A Challenge to Students Called to Ministry (especially college students)

It was my second semester at North Central University, and I was a junior. I had transferred in from Winona State University, leaving a year after the startling conviction from God that I had chosen a school based on mathematics and not obedience. I found myself lacking direction, even then. I had no mentor. I had not allowed anyone who was older to speak truth into my life, nor developed relationships with godly men who could offer advice.

Open Letter: Extreme Snow Days 2010 Recap

Grace and peace to you!

The weekend of January 22-24, 2010, I traveled with my wife, two sons, two students, and two youth leaders to Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch in Stewartville, Minnesota. We descended upon the ranch for Extreme Snow Days 2010 Jr./Sr. High Retreat.

The message I brought, and the challenge I presented, was that of discipleship. Preaching primarily from the book of Luke, we discussed what it means to follow Christ. It's more than saying a prayer and then getting a ticket to Heaven. When you commit to being a disciple, it means that you are disciplining (not punishing) yourself so that you can be like that person.

In this case, we are trying to be more like Jesus. In order to be more like Jesus we must learn from scripture about who Jesus is and the things that are important to him. That first requires opening the Bible and reading about him. We learn that Jesus prayed, fasted, feasted, partied, and took care of those who needed help (among many other things).

Here are some of the practical tools I mentioned on Sunday morning, for reference:

YouVersion.com - an online Bible with Bible reading plans. I completed the Gospels in 30 days plan. Tell me about your plans and completions.

Advent Conspiracy and Living Water International.

Start a home church / small group. Eat pizza, read and study the Bible, and pray for each other.

Ironwood Springs Youth - a Facebook group. Join this you will receive occasional messages from Sam to encourage and challenge you.

If you are in charge of student ministry at any church, make sure that discipleship is a priority. "If all you do is hang out and play games, then you don't have a student ministry. You have a youth group." - Eric Robbins. Join the Disciples Tribe group on Facebook and get support. Talk to others about what you are trying to accomplish in your ministry and get support.

Be more than a youth group. Stop "going to church" and start "being the church."

I look forward to hearing what how you do that.

In Christ,
Adam Posegate

Worship, Church, and Spiritual Discipline

Worship, much like church, is a lifestyle, not a designated time. Church is not the place that we gather. We do not go to church. We are the church. The church assembles, dissembles, and lives as individuals in a lifestyle of being the church. That is church. So too is worship.