Comments on: the youth specialties/zondervan/youthworks story, from where i stand http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/ life, faith, youth ministry, emerging church, leadership, whimsy Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:12:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Saxton http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1189045 Jeff Saxton Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:44:08 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1189045 Marko - Thanks for serving the body of Christ through your leadership at YS - I agree with what some have said, that you gave YS a wonderful "face" and, i think that is extremely important. Back in the days of Wayne and Mike, YS was a huge part of my youth ministry training, and exposed me to superb youth ministry pros like Les Christie, Duffy Robbins, Doug Fields, Chap Clark, and many others whose books lined the most accessible shelf next to my desk for over a decade. You did a great job taking over YS for the last 6 years. Youth ministers all over the globe are eternally grateful. And thank you for a great demonstration of graciousness in public. In an age when so many air their private affairs and dirty laundry out for everyone to see, it is refreshing to see someone have the patience and wisdom to take the high road and bless those who may or may not have acted in your best interest, or possibly with or without integrity. You have allowed the folks in YS,Zondervan, Youthworks a chance to reflect, pause and return to you graciousness and blessing. I hope they really seek God's face for the future of YS. I hope they pray and fast and humbly admit to themselves that slick ideas is not what is needed at this hour, but the miraculous power of the Spirit through the message of the Cross to change teens and shape their lives as authentic Christians. I guess I just felt a lump in my throat as I read your explaination of what has transpired, and you showed me a glimpse of Christ. I hope people see that you continued to shape leaders even in the very act of resigning with the attitude of Christ. There is a time to fight. There is a time to stand up for convictions. There is a time to confront and rebuke and even tack our theses to the door. But this was not that time. Thanks for always being a leader. Blessings in all that you do in your future! Marko -

Thanks for serving the body of Christ through your leadership at YS – I agree with what some have said, that you gave YS a wonderful “face” and, i think that is extremely important. Back in the days of Wayne and Mike, YS was a huge part of my youth ministry training, and exposed me to superb youth ministry pros like Les Christie, Duffy Robbins, Doug Fields, Chap Clark, and many others whose books lined the most accessible shelf next to my desk for over a decade. You did a great job taking over YS for the last 6 years. Youth ministers all over the globe are eternally grateful.

And thank you for a great demonstration of graciousness in public. In an age when so many air their private affairs and dirty laundry out for everyone to see, it is refreshing to see someone have the patience and wisdom to take the high road and bless those who may or may not have acted in your best interest, or possibly with or without integrity.

You have allowed the folks in YS,Zondervan, Youthworks a chance to reflect, pause and return to you graciousness and blessing. I hope they really seek God’s face for the future of YS. I hope they pray and fast and humbly admit to themselves that slick ideas is not what is needed at this hour, but the miraculous power of the Spirit through the message of the Cross to change teens and shape their lives as authentic Christians.

I guess I just felt a lump in my throat as I read your explaination of what has transpired, and you showed me a glimpse of Christ.

I hope people see that you continued to shape leaders even in the very act of resigning with the attitude of Christ.

There is a time to fight. There is a time to stand up for convictions. There is a time to confront and rebuke and even tack our theses to the door. But this was not that time. Thanks for always being a leader. Blessings in all that you do in your future!

]]> By: Jeff Goins http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188885 Jeff Goins Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:59:37 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188885 Wow - had no idea. Thanks for sharing your thoughts (quite graciously, I might add). Wondering what's next for you? I imagine you're still figuring that out yourself. Whatever it is, I look forward to seeing how God will use you in this next season. Wow – had no idea. Thanks for sharing your thoughts (quite graciously, I might add). Wondering what’s next for you? I imagine you’re still figuring that out yourself. Whatever it is, I look forward to seeing how God will use you in this next season.

]]> By: Youth Ministry Links « Chris Kidd – applied youth ministry http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188806 Youth Ministry Links « Chris Kidd – applied youth ministry Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:54:15 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188806 [...] The youth specialties/zondervan/youthworks story, from where i stand: Marko blogs on the YS/Zondervan news of the last few weeks. [...] [...] The youth specialties/zondervan/youthworks story, from where i stand: Marko blogs on the YS/Zondervan news of the last few weeks. [...]

]]> By: wrestling with god and demons in the desert — whyismarko http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188798 wrestling with god and demons in the desert — whyismarko Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:36:51 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188798 [...] has dramatically decreased, and my hopefulness has dramatically increased. i was able to write that post about ys and zondervan and youthworks in a way i could not have written it two weeks earlier. [...] [...] has dramatically decreased, and my hopefulness has dramatically increased. i was able to write that post about ys and zondervan and youthworks in a way i could not have written it two weeks earlier. [...]

]]> By: mark hannan http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188768 mark hannan Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:58:19 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188768 Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation -> Harper Collins -> Zondervan -> YS. http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php?c=newscorp Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation -> Harper Collins -> Zondervan -> YS.

http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php?c=newscorp

]]> By: Scott http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188761 Scott Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:58:56 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188761 Marko, I want to thank you for the energy you hvae led with these past few years. I always looked forward to NYWC as a refueling for my passion for ministry. Sadly, this year was different. I was very disappointed that they started with the annoucement at the beginning of the weekend. It set the tone for the entire convention. I love Big Stuf. I love Lanny. I love the Big Stuf band. I go to their camp every year. But to have the exact same theme I experienced three months ago was really disappointing. I also always looked forward to hearing the different bands and special guests. I dont know if it was the economy or the change of direction but those were definitely missing this year. Again thanks for all you have done, you will DEFINITELY be missed! Marko,

I want to thank you for the energy you hvae led with these past few years. I always looked forward to NYWC as a refueling for my passion for ministry. Sadly, this year was different. I was very disappointed that they started with the annoucement at the beginning of the weekend. It set the tone for the entire convention.

