What if people treated church like television?

So I started thinking the other day and when that happens it can be scary. One thing that has bothered me a lot lately is Christian apathy when it comes to worship alongside other Christians in church. So here's where my thoughts went...

What if people treated church like television? I have been an avid E.R. watcher for years and am now hooked on Law & Order. Some of my youth are hooked on Lost and American Idol. Whenever we are together and someone is missing their show, they talk about it and bemoan the fact that they aren't able to watch it. The lucky fans are the ones who can TiVo the show or record it to their DVR. As soon as they can, they get back to their television to catch up on what they missed. And it never fails that after the show the fans find other fans and talk about what happened, what they liked, what they didn't understand, and what they didn't like.

What if there was as much passion about worshiping together as there is about watching television? What would the church look like if people wanted to do everything possible to not miss the worship time? If people had to miss a service, what difference would it make to have them trying everything they could to find out what they missed? At the end of worship what impact might it have if everyone found someone else to talk to about what happened and what they liked and what they didn't understand?

I am bothered by the fact that there is much more passion surrounding television shows than around the worship of God. On Easter everyone comes to church for their dose of God for the year. On EVERY Tuesday night millions of people gather around a screen to watch Biggest Loser. So what if people treated church like television?

But what if the church was like television? What characteristics would it have? Would it be like the Hallmark Channel that shows only the old tried and true shows? Would there be so many reruns that everyone watching know what's coming and if they miss the show it won't really matter? Like I said earlier I watch Law and Order. For those that don't know there is the original and Special Victims Unit and Criminal Intent. All three keep me interested with new storylines and twists and turns. But there was a fourth spinoff that didn't survive (Trial by Jury). When that show didn't work it was scrapped but one character was moved to the original Law and Order.

Churches so often create new things that don't end up working but are afraid to cancel it. They don't learn from the mistakes. Sometimes churches should shut down programs that don't work but take the elements that were good and find a way to use it. Maybe churches should find a way to keep a common thread but do what it takes to keep people intrigued and coming back for more. Maybe churches would do good to take some tried and true shows and combine them with new and exciting shows. What if the church would be like television?

So, a few random off the wall thoughts. What are yours?

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

Lent ends this month. It is now time to celebrate Easter! But before we get to Easter Sunday, I think we need to look at a couple of things.
-What have you learned during Lent?
Did you learn that it is hard to give up things that are special to you? Hopefully you have been able to focus on the repentance that is the purpose of Lent. For those worshipping in The Road I hope you have learned something by examining ourselves as we came to the table each day. As we move out of the season of Lent, what have you learned that you can carry forward?
-Prior to the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday morning, we remember lots of pain. Jesus endured so much during Holy Week. From being lauded as the Messiah on Sunday to being betrayed by a friend on Thursday to being brutalized and killed on Friday. We usually enjoy celebrating but it makes it much easier for us to not dwell on the events leading to Jesus’ resurrection. How does Jesus’ suffering impact your life? Do you always remember that Jesus was not required to go through all this? He decided to do it because of his love for you and me.

As we move forward into the Sundays of Easter, learn from what you have been through and remember what Jesus went through. It will make your understanding of the resurrection more meaningful. Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ will come again!

The Island

On May 23 I stepped onto the island. Some days I am on the island alone. Some days I have company. But it always seems that i am on the island.

My first experience on the island was my first day of youth ministry. I moved into an apartment in the middle of a neighborhood that wasn't very nice/safe/fun. The apartment just seemed to be convenient for the church. I spent the summer learning to deal with living alone and working in a way that I never had. The youth ministry of a church is important but usually get attention only when something goes wrong. It is an island. Some people find the bridge over to the island. Some come out of concern for their children. Others come out of concern from the church. And even a smaller few come out of a personal concern and friendship. During the first two years on the island I experienced some of both but continue to travel with those who came out of concern for me.

I continued to learn about the island as I moved to a new place of ministry. Looking back, I realized that my island experience was completed by having an office across the street for the church. As long as my side of the street was silent my island was left alone. Not even the pastor traveled across the bridge. Living and ministering from the island is difficult. Youth will usually come to your island as long as you love them. I love youth because I love helping others who are on their own island.

