Generation Conference

Its time. I am finally going to blog about the amazing Generation Conference in Utica, NY that our youth attended last week.  This year was EPIC.  In fact, this years Generation Conference was the best conference I have ever been to. The set up and sound was off the hook this year, and Craig Groschels opening night was the most incredible opening night I have ever experienced.  His prayer that God would keep us awake at night over a burden He has placed in our hearts is coming to pass in my life. I was so glad to be able to see Pastor Mike Servello Jr who I will always consider my pastor, and Pastor Jude Fouquier who is responsible for messing up my life when he prayed over me for a heart like his own for teenagers.  The leadership sessions were beyond comparison…we have been quoting those sessions in every conversation about groundZero in the past few days.  Pastor Steven Furtick was such an inspiration to me, and i am incredibly thankful that P. Mike had him pray over me- He was such an impacting speaker to our youth…it must have been the hair.  

Of course the Apostle C, Benny Perez, and Pastor Jude did what they do best by rocking us to our core.  They are truly giants in Christianity, and a living picture of serving the local church.  I cannot describe what the worship sessions did to me and my youth group…It was not a spiritual high.  Instead, it was a spiritual deepening.  In one car ride home- the 5 guys in my car opened them to a place of vulnerability I have never before been with anyone, and I know that I have gained brothers for a lifetime because of what happened this weekend.  

Next year we are going to mobilize our youth group and Rhode Island much earlier and as Steve Patton (WHO TORE THE PLACE UP) said “Next year at Generation Conference- Rhode Island will be taking up an entire section”.

Can I Try? (An Allegory)

Sorry. Im a horrible blogger. anyway.

Im on vacation and every time we go on vacation we rent 4 Wheelers and take them to the desert side of the island we are on.  For hours we rip up sand dunes and fly down dirt roads.  I remember the first time my dad let me ride my own 4 wheeler. He brought me around the Kawasaki giving me a few pointers. Taught me how to go, stop, turn, and…well thats it. After about 5 minutes we were off and riding.  On the first trip I flipped my Kawasaki, popped a tire, and got so burned by the sun i could barely move by the end of the day. I was beat up, bruised, and most certainly screwed up my first shot at mastering this Kawasaki, but…i learned. alot. 

Imagine this.

We arrived at the place to pick up the bikes.  My dad then explained the how the bike works, why the bike works, and just how important the bike working is.  He then pointed out each and every intricate detail. Took apart the bike. Taught me how to put it together. He then took the bike for a spin. Taught me the three point turn. Taught me how to ride burms. Taught me how to jump. Taught me how to land. All the while saying “If you do what im doing you will be successful on this thing!”. As the hours go by im losing interest.  My dad tries to invent new ways of keeping my attention. He shows me a video about my bike.  He has a powerpoint about my bike. He even writes a song about my bike! Hard as he tries he cannot keep my attention on the bike.  He doesnt know why. This bike is the coolest thing on the face of the planet! No other machine can do what this Kawasakie can do.  If i could only learn to ride this Kawasaki properly i would be unstoppable, but i…i just want to ride it. Maybe ill flip it. Maybe ill pop a tire. Maybe ill hit a car, but i just want to ride the Kawasaki for my self.

To much of youth ministry is about teaching how to do Christianity successfully without letting the teenagers actually do it.  If they have an idea- let them do it. If they want to run the worship- let them do it. How about greeting ministry, announcement, media, website, myspace, conference, retreat, small group, bible study, school club, missions trips, audio/video, hosting, podcast, PREACHING!

Let the TEENAGERS do it. Will they crash? Absolutely. But its the only way they will learn. 

Changing Course

Well, I was going to write more about more about Awakening, but i think you got the point- It was amazing.  So I have decided to change up my bog a little bit. First! I have decided to actually blog.  Yup, more blogs at more times…we will see how that works out. Second! I have had a heart lately to talk about youth ministry as i have seen it, see it, and all from the viewpoint of a teenager…because I am, in fact, 17. Im not talking theology (obviously), nor will I talk about the newest things other people are doing (You probly know already), and I wont talk about what we have specifically done at my youth group (because you probly dont care, and copy/paste ministry sucks anyway).  Im going to be talking about concepts ive learned as a teenager growing up with with a youth group that has been all over the spectrum in terms of youth pastors, worship bands, and amount of youth. Concepts.  I like concepts.  Take what you want from what I have to say, leave it, challenge it, ask about it, or dont.  I understand im no guru in youth ministry. IM just a 17 year old, and that is all im claiming to be- but 17 is the age we lose all of our youth…why?

jb