3 Things I would do differently in Youth Ministry

I worked full time as a youth pastor at a church that I used to attend. After that, I volunteered for the most part as the youth pastor.

We had a great team... a great staff. I remember sitting down for hours coming up with a name for the youth ministry. We believed "identity" was neccessary for this ministry.

We came up with names like... H2O, Elevate, The Dot.
We decided to name our youth ministry Zero Image.

We had failures. Many of them. But I can boast (brag) on the accomplishments that we had as well.
Paul brags. Let me brag.
We had weekly Wednesday services. We had 2 awesome summer camps.
We began in May 2004 with 25 people. In 2 months, we had around 50 young people.
At that time, that was explosive for me. I was 18. Hehe (Revival).

A couple of days ago, I started thinking about things that I would differently in Zero Image.
Here are 3 things I would have done differently.

1). We would have more excellent Follow Up.
We had a follow up system set up. We sent a letter and a phone call every week after a young person visited our Wednesday service. We would follow up with that person just for that week only. It was pretty good. But I would do it a bit differently now. This is what we would do: After following up with them the first week, and not seeing them again for 1 month, we would send another letter ("Missing You") and another phone call.

2). We would create Strategic, Organized, Consistent small groups.
I believe in the positive results of small groups. I just had to state that. Hehe.
Believe it or not, young people will go where there is a vision. I remember seeing this in Zero Image all the time. The most rebellious teen would listen to Jesus' word and be driven by it. What we would do different would be this. We would make a good move towards small froups. Sarting at the church location, we would meet in small groups. After a while of success, we would move some groups to the homes (the producing and faithful ones). The result would be to see the young people in different locations throughout the city in small groups. Little by little does it... cougar. Key words are: Strategic. Organized. Consistent. You will never get anywhere without a strategy (a plan of action). That plan has to be well organized. When that strategy is organized, you have to be consistent and you will experiece success.

3. We would establish a better Discipleship process.
Young people have the power and potential to commit. Let's not undermine them. When they decide to follw Jesus, there must be a process to disciple them. What we would do different is this: We would work alongside the small groups (not so much though). This is what we would mostly do: We would teach the Bible everytime. We would teach Jesus all the time. If you hang around Jesus daily (like the disciples), you are bound to learn something a nd be a true follower of Jesus.

There are more things that I would do differently.
These are only 3.

Since the church that I worked at had a certain culture, these are the detailed approaches I would take.
But I believe that I would do these things in any youth ministry.
The approaches might be different though.

What do you say?
Got any more suggestions to this list?
What would you do in youth ministry?

»Just wondering...

I just wonder.
Right now I am in a wondering mood.
I mean, sitting at Panera Bread, after some of the best soup around... and some piano playing in the background...
Who would not be relaxed?
I just wonder.

What if someone gets a radical idea of starting a church in Houston, Tx?
A church that serves the community... A church that the city asks for help when its people are in need.
You get that?
The church doesn't ask for help... the city asks for the church's help.

A church that lets anyone come to its services... gatherings... celebrations.
Teenagers, college students, young married couples... old people.
Hey, come on... everybody!

What if someone could launch a church that would get away from the traditional and the routine?
A church that would do things so different that religious people would criticize and the unsaved would meet Jesus.

What if this church would not be personality driven... but a team of teaching pastors would care for it?

What if this church would be able to launch with 150- 200 people in its frist service?
Am I thinking too small?

A church that would not get comfortable and stop growing when it reaches the maximum number of 350 members... Haha!
Seriously, not to poke fun at anyone, but most churches in the Houston area... as soon as they hit 400, they feel that they are the church model. Hehe.
400 people? That should be your volunteers!
Let me remind you, I am not mocking anyone. I am just asking... what if?

What if this church would open different campuses in Houston... maybe some satellite campuses? in schools, theaters... and you're going to like this... in the clubs?
Uy no! Haha. (Narrow minded people. Get out of your box).

What if some young kid in his 20s with no pastoral experience, no Ph D., no nothing, would be able to gather other young men... other families and launch a revolution of church planting in this city of Houston?

I believe it. One day.

You might say, "Well then, stop dreaming and start doing!"
To that I tell you, "Slow down cougar, slow down."

If you want to be a part of this revolution... please be praying for it.
If you want to be part of a team that will DOMINATE this city for Jesus' glory, pease be praying for it.
I believe that people will come out of nowhere to stir one of the greatest times of our generation in Houston, Tx.
I don't just feel it. I know it.
It is just a matter of time... of putting certain order in our lives... of organizing a couple of things... of gathering candidates that need Jesus do something big in their lives.

For the others, I pray for you.

I was just wondering.
Can you help me woder too?

What if...? Hehe.
What do you think?

»STARTING POINT UPDATE

As you all know... it has been a pleasure to be at Starting Point Church every Sunday to help out in the pulpit, preaching.

These last 2 1/2 months have served me as an awesome experience.
Today, we went into our 3rd teaching with the title, "A Disciple Of Jesus Breaks Bread."
Hopefully, next week will be the econclusion of our series, "The Simple Journey Of A Disciple."
It has been great.

