• "Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
• "Keep your dreams alive.  Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.  Remember all things are possible for those who believe." -Gail Devers

Three posts I can't stop thinking about...

• Christian Years vs. Dog Years by Mark Artrip
• I'm not as Great as I Think I Am by Josh Atkins
• A Unified Worship Experience by Wade Joy

Great stuff.

-Jordan

This was a great opportunity and I was honored to have the ability to sit with such great people to discuss such topics. I wanted to give a recap of the night and discuss my thoughts.

This is how the night went...

• 3:30-3:45 - Students came to sign in, got their nametags, and received their folders with information about the night.
• 3:45-4:05 - Students were given instructions about their expectations for the night and given their topics to present. (Each group had two or three high school students that were "mentors" for the night and helped the junior high groups present their topics to the panel and prepare a powerpoint.)
• 4:05-4:15 - Students made the transition to their groups to get started.
• 4:15-5:45 - Junior high students then met with their "mentors" to agree on recommendations to present to the panel about the group's issue (issues included; cyber bullying, healthy relationships and dating violence, cliques, peer pressure, and accessibility to drugs and alcohol). The groups designated two junior high students to be speakers for their group to present the issue to the panelists.
• 5:45-6:00 - Student practiced their presentations and had a dry run of the evening while the panelists were briefed.
• 6:00-6:30 - Dinner was served to both the students and panel members.
• 6:30-7:45 - This is when the actual panel took place. They had a welcome to the evening (the community was invited) and had the students present to the panel their topic and their ideas to "fix" the problems. The panel then had about ten minutes to respond to each group. After the panel session the community had the opportunity to ask questions as well.
• 7:45-7:55 - Community discussion.
• 7:55-8:00 - Closing of the evening and everyone went home.

This is what I thought after the night was over and I had a few days to evaluate what happened.

• For once I felt like what we were doing at the church was a step ahead of what the world was doing. For example, we are already in the process of trying to get the high school students to mentor the junior high students. The solutions that the junior high students came up with were great ideas but we have such a good relationship with our young people that we have already discussed solutions for these problems presented individually and in groups. We listen to our students when they talk and do something about problems when they come up. We strive to put programs, events, and teachings in place to help them with life's problems. I felt like my students who were there already had a firm grasp on how to overcome the problems presented instead of just talking about them. I was proud our students are have bite and not just bark.
• The community was represented poorly. I wish more parents, people from the church, and towns people would have showed up.
• Somewhere along the line of life parents and educators "talk down" to young people. I don't know if they do it on purpose or by accident but it bothers me. If I ever get to the point in my life where a student looks at me and says I'm fake I need to question what I'm doing. Students can smell insincerity a mile away. You could tell the people who were having an impact on the students and those who were just "there". If you don't love what you do 100% get out now, especially in youth work.
• The church and the school are completely different.
• Sometimes I think people talk just to hear the sound of their own voice. Not only is this immature and annoying but junior high students hate standing up while someone can't stop talking.
• The church was represented in a secular setting properly and was well received. Amen, praise the Lord, Hallelujah!
• My students are amazing. Not only did they represented the church well but they showed pride in their church and group.

The evening went well and I hope I have the privilege of participating again next year. If I could change one thing I think the panelists should get together later and discuss the topics further. I don't feel there was enough time to talk about the issues and provide ways of ironing out details presented by the students.  We need more events like this!

How is your community embracing the youth?

-Jordan

• I completely lost track of March Madness when baseball started.
• Twice this week I have talked to people about giving our "best".  It has slowly become a "theme" of the week.  What is God trying to tell me through the conversations with His people?
• Our spring retreat is constantly being changed, moved, or manipulated.  This is extremely frustrating but i knew it was going to happen.  This retreat must happen if we are experiencing this many roadblocks.  God is going to do something big!
• My first "wedding" as a pastor is almost a week away and I don't have a suit.  Anyone know a good place to get one without having to spend an arm and a leg?
• After I finish my three papers for my classes I just took, I am two classes away (minus a thesis) from getting my Masters degree.
• The Chicago Cubs are not doing very well right now.  (There is no such thing as a curse....)
• I wrote a handwritten thank you card today.  I haven't done that in awhile.  I need to write them more often.
• Leadership, Relevant, and Outreach Magazines are amazing.  Subscribe today!
• I haven't been reading a book (besides the bible) in awhile.  Anyone have any good reads they have just finished?
• The rain is depressing but extremely refreshing.
• I love being a youth pastor but more important than that, I love being around people and hearing there stories.  Who are you listening to?

