A "laying low" week for the blog

Ok, so it's not like I've been exactly tearing it up with a procession of regular posts. I hope to move the site to new digs in the near future anyway. About 3 posts per week seem to be my M.O. anyway. Regardless, this week is spoken for with a final (and massive) edit on a project that I'll pass along at week's end.

So, each day this week I'll be up early and pounding on it, a habit developed in grad school while working full time - and when good coffee became a dear friend. But, seriously, I need to carve out as much mental space as possible, so the blog will take a week's hiatus and then I'll be back and have a few hopefully super cool updates to share.

Pruning Day Marks the New Year

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new year in this corner of the world. Kel and I perform the annual tradition of buying a new pair of pruning shears.You are probably aware that this corner of the world consists of 3 acres of well over 1000 various trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, bushes, and grasses. What once was an open field now resembles an young self-contained ecosystem, just 8 years later. Last year was our "year of Jubilee," a period of little landscaping work - effectively coinciding with a half year sabbatical that included three months in Africa. This year is a different story.

The purchase of the new shears sends the property into an extremely important and productive period of pruning. On Saturday, Kel and I cut, snip, and shape many of the plants. In particular, we'll focus on the 20 or so fruit trees and the various fruiting plants. If we don't prune, they won't bear fruit as well. It may appear "nicer" not to prune, but we'll pay the price later as the undisciplined branches fail to do their intended purpose.

You can readily make the jump to our lives, can't you? What purpose might an annual evaluation, followed by some pruning of the unfruitful parts, do in our lives. What if it was necessary to be productive? We need to be careful here, of course, of the tempation to take it too far the other way and only focus on achievement at the expense of play, rest, renewal, and relationship.

Maybe a better image is that of spring cleaning. Most of us in the northern hemisphere will do some form of "spring cleaning" in the coming two months. The freshness of a clean and uncluttered house revitalizes our spirits. That works better than a raw look at "production."

So, how are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? Would any pruning help you to refocus and reclaim your resolute commitment? What time-wasters don't truly renew you or don't contribute to the purposes of each day?

Scripture speaks to this process when Jesus said, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit." (John 15:2)

Do you feel like your life is fruitful? Are there emotions that repeatedly steal your focus? What "hobbies" that take more than an hour of each day? Is there reading that you ought to be doing, but the books remain on the shelf? Which TV shows serve as escapes, but don't contribute to your betterment?

Pruning Day Marks a New Year

Creative Break Time

I, like many of you, have been fascinated with the creativity of OK GO. In an age where MTV has moved beyond music videos ... well, "beyond" is a relative term. Let's just say they don't feature music videos. And, in an age where music on the radio seems bland and unsingable, it's truly an achievement when a group can bust in and demonstrate unique creativity -and do it in a way that maximizes current media forms.

With gratitude to Seth Bartlette for the link:

Paradigm-Shifting Youth Ministry Books

Last week I shared what I thought the top 5 youth ministry books were. Just my opinion, of course, and I looked at books that leaned toward everyday practice. I also considered longevity, which eliminated some more recent titles. To be fair, the last four years have produced three books that have the potential to significantly change their readers' paradigms for how they go about youth ministry.

Contemplative Youth Ministry
by Mark Yaconelli

Easily one of the most widely-read youth ministry books around the world, this book makes a needed correction to program/power-only youth ministry and reminds us of the contemplative practices that have contributed to healthy spiritual formation.


Sustainable Youth Ministry
by Mark DeVries

Written for a church's senior leadership, this book draws on first-hand research and years of consultation to produce a frank discussion on what it takes to develop a youth ministry that is transformational - and sustainable. Every Sr. Pastor and church board ought to read it.

Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry
by Andrew Root

I was excited to see this book come out and challenge our notions of "relational youth ministry." The Baker book (to the left) is a developed discussion of what Andy argues. And it's a compelling argument. The new book, Relationships Unfiltered, (right) is a new discussion on the topic written in an accessible manner.


If you're looking for a fresh perspective on what you do in youth ministry, these three are must reads!

Did you know that social networking is a productivity killer?

It's a beautiful day today and I'm trying to be productive in editing a large project. I, like you (since you're reading this, I'm making a safe assumption), enjoy the occasional break to check Twitter and various websites online. It's not aimless work, mind you , but it does take time, and at the end of the day doesn't pay any bills. And I've got some bills.

My colleague on this project, David Livermore, got me connected to the "Did You Know?" videos on YouTube. David is one of the leading experts on CQ, Cultural Intelligence, and so he is a great resource for provocative videos like this:

Wow. I feel guilty now every time I take a break and connect online. Even before this video, I had made three workstyle changes that you may want to consider for yourself. Or, maybe you're already doing this and are just farther along than I am - and I'm just catching up. That's probably more true.

