Archive for January, 2007

The Intern Search

{ January 31, 2007 @ 12:27 am } · { interns, youth ministry }
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For the last two days we have been searching for a youth ministry intern to help us in our summer. In youth ministry the summer is such a significant time. Whether it should be or not would be another good blog. However, this is the reality we live in. I won’t comment on who we talked with or even how that went. I just want to comment on the need for help and the importance of an interview. Youth ministries are most busy during the summer. And even though Highland has two youth ministers we still have 300 students and having two summer interns is very helpful. When things are as hectic as they are during a summer the youth minister works extremely hard making sure all of the administrative pieces are in order. Our interns provide relationship building opportunities to our students when we can’t always fill that piece.

Interviews are extremely important. You walk up to a potential employer and put your best foot forward. You try and answer every question and sound as profound as you can. You put your best you out there. It is difficult for the employer to know within such a short time if what they hear matches what they will receive. However, we make the best choice with the available information. The one interviewing does their very best and anticipates the call or notice to see how they truly did.

Interviewing for an internship is good practice for the possible intern and a worthwhile exercise for the minister. It gives us hope for the future of youth ministry and helps us dream once again. It also leads us into discussions about our passion: the spiritual journey of students and their families.

-Michael

How Do We Read Scripture?

{ January 19, 2007 @ 1:22 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Today was my first day back in classes at ACU. I have been slowly moving through hours to obtain my MDIV. So far I have 30 hours toward the 84 hour program. My first day would have been Tuesday, but if you have been reading you know that just like many other things this past week it was cancelled due to weather. My class today was Advanced Introduction to New Testament. I had a great time in there today learning from one of the best James Thompson. His lecture today left me challenged and thinking and to the topic of my post.

How Do We Read the Bible?

He gave four possibilities and I was hoping for more. When I reflected on the four as he asked us to do, I realized that I wanted more options, because these options all seemed lacking. The four options are as follows:

1. Pre-Critical -Treat the bible as oracles dropped from heaven, nothing given to history, or criticisms

2. Critical -Read the Bible like any other book. As factual history. Then why would you limit yourselves to the 27 books and not pick books from the same period.

3. Theological -Christian searching for the different doctrines. Looking for rules and template

4. Post-critical or postmodern -Reading because of interest in different forms of literature. Not worried if truth or myth. Concerned with artistry

Note: These are my notes from James Thompson’s Lecture.

We were asked by Dr. Thompson to reflect on these and decide which ones best describe how we read scripture.

I would have to say (even though I didn’t in class) that when growing up 1 and 2 made sense and as I entered adolescence 3 became dominant. Since I have been in college and taught criticisms I am more of a mix between 2 and 4.

Meaning the way I read scripture is to think of it as ordained by God and hold historical facts while also looking at how its being written and its genre. None of these are necessarily right or wrong, but they do, however, shape your view of scripture and its intent. We all read the Bible somewhat differently. We come to scripture with lenses that have been shaped by our own history, experience, and learning. The text is rich and can handle our angles. Reflecting on these ideas just makes me even more confident in a Great God!

How do you read scripture?

-Michael

Up to 3 Cancellations

{ January 18, 2007 @ 4:21 am } · { weather }
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Tonight was our third cancellation. The retreat for the weekend was canceled, then All day Sunday, and now our Wednesday evening activities. It has been some wild weather here in Abilene. The ice and snow have been beautiful to see, but a pain for getting around and fulfilling my agenda. It has, however, been a great reminder of who is in charge and how to be thankful for the beauty of our Lord.

I hope that this has been a safe season for you!

-Michael

There’s a First Time for Everything!

{ January 13, 2007 @ 1:49 am } · { weather, youth ministry }
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I have been in full-time youth ministry for over 7 years now. I have never had to cancel an event, until today! I have been planning a Winter Retreat for our group since October. This was a new event for our group. Everything seem to be in place and I have never felt as prepared as I felt yesterday. However, the weather had other plans. An artic blast storm came through today and starting early tomorrow morning there will be ice falling from the sky all over the roads. Safety is never something to be selfish or prideful against. When I finally saw that the storm would be worse than at first forecasted I knew we would have to cancel. It was hard to see it all come unraveled, but I can feel good about making the right call. We will try and reschedule the retreat, but some factors will be lost. Both of the youth ministers coming to speak to our group most likely won’t be able to make the rescheduled retreat. They both have new babies on the way next month. One of them I was able to catch before he left town, the other, however, I was able to personally tell because he had already made it here.

I have never cancelled an event. Never for attendance (or lack thereof), for disinterest, or weather. Today was a first.

I don’t regret the decision, even if tomorrow is clear and sunny. We did the right thing!

Sometimes the best decisions are the ones you never know what could have been.

-Michael