"I can't worship on Sunday mornings like I do [at youth gathering]! My mom is there!"

This statement is simultaneously hilarious, sad, and true. Over the last three years, my heart has been blessed by the progress made and depth of worship attained by the students at our youth gathering. The truth is, if there was some sort of meeting scheduled on Thursday night that had some sort of time machine (with or without flux capacitor, I don't want to get technical), that would take our students now back to then(three years ago), we would have quite the discussion afterward.  Granted, most of that discussion would be regarding how cool it was to time travel, and wondering why we didn't make bets on how great the Yankees would do in the World Series in 2009 (world champs), but eventually we would be able to really talk about the differences we noticed.

So what changed?  Hearts changed.  We elevated the Word of God, and more deliberately preached from scripture about what it means to worship.  I remember it well-- we preached a series on "Resisting The Devil," which included a message on the occult and a message on what it means to worship.  The frustrated worship leader had left for another congregation where he felt he be utilized more to God's purpose.  We practiced worshiping scripturally.  We exercised those muscles that caused us to kneel, lay prostrate, and raise our hands.  That month of May, three years ago, saw the first sparks of real Spirit-breathed life in worship from the community of believers who were gathered.

What else happened? There were some kids who attended so intermittently that when they showed up a few weeks later, they were stunned.  They were behind the curve, and they didn't understand what was happening.  Some of them immediately responded to the new, Spiritual and expressive dynamic, but some bucked against that.  They essentially said, "I don't know what's happening, and I don't want to know."  Three years later, and these students still have a chip on their shoulder around their peers.  It was a chip that was there before this watershed experience, but that has persisted, despite the attempts to reach out to them.

And now, so many years later, the younger kids (6th, 7th, 8th) are able to look at the examples of appropriate and passionate worship that the older students are living; examples that those older kids didn't have.  We're building on foundations, and it's exciting! What example are the older students setting at your student ministry? Are they bringing the younger ones up along side them? Are they belittling their efforts? Have they forgotten where they came from (Deut 5:15)?

Before	Now
Like pulling teeth to explain that worship is not just singing songs-- it's about attitude	Able to ignore outside distractions and focus on Jesus
Just singing songs, goofing around	Giving themselves to God in worship
No physical posture of worship	Laying prostrate, raising hands, kneeling
No response to God's revelation	Immediate and obedient responses to God's revelation and prompting
"Worship" meant "Christian Songs"	Worship means the heart and attitude we have when we approach God. Just because it's "Christian-themed" doesn't mean it's worship
Only worship when feeling like it	We worship because God commands it, and his revelation to us requires nothing less
Leaving the same as arrived	Allowing God to transform through worship. Leaving better than arrived.
Only singing songs that are good, or make me feel good, or that I like	Slowly incorporating hymns of our Christian heritage and songs that come from scripture and doctrine-- not just "feel good" songs that you might hear on pop radio.

But Sunday mornings, it's a different story.  The students sit in the front rows of the congregation, but they don't "enter in" to worship like I know they do.  They are oppressed by fear.  I challenged them about this, and the response that came back to me was, "I can't worship on Sunday mornings like I do [at youth gathering]!  My mom is there!"  I don't believe that they're afraid of their parents watching them worship-- I think it's more about the car ride home and the conversations that they are trying to avoid. They seem to want to worship God, but don't want to deal with the embarrassment of being noticed by their parents doing it!

This is the desire to remain anonymous; to avoid attention from parents. If only we could help them realize that most of their parents will be thrilled by seeing such dedication and passion. God would be pleased with their sacrifice and praise. And the example that they set in what they teach, the way they live, their love, their faith, and their purity will free others to worship God as freely (1 Tim 4:12).

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Awaken!

A Word About Worship - Recap

Jen P. shared her perspective on worship, and asked us what that might look like in this 5-part series.

