Thoughts for the day…Surrender as a theology for ministry…

In anyones first call as a pastor or in the life of a seasoned pastor I can’t help but wonder if there are those in pastoral leadership who don’t practice the ministry of surrender. I don’t recall ever hearing in seminary that as pastors, teachers, and leaders within the church that we as the people [...]

Remember Surrender

A couple of bloggers Steve Norris and Tim Thomspon have mentioned Sara Groves and her CD titled “All right here.” The song Remember Surrender is what I needed to hear after a long week of ministry and mission in Tijuana, Mexico. Here are the lyrics…check out her web site at saragroves.com
Remember surrender • Remember the [...]

It’s our job…

(The Sanctuary at CPC)
This past Sunday morning I got the short straw and was responsible for preaching at our Easter sunrise service. Now I’m not complaining. I know Associate Pastors who rarely get to preach. I’ll take any opportunity even if it’s at 5:45am at a sunrise service. Mind you the previous day we just [...]

Another trip for the records…

Three houses, some mud, and a bunch of tired youth and adults we made it back. What made this trip different from the others? For the first time ever in my ministry I got to have my family along for the ride. Our kiddoes got to work side by side with our youth and were [...]

Here I go again…say a prayer

Off to Mexico. A seven day trip of banos, lots of water, and most of all God doing the work of changing the hearts and minds of his kids. Our youth again are jazzed, I only pray that God will jazz them up to come back and serve the Lord. Check out the Amor web [...]

Psalms 30:11-12

My youngest boy talks a mile a minute. In his effort as a toddler he has the ability to talk our ears off. Every second he’s in need of something. Moving around and around like a little record player that keeps on spinning. What would the church look like if we modeled child like excitement [...]

An Old Post I Forgot About…

I was again struck by the blessings of parents and involvement of parents in our ministries to youth. Our mission trip next week come to think is run by a majority of parents. Here’s an old post I wrote back in November…My children attend a wonderful school close to the church I serve as a [...]

Does it still work?

For close to 20 years now our church has coordinated youth mission trips to Mexico. Everything from the typical Vacation Bible School to the house building project. Next weekend I again get to participate with our church and students from three different youth groups in our annual mission trip. I am excited and at the [...]

A Starbucks Blooper…

(A cool little store somewhere in Sacto)
I Just took a trip to Starbucks to pick up an “iced” favorite drink of mine. As I was waiting for my drink a woman just as frazzled as I was feeling entered the store, walked to the counter, and said, “do you sell real coffee here?”

Is this true about our churches?

One of the many struggles I’ve seen over the years within the life of our churches is how do we welcome kids into church? Where do they sit? In the front? In the balcony? In the back? Do we only let them help in leading the service of worship on the “traditional youth Sunday” or [...]