What's going on in your life?  What do you need to "dump"?
-Jordan

Anyway, I got home last night at 11 p.m. after driving in the opposite conditions of the drive up.  I went through snow, ice, sleet, and downpour rains on trip which was draining.  For the entire five hours I was praying that I would just make it home safe (and thanking God I no longer live in Indiana).  My parents were coming to visit because my mom had a class in Saint Charles for some material that she sells, so they pulled in the driveway to visit about ten minutes after I got in the door.  I had just enough time to kiss my wife, pet the dog, say hi to the cats, and then unpack half my stuff.  We got up early this morning with the folks to go get some breakfast, ran into a few people I know, and then ushered them off before noon because they needed to get back.

Today is my "day off" but I got a lot going on that is work related.  Since I have been out of town I want to stay ahead of the game and not fall back.  Phat Sunday is in two days, we have a 618 show tonight at Broadway, and baseball practice is going down in a few hours.  I counted 13 things that need done on my to do list in the next two weeks.  It's time to get cracking!  I love being organized!  On top of everything else, we are scheduling our spring retreat and gearing up for a missions trip for the youth in July.  I am super pumped and excited to see how our students will grow this year.

It was a great week.  While in South Bend I finally got a chance to visit Granger Community Church and get a sweet new bible (let's pray the dog doesn't eat this one).  I met a lot of new people, networked a little with other pastors, and made a few new friends that encouraged my heart.  I was also pumped because I returned home I found my other audio bible came in the mail.  Bibles are awesome, people are cool, and God is good!

What's going on in your world?

-Jordan

• Got the change to dwell (not read, dwell) on three books of the bible with the time I usually spend online.
• Found myself praying more than I usually do in the day.
• Had a massive desire to use my computer throughout the day (morning was the worst).  However, the feeling faded as the day grew longer.
• 22 new e-mails, 3 junk messages today
• Talked with four individuals that I didn't know.
• On top of not using my computer, I only used my ipod for an hour.
• Had more of a desire to be around people than i usually do.
• Without my computer I was forced to call people instead of send e-mails.  This made my day feel more personal.
• The couch and rocking chair are a whole lot more comfortable than my home office chair.
• My wife kept me accountable.

What an amazing experience.  It was truly liberating.  If you haven't gone without your computer in some time, take the challenge.  Go an entire day (midnight to midnight) without touching a computer.  I have learned a lot.  Today I only used my computer when I absolutely needed it.  It cut down hours of wasted time forcing me to go do something else that was productive.   I also found out that the majority of web pages I read don't help unless used sparingly.

"Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. Get off the computer and go outside. Be free." - Josh Scogin (ex-lead singer of Norma Jean, lead singer of the chariot)

-Jordan

When I win, I get the Old Testament Bible Experience (which I have wanted this forever).  If she wins, she gets the satisfaction of saying she was right (wow, that's all I need right now).  I will return posting on Tuesday.  I am look forward to this "computer fast"

Keep praying for our ministry and our young people.

See ya soon.

-Jordan

On Friday I had the ordination council to go before. This council was compiled of eight pastors in the area and some of the members of their board. There were board member that were present as a part of the counsil from the church that would ordain me as well. I hold a non-denominational view (I am an independent, bible teaching, pastor to put it simply) and do not claim a certain denomination so my father (who is a pastor of the church who did the ordination) asked pastors from a few different churches to comes. Some of the denominations that were present included baptist, pentecostal, non-denominational, and presbyterian churches. I compiled my ordination statement for the council which started at one in the afternoon. They asked questions for three hours regarding what I believe and then went into separate session. The counsil voted unanimously that I should be ordained and passed that to the church which would meet on Sunday. I was absolutely exhausted after the meeting.

Saturday I did some work for the church and rested before Sunday.