1. I only have Email running at specific times during the day. I marvel at how far we've come in what we expect from electronic mail. Today, we're morally obligated to respond to Emails people send to us. I can work on the 20 or so "to do" items in my day, but receive (easily) 200 Emails during the work day that I'm also expected to answer. Every one. Or we're in the wrong. By having public Email addresses, we've given permission for people to send us an Email and if we don't respond, it's an offense. I'm not sure this is always a positive. I know of one national leader who only answers Email one day a week. And I have met some people in positions where they ought not to use Email, or to have a über-private Email address. To "get to them," you need to have an appointment.
   
2. I do more work away from the Internet and even computer than before. Now, you must know that I'm a huge Blackberry Tour user (... if only Verizon had the iPhone.... hmm... er.... uh..... ok, I'm back) and love technology's role. But, I'm more aware of the benefits of pen and paper/book and table than I ever was before. I'll never forget the day recently where I sat down to work on a scene for a story (sorry, no more details) and it just flowed. I couldn't write fast enough. The online distractions (and Blackberry) were back at the house.
3. I do more face-to-face, and I do conflict ONLY face-to-face. Maybe it's just my gift mix, but I'll drive or walk to meet in person more now than I have in recent years. I've learned never to send Emails that confront (in any way) via Email. Better in person.
   

Ok, anyway, no preaching here. Just watch yourself this week, and think about your productivity. If you're stopping-and-starting, you may want to assess what you could get done (not started and then not completed) if you compartmentalized your social media usage. We're not doing that much on Twitter just now anyway.

Simply ... youth ministry

This weekend features the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago. I'm thrilled to be going for a few reasons, mostly because of who else will be there. Isn't that what brings us veteran types to events? We want to stay connected to those who have joined us on the journey and these moments are full of encouragement and hope, especially during a cold February week.

I'm also excited to be a part of an event that Rick Lawrence of GROUP helps coordinate. I told Kel this morning that I think Rick is probably one of the few thinkers who is ahead of the curve when it comes to youth ministry. His 2000 book, Trendwatch: Insights that Fuel Authentic Youth Ministry, still challenges (you need to read it if you haven't), and his latest two, Jesus Centered Youth Ministry and In Pursuit of Jesus: Stepping off the Beaten Path (ditto for both) reveal his heart for what is the true core of youth ministry. Every time I'm with Rick, I am challenged to think deeper, minister more faithfully, and to love Christ more.

The title, which is also the name of a company, is intriguing as well. To the world, there is nothing (except mowing grass) more "simple" than youth ministry. To those who do it and know it well, it is one of the most demanding and complicated ministry endeavors. On one hand, it's simple (spending time with youth and mentoring them), but on the other it is complicated to know how to gauge success, meet the demands of parents and supervisors, and navigate the never - ending hours that it requires. To the world, it is "simply" youth ministry. To communities who understand the role youth ministry plays in their area, it is invaluable.

A bit of a manic Monday

This week looks to be really special, but also very full. I'm pumped about the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago this weekend. Not only am I attending, but also working with a group of very veteran youth pastors during some breakout sessions. I think I'll learn more than I teach as we explore some core discipling issues and how to help our volunteers lead students toward spiritual maturity.

I'll be part of the Twitter "parade" from #SYMC2010 this weekend and I'm looking forward to making some new youth ministry friends there while connecting with other long-time veterans who have become dear friends.

In the meantime, I'm taking a core Bethel College course online this week, running two classes over March/April. I'm excited to exercise my graduate degree in curriculum. Finally, next week is our Spring Break and it's blocked off to pull together a large international youth ministry textbook project with co-editor David Livermore. It's a very special piece that features some wonderful global leaders who have graciously given of their time and talent to help develop others to lead in the global youth ministry effort. That will again test the curriculum studies degree.

Five Books shaped my youth ministry

I thought I'd keep the "top 5" theme rolling another day and list 5 books that I found to be helpful to leading in youth ministry. While the previous one consisted of five that I thought were a the top over the past 10 years, this list is more personal. These are the books that changed the way I thought and the way I practiced youth ministry.

1. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership
by Henri Nouwen.

I rereead this one every year. Very short, but a yearly reminder of the call of God on my life and the temptations that try to nudge that call off course.


2. Church Without Walls
by Jim Petersen

Probably the most accessible book on basic ecclesiology. Petersen's words continue to be relevant 20 years later. I'd love to see an updated verson! But, THIS is how I want to "do church."



3. The Mindchangers: The Art of Christian Persuasion
by Em Griffin
Out of print, this book's title may not reflect postmodern sensitivities, but the content of how persuasion works helped debunk many of the myths and deal with some obstacles in various teaching situations. Even though we may want to cringe, much of what we do is persuasive ... including social media.


4. How we Learn
Klaus Issler & Ronald Habermas

I've tried to avoid academic works, but can't do a top five without including this gem on how educational psychology "works" in a Christian ministry setting. I still see a lot of ministry settings where the leader clearly doesn't "understand" how learning works.


5. Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness
by Gene Edwards

Ok, if you're at this point and haven't read this book, stop what you're doing... click over on the link ... and order it. Or rush out to your nearest bookstore and get it. Then read it. A powerful biblical study on the one of the greatest obstacles for Christian leaders today. I wish every leader would read this.


What five books shaped YOUR ministry leadership most?