• A Word About Worship - Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three
• Part Four
• Part Five

A Word About Worship Part Five

I think we don’t give God authority over minds in a church setting when we get prideful of our role in a church service. For example, I can’t help but notice that many ‘worship bands’ act with an air of entitlement and ego in their attitude rather than acting with the knowledge that they are serving the church body with their gifts and praising the Almighty. We don’t give God authority over our time when we are too busy to notice a brother/sister in need…or maybe we just don’t care. Too often, myself included in this mind you, we see people hungry, hurt, or on the fringes and don’t reach out. We don’t meet the need. Are we missing opportunities to authentically worship the God we serve when we do this? We don’t give God authority over our lives when we follow our own path and completely ignore God’s calling. We cannot worship Him with our lives without giving authority to Him.
Worship is singing songs of praise, yes, but it should also be in every part of our life. Worship is giving authority over to God in every way we can. Micah 6:8 (NLT) “…the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Let your life be worship!

A Word About Worship Part Four

There is an interesting phrase that keeps standing out in my mind when thinking about bowing down; we are to place God in a position of authority over. It’s a key part of worship. What does that look like? How are we, the Church, doing it right? How are we doing it wrong? How are we placing God in a position of authority over our own lives?
I think we, the Church, get it right in a number of ways actually. We can show God that He is above our authority in our finances by giving a tithe and offering to do the work of the Kingdom. We can show God that he is in a position of authority over our conduct when we abide by His standards of living rather than cultural standards. We can show that He has authority of our time by committing ourselves to the study of His Word and seeking Him daily in prayer. We submit to His will for our lives as act of worship.
How we worship God wrong in the Church is a much more uncomfortable thing to write about. It forces me to examine myself in this, too. Yikes.

On Their Own

The question may come to a youth pastor or leader, the shepherd, of "when to let go?"  When has discipleship set in?  When are the training wheels off?  If it is a matter of sooner or later, I would say later, not sooner.

 

A Word About Worship Part Three

“Thou shalt worship the Lord they God…” Matthew 4:10 (KJV). The word used for ‘worship’ in this piece of scripture is Greek; proskyneo. Proskyneo means to pay homage, show reverence, and (similarly to the Old Testament Hebrew word ‘saha’) to kneel down. This word is the most common word for worship in the New Testament. We also see it used again and again in John 4:23 (KJV) when Jesus is speaking with a Samaritan Woman. “But the hour cometh, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” The Father is clearly looking for us to pay Him homage, show reverence, and bow down.

A Word About Worship Part Two

Throughout the Old Testament we can see that the most common word used for worship is ‘saha.’ This word is most commonly translated as ‘to bow down or bend down.’ Likewise Deuteronomy 26: 10 says (KJV), “…and worship before the LORD thy God.” This same word is used in 1 Chronicles 16:29, “Worship (saha) the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” We are also told in Exodus 34:14 it says (KJV) “For thou shalt worship (saha) no other god.”

The idea of bowing down before God, and only Him, is clearly important. Taking the meaning of the word ‘saha’ as to bow or bend down we can dissect the origin and intent of bowing in historical and cultural context. We know that bowing is a sign of respect and reverence. It is a physical representation of placing oneself beneath someone else, or in this case, the Lord. Ergo, He is in the exalted position and we acknowledge God’s position of authority over us.

Continued...

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A Word About Worship Part One

As Christians we so often associate the word ‘worship’ with music only, but worship is much broader than just music. Let’s take a look at what the Word says about worship. There is a common concept about the word ‘worship’ in both the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and that concept is the physical bowing or bending down. How does this concept of bowing down relate to how we as Christians should worship God?

Continued...

The Importance of Retreats - Recap

Retreats, camps, meetings, lock-ins, advances... Call them what you want, but these times are highly important for community development.

This series outlines just some of the importance of retreats for student ministry.

