New: (adjective) not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time. It’s a new year! We are a couple of days into 2017 and already we’re trying some new things out. Some of us have ideas of new things we want to accomplish for this year. Others have picked up a new hobby for some added enjoyment to life. There are new intentions to eat better, exercise more, and keep in contact with those that we may not see too often. As ministry leaders, we have the opportunity to think about new ways to … [Read more...]
Throw Some Confetti in Your Young Adult Ministry
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 My 14-year-old son scored his first 3-pointer in a high school basketball game this past week. It would be fun to say that he made a last second shot to win a big game and got carried off the floor by his teammates. In reality, our team was losing by a significant margin. So, the coach decided to put in all of the freshman to give them some playing time and game experience. Those young guys made the most of the opportunity. When Tyler sank the “3” I may … [Read more...]
Recognizing Your Role Model Status
I teach ninth grade English, and I am often reminded that my students watch what I am saying and doing constantly—probably even more so when I am not teaching a lesson about grammar or literature. Recently, I was chatting with a teacher and a former student in the hallway between classes, and somehow the topic of spending money on things we enjoy came up. I mentioned nice dinners, and my student finished my list for me, naming cupcakes with orange frosting. (I’m a sweet-eater and a Tennessee V-O-L-S fan.) My teacher friend looked … [Read more...]