Equip Kids

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. –Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)

I think sometimes as children’s leaders, church leaders, etc. we can forget that church isn’t JUST about strategizing, networking and the next big thing. It’s much more. Specifically as children’s pastors our job is not JUST to help parents connect with their kids—though it’s very important. I love Ephesians—it’s our job “to equip God’s people to do his work.” We have been commissioned to not just help parent’s disciple their kids, but to ourselves disciple kids and equip them as young people to do God’s work. I know it seems simple, but are we really equipping them to do God’s work?

In our children’s ministry we do our best to create a culture where other adults (non-official pastors) and kids minister. We create a culture where we teach kids to “his work.” Our team is constantly pushing our kids to invite friends to church, minister to their friends at school, the park, their neighborhoods, etc. It’s our job to show them how, but it’s their job to do it. I’ve been finding that the more I push our kids to make a difference and serve—they actually do it—they want to do it. It’s kind of like when I ask my kids to do something and they come back saying, “I can’t…it’s too hard!” I don’t do it for them. I show them how to do it and then I say, “Okay, now it’s your turn.” They will never learn if they don’t do it for themselves.

What do you have in place to give children an opportunity to serve and minister? What are you doing to show them how allowing them “to do his work”?

PJ
Napkin Conference in Las Vegas, February 25-26

Microsoft Courier

Can you imagaine what we could do with this device!? I can’t wait until the Microsoft Courier comes out!!!

PJ
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What’s Up With All The Prosperity Attacks!?

So, I read these Twitters about people always knocking on the “Prosperity Gospel.” What’s up with that? Have leaders abused the Bible and Christianity to get people to give to them? Yes! Have there been some who have guilted people into giving? Yes! Let’s be clear, however, that it’s not the case with everyone who believes in the “Prosperity Gospel.”

For example, our church believes in the Prosperity Gospel. We believe that God wants to prosper people. To believe otherwise would mean that God wants us to not prosper. The Bible is very clear that God wants us bless us and that there is a gift of giving. When I hear reports, including in our own church, of people who give hundreds of thousands or millions to a church cause I don’t hear anti-prosperity people saying, “Oh no, we can’t except this because you believe in prosperity.” How in the world is the church to help nations like Haiti when they are not prospering? How can we call upon people to give thousands to stop human trafficking?

Here’s the deal. I absolutely believe God wants to prosper everyone. In fact, I pray someday I’ll have a nice house, new cars, send my kids to college and not have to worry about my future when I’m older. The issue is what are you doing with your prosperity? Are you hording it or are you giving it? And, it doesn’t mean that you can’t drive the newest Mercedes or live in—get ready for this—a multi-million dollar home. If Jesus didn’t believe in prosperity how did he support 12 disciples? Why did Jesus have what we would call today an accountant? He wasn’t poor and he wasn’t rubbing his money in faces either. Prosperity is good when you have a Kingdom of God mindset and reach out and help people.

Please, stop the prosperity attacks! If you have an issue with a certain individual or church—call them out (unless you’re chicken—oops! Did I just say that!?) Don’t paint a negative picture over my church and others like mine just because you believe we should all live in straw and mud huts and have no money to make a difference. Why don’t people pick on my heroes such as Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, Jack Hayford, etc. Something tells me that these guys are prospering (and I’m glad and I pray that God prospers them even more). People only pick on the Charismatic, Pentecostal types!

By the way, it’s because people believe in prosperity that our church is able to have the only Safe Houses in Las Vegas to help prostitutes turn their life around, feed and clothe 1,800 people every 14 days and literally see at least 30-50 people saved every weekend! –Thank you Jesus for prospering us!

PJ
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Napkin Update!

PJ
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pj’s friday five | january 22

The greatest and latest with The Kids at The Church at South Las Vegas…

PJ
Register for Napkin–It’s February 25-26!

What I Learned from NBC…

If you’ve even been paying just a little attention to television or the news you’ve probably heard about the NBC, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien debacle. Basically, all three parties agreed five years ago that Conan would take over the Tonight Show from Jay Leno, which he did even though Jay was the king of late night television in the ratings. Because NBC didn’t want to lose Jay to a competitor they created a show for him at 10pm, which precedes the late local news and the Tonight Show. Turns out Jay’s show has bombed in the ratings in the prime 10pm time slot and Conan has also bombed in the ratings. It’s created this huge debacle with broken promises and contracts and basically NBC is a real mess right now. If you want to find out more I’m sure you can bing or google “NBC” or “Tonight Show” or a bunch of other things to get caught up.

