Beating the Expectations Game

It’s a lot easier to meet expectations when you know what the expectations are– both spoken and unspoken. It seems obvious, but how often have you been in a place where a leader expected you do, say, or be something that you were completely unaware of? You then are taken back, feeling unjustly condemned. Or [...]

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Madi’s Dream [Video]

What Madi dreams about. Another CSM FRIDAY NIGHTS Digital Short. Enjoy!

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Coffee = “I love you”

I have a morning routine: Step 1: Hit snooze button twice. Step 2: Shower. Step 3: Get dressed and ready. Step 4: Eat breakfast and read. Step 5: Make a pot of coffee. The truth is, I don’t drink coffee. Or, I don’t drink real coffee. But I make a point to throw out the [...]

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What No Youth Pastor Should Be Without

The Obvious Things no youth pastor should be without: …a healthy relationship with their family. …an unlimited texting plan. …a growing relationship with God. …a sense of humor. …a facebook account. The Vague Things no youth pastor should be without: …perspective. …optimism. …drive. …calling. …boundaries. The Overlooked Things no youth pastor should be without: …a [...]

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My Life is a Cluttered Mess

I don’t (usually) miss appointments, I don’t miss deadlines (instead work right up to them), but I still feel like my days are a cluttered mess. I wish my days were more productive. Stuff that hijacks my day: Coordinating Information. For instance: I’m leading a team to the Philippines in June and there is a [...]

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50 Churches in 50 Days.

I’m compiling an ongoing list of churches that I’d like to visit for a summer-long, nationwide road trip that I’ve dubbed “50 Churches in 50 Days”. I’m looking for: •Churches who are thriving in their mission. •Churches who are innovative in their approach. •Churches who are lead by leaders. Of my 50 targeted churches, I [...]

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Lasting Student Ministry

Blogger Scott Aughtmon writes a great blog, and this caught my attention: I started youth ministry when I was around 19 years old and was involved in it for about 14 years. I stopped youth pastoring at the end of 2002. And you know what? The students that were in my group are now the [...]

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CSM FRIDAY NIGHTS 02.19.10 Review

This past Friday at CSM FRIDAY NIGHTS (our weekly youth ministry’s meeting), we had some pretty cool stuff happen: •We had a full worship band for the first time ever! Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Keys/ Vocals, Vocals, Bass, and Drums. Yes, it’s not “all about the music”… but it was still really, really exciting! [...]

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TXTing Discipleship

I got a text at 10:44pm from one of my students on Thursday: Josh how do i do devotion with the bible is it just reading the word and making it part of your life? Earlier this week I had to talk to one of my other students about respect: Oh lol parents suck hows [...]

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My Top 10 Jobs

I feel so blessed to be able to be a full-time, financially supported minister. But if I wasn’t “in the ministry”, here’s 10 other jobs that I might consider pursuing: Sports Writer College Counselor Candidate for the Island Barista Game Show Host Development Director Politician History Teacher NFL Kicker Anything in Bora Bora What’s your [...]

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