I’ve already said that I’m a big fan of free ministry resources. One of the biggest providers of free resources for churches is LifeChurch.tv. In this video, their pastor, Craig Groeschel tells a little about their church and the resources they offer.
Let’s not be afraid to share resources in the church.
You can read the transcript here.
Yesterday was free cone day at Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. All over the world they gave away a free ice cream cone with absolutely no requirements. Of course we went to the local Ben and Jerry’s to get our cones.
I got to thinking about Ben and Jerry’s, free stuff, and of course, ministry.
It’s amazing how people will line up to get free ice cream. Who wouldn’t want to eat ice cream (besides some super healthy people I know)? I don’t think Ben and Jerry’s made money today, but it wasn’t about that. It was about the community. It was about getting their message out to the public.
There are lots of things in the world that should be free. I’m a big fan of sharing resources in ministry and offering things for free. We even have a site that has free youth ministry resources in Spanish. Ministries ought to share resources to further the Kingdom.
I use lots of different sites to get free resources for youth ministry.
When I tell my students that I want to offer some resources on the website for free, they look at me like I am crazy. But, why not? Free is good. Free resources for ministry have helped me a lot. We can all benefit from each other.
If Ben and Jerry’s can offer free ice cream, why can’t we offer free stuff in the church? I loved free cone day.
We had to go to the U.S. Embassy today to renew our passports, so we also visited our new ihop and topped it off with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream at the mall.
I did get some tests graded, too, so the day wasn’t all fun and games.
Here’s a quick video of Benjamin eating an ice cream cone today at Ben and Jerry’s free cone day:
I remember watching the Columbine tragedy happen in real time on television. I was the youth pastor then at North Dunedin Baptist Church. I have been involved in youth ministry this whole time since, and I wonder how much impact we have made on the lives of young people since Columbine.
The victims who lost their lives in Columbine, and even the people who took their lives, have changed the way I minister and act towards others.
Unfortunately, there will always be those who are seen as “fringe” kids. Violence will always be around. But ever since Columbine, I have thought a lot and made a conscious effort to look for those who society sometimes overlooks. You never know how something as simple as a smile or a, “How are you?” will help someone.
There are basically four things that, I think, when done right, will have an impact on the lives of those who feel rejected by society.
What about you? What are you doing to reach out to those who feel un-loved? How can we do that better as the church? Post your thoughts in the comments.
(Image by: Dave Blume on Flickr)
I saw this game on sale at Amazon, and I thought it would make a great gift for graduating seniors or a great game to play with a Senior class small group.
It’s based on Dr. Seuss’s book, “Oh the Places You Will Go,” and right now it’s only $4.
The product description says,
“Based on the iconic Dr. Seuss book, this game has players debating life’s great questions-for example, ‘Would you rather sail a bamboo raft in Tahiti, or write, direct, and star in your own horror movie?’ Everyone guesses which path you’ll take.”
It might make a great game for your group or for a graduation party. Check it out. If you get it and play it, let me know how it goes.
(via: Baby Good Buys)
Many people are worried about our safety. Many people have asked if it’s safe to visit Mexico. Some people have even encouraged us to leave Mexico because of what they have seen on the news. Is Mexico as dangerous as the news channels have made it out to be?
Regardless of where you live, danger exists. Every country and every city have their own unique problems and dangers. I’m not going to write a lot about the issue of safety in Mexico, but here are a few things I’ve seen on the web lately about safety in Mexico:
We’re confident that the place we live is safe. We are thankful for those people who worry about us. But, we have work to do, and we know that we are in the safest place we can be right now.
I came home last Saturday from a long day of training in downtown Mexico City, opened my email, and saw that one of my students had sent me a message.
It was from Kareny, a first year student in the Bachelor’s degree program at the Seminary. (Pictured in the middle with her fiance Josue and Huberto, the youth pastor of her church).
She had just come home from a youth event at her church, where she was able to see God impact the lives of various of the young people with whom she is working. She was writing us to tell us about it, and she said:
“Dennis, today I lived one of those things that make you feel that nothing else matters besides ministry. I thank God for calling me (into the ministry) and for having called you and Huberto…
Thanks, Dennis, for being here with us. Thank you for obeying your calling; God has brought many blessings to all of us because of it. Thanks to your wife for supporting you; she is an example. Thank you for being in Mexico. Thanks for having so much patience. Thanks for dedicating time to us. Thanks for understanding us. Thanks for praying praying for us. Thanks for sharing the knowledge that God has given you. Thank you for everything.
May God richly bless you, your wife, and your children.”
Receiving that message made me think of you. Without your prayer and support, we would not be here. We all play a part in what God is doing in the ministries of our students. He is doing great things both in their lives and the lives of the young people with whom they work. Thank you for praying and supporting this ministry.