I love Big Stuf. I love Lanny. I love the Big Stuf band. I go to their camp every year. But to have the exact same theme I experienced three months ago was really disappointing.

I also always looked forward to hearing the different bands and special guests. I dont know if it was the economy or the change of direction but those were definitely missing this year.

Again thanks for all you have done, you will DEFINITELY be missed!

]]> By: shannon http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188760 shannon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:29:24 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188760 Marko- You know that my family has been watching all this closely. 1) We genuinely love and appreciate you and your passion for youth workers and youth ministry. But more importantly 2) our 7th grade boy spends weekly time with you in small groups. Your mentoring and guidance has been a major piece in God's shaping our son into a man of God. We are grateful! I am so thankful that you have chosen to hang in there with them, when you had every reason to "take a break" to process and get your wits about you. Our son is watching and you have done nothing by show what character and integrity look like. From a parent of one of "your boys", THANK YOU for how you have walked this part of the journey, for what you have said and written, and for what your actions have said. God is a good God and continues to use you in big ways-especially with our 7th grade boys. Marko-
You know that my family has been watching all this closely. 1) We genuinely love and appreciate you and your passion for youth workers and youth ministry. But more importantly 2) our 7th grade boy spends weekly time with you in small groups. Your mentoring and guidance has been a major piece in God’s shaping our son into a man of God. We are grateful! I am so thankful that you have chosen to hang in there with them, when you had every reason to “take a break” to process and get your wits about you. Our son is watching and you have done nothing by show what character and integrity look like. From a parent of one of “your boys”, THANK YOU for how you have walked this part of the journey, for what you have said and written, and for what your actions have said. God is a good God and continues to use you in big ways-especially with our 7th grade boys.

]]> By: Terrace Crawford http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188756 Terrace Crawford Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:07:22 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188756 well said! --Terrace Crawford www.terracecrawford.com www.twitter.com/terracecrawford well said!

–Terrace Crawford
http://www.terracecrawford.com
http://www.twitter.com/terracecrawford

]]> By: spooner http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188755 spooner Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:46:49 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188755 Marko - If I can be completely honest...I am not your biggest fan...also not a hater. (we have crossed paths before through the evangelical presbyterian church.) I say that only to give a glimpse of where I am coming from - this is my first ever blogging type thing... The convention in atlanta was awkward at times. i thought the speakers were awesome! knocked it out (didn't stay for monday am - but the rest rocked) Yet throughout the entire convention I was wondering (as were others around us) where you were. While I may not be a Marko slappy - you gave YS something it greatly needed after Yac passed - a face. I knew half of that face would be missing with no Tic...but where you were - and your awesome hair dos - was a mystery. Shame on the peeps running the convention for not addressing all this at the convention. Maybe it wasn't a large group convo - but at least a breakout group discussion. The future of YS is a big deal to a lot of us. That convention was a big deal to a lot of us. And why the speakers rocked - and God worked in chaos - I felt like I went to buy a piece of bread and got the heel - even though they charged for the middle piece! I say all this to state I hope that we as a body of those who love God by loving youth can come together and promote more forward/positive thinking. These are things you and YS have done for me for years and I thank you for that Marco...I pray you will find time to enjoy your family in this season. sorry if this didn't make sense...I just lost my blog v... Marko – If I can be completely honest…I am not your biggest fan…also not a hater. (we have crossed paths before through the evangelical presbyterian church.) I say that only to give a glimpse of where I am coming from – this is my first ever blogging type thing…

The convention in atlanta was awkward at times. i thought the speakers were awesome! knocked it out (didn’t stay for monday am – but the rest rocked) Yet throughout the entire convention I was wondering (as were others around us) where you were. While I may not be a Marko slappy – you gave YS something it greatly needed after Yac passed – a face. I knew half of that face would be missing with no Tic…but where you were – and your awesome hair dos – was a mystery. Shame on the peeps running the convention for not addressing all this at the convention. Maybe it wasn’t a large group convo – but at least a breakout group discussion. The future of YS is a big deal to a lot of us. That convention was a big deal to a lot of us. And why the speakers rocked – and God worked in chaos – I felt like I went to buy a piece of bread and got the heel – even though they charged for the middle piece! I say all this to state I hope that we as a body of those who love God by loving youth can come together and promote more forward/positive thinking. These are things you and YS have done for me for years and I thank you for that Marco…I pray you will find time to enjoy your family in this season.

sorry if this didn’t make sense…I just lost my blog v…

]]> By: ayoung http://whyismarko.com/2009/the-youth-specialtieszondervanyouthworks-story-from-where-i-stand/comment-page-1/#comment-1188754 ayoung Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:44:31 +0000 http://whyismarko.com/?p=6124#comment-1188754 Marko- I want to say you're someone I look up to. As a fellow middle school ministry person, I have valued all the insights you've provided over the years, and found my ministry thriving as a result! I want to encourage you and your continued relationship with students, especially those 7th grade boys. They look up to you, and you're playing an IRREPLACEABLE role in their lives. To them, it doesn't matter if you're president of a company or unemployed. You care about them and point them to Jesus. That is all that matters. Thanks for handling all of this turmoil with grace and confidence in God. Marko- I want to say you’re someone I look up to. As a fellow middle school ministry person, I have valued all the insights you’ve provided over the years, and found my ministry thriving as a result! I want to encourage you and your continued relationship with students, especially those 7th grade boys. They look up to you, and you’re playing an IRREPLACEABLE role in their lives. To them, it doesn’t matter if you’re president of a company or unemployed. You care about them and point them to Jesus. That is all that matters. Thanks for handling all of this turmoil with grace and confidence in God.

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