Conference update and that Mouse

My conference wrapped up today after the most amazing worship session I've ever experienced, which Andrea and I were both able to be at last night. Everything about it was just aimed at God in such an awesome way. Plus, it is sooooo nice to worship without having responsibility. No worrying about words on the screen, what comes next, etc, just praising God with all I've got. The music was awesome all week, but especially so Thursday night. The music all week was led by Saddleback middle and high school students, and their talent is overwhelming (as in the high school group is one of the best worship bands I've ever seen). They played a lot of Hillsong United songs, which reminds me to point out that if your looking for good worship music (in my opinion if that's worth anything) then get on ITunes and get as much Hillsong United as possible (note: you want Hillsong United, not Hillsong, as their is a big difference). Some suggestions: Mighty to Save, Take it all, The Stand, Came to my Rescue, Solution, Look to You, Tell the World, and One Way. Anyway, I really grew closer to God through this conference and got a lot of good ideas for our ministry, from the big picture stuff to the little stuff. I'm excited to see how God will use this experience to take our ministry to a really great place.

On another note, Andrea and I got to spend the day at Disneyland today. We had soooo much fun. The weather was great and we were able to take in every ride we wanted to (including Pirates of the Carribean twice!). It's just nice to spend time together having a fun, which sometimes does not happen much with all the responsibilities we have back home (not to mention a 2 1/2 year old).

Live from LaLa land

My computer tells me it is 37 and raining in Hingham today, but I'm just giddy to report its about 70 and perfectly sunny here in Southern California. I will be here all week attending the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Conference at Saddleback Church (home of that Rick Warren guy), and then spending the weekend at Disney with my wife (she flys in later in the week).

As I've been telling people I'm headed for continuing ed this week a bunch of students have questioned why I need to know more about youth ministry. After giving them a nice bag of suckers and a paper towel to wipe that really cute brown spot of their nose, I usually give them a basic answer of we all need to always be learning. And that is certainly true. There are some much more specific things I'm hoping to have God reveal to me while I'm here. Perhaps the biggest is developing some new ideas for how to deal with what I call "the new normal" in our ministry. God has truly blessed us with growth lately, which just amazes me daily. Every month new students find their way to BLAST, and many have made a saving commitment to Christ for the first time. That's just awesome. It brings a challenge though. How do we effectively minister to a group (specifically middle school) that is getting to be roughly 1/2 new Christians, seekers, and skeptics and 1/2 students that could probably pass seminary exams? How do we take this ministry to the next level, trying new and exciting things that speak best to this generation, while staying entirely grounded in scripture, prayer, and the Spirit's guidance? I pray God starts to reveal some of that through this conference. I'm also excited just for the opportunity to be a worshiper, learner, and Bible reader this week instead of a leader and student wrangler. Sometimes us pastors need to be ministered to as well.

New room, basketball, break, and more

Well, its as busy as ever around here. It has been really fun finally getting into the revamped youth room. It is a very exciting and functional space now, and we can definitely cram more people into it then before. Thanks again to everyone who helped make this project happen so quickly, easily, and cheaply (at least to our ministry).

In 22 hours it will officially be one of my favorite times of the year: March Madness! I'm on draft like 16 of my bracket and am finding it a little harder this year with all the parity. Despite that I find myself picking a lot of chalk (favored teams) into the Elite Eight, which is probably a huge mistake. I'm putting my trust in Pitino and Louisville and am returning to my favorite March team, Gonzaga, this year, thinking they will beat a not entirely healthy UNC team. If you have not filled out a bracket for our massive youth group competition please do so. They are on the info table in the youth room and no basketball knowledge is necessary. Winner gets a 24 pack of the soda of their choice. Also, this Friday from noon-5ish everyone is invited over to our house to watch the action on the big screen. We had a ton of fun with this last year as everyone simply routed against all my teams.

To spring into break we are inviting all middle schoolers in Diane and Dan's small groups to our house from 6:30-8:00pm this Friday night. We'll provide drinks, snacks, and plenty of fun, you just need to provide yourself.

I will be around this weekend, preaching at the morning service and at high school youth group, but will leave Monday morning for California. Despite claims to the contrary this is actually a "business trip," although the spring break timing and warm location may seem suspicious. I will be at a youth ministry conference at Saddleback Church Tuesday-Friday, then spending two days taking in Cali with my wife. Therefore, there will be no youth group March 25th or March 29th. Both groups will start back the following week, with April 1st being Middle School's first night of the 6:30-8:00 schedule.

Have a blessed weekend, may your brackets not bust, and have a safe, relaxing, and fun Spring Break!

Grand Re-Opening!

After several weeks of hard work we will re-open our youth room this Sunday, and it is definitely better then ever. While there remains some work to be done (lighting and the installation of the blast logo), it is more then ready for our use. It is finally the sort of space you walk into and immediately feel excited, welcomed, and at home.