I have recently started reading youth ministry magazines. One talked about how youth ministers live life on an island. I now have terminology to put with my experiences. Those who join me on my island mean the world to me even if they are only there briefly. I find myself occassionally with the feeling of being alone on the island. I have many that cross the bridge to my island. Some know more about my island than others do. Others don't have a clue about my island but they at times seem to touch me more than most.

I guess this is how life is for many people. They are the only ones that really know what it's like to be them. Some people try to reach out to them but most just keep allowing the island to exist. I hope that we never destroy the bridges that allow people in. Though I live on an island you are invited to join me.

Back to the blog

It has been forever since I've posted a blog. Over a year. Much has gone on in this last year. I think that it is fair to say that the next year of my life is going to be much busier. Church has been interesting. Thankfully we can finally move forward and figure out what life will be like with only 3 ministers on staff. I have now been in Knoxville longer than I have been at any other church. I can't believe that I have been in youth ministry for almost 7 years. Several times I have thought about trying to do more writing and reflecting on the things that I've gone through during those years. Maybe if I can keep blogging some of the stories and lessons will spill into this space. Looking back at this last year it seems typical. Looking forward to the next year I see new challenges and experiences. Here's to new things in life.

Christmas Wishes

Given that it is Christmas Eve it may be a little late to be making a Christmas list but here we go anyway. There are many things that I could wish for but the following list contains those things that I want the most.
1. I wish for the peace that only God can bring. This peace is for all those who are hurting and in pain because of things that have gone on in their lives.
2. I wish for all youth everywhere to understand how much God loves them and wants them to succeed.
3. I wish that I could find some time to start a regular workout routine.
4. I wish that I had more time to spend with my family.
5. I wish that I can find a way to have a greater impact on more lives.
6. Oh yeah, I wish that I could be a better golfer (I have to have at least one impossible wish)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

Hurting

As I write this my neck is in pain. I don't know what I have done since coming home but it has locked up and hurts anytime I move it. This slight inconvenience, plus events of the last week, has made my overactive mind think about the many people in my life and in the world that are hurting. Hurting because of relationships gone bad. Hurt because of things that are beyond their control. Hurting because of the loss of someone close. Hurting because, as they see it, no one cares about them. In Denver and Colorado Springs, a young man enters churches and kills several before being killed by a security guard. In the Colorado Springs incident, 2 teenage sisters were killed. A whole community is no doubt hurting because of their loss. I would give almost anything to relieve some of the pain in the world. Is there a way to relieve this kind of pain? I ask myself this question often since that is part of what I do. I think it is possible to relieve some of the pain that this world faces. By letting others know that you care. By being present for someone in their time of need. By listening to the cares of others without passing judgment on them. By offering a few kind words. There are other ways that the hurt of those you know can be helped. You can't always wait on someone else to help the hurting. If you are the one hurting, find someone or someway to get through the hurt before you begin hurting others. There are people that care. I am one of them. There are others. You do not have to go on hurting...unless the muscles in your neck are aching like mine is.

Ever wondered why...

you do what you do? I wonder that almost every day of my life. As a Youth Minister I deal with adolescent individuals that can be disrespectful, hurtful, uncaring, and thoughtless. But at the same time they can also be wonderful, caring, insightful, and generous. There are many days when I sit and wonder why in the world would I want to inflict this upon myself day after day. On some of those days I think about some of my friends that I grew up with or went to school with that are working in jobs that don't cause them such stress. Yesterday I had 3 nosebleeds out of nowhere. I don't know why, but I think it's because of stress. But I love what I do. I love the ones that I get to go through life with. Regardless of how strange it seems, I feel good about what I do. In youth ministry you are required to get close enough to kids so that they know that you care but that leaves you vulnerable to getting crucified. I get so frustrated about not succeeding sometimes, about not seeing results in kids, about seeing those kids I love get hurt by each other. But God calls me to do it. So onward I go. To what end? I don't know. But I will go as long and as hard as I can until God calls me to something else (which I hope never happens).