11.20.2008

National Youth Workers Convention

After a long drive filled with great discussions, Karen Annie Gipson adn I arrived in Nashville last night just before 10 pm. We are all excited to be here.

I love NYWC for many reasons:
::a chance to get new ideas ministry
::practical suggestions
::being with thousands of people that understand what I do
::connecting and reconnecting with friends
::getting tons of free stuff to support ministry

I can promise you that you won't be reading any blogs from me this week. Internet costs $10/day and the convention center.

If you want to keep up with ideas I encounter or sessions I'm attending then you should consider being my friend on facebook or follow me on twitter. Honestly, I'm better in smaller more managable sizes, right?

11.12.2008

The Weepies

How can you NOT love this band?
SPOILER: Last video has puppets!





11.10.2008

eye of the beholder

I'm always intersted in how people view my church. There are some strong stereotypes of this place in the community. I struggle, at times, to confront these missperceptions. I believe that confronting a misunderstanding about the church isn't what we are called to do. Instead we need focus or accurately representing the Gospel and strive relevant to our community.

So why mention it?

Story one: There are youth in the community that have shared with me that they don't want to come to my church because "Name of a specific youth" goes to FUMC Lufkin. The student has come to one event ever! Not a member. Sighs...

Story two: Olan Mills has been on campus taking pictures for our church directory. They have display photos they set up to encourage you to buy pictres afterwards. These display photos have people, families and couples of all ages and races (I know this beacuse if you leave something out and open at the church I'm bound to peek into it to either identify its owner or satisfy my curiosity). Here are the display photos that were set up on the final day of the photo shoot. What does it say about this church?