all the answers in a neat little box that is easy to understand. Because the mentor is human they will always fall short and drop the ball. The pain comes when the person who wants a mentor/savior then feels they've been abandoned.

"A rose by any other name..." ~W. Shakespeare

Names communicate power don't they. Think of that time when you and a significant other had what I call the "DTR" Talk. So are we boyfriend/girlfriend? The "Define the Relationship" talk is big because it names the relationship and it gives it power. When someone is named a "mentor" there's power that comes with that. That power even in well meaning hands can go horribly wrong.

 Let me suggest a better way about this issue...

Stay tuned for Part 2

Tis the Season In Youth Ministry

Tis the season in youth ministry. We've been rocking and rolling over the last few weeks. The last two weekends for us held some great events. Pepper that in with small groups, a team of great interns, and some of the curve balls life throws at you and you'd get the past two weeks of my life. All that said I'm ready for a season change.

Here's how we view seasons in our ministry...

• Late Summer ( August) : Time to start plowing the soil. Getting the team on mission and getting the vision tuned up and communicated. This is a great time of expectant.
• Early Fall (Sept. Oct) : This is go time! We plant, we preach, we push. This is when new things, initiatives, directions, and small groups are launched. Early Fall is one of my favorite times of the year because despite it's unsustainable pace it's a time of seeing things go from paper to reality and into God's hands to bring students to himself. Retreats happen, teaching series launch, students are challenged
• Late Fall (November) : It's harvest time. As we approach the holidays we intentionally slow the pace down to provide families time together. This naturally gives us time to take stock of what has happened over the fall. Out of the fruit of the last few months we'll gleam some seeds to plant in the next season. Much could be said about assessment. In ministry you can't exactly say "Did we make more money this year then last." However there are some key matrix that can help. One for us is how many students have transitioned from our big group into small groups? So what worked, what didn't, what is worth keeping, and what sacred cow needs to be made into burgers? 

We repeat those thoughts for the spring semester and then use summer as a season of relational ministry and abiding with a few special events thrown in.