• The Importance of Retreats
• Road Trip
• Shared Tribe Experiences
• A New/Different Voice
• Opportunities
• Testimonies
• Retreat Tips
• Coming Home

Retreats - Coming Home

Coming home

Here are a few things to avoid when coming home from the retreat or camp.  The first is with parents.  Give the parents a heads up on what to expect when kids come home.  Teenagers are already moody.  When kids are picked up or dropped off back home, well-meaning and loving parents are going to want to re-connect with their kids.  That is great!  However, these kids may have pushed themselves to the limits of what their bodies will handle when it comes to sleep. Staying up late and waking up early combined with caffeine and emotional experiences at the altar can yield really cranky teenagers.  Really cranky teenagers and a will-intentioned parent can end up in a car ride filled with fights.

 

The best advice I can give is to proactively cut this off.  Welcome them home, pray for them, and be warned that they may have a lot of energy to burn at the onset.  They're going to be excited to see you too, and may just start talking.  Parents should welcome, but not expect, immediate conversations about how great things were.  Don't dive right into all the things that the student needs to get accomplished when they get home.  Give them a chance for a nap if they want it.

 

After a week of camp, it's really easy for a student to rationalize (even some adult leaders will do this--guilty as charged) not going attending church on the subsequent Sunday.  "I was just at church for a week-- that's like ten weeks of regular church!"  Challenge them to not skip.  Show up and lead by examples of their faith and commitment.  Along with that, talk deliberately to a few students to see who are willing to share their testimony from camp.  Even better-- record it, and make a montage of testimony clips-- and share these with the larger congregation.

 

Despite the concept of "church night" being a dying concept, most youth gatherings meet on Wednesday nights.  Ours does not.  We meet on Sundays.  If you do meet on Sundays, and you are coming off of a weekend retreat, do not cancel your gathering.  Make it known that you are going to gather-- it is on, and it is time!  This gives the immediate opportunity for them to continue the worship and depth that they had while they were at camp, and to bring that energy and enthusiasm for God back.  This is a living testimony to those who did not or could not attend.  Furthermore, it shows that "camp experiences" -- those things that are done when away -- aren't limited to those places.  God is not bound by geography.

 

Conclusion

Retreats, lock-ins, camps, and conferences can be an experience, with students and leaders immersed in a culture of spiritual development and movements of God.  While they can be physically exhausting, they are simultaneously restorative as an experience.  While not revolving a student ministry around camps and retreats, these are excellent support to what you're already doing.

Retreat Tips

Retreat Tips

Don't avoid retreats.  It's very easy for a pastor or a church to become self-involved.  It is important to look up and out to meet with other believers and fellowship, worship God together, and pray for each other.  When at the retreat, contrive ways for your tribe to mix it up and mingle with other tribes in attendance.  Challenge them to sit in different spots for each chapel service.  Challenge them to sit with other groups during at least one meal.  Challenge the older students to "adopt" a younger student for the event, having them look out for the younger ones and encourage them.

Update Twitter/Facebook with blurbs and pictures of what's going on so that parents at home have some connection.  Use this ability to solicit prayers so that the greater congregation has a connection to the students.

As the leader, take advantage of the time with other leaders.  Ask about their gatherings.  Talk about books you are reading or podcasts you listen to.  Talk about fundraisers, outreaches, gathering formats.  What are your students studying?  You might learn a great idea of how to accomplish something that has been a challenge for you.  It's really easy to start spouting off all of your great ideas.  Instead, really work on your listening.  Let God pour into you through others.

As the leader, set the example for your tribe.  When something needs to be done (chairs moved, garbage picked up, etc.), be one of the first people to jump up and do it.  If you bring other leaders from your tribe, require them to do that same.  These are the examples of being servants that build credibility.  If there are option breakout sessions, make them required for your leaders and students.  If there are no breakout sessions scheduled, have your leaders put together something for a daily meeting with your students.


Continued...

The Importance of Retreats - Testimonies

Testimonies

This is key.  Do not forget this part.  Once back at your usual gathering, take the time for the students to share their testimonies with the tribe.  This time of sharing is scriptural (Revelation 12:11) and helpful.  Those who attended can share what they learned and what God is doing in them with everyone, including those who could not attend for one reason or another.  This can help solidify the experience as well.  As weeks go on, perhaps invite others to share again, now they have had time to implement what they have learned and committed to.