Sunday we had church. The chairman of the board took what the counsil said to the church that they recommenced that I be ordained. The churched moved that I should be ordained through Countryside Bible Church. The vote passed unanimously. My father gave a message as a charge to me and the church (which I will give the notes to later). They gave my wife and I some gifts and laid hands on us to pray for our ministry. We left church, drove three hours to get home to Highland, had praise band practice, junior high meeting, high school meeting, went home, did preparation work for the board meeting on Monday until 12:30 a.m and then decided to go to bed.

The weekend was so great and GeNESIS went awesome last night! The next goal is to finish my masters degree by the end of the year.

Here we go.

-Jordan

"Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me." -Job 38:3

We see people argue over and fight over so many different issues in life. As a pastor the issues that cause dispute among people are so hard to watch take place. Multiple times people will do things to hurt each other and cause harm to the body of Christ without even knowing it they are doing it. That's hard for a pastor to watch. When we fight, we all wonder who will get the final say. We wonder who will be right and who will be wrong. We hate being wrong. It's the American way.

In Job's case, he repeatedly had people giving there opinions on the sufferings he was facing. His wife and his buddies all had something to say regarding the frustrations he was facing. In the end, Job's buddies and his wife suddenly disappear from the picture. As they fade to the background, God emerges as Job is left to talk one on one with his creator. God always has the last word doesn't He? In every argument, discussion or controversy that I come across I must not forget that God has the final say. When I feel powerless and I feel my hands are tied, I must not forget that God's mouth is not shut and His voice will still project clearly while mine is closed.

Job feared the Lord. His fear was healthy and his relationship to his master was already producing a spiritual A game. Even though God and him had a remarkable relationship, he still got the raw end of the deal and suffered greatly. Job spoke boldly to God numerous times while experiencing pain and frustration. While speaking to his creator and questioning his sufferings, Job kept the relationship to God full of honor and respect. When God took the throne, Job had nothing to say in his own defense. Job stood in front of the Lord, silent.

It is not an easy task to contest with the Living God. God and I wrestle a lot and I know that I am nowhere near the sufferings of Job, but I feel as if I experience the same discouragement he did from time to time. Job, along with his friends, longed to hear the voice of God and so do I. While experiencing discouragement I long for God to talk to me, to give clarity to my life. Am I prepared to hear what God had to say?

This life, this body I live in, it is not my own. I must constantly remember that. I live with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me. The living God dwells in my flesh. Because of that I must remember that God's word will echo through every hard situation I face. God's love will prevail through trials and tribulations. God's hand will move through situations that are beyond my control. Who am I to worry about tomorrow? God speaks boldly to his disciples and to me when he tells them, "Brace yourself like a man! Your about to hear from me and I want an answer!" God says to his children that, "This might hurt a little, maybe a lot, but it's okay because you are my child and I know the plans I have for you. " John says it right...

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" - John 16:33

What answer will you give to God when you experience sufferings? Will you brace yourself like a man and give God an answer that will bring glory to His name? How will you answer the creator when your questions are answered, when the wrestling match is over? Are you prepared to hear what God has to say to you? Are you prepared to let God do what He has planned for your life no matter how bad it hurts?

Brace yourself like a man.

-Jordan

Sometimes I have no idea how I landed in the desk I am sitting in right now.  I constantly question how God could use a sinner like me to relay his message of hope, truth, and love.  When I was a teenager the highway I traveled on was literally the "highway to Hell".  No street lights, no cars passing by, just a worn out, beat up kid wondering down a dark four-lane without a hint of hope or a car to ride in.  I remember that kid.  I revisit him sometimes when I'm down.  I ask him questions.  What were you thinking?  Did you know that the decisions you made on that road would affect me still to this day?  He has no response, he can't respond becuase he died along time ago.

The non-Christ follower thinks his path is a well lit avenue.  Almost as like a delusion that he has created in his mind.  A pipe dream that makes up for his blind handicap.  When I came to know Christ I acknowledged the fact I had a handicap.  God placed his hand in mine as we walked down a new freeway that only He knew.  When I came to know Christ he didn't remove my blindness right away.  He let me live with it for awhile as to say, "You're not ready yet to see where I am going to take you, just hold my hand and follow me, that will be enough for now."  God walks with me slowly.  It takes me awhile to get things and He understands that.     He is patient as we travel together.

