Orange Conference 2008

Brenda Worley, Flo Worster, Kathy Bower, Jodi Payne, and myself will be coming home tomorrow following the three day Orange Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I have to admit I was a bit hesitant in traveling over 7 hours with 5 women in one vehicle but I have to admit I had a blast!

The Orange Conference is all about taking red (church) and yellow (family) = Orange.

For so long I've heard, "Help, fix my teenager" but this is all about equipping the parents or families to do the work of the ministry. As parents we must realize that WE have the responsibility of our children's spiritual condition not the youth pastor or children's minister. Parents, as a youth pastor I can be replaced and so can the children's minister, etc. There are others out there that could take my spot and actually do better but me as a father-I could never be replaced! My daughter only has one day here on earth-me! That makes me unique! Parents, you are unique! There is not another you! God has not called anyone else to be a parent do your child-he has called you! Your kids need you! Your teen needs you!

What a refreshing week we've had but we must travel back to West Monroe tomorrow! I can't wait!

"Bling-The Joy of Giving" Part II

This Wednesday Night Pastor Terry Taylor will be sharing with our students on the joy of giving. Come experience dynamic worship with the student ministry worship team, fun ice breakers, life-changing teaching, and some wonderful relationships!

Family Night Weekend

(enjoying Family Night at Chili's and Books-A-Million with my family)

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deut. 6:5-9)

As parents we have the responsibility of teaching and training our children to know, love, and serve God. For so long families have often times seem to have put the responsibility of their kids spiritual well-being when in fact it is theirs. The churches responsibility is to equip the parents (or partner) with the parents in assisting them in their childrens spiritual well-being.

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, "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."

Simply put, when the church equips the saints (or families) to do the work of the ministry it will help build up the church. Strong families build strong churches.

Giving and Blessing

(breakout groups doing there thing!)

I believe Christians should be known as the "biggest givers" on earth. You don't have to be "rich" or "wealthy" to be a giving person. Certainly we can bless people with things money can buy but some of the biggest blessings are the things we bless others with that money can't buy. What about the person you see that needs a word of encouragement during the day, an encouraging, call, letter, or email? What about helping someone with a weekend project or offering to babysit their kids? "For God so loved the world He gave..." Jesus gave His very best for us so we as Christians have no excuse not to give and to be a blessing to others around us.

We live in a world that is only interested in "me and mine" and looking after "number 1". The Bible talks about in the last days people being "lovers of themselves." The Bible says in Ephesians 5:5 that“You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.”

Proverbs 1:19 says,“Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.”

In Colossians we read “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality,impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.”

So how do we fight greed, selfishness, and our own self-interests? How do we guard our heart from the love of money? With being content with what we have and with giving.

Heb 13:5 (RSV) "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have."

The Bible says in II. Cor. 9:7, “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

“Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!” (Proverbs 21:26)

The Bible also says in Acts that it is "Better to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

We experience no greater joy than when we go out and bless somebody and when we do it-secretly."

I've challenged our students to do just that this week!

"Bling-The Joy of Giving"

We will begin a new two week series this week in E3 entitled, "Bling-The Joy of Giving."

Beck Payne will kick of the series this Wednesday night with Pastor Terry Taylor wrapping up the series next Wednesday!

Small Group Weekend

This weekend is small group weekend in E3. All students and parents should have recieved a small group calender for the month of April telling when, where, and what time students will be meeting.

Carey Amos Band rocks tha house in E3!

What a great time of worship we had last night in the student ministry here at Family Church. The E3 room was packed with students and youth workers worshiping our God! The Carey Amos Band did a fantastic job ushering in the presence of God! Thanks to Cross Roads for hanging with us last night! You guys are awesome!

Testimony from Open Mic Night

I recieved this testimony from one of our students of E3

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04/09/2008
Open Mic Night at E3

I listened to all these testimonies and realized that Satan tries his hardest to ruin our lives and bring us down. Jason Hinton and I prayed over all the studentss. Things that happened tonight were indescribable. Walls were broken, relationships were built, and most of all God moved tonight through everyones heart. It amazed me to see two little Jr. High students to get in front of their peers and pour their hearts out. Then near the end of service a visitor at our youth service got up in front of a bunch of strangers and told about what God has done in his life. I heard Abbey come and talk about her regrets. That she has not had the courage to come on stage and tell what God has done in her life, but she finally had the courage her last 2 months of her last year in E3. She also talked about leaders rising up in E3. I would love to see students who have been called to be leaders by God to rise up. This E3 service has been the most awesome service. I also asked a couple of fellow students how they liked the service, and they said it was indescribable how God moved tonight.

-Alex Potor

8th Grade Student in E3

David John Phillips at E3 this week!

David John Phillips and Crossroads will be at E3 this Wednesday night for "Split Night". David John heads up the College ministry here at Family Church and we would like to start having some interaction with these guys seeing that our Seniors will shortly be transitioning into college in only a few months.

David John and his worship band will lead worship then he will speak to the high school students as I speak to our junior high students during our "split" time.

Come on out and invite a friend! We will be continuing with "Reflections-Image is Everything."

Mic Night a Big Hit!

Wow, if only you could have sat in the E3 Room this past Wednesday Night to hear heart touching testimonies given by our students and youth workers alike! We had a great icebreaker game entitled, "Take a Bite or Take a Seat" which consited of pigs feet, turnip roots, onions, etc in which the winners won an MP3 Player and an I-Tunes Gift Card. Then, we have some engaging worship led by our off the chain worship team, followed by touching testimonies the remainder of the night.

Right as we were wrapping up, a young man dressed in complete black walked on stage and told of how he did not want to be there tonight and how angry he was at God. By the end of the service God had touched his heart and he was testifying in front of the whole youth. Praise God!

Our youth workers have a leadership team meeting this Sunday were we will eat, fellowship, talk summer retreat, and be equipped with a message from Pastor TLT. Please keep us in your prayers!

Beck

Open Mic Night this Wednesday in E3!

So how often do we give our students the opportunity to speak out about what God has done? Their struggles? Their victories? Their testimony? Something God has laid upon their heart? Well, this Wednesday night in E3 they will have the opportunity to do just that. This Wednesday is "Open Mic Night". Doors will open early for students to hang out and then we will get started with a fun icebreaker followed by worship. It will be a service designed to allow the students to share the joy of their salvation-Jesus Christ! Starts at 7PM C-ya there!

"And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony."

(Revelation 12:11)

Small Groups

What a pretty weekend it turned out for small groups! My 6th grade group of boys met for some pizza and fun at Kiroli Park on Sunday afternoon. After tearing into some pizza we hit the field for some fun! After games of soccer, football, and "kill the man with the ball" they were all poopepd! (including me). Small groups are a great way for students and youth workers to connect and build great relationships!

E3 Tonight!

E3 Service Tonight!
7PM!

C-ya there!