Continued...

The Importance of Retreats - Opportunities

Opportunities

There are several opportunities to "bring something back" to your gathering.  The first is to implement good and scriptural techniques that would help your tribe engage more deeply with God.  At worst, there are new discussion points as you may have to scramble to perform damage control due to an over-zealous but under-informed/-educated/-prepared preacher poor self-restraint and lack of a governor between brain and mouth.  In any case, when retreats hand out lemons as part of the registration fee, do not neglect the opportunity to make lemonade.

Continued...

They Need Good Pastors and Good Churches Everywhere – Kevin DeYoung

This article is pointed-- at some of us! Thanks to Pr. V for passing this on to us.

From Kevin DeYoung's response to an article by Bill Steeger. Here is the portion of the article that DeYoung quotes.

It’s amazing how many young pastors feel that they are distinctly called to reach the upwardly-mobile, young, culture-shaping professionals and artists. Can we just be honest? Young, upper-middle-class urban professionals have become the new “Saddleback Sam”.

Seriously, this is literally the only group I see proposals for. I have yet to assess a church planter who wants to move to a declining, smaller city and reach out to blue collar factory workers, mechanics, or construction crews. Not one with an evangelsitic strategy to go after the 50-something administrative assistant who’s been working at the same low-paying insurance firm for three decades now.

Why is that? I can’t offer a definitive answer. It could be that God is legitimately calling an entire generation of young pastors to turn their focus to a small segment of the population that happens to look very much like they do.

Perhaps for Steeger and his crew, the issue is a matter of call. Is there a call or is there an attraction? In my flesh, I'd rather be in sunny Mexico or Hawaii, but in my spirit, which is empowered by and follows the Holy Spirit, I am called to Wisconsin. Maybe Acts 29 is attracting people who want to be like the other people in Acts 29 (Driscoll, etc.). We emulate those we admire, and until we start elevating the work (in our hearts and minds) of those who minister in small fellowships/tribes and low-populated backwoods areas in comparison to the megachurches, this will keep happening.

Don't get me wrong-- I'm not coming down on Acts 29. In fact, in the case of Acts 29, I'm just speculating.  But with Bible college, I have some experience.

At Bible college, how often was some church building verge-of megachurch Preacher was invited to speak at chapel? Hundreds. These are how we measure success. These are the ministries and efforts that are propped up and highlighted in our formative ministry educations, and therefore, these are who we emulate.

Key quotes:

"As I like to remind idealistic twentysomethings, community is a wonderful ideal until you have it. It's easy for Christianity to be nothing but cultural wallpaper in the Bible belt. Sins go under cover for years and sometimes generations. The gospel can devolve into family values, moralism, or Republicanism."

"Preaching the gospel week after week is heroic."

"Be willing to suffer, but don't feel guilty for pleasure."

Put your thoughts in the comments section.

Read the complete article here:

They Need Good Pastors and Good Churches Everywhere – Kevin DeYoung

The Importance of Retreats - A New/Different Voice

A New/Different Voice

It doesn't matter if you are one of the best preachers around, there is a good chance that at some point your students will desire (either consciously or sub-consciously) a break from your teaching.  And that's okay.  A retreat is a perfect opportunity for that (unless you're the preacher there too).  At some conferences the attendees are exposed to a dozen or more speakers.  Some there are just one or two.  Either way, that exposure is good.

Continued...

The Importance of Retreats - Shared Tribe Experiences

Shared Tribe Experiences

The community that is built in 48 hours of immersion as a community at a retreat is worth more than 12 weeks of 2-hour meetings.  The depth of community that happens as students worship together for hours and hours over the course of a weekend is unobtainable through the normal youth gathering structure, and it is not to be ignored.

New Friends

The friendships that are formed not just within the tribe but with other students from the area are great to see.  It's a subtle encouragement that says, This is not limited to you.  God is moving all over the place!  You are not alone.

