Pastor D

Pastor D: I am the interim Director of Student Ministries & Single Adults at Northwest Chapel. I enjoy playing basketball, watching sports, spending time with my family, dreaming about what God has in store for my life, and reading books to learn more about my life and my place in the world.

The Student Connection:

I direct the ministries of students from age 11 through mid-twenties, students in sixth grade through college. Northwest Chapel seeks to help students find, follow, and share Christ. I facilitate this mission by focusing on five functions: Contact, Welcome, Connect, Equip, & Mobilize. Each function has its focus and goals. Presently I am focusing on Connect & Equip (Sunday morning ministries). As I move into summer ministry programming, I am shifting to target Mobilize and Contact (Service opportunities & Summer Activities). This summer I will get two interns for training, developing, and nurturing.

What is in my iPod? I don't own one. But if I did it would reflect the full spectrum of music. I am an ecclectic. So I enjoy a lot of music. Bryan Adams, U2, Brooks & Dunn, Johnny Cash, KJ-52, P.O.D., Ottmar Liebert, Bach & Beethoven, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, Stellar Kart, Jeremy Camp, Pillar, Fly Leaf, John Mayer, Sugarland, George Strait, John Mellencamp, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Kook & the Gang, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Leeland, The Ramones, Keith Urban, Los Lonely Boys, BB King, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy.

What movies am I renting? I rarely rent movies. I usually rent them for my children. But I have rented more movies searching for clips to reinforce lessons for Sunday morning teachings. I also love to re-watch older movies that I already know--Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Spiderman I & II, Star Wars movies, Indiana Jones Trilogy, Clint Eastwood movies esp. Heartbreak Ridge, Mission Impossible.

What books am I reading? I am presently reading John Eldridge's book The Journey of Desire; Andy Stanley Next Generation Leader, James Emery White A Mind for God, Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz The Power of Full Engagement, Mortimer Adler How to Read a Book, Haroly Myra & Marshall Shelly The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham.

Wisdom from Proverbs

I have neglected posting my thoughts from God's Word. As this new month begins, I have a couple of thoughts. I concur with the words of Agur in Proverbs 30; " I am weary, God, but I can prevail. Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One (verses 1b-3)." I am weary. This school year has been challenging. But I will prevail. There are many things that I do not know. I am comfortable with admitting what I don't know. The hardest part is moving on from setbacks. I praise God for accepting me as I am. I can do a lot of things well. But I can only do one thing at a time. So this is where I ask God for wisdom. I need His insight. I can beat myself up so easily--telling myself that I have to do more. But God is transforming me. I can go to him for refuge from myself and my high expectations and desire for perfection. Later in verse five Agur says, "Every word of God is flawless, he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." I need refuge. God provides that for me. I praise God that I can be weary but not despairing. He will protect. He will provide. He will take care of me even when I don't understand what's going on.

Today's reading from chapter two, verses 1-5 help me move forward. Rather than pausing to flog myself, I can cry out to God for help. See verses 3 and 5b; "indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding...you will find the knowledge of God." Coupled with knowledge from God is respect for God. Do I truly respect God? I wonder sometimes. He is the Ruler of this Universe. He knows what's going to happen the rest of this day and tonight and tomorrow. So why do I fret about things so much. I can choose to trust rather than worry. I can choose to put my faith in God rather than shut my faith down. I can choose to rely on God rather than merely relying on myself. I can receive knowledge and wisdom. "For the Lord gives wisdom (Proverbs 2:6a)." God will give me wisdom for each day. I will not despar. I will trust. May God encourage you to trust God rather than worry. He can take care of you.

Pastor D

Easter Reflections

I am recovering from a busy weekend. I am thankful for new insights in ministry. Kurt Johnston from Saddleback posts a review of the weekend services that I 'd like to emulate. I discover that taking a weekly assessment would provide feedback and direction for what God is prompting in me and where God is moving in student ministries. So here's the first attempt: the scale goes from below average-average-above average.

Attendance: Below Average
Lesson Topic: Celebrate Resurrection!
Fun Factor: Above Average
Volunteer Involvement: Above Average
Music: Above Average
Lesson Quality: Above average
Length of Lesson: 5:00
Student Response: Above Average

I'll post more specifics and music links for the songs we used for celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Pastor d

Incubation

As I read more blogs and I engage in conversations with others, I marvel at the incredible abilities of others to make new associations and new connections for me.

Mark Cuban shared his thoughts on the music business which mind-mapped for me some thoughts about ministry to students. He offered the possibility of creating a new financial model that excites music consumers into spending more money on music, or innovating a new technological advance that creates a new experience with music. He concludes his ramblings in this manner, "Maybe the way to change music isn't by changing the music formats, but by enabling new ways for us to say new things about ourselves using music as the foundation or catalyst ?" He is thinking about new ideas and new connections.

I pondered how such thoughts could impact ministry. To recast his words as a question into the ministry realm rather than a statement of the music realm, what if the way to change ministry isn't by changing the ministry format, but by enabling students to discover new ways for them to experience new things about his or her experience with God by using ministry events as the foundation or catalyst? Maybe that's a stretch. I wonder if spending more money on ministry tools and gadgets is not the answer, but maybe innovating new advances in ministry through technology in order to create new experiences for students so that God helps him or her to grow. I wonder what things could be created to impact ministry. Just new thoughts on a journey that I am on.

Pastor D

Insight from Cuban

I was just reading Dallas Maverick's owner Mark Cuban's blog regarding "Why the NBC/Newsco Video Venture is a Great Idea." In it he ends his thoughts regarding the positioning of Newsco in juxtaposition with YouTube and Google, by saying , "But as always, concept is one thing, execution is the bottom line." I agree with his statement that concept is one thing, but execution is the bottom line.

In ministry to students I need to execute tasks, to conduct events. It's a whole lot easier thinking of the concepts rather than executing the tasks or plan. So I choose to begin to execute ministry plans rather than merely thinking about it. May God help me engage in doing His work for students.

Pastor D