I remember when I started to see God's vision for my life, when my blind handicap was removed for the first time.  I could see down the road a little but I could never see the entire road.  As a matter of fact, the more I traveled, the more I started to see construction sites up ahead.  I would get upset with God because He was working on part of the spiritual freeway.  I would get upset that I had to slow down.  I was moving so fast!  I was doing so good!  Why would God put a 45 mph sign up in a 70 mph freeway!  I might not have understood why God was working on the road but I remembered as I slowed down that God doesn't have to tell me a thing.   His plan is perfect.  I had to go back to what He said to me when I was blind.  "You're not ready yet to see where I am going to take you, just hold my hand and follow me, that will be enough for now."

On the spiritual turnpike, I look behind me and I see where God has taken me.  He is a companion on my journey,  a guide with accurate directions, someone who is always there.  I can see God in the rear view mirror, out my windshild, and even out the windows of my faith build automobile.

This is too much, too wonderful.  I can't take it all in!

-Jordan

Some people would question if we should screen movies or if we should not watch films at all.  We should always be careful with what we watch.  We should always be careful what we put in our head and make no mistake about it, the old saying is true; garbage in, garbage out.  When I screen a movie I make sure my relationship with Christ is as strong as it can be.  When screening movies that a teen has suggested I usually watch it on my laptop, taking notes and studying scripture at the same time.  I have stopped movies because it is causing harm to my relationship with Christ.  I constantly am in the word before and after a film to make sure a movie has not distracted me away from Christ.  Let me tell you a few things about screening films.

Ask yourself some questions.  Should I watch this film at all?  What is it rated?  I usually always check out screenit first before I even think about putting a dvd in my player.  This is a great tool for parents, pastors, and guardians to use to look at as a guide before they let their teen watch a film or even let them self watch a film.  Also ask why is the move rated what it is?  Should I be fully watching the film at all times or should I be taking notes on my laptop or notepad while the movie is playing?  Often times when you watch a film beginning to end, you become a part of what is going on.  (you should see my wife watch t.v.  It is a perfect example)  I can do two things at once so my eyes rarely are focused on the actual film when I screen a film.  I can hear the audio and I look at certain parts but try and remove my eyes from "damaging" scenes.

We need to keep a clean mind and a pure heart at all times.  Is the movie your going to watch help keep your mind clear or clutter it up?  Is this film going to aid in a pure heart or blacken it?  I will pray about whether or not I should see the film and listen to what God is trying to tell me.  Often times a movie will never make it to my player based on the information that I have read and researched on a film.  You need to pray for God's guidance at all times in anything that enters into your mind.  Is what I am about to do bring glory to God's kingdom?

Think about it.

-Jordan

• In 2007, The best idea that I had was this...
  • This year the best idea that I came up with probably wasn't mine at all. I probably stole it from someone else and said it was mine. (Steven Furtick, a pastor of a really big church, says I can do that. So your just going to have to live with it.) The best idea I had this year was giving people identity in the body. Whether in leadership or in the students individual lives, we gave people identity by capitalizing on their spiritual gifts and putting them to work. When we gave people a job to do and "ownership" over what goes on in ministry we saw God work through both the young and old.
• In 2007, here is ONE THING that worked...
  • One thing that worked this year didn't happen until last month. We got serious about the worship team. I have never been more proud of the young people in the team we have. They bring glory to God through their voices and instruments. It's awesome to see. How did we do it? I put them on a four week "set" schedule with four songs a set. We work almost four hours a week on one set and then play it Sunday night. The team and I work on the four set schedule for a totally of six months before we will switch the rotation and add another "set" list. It has worked extremely well because it gets the band to know the songs well and the students know the songs they sing.
• In 2007, I read_____________and it was most helpful...
  • Max Q by Stuart Hall and Andy Stanley. I must admit that I didn't want to read the book at all. One of my leaders said that I was stating a lot of the same things presented in the book at our leaders meetings. I ended up taking it on a cruise my wife and I went on by accident. I took over nine pages of typed notes. It has really been a great book for me both personally and in ministry.
• In 2007, I used______________as an illustration, and it worked...
  • I used a board one night to illustrate the bridge Jesus builds for us so that we can have a relationship with God. The board said "JESUS" in big letters for the kids to see. We put the board on top of two chairs to illustrate that nothing we can build can get us to God, it has to be through the bridge Jesus built through his death on the cross. We still have the board downstairs. It sounds simple and cheesy but sometimes that's what works. Everyone listened intently that night and got the message of Christ perfectly clear.
    