We will be talking about evangelizing... going out and telling others about Jesus.
It will be awesome.

I am so glad that I have helped Starting Point as a preacher. I'm looking forward to continue helping. I believe that there are people at the church that have a huge potential and can do something in their community.

I am excited.
Please pray for me.
I will be meeting with the leadership of Church of Champions. They have taken an interest in the gift that God has given me and I hope that I can use it for his glory.
I don't know in what way I will be helping them out, but I look forward to hearing them out and making a good decision.
Please pray for me.

Either it be helping Starting Point's pulpit for a couple of more weeks or just using me to help somewhere else, I am willing to listen to them and looking for what is ahead in 2008.
Then, I will amke a wise decision.
I ask for you prayers.

I am glad that Jesus still does miracles.
I am glad that Jesus is still showing up at Starting Point.

»What a LAZY DAY!

This is the day that the Lord has made!!! Woo-hoo!

-Made some final touch ups on this Sunday's message.
-Thanksgiving leftovers... Mmm!
-Some college football, I rarely watch it, but when I do, I'm hooked. Right now UT is getting whooped by A&M...
-A date with the best girlfriend later...

I'm telling you, it could not get any better, and it's only Friday! Oh man, this is awesome! Hehe.

I don't have a lot to blog about. Actually, I do... but I'm just going to relax today.

OH SHOOT! UT just made a 91 yard run for a TOUCHDOWN!
Ok... there is hope!

»I am Thankful for Ruthie...

Well, It is Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I know that I should not be bloggong today... Everyone is at my house. I mean my sisters and brother... and a couple of friends that will stop by.
But before we start grubbing, I would like to say thank you to Ruthie, my girlfriend.

She is my world. We have so much fun when we do things together. She is amazing!
I thank her for standing by my side when everything seems to go downhill. In transitions of my life, she has always stood by me. I thank her.

A couple of days ago, we were talking about the time we met... in 2001. Hehe. I was jsut 15 years of age. Who knew that I would meet the love of my life at... a youth campmeeting? Of all places. Just Kidding. Reminiscing on that, I just get so happy because she is the one that has helped me look at things differently sometimes. I love her.

Who knew that we would get back together 3 years later... and now it is forever. Hehe. We have been together for 3 years this month, and I still love her the same. Maybe more. Hehe. I need to get married, no?

Although we are not certain of the details of our future, we know this... I will love her and she will love me.
We will accomplish Jesus's purpose in our lives. I promise her that. We will do God's Will. I promise her that. We will love each other. I promise her that.
O.K that sounds like my vows... better relax. Haha.

I love you, babe.
I am thankful for you.

»I am thankful for my family...

Another thing that I am thankful for is... my family.

Family is what Jesus created so that we can have unity and learn together on how to deal with the things that life brings.

Unfortunately, there are not many examples of what a true fatehr, a true mother, a true sonor a true daughter are to be.
I have failed many times in "son" department. Who does not?
I have also failed in the "brother" part...
Although, my sisters did not point it out in my birthday card that they gave me, I know. Hehe.

But I am thankful for my family.
I love my sisters and my brother.
I believe that they will be an inspiration to many in this generation. Struglle after struggle, we always pull together.
More than anytime in my life, I feel very drawn to be with them and see them.

My sisters went to Mexico for the weekend and, to tell you the truth, I really missed the. The house was so quiet.
They are loud girls. Just kidding.

I know my brother has a purpose... and he knows it.
I love it when Jesus proves himself in people's lives. When I thinmk about my bro... I'm telling you, he will be somebody in the next couple of years.
You better believe it.

I love my father and mother.
Although my father is not with me, I always remember bits and pieces of his advice. It would make us smile.
I love my mother. She has been there for us all the time... and I mean all the time. You know how moms are... always making sure that no one speaks ill of her kids.
Although, we all have disagreed on something at one point, I realize that I must be thankful for my family.

Aber, Beakers, Techita, mom, dad... I am thankful for you.
That was Abraham, Rebecca, Esther, mom and dad...

Notice how they all have biblical names, except fo me.
Thank you, mom and dad.

»I am thankful for Jesus...

It's Thanksgiving week!
Food, food, food!!!
For a couple of days, I just want to write about a couple of things that I am thankful for.

Tonight, I am thankful for Jesus.
Without Jesus, there would be no salvation.
Without Jesus' sacrifice there would be no remission of my sins... I would not experience His mercy and His forgiveness.
Without Jesus, I would not have hope.
I thank Jesus for saving me.
I thank Jesus for helping me through the rough times.
I love Jesus.
Jesus healed me when I was a small boy.
Jesus walks with me in this Journey.

I don't know if you noticed, but for me... it is all about Jesus.
And I am thankful for His sacrifice.

Someone once said:

"Jesus lived the life that I could not live,

and died the death that I should die."

Amazing.

Thank you Jesus.

What are you thankful for?