Witness

At retreats and camps, students are able to witness several things.

1. Other people worshiping God
2. Other ways people worship
3. God moving in others
4. God moving in their friends

Continued...

Luke 12:1 - Prepared to Be Crushed?

Are we prepared to be crushed?

The Importance of Retreats - Road Trip

Road Trip

A weekend retreat or a week-long camp are a different type of experience.  They may travel together, yielding great road trip stories.  I was at a retreat this weekend.  One carload told me how their GPS navigation setup had failed them in the backwoods, with them turning onto a snowmobile trail, and ending up with the nose of their car vertically in the air and puppy-chow spilled everywhere as they hoped they wouldn't tip over.  Nice.

In the comments section, tell us about your tribe's hilarious road trip stories!


Continued...

The Importance of Retreats

Retreats, camps, lock-ins, and conferences are a staple of student ministry.  While many of my articles up until this point have been toppling sacred cows (games, music, etc.), this is one with which I agree.  The benefits are myriad.

Depending on your geography, it's possible that the students in your tribe only meet once or twice a week for a couple of hours.  Your kids may be congregating and converging from many different schools, and the only shared experiences they have involve circling their chairs, playing an ice breaker, singing songs, sitting quietly and listening to a sermon, and praying.  Those are good, but they are incomplete.  It's a 90 minute or 2-hour stint, and then nothing for another 7 days.

Continued...

Liar! Liar! The current missiological debate on contextualization rages on…

Liar! Liar! The current missiological debate on contextualization rages on…

This article has numerous resources for educating yourself and your congregation on the C5 method of contextualization and missions.

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The Monthly Worship Media Freebie | Midnight Oil Productions

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Music at Youth Gathering - part 5

Purpose of Songs

Every song that was ever written served a purpose.  It is just as important when selecting a song for a gathering that we do it with purpose.  We should take into account the purpose the writer had when writing the song.  There is the occasional and controversial trend of worship bands leading a secular song.  While this can be effective as part of an overall theme, care should be taken considering such a course of action.  For example, a sermon or series on lust should probably not be branded with "I Want Your Sex" as sung by the same people who are anointed to lead us in engaging our maker.  Does that mean the song itself should be outlawed?  Not necessarily.  Why are you using the song?  Why that song?  Is there an alternative that is as effective in communicating the theme without relying on shock value?  If not, find someone else who knows more about music.

 

We should also take into account what purpose the song will serve during our own gathering.

 

Call to worship.  A call to worship is a song which invites the congregation to begin worship.  They declare what our intention is and what we're about to do, while simultaneously doing it.  "We're going to sing a song to you, God."  In some fellowships, it's the first song played which lets everyone know it's time to grab your coffee and sit down (don't even get me started).  Examples: We've Come to Declare; Come, Now is the Time to Worship; How Great is Our God; Mighty to Stand.

 

Vertical worship.  Vertical worship are songs sung to God, not just about God.  These songs are most appropriate for a worship gathering.  These songs use phrases such as "You are" (upward).  Examples include: Here I Am to Worship; Blessed Be Your Name; Draw Me Close; Better is One Day; Lift It.

 

Declaration/Anthem.  Declaration or Anthemic songs are songs sung about God.  These can be very emotionally inspirational and uniting of the community.  They can be a great way to conclude a gathering.  These songs will often say what we believe or what we will do.  These songs use phrases such as "God is", "He is", "we will", or some call to action like, "Tell the world that...".  Examples include: Our God is a Great God; How Great is Our God; Ancient of Days; Awesome God; Tell the World; Mighty to Stand.

 

Didactic/Teaching.  These songs teach something about doctrine or theology.  They are different from declaration or anthems in that they are designed to be informative.  A lot of children's songs are of this type, but also so many hymns.  Examples: Jesus Loves Me.

 

Prayer/Offering.  These are prayers that are sung.  These are great as special music, times of contemplation, or as a way to conclude a gathering.  Examples: You Said; Lift It.