• In 2007, I had a failure/made a mistake, BUT I learned ______________ from it...
  • I made a "mistake" this year by being negative and hard on myself. I wrestle with personal negativity. I always feel that I can do better, that I can do more than I really can. I learned that God hates that attitude. He wants me to be positive and not take the weight of the world on my shoulders. He wants me to look to him for strength and encouragement. As my mom says, "Do the day".

P.S. Classes at Fort Wayne went well.  I am almost half way done with my masters work.

God Bless.

-Jordan

Dealing with Discouragement

Discouragement comes from negative, critical comments or underhanded remarks. Usually people don't mean any harm when there negative but it does do a lot of damage. As adults, it seems that we have this way of "fighting fair". Call it what you will but it still hurts.  Stick and stones may break my bones but words will always hurt me.

Question - "As a pastor, do you really get people being critical and discouraging?”
Yes. It is amazing. It happens a lot and it is extremely serious. Not everyone is going to back your ministry. When God talks and tells you something to do, you better be prepared and prayed up to do it. There are people out there that are not excited about what you heard. People are admit on telling your your wrong, being negative, and being harsh The real process of removing discouragement starts with weeding out the negativity.

Getting rid of the junk

I don't get a lot of negative e-mails so my e-mail is not screened. I hope I never have to get to this point in my ministry, but the truth is, as you grow, you will. As for right now I can breathe easy when I open my inbox. I have thought about screening my e-mail but for right now it seems silly. As a youth pastor, my leadership team (which includes my wife) is my life. They are there for constructive criticism, helpful praise, and correction. Each one of those individuals are hand picked to push me in my spiritual life. They aid in the job I am doing as a pastor. Sometimes I read e-mails from leaders two to three times over to work on what they are saying or praise God for their kind words and encouragement. I find myself constantly humbled by the team that God has given me.

There is a lot of junk that isn’t constructive and encouraging.  This feedback comes outside leadership. This garbage is put in the way of ministry and discourages me and prevents the word getting out. Focusing on discouragement prevent me from doing what God wants me to do and puts the focus on what people want.  This is the opposite of ministry and what God wants. Satan will put roadblocks in your path that look like friendly, caring, people but are really wolves in sheep's clothing. Don't get mad because it's the truth. If you are mad at that statement right now then maybe you should check your clothing.  Are you hiding under a sheep's clothing?  Are you the roadblock for someone else? When junk comes across the table my leadership team sorts out the statements or accusations to see if there is any validity in it. They reacts according to the what the bible says and if necessary, take it to me. At times the leadership will not even bring it to my attention because of the discouragement and setback that it can cause in ministry.

You might be saying that I shouldn't isolate myself from all negative feedback, that I should listen to everything everybody says.  Well, I don't. My wife, my leadership team, and my personal mentors get to tell me whatever they need to in appropriate settings and i will listen to them and their guidance.  That is the reason they are in the place they are at.  We are working hard at applying the negativity filter on Sunday night. This process must be accomplished due to the impact discouragement can have on a Sunday night setting or even in personal character. The leadership team and my wife know me, my heart, and my actions. They love me and I listen to them. Don't believe it? Ask them.  Just as they filter negativity and discouragement out in my life, I do the same in theirs.

Things I am working on to avoid discouragement

1. Getting a professional counselor every week - It helps to have someone listen to you who is outside the church walls to give a fresh perspective. Pastors who have a counselor are shown to be less discouraged with the "weight" of ministry taken off.
2. Acquire two accountability partners - One to work on personal accountability and another one to look at my messages I preach to do a voluntary critique. The one accountability partner needs to be close to my life to see me in my normal setting. The other should be a pastor or trusted friend to look at messages. We would need to share the same vision for ministry as well.

Keeping negativity away from you is not isolating yourself. It's being intentional. Critics come in all shapes and sizes. As a pastor I have to let my leadership team pick and choose the critical remarks that come across my desk so that I can remain untouched from discouragement.  I want to be in ministry for the long haul. I could react to every single comment that is negative that comes across my desk but I don’t have the time or the desire.  It all comes down to taking the focus off what others think and place your focus on what Jesus thinks.

demolish discouragement

-Jordan