Tag Archives: starfield

books, music, personal, youth ministry, youth work

monday morning update

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the weekend that was: i was in toronto for the canadian youth workers conference, a ys event in partnership with canadafire. it was really a wonderful weekend, with a slightly more intimate vibe than the u.s. conventions (since there was about 900 people there). everything went really well, and i think people were blessed, encouraged, challenged and equipped — all the things we hope for.

where i am at the moment: flying home from toronto. i had a ghastly early flight, but that means i get home in the early afternoon; and i’m really looking forward to being with my family.

on my to-do list this week: busy week. i have to get back to writing middle school ministry; i have a wad of meetings; and the big item of this week is the ys staff christmas party on friday night. our christmas party is always a blast, and always a surprise to our staff (not a surprise that we’re having it, but most of the details). they know our theme this year is “black and white”, and they know we’re having a photo contest (they have all been given cameras), and they know we’re having a re-written christmas song contest, and they know we’re having a costume contest. but that’s about it at this point. i’m sure i’ll post more after the party is over!

procrastinating about: i have to take a deep look at ys finances, as we’re having a challenging year. and, with all the conventions, i’ve been putting that off a bit. time to get to it. not my favorite thing to do, nor my strongest gifting.

book i’m in the midst of: the younger stephen covey’s excellent book, the speed of trust.

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: didn’t listen to much recorded music this week, due to the convention. but i loved listening to starfield and a couple of my personal favorites, matt maher and lost and found, live.

next trip: i have a short-ish trip to zondervan, in grand rapids, next monday through wednesday.

how i’m feeling about this week: i mostly have a good sense of anticipation. but i also feel a bit overwhelmed with everything on my plate right now.

youth ministry, youth work

canadian youth workers conference, friday

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i’m in toronto for our 2nd annual canadian youth workers conference. it’s such a cool event. one of the significant uniquenesses of this event (in comparison with our u.s. events) is that we have 24 ‘officially’ partnering denominations and organizations. our u.s. conventions have great theological and denominational variety in attendees also, but not as official partners. to have this list of denoms and orgs that have agreed to partner with each other is truly stunning:
• The Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Apostolic Youth Ministries International
• CBM Youth
• Sonlife
• Canadian Youth Network
• Christian and Missionary Alliance
• Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
• Nazarene Youth Ministry International
• YFC Canada
• Evangelical Missionary Church
• Brethren in Christ
• Mennonite Brethren Conference
• Salvation Army of Canada
• North American Baptist
• The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada
• Christian Reformed Church of North America
• United Church of Canada
• Canadian Youth Worker
• Southern Baptist Convention of Canada
• Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network
• Muskoka Woods Sports Resort
• The Wesleyan Church
• Christian Churches-Churches of Christ
• Mennonite Church of Canada
• Anglican Church of Canada
• Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship
• Young Life

protestant and catholic, liberal and conservative, they are all willing to put differences aside to stack hands on our common calling to youth ministry.

in the opening general session, shane claiborne made a couple comments that really caught my attention:

As important as it is to be relevant, I think it’s important that we’re peculiar. We need to be a contrast culture.

If we miss this generation, it won’t be because we didn’t entertain them; it will be because we didn’t dare them.

i’m not saying that the canadian church has “loving others” down in a way that the u.s. church doesn’t. but, man, how beautiful it would be if our youth ministries were “peculiar” in our love for others, in our commitment to justice, in our desire to be counter-cultural within our churches and within our cities and towns.

then, the evening general session was simply amazing. really. some of the best lost and found stuff i’ve seen (they were ad-libbing, and it was sweet), a stunning performance by jason hildebrand from the perspective of the prodigal son’s father, a beautiful folksy worship/music set by catholic singer Susan HooKong-Taylor. and then tony campolo spoke. i’ve probably heard tony speak 5 dozen times or more. and this was one of the best talks i’ve ever heard him give (really, you should get the mp3 here). he talked about the difference between power and authority, and how the church has become so enmeshed with power and have forgotten that jesus wasn’t into power, but had authority. he applied this a dozen different ways, with examples from history and modern day. he included some of the stuff he talked about at the sacramento and nashville conventions, about our cultures being babylon, and how the kingdom of god will live on beyond babylon. amazing, prophetic, thought-provoking stuff. then starfield closed with a sensitive and appropriate set of worship songs. mmmmm. i love doing this.

tomorrow, skit guys and matt maher join us — a couple of my personal favs. i’m stoked.