I will admit though, that after check in, I am very disappointed so far.  There is one thing I always look forward to after check-in and that is the conference bag and notebook.  The bag this year is from Plywood People (www.plywoodpeople.com).  The idea is pretty cool and I like the concept.  Don’t know if I will carry around the bag this week though because it really looks more like a purse than anything.

But what I was disappointed about the most was the notebook.  In the past years the notebook has been a really well put together resource that is suitable to take notes in and to put one my bookshelf at the office.  This year, I feel they tried to cut corners financially (which is odd because the cost of the conference was still expensive) by putting together a “newspaper” look.  No room for taking notes and completely pointless to carry around because it is so big and awkward.

I so hope that the conference from here on out doesn’t have a cheap feel.  Praying that even if it does, God will still give me the fuel to take EPIC to the next great thing He has for us.

The Middle School Conference is less than a month away.  If you haven’t already, you need to register.  You can do so by clicking HERE.  We need adults to go as well.  If you are available and would like to join us click HERE.

Important Information:

When is it?                                                                                                                                                  October 2-4, 2009

Where is it being held?
Heartland Conference Retreat Center
3201 County Road 225
Marengo, OH 43334
Phone: (740) 747-0220
www.heartlandretreat.com

What Should I Bring?
Your registration will take care of everything you need. Just bring some clothes (Don’t forget at least one pair of warm clothes), personal hygiene items, towel for showering, a sleeping bag and pillow, an extra sock for scalps, a Bible, and a pen or pencil.

What does it cost?
The registration fee is $69 for students and adult leaders. A $10 late fee kicks in if your registration is received after Friday, September 11, 2009.

5 Signs We May Be Ashamed of the Gospel

Text:  Romans 1.14-16

#1.  If we feel that what we offer is not of real value.

#2.  If we don’t know how to handle our faith in a relativistic, pluralistic, post-modern, multi-cultural society.

#3.  If we are afraid because the Gospel condemns men as sinners.

#4.  If we are afraid to called “hell-fire and brimstone preachers”

#5.  If we are fearful to take the Gospel into the public square.

It was a great challenge to what we are called to do as Great Commission Christians–and that is preach the Gospel with passion and fervency.

We no longer were in our 8 hour intensive tracks.  We could chose a number of different shorter tracks.  I chose Mark DeVries, president and founder of Youth Ministry Architects.  His track was on Building a Sustainable Youth Ministry.  Though I have been a youth pastor for 12 years, I know I can still learn a great deal about healthy youth ministry.

Over all I would give the conference a C+.  My only complaint is that I was hoping for a conference about WHERE youth ministry is GOING.  Not necessarily about where it has been and where it is at now.

If you interested in attending next year, click here.  It is in Chicago next year.

Today, we were back into the 8-hour track intensives.  Rahn and Klein are doing a fabulous job.  I am thankful I chose this track.  My hope is to make it applicable to our (Olentangy School District) current expanding dilemma.  To many schools, to few youth pastors in them.

Tonight, we had the privilege of hearing from Doug Fields, founder of Simply Youth Ministry and Teaching Pastor at Saddleback Community Church.  He challenged us with taking simple coins in our pocket and using them to remember God’s faithfulness to us.  Here were his points:

    P–Past (Ephesians 1.6-7; Colossians 1.13-14)

N–Now (Romans 8.11; 15.13)

    D–Determined Destiny (John 5.24; Romans 5.21)

Q–Quality Growth (Matthew 13.4-8)

This talk was a great challenge for me to remind myself of how great God has and is and will be in my life.  Next time you look at the coins in your pocket, remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.

After worship we began our 8 hour intensive tracks.  Thankfully they weren’t 8 hours straight.  After wrestling what may be the best track for me to take I decided that Dave Rahn and Chuck Klein’s track, Moving Your Ministry on to the Campus, would be most fitting for me.  Our church is located in the fastest growing school district in the state of Ohio.  There averaging a new Middle School every two years and a new High School every three years.  It is hard to keep up but it is also an amazing mission field.  Over the past year I have been racking my brain as to what is the best way to get a vibrant campus ministry going.  I was extremely pleased to have some great insight from Rahn and Klein as to what has worked well for them.

Later that afternoon I got of watch Megan Vallely at a cheerleading competition that was also being hosted at the Convention Center.

I left early and missed the evening talk which was led by Kay Warren, pastor’s wife of Rick Warren and Saddleback Community Church.  It was Anna and my 11 year anniversary.  We got rid of the kids (thanks Upchurch family) and went to the Cheesecake Factory.

Overall Day 2 was a great day and it made me look forward to Day 3.

Yesterday was the Day One.   The Convention Center is was filled with people and resources.  I love both.

Starting at 12:30, I was part of a four hour initiative with Doug Fields.  Our job was answering the question, How do you find, fuel and fire-up volunteers?  Walked away with some great feedback, thoughts and tools.

After I left that time with Doug, by now the conference center was PACKED.  People were getting registered, meeting old friends (it was great to reconnect with Vince Beresford–an old mentor of mine and Jeremy from sackchairs.com).

General session was pretty amazing.  Besides the Segway Olympics and worship by Tim Timmons and a concert by Braddigan, we had the wonderful privilege of meeting and hearing from Alex and Brent Harris, authors of Do Hard Things.

My favorite part came during the late night session when we got in to Affinity Groups (groups designed around an interest of stage of life).  I joined the Veteren: 10+ years in youth ministry group.  To my surprise, Vince was leading the group.  I thought, here is my chance to get the encouragement and tools, from veteran youth workers, to better my focus on ministry.  I soon found out I was in the same boat as everyone else.  They too, were tired, drained and fed-up with the same-old youth ministry expectations.  I left, after much time in prayer with these guys, renewed and renergized, knowing I wasn’t the only one.

I wholeheartedly know that God is going to do great things in me this weekend and I am excited to see what it is.

i am excited for a couple of reasons:

1. i am tired.  i’m not sure if it because of the grad class, just a packed ministry winter, or satan using people to pick on the little things, but i am tired and i can feel it.  i’m afraid my ministry can feel it as well.  i need a fresh look, a creative springboard but even more, i need to be with my peeps.
2. hanging with my peeps.  i need to hang with my peeps.  the ones who know what i am going through, that have the same passions i have and the same love for the same group of people that i love.  I need my peeps.

i am hoping to take away from this conference:

1. a renewed love for my amazing epic volunteer staff,
2. a renewed love for my students,
3. a new love for the students in my community,
4. a new love what God has called me to,
5. but most importantly, a renewed love for my God.

i am asking for your prayers this weekdend.  pray that my passion for ministry is renewed, that i am reminded as to why God called me and that i come away with an excitement for ministry that i have never felt in the past 11 years working with students!

“It make take 30 years to build a reputation. Never forget it only takes 30 seconds to destroy it.”

“In order to accomplish God-sized vision, it takes God-sized risks.  Your church (ministry) is one risk away from a breakthrough.”