We will be celebrating this Sunday by having our Growth Night service for middle school and high schoolers in the youth room. We will be singing some of our favorite songs, watching some video, hearing a short message on what this room should really be about, hearing from a representative from Hope College, playing a game, and more. For middle schoolers who are not normally involved in Growth Nights we really encourage you to attend this week. It starts at 5:30 and will end at 7:00. Hope to see everyone on Sunday!

No anything tonight (3/8)

As per decision of the consistory and staff there will be no youth group, evening worship, or any other church activities tonight. With the freezing rain and the fact that so many of you drive in from other places we just felt it best to be on the safe side. Enjoy your night, and we will see everyone for a special Growth Night next Sunday in the new and improved youth room. We will start next week in the youth room instead of the fellowship hall. Stay safe and dry!

Chili, State, Re-model, and such

Is there ever a week that is not really busy around here? Yeah, didn't think so.

Congrats to everyone on music contest yesterday. Specific mega congrats to those of you who made it on to state. It is awesome to see how much talent God has blessed our students with, and I am so proud of you all. Congrats also to the Oostburg basketball girls on a third straight trip to state, and good luck against Cuba City on Thursday.

Thanks to everyone who helped with and attended the chili supper and cook-off this week. While fundraisers are down for so many groups, we continue to set records thanks to everyone's work and generosity. Over $1300 was raised Wednesday, which will greatly benefit our ever expanding ministry. Congrats to Cindy Lenz for winning our 3rd annual chili cook-off. She had to fend off 9 other entries to win the title and the giant 6 foot golden spoon (which used to be a tree in Joe Dolfin's woods). It was a very fun evening, so thanks to all for making it that way.

Work on the youth room is in full swing. The stadium seating is done (we still need to carpet it, but that's ordered), the projector and screen are here, and the first coat of paint has been applied. With volunteers coming in all week we hope to be able to open the room next Sunday, March 15th for Growth Night. The only things left at the point may be the wooden blast logo and additional lighting. Huge thanks this week to Michele Dulmes for all her design work, Joel Brill for all his handy work, and Becky, Emily, Amanda, Andrea, and Michele for painting. Massive thanks to Gary Kolste for building the stadium seating so that you could park a car on it. It is going to be a VERY exciting space real soon.

Chili Supper and more

Tomorrow night, Wednesday March 4th, will be our annual Chili Supper Fundraiser. We need all high school students to be at church by 4:15 (or as early as possible) to help. High schoolers will be done at 7:00, while middle schoolers will start helping clean-up at 7:00. HS, we need your Chili by 4:15 and MS, we need your cheese by 4:15 as well (if you need to deliver it earlier you can place it in either fridge). The dinner itself will start at 5:00 and run until 7:00. Beginning at 5:30 everyone will get the chance to taste 9 different chilis that have been entered in our cook-off. Awards will be at 6:45. Invite some friends and see you there!

I had the awesome opportunity last night to attend Oostburg's Top 10 Banquet. Part of what was so awesome was the number of students from our ministry honored as academic letter winners. Eight of our students carry a A- or higher grade point average, which is really impressive, so congrats to all of you on your hard work. I got to be there last night because Andrea was honored as the most influential teacher of one of the Top 10 seniors, which is a big honor. I am so proud of the amazing work she is doing making a differences on so many students' lives in her classroom.

Sunday night we had a powerful message on communion. While we do communion quite frequently I don't think we always get what it's all about. We talked about how communion is about being with other Christians on common ground and letting the Spirit of Christ in. We all know that old adage, "you are what you eat," well it's that way with communion. When we eat we let Christ in. Are we getting that, and subsequently living like it? Then we said that communion is a remembrance of what Jesus did for us. Jesus got the tar kicked out of him for all of us. His bones broken, shards of metal and glass into his back, his blood all over, just nasty stuff. And Jesus CHOSE to go through all of that for us, so that we can have the Hope of eternal life. This isn't the I HOPE the Cubs will when the World Series kind of hope, but the kind that is full proof and certain. Communion reminds us that because of Christ being broken and dying on that cross we WILL have eternal life. We then had our own version of communion, breaking cookies over and over to symbolize Christ being broken for all our sins.

State champ!

Well, it's about time to leave lovely Madison. Oostburg enjoyed a great night last evening, crowning Pat as state champ at 171. That's title at least 7 for the Rogers clan, and I'm sure #8 will be following next year. Congrats to Pat and Coach Rogers on an awesome season. The bummer part of the night was the DQ of Cedar Grove's Brandon Garcia. Garcia, a senior, had twice lost in finals, and added a third loss in the worse way possible. Up 8-4 in the 3rd he was DQ'd for a slam. The slam should have never happened as the official should have called potentially dangerous prior to it. That official robbed a great wrestler of a state title, in my opinion. It just makes me sick.

Tonight will be the Night of a Million Nuts in HS Youth Group. We'll be playing a bunch of games that involve George Washington Carver's famous peanut, with some great nutty prizes as well. Our topic of the night will be communion, as we continue our What do We Believe? series. Hope to see you there.