It Happens Every Year

The past few weeks have once again included confirmands who are excited to be in the youth program, 12th graders who can't believe their senior year is finally here and college freshmen excited about campus life. For parents, these milestones are bittersweet. While glad to see the fruits of their labor coming to fruition as their children mature, they are equally sad to let go of the infant they once held in their arms. For me, it is one of the things I like most about my area of ministry. The fact is: no year is ever alike. A new group moves in, others move up and some move on. It's as it should be. But I can't imagine youth,young adults, parents or myself going through these changes without a deep spiritual connection. I long for teenage parents to have the same excitement about growing in their faith as I saw in those 6th graders at the events of Week of Welcome. Empty nesters, the church is a great place to re-establish your purpose. Likewise, I want the Class of 2012 to make the most of their senior year at church because it will pass much too quickly, and I want our college students to remember to Live Out Loud in their new environments. Proverbs 22:6 says "start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Once again, the church will prepare the 6th graders-seniors for the path of Christain discipleship and trust as they leave for college they will not depart from it. Parents, you too should prepare your children for the path not prepare the path for your children. Effective life-giving youth ministry involves youth and adults becoming the family of God. With each person involved we will grow as a community of believers. We will depend on our faith to strengthen us for another school year.

Don't Give them any hominy

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40)





On a recent mission trip with the youth, I shared an important lesson I learned as a teen.





It happened early one morning at breakfast. The Civinettes were collecting Kans for Kids so I was looking through the cabinet for items to take. My dad looked my way and said "don't give them any hominy". I asked "why not? we have a lot of cans. " He replied, "exactly, if we won't eat it, what makes you think they want to?" Thirty-five years later, I still remember that lesson of giving to others the best that you have, not the leftovers.


In a recent sermon, Rev. Sally shared a wsimilar awakening at a meal for homless in her community. She went to seve expecting a soup kitchen line and was surprised by the candlelight dinner atmospehre.


The next day Sarah, one of our recent high school graduates came to me and said "I feel called to serve that kind of meal before I leave for ECU." Literally all I did was pray and make a call to As One Ministries for a time to serve a meal. Sarah had exactly ten days to pull this off. I understand her mother even said, "Sarah, are you sure you have enought time?" Say no more, Sarah answered the challenge. She called friends, congregation members, and others to garner financial and moral support.


Today, Sarah's dream came to fruition. Tables were decorated with fresh flowers and candles. The serving table was overflowing with homemade macaroni and cheese, chicken casserole, fresh tomatoes, greenbeans, corn, grilled chicken, pound cake and so much more! The youth offered generous portions to their guests. Smiles and warm greetings were exchanged. It was as if we had known each other forever.


As Sarah heads to a new community, she takes with her a servant heart shaped by her faith family.


Nothing is more central to the church's mission than transforming the lives of others by offering one's self in God's name. I would say to all those who supported Sarah in this endeavor, "thank you for helping to create the kind of world you want to see!" And by the way, there was certainly no hominy at the meal today!

Application Makes All the Difference

Now that the summer mission project is behind us it is imperative that we don't let the mission lifestyle end. What we learned from others, about ourselves, and about God must last beyond the 7 days we were gone. So what does that mean for you? For me? For our group? Primarily, we must continue to put into practice what we started in St Louis. Some of the top 10 reasons to do mission are also the top 10 reasons to belong to a youth group. The passing of the torch from graduates to seniors begins NOW. The communion that brought us to tears is the same table available in worship the first Sunday of each month. The priority to participate on the mission trip is the same discenment you will need when fall activities ramp up. The daily devotion time we experienced is a habit you must continue to encounter God each day. Application is the key to personal faith development. For example, an empty paint can doesn't paint a room, a book highlighted with information doesn't matter and being in the church building isn't being Christian. The same is true with your faith story.
Consider these questions as you begin to live your faith out loud in G-Town:

• What is your favorite bible story?


• Who is your favorite person in the bible


• How have you leaned about the Bible, God's love, faith


• Who is a person of faith you admire?


• What is one thing you know about your faith you can share with others?