As you look at every profession in the world, they all have the same thing in common, they require training. To be a doctor one must go to medical school and learn every thing they can about the body. If you want to be a fire fighter you have to train and learn how not to burn and save life. If you want to be a chef you must go to learn how to cook. To make a long story short training is important. One thing that puzzles me is how Christians do not think it's important to train. Some do not feel that bible school or serious bible training is important. For those who feel that way, you will not last as a minister. The reason for training is to build up the whole man. We must learn how to deal with tough situation, not while trying to pastor a church with no experience, but in the field of training. Lives at hanging in the balance, and we must be ready. Study to show yourselves approved.
Dee
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The unchurched teen
Is that you? Are you a teen who does not do the church thing? Can I ask you the reasons? Maybe some of them are as follows-
1. My family does not do church. I hear you, but the reality is this, your family is not going to be responsible for you and your relationship with God.
2. Church is to long. Yeah some are, but how much time do you spend in front of the tv or video games?
3. I have to dress up. The bible says to come as you are. If you do go to a church that looks at you crossed eyed because of how you dress, find another church. God accepts you as you are.
4. It boring. Yeah some churches are, but once again, find a church that is not boring, but exciting.
5. God would never accept me. He loves you, and does not care what you have done in your past. He died for you so you could live for him. He wants to forgive you for your sins right now. Just admit that you are a sinner, ask him to forgive your sins, and ask him to come and live in you. The fact is we all broke the law, Gods law, but Jesus paid the fine.
Love you
Dee
1. My family does not do church. I hear you, but the reality is this, your family is not going to be responsible for you and your relationship with God.
2. Church is to long. Yeah some are, but how much time do you spend in front of the tv or video games?
3. I have to dress up. The bible says to come as you are. If you do go to a church that looks at you crossed eyed because of how you dress, find another church. God accepts you as you are.
4. It boring. Yeah some churches are, but once again, find a church that is not boring, but exciting.
5. God would never accept me. He loves you, and does not care what you have done in your past. He died for you so you could live for him. He wants to forgive you for your sins right now. Just admit that you are a sinner, ask him to forgive your sins, and ask him to come and live in you. The fact is we all broke the law, Gods law, but Jesus paid the fine.
Love you
Dee
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Doing youth ministry different
There is a certain model in the united states on what youth ministry should look like. Now let me be clear that I am in no way saying that I have a handle on the subject, these are just some thoughts.
In any church youth group, this is what you would find a typical youth service to look like.
1. Meet and greet
2. Prayer
3. Worship
4. Announcements
5. A video or a game
6. The message
7. Alter call
Now I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with that model, it works well with most youth groups, and it's safe. What I am saying is, youth are not really connecting. At a youth group I know of they start off with worship, all good right, wrong. One big problem, 99 percent of the kids do not have a personal, and I do stress the word personal relationship with Christ. Well, you might ask, how do you know that? By the way they behave during worship. There is no connection on what they are doing, they stand there and look at each other, or turn around, laugh, make faces at each other and talk the whole time. They do not understand what worship is really all about, not to mention what the meeting is all about.
The next thing they do is the message. Then they are constantly told how they should be behaving as a Christian, that would be fine if they were Christians, but that's not the case. So what do we do in a situation like that.
Some thoughts:
Instead of worship maybe break them into small groups, or just explain what we are doing and go into the message. Giventhem time to process what they heard at a time of prayer, and give opportunity for them to accept Christ. Some good sermon illustrations could help, and props and visuals will go along way. With the help of the Lord, we can take them from the outside in, instaed we are trying to get them to act like something they have no point of reference of, a Christian.
I'm just saying.
Dee
In any church youth group, this is what you would find a typical youth service to look like.
1. Meet and greet
2. Prayer
3. Worship
4. Announcements
5. A video or a game
6. The message
7. Alter call
Now I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with that model, it works well with most youth groups, and it's safe. What I am saying is, youth are not really connecting. At a youth group I know of they start off with worship, all good right, wrong. One big problem, 99 percent of the kids do not have a personal, and I do stress the word personal relationship with Christ. Well, you might ask, how do you know that? By the way they behave during worship. There is no connection on what they are doing, they stand there and look at each other, or turn around, laugh, make faces at each other and talk the whole time. They do not understand what worship is really all about, not to mention what the meeting is all about.
The next thing they do is the message. Then they are constantly told how they should be behaving as a Christian, that would be fine if they were Christians, but that's not the case. So what do we do in a situation like that.
Some thoughts:
Instead of worship maybe break them into small groups, or just explain what we are doing and go into the message. Giventhem time to process what they heard at a time of prayer, and give opportunity for them to accept Christ. Some good sermon illustrations could help, and props and visuals will go along way. With the help of the Lord, we can take them from the outside in, instaed we are trying to get them to act like something they have no point of reference of, a Christian.