Here’s what I learned:
NBC was willing to take a chance on something new—instead of a drama at 10pm like everyone else they put the Jay Leno Show on. – I think the church needs to step out and try more new things. We need to take more chances and if it doesn’t work correct it.

Personally, I like both comedians/hosts. They are both funny in their own way. Even though they’ve been humorously harsh on NBC in their monologues they have both been pretty classy even though they have to be steamed inside. – As leaders we need to be people of grace. Here both guys have probably a right to say nasty things in a non-humorous way, but instead they keep plugging along. We need to know when and when not to say certain things. Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) states, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Makes you think twice before you say something you may regret later.

It was Conan’s dream to be host of the Tonight Show and in only seven months it was taken away.
Three things: First, seven months probably wasn’t enough time to allow Conan to succeed; besides they gave Jay twice that long to succeed when he first took over 17 years ago. Whenever you do start something new—count the cost. Know that there will probably be a learning curve and it may take a little bit of time to “catch on.” Second, the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NLT), “Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” I respect Conan and Jay that instead of not fulfilling their part of the contract—they kept going. They kept telling jokes, interviewing guests, etc. What projects have you stopped premature because you weren’t patient? Be careful to not stop early or half way—finish strong. Thirdly, just as Conan’s dream was “taken” from him, how would you respond if your dream didn’t work out? Would you continue to trust God? Would you admit that maybe you missed the voice of God? Would you try to make it happen under YOUR own strength and abilities?

What are your thoughts?

PJ
Remember to register for Napkin in Las Vegas!

pj’s friday five | january 15

Here’s our first pj’s friday five for 2010…I love Volunteers and friends of The Kids…

PJ
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Great Friends In Ministry

This past week I had to make what was probably one of the most difficult decisions to make in ministry. I absolutely dreaded it. In fact, I stalled for a few hours because it made me a little sick to my stomach to even think about it. The worse part about it is that it involved my friends.

I had to give what I thought was pretty disappointing news and it crushed me. However, this is where you find out what kind of friends you have. As I gave the news, instead of showing disappointment (and there must have been at least a little bit), they showed strength and true friendship. They could’ve easily made me feel guilty, but instead lifted me up and encouraged me.

It made me think that everyone in ministry—children’s, youth, adults—need to surround themsleves with true friends; friends that won’t take advantage; friends that reach out when it hurts; friends that believe in the greater cause and vision; friends who believe in you no matter what happens—good or bad. I found out this past week that I have those friends. And, though I still hurt inside for what had to be done—and I should because some decisions just shouldn’t be easy to make—I’m so thankful that God has placed people in my life who believe in me and most of all trust God!

PJ
Register for Napkin—it’s Vegas baby!

Top 55 Pastor Bloggers

Thanks for reading this blog!!! Thought this was cool…This blog was listed in the top 55 for pastors at onlinechristiancolleges.net

Check it out HERE and check the all the other amazing blogs, especially the youth/kids pastors!

PJ
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The Right Reason & Don’t Suck!

So, I was reading my friend’s blog—Sam Luce. If you don’t—you need to! I came across his “Dear Children’s Pastor” post and I was immediately sucked in with point #1, which is “Do Not Suck!” At what you ask? Well, you’ll have to read his blog and find out for yourself. He states “Before you can make your Children’s Ministry into the beacon of excellence that brings Children’s Workers from the bordering states to come and observe your greatness; you have to stop sucking first.”

Let’s stop here. Once I read this I automatically began to think of all the people who get into ministry to be known or famous someday. Totally not the reason to get into ministry. I think sometimes we treat a ministry position as a hopefully quick way to become known and famous. I believe the reason that the Jim Wideman’s, Mike Johnson’s, Nancy Beach’s , etc. became well known is because they didn’t try to become well known. It just happened because they were faithful with what God called them to do.

I completely agree with Sam—stop sucking, but let me add to that—be in it for the right reason. Sure, you may work your way to the top for a while and find success, but the only way to sustain it and continue to impact people and kids is if you’re in it for the right reason. As a children’s pastor I have to remember that my number one focus is to my community. When we’re faithful with what God has given us, He’ll entrust us with more. There’s nothing wrong with wanting other leaders to observe what you’re doing. In fact, it’s a great complement and usually means that you’re doing something right. Just don’t try to make it happen. It will happen all by itself by you being faithful—trust me.

There was a recent poll that asked high school students what they wanted to be when they grew up and for the first time in history the number one thing was “Famous”. Hello! That’s the result of something you do, not something you can just choose to become. Unfortunately, our society and young people are inundated with reality stars, get rich quick and the Paris Hilton syndrome of do nothing and be famous. Be a light to this generation by focusing on them and let God do the rest!

PJ
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