I'm just saying.
Dee
Saturday, November 13, 2010
If your gonna do it, do it right.
There are so many people who want to do a Christ centered cafe, or a Christian club. Now, there is nothing wrong with any of those venues, but if your gonna do it, do it right. But what is right?
Let's say you have the idea for a Christian club, it should be done with much care and prayer. Think about the space you are going to use. You should not do a club if you don't have the proper lighting and atmosphere. Those are the things that make a club, a club. So, here are some suggestions.
At a club there is a bar, so you should have a juice bar and a coffee bar. There is also music, so a live dj, or loud music is a must. A dance floor would be nice, and a whole bunch of lounge areas would be so cool. The purpose is to create community to engage people in the gospel.
Sometimes the church is so eager to do things that we never consider the image we portray as a first impression. Your lighting, sound, atmosphere are all crucial to your ministry going well. Any questions please hit me up.
Dee
Let's say you have the idea for a Christian club, it should be done with much care and prayer. Think about the space you are going to use. You should not do a club if you don't have the proper lighting and atmosphere. Those are the things that make a club, a club. So, here are some suggestions.
At a club there is a bar, so you should have a juice bar and a coffee bar. There is also music, so a live dj, or loud music is a must. A dance floor would be nice, and a whole bunch of lounge areas would be so cool. The purpose is to create community to engage people in the gospel.
Sometimes the church is so eager to do things that we never consider the image we portray as a first impression. Your lighting, sound, atmosphere are all crucial to your ministry going well. Any questions please hit me up.
Dee
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
How big is your vision?
So many say they have vision for God to do big things. They say they believe God for the impossible. The fact is, visionaries dream big dreams, and do big things. They dont settle for the status quo, they love to do things in excellence. Do you have a big vision? if so, what is that vision?
Many times we can be very general in our vision. Let me explain, We say we want God to move in our teens, our city, our schools, etc. But the question I have is how do we put legs to that vison? In order to do great things for the kingdom, we have to be willing to do things big in the natural.
Just today, I asked one of my students if they went to church, they said no, that is not something they do. So my response is, how do we reach someone like that. My vision is to change the perception of Church and God to this generation, specifically Hip-Hop culture. Dare to dream and have big vision, but remember to take the thoughts off the page and give them legs as you dream vision for the next generation.
Dee
Many times we can be very general in our vision. Let me explain, We say we want God to move in our teens, our city, our schools, etc. But the question I have is how do we put legs to that vison? In order to do great things for the kingdom, we have to be willing to do things big in the natural.
Just today, I asked one of my students if they went to church, they said no, that is not something they do. So my response is, how do we reach someone like that. My vision is to change the perception of Church and God to this generation, specifically Hip-Hop culture. Dare to dream and have big vision, but remember to take the thoughts off the page and give them legs as you dream vision for the next generation.
Dee
Thursday, October 14, 2010
HAVING FAITH AS YOU WAIT.
Wow it has been a minute since leaving the ministry of Underground 101. It is so great to be able to have a vision, make a plan, set a goal, and watch God put it together. As I think about those months that we took to prepare the room, construction, faith, and dreams, I sit in wonder as God put all the right people in the way to see it happen.
But now I'm just sitting and waiting. Now don't get me wrong, as I wait, I work. As I write this, I'm sitting in a classroom at a christian school. God knows where to put us as we wait. Every once in a while I get vision and dream about opening up a spot that would train others to reach the Hip-Hop culture, but until then I wait.
I'm so blessed to see that Underground 101 is still moving forward and reaching people. There is also another ministry in Rhode Island that is reaching single's in a unique way, that ministry is called "Cafe Soul" To all those who are waiting for God to move you, just remember that as you wait, you work.
God Bless,
"Till the culture knows."
Dee
But now I'm just sitting and waiting. Now don't get me wrong, as I wait, I work. As I write this, I'm sitting in a classroom at a christian school. God knows where to put us as we wait. Every once in a while I get vision and dream about opening up a spot that would train others to reach the Hip-Hop culture, but until then I wait.
I'm so blessed to see that Underground 101 is still moving forward and reaching people. There is also another ministry in Rhode Island that is reaching single's in a unique way, that ministry is called "Cafe Soul" To all those who are waiting for God to move you, just remember that as you wait, you work.
God Bless,
"Till the culture knows."
Dee
Thursday, August 12, 2010
REACHING THE UNREACHED
As I was sitting today watching a documentary of Mother Teresa, it so inspired me to really think about missions. What is missions? Is it just going to another country and helping them with a work? Is it just going somewhere else and preaching the Gospel? What is it? In listening to Mother Teresa and the call that she had on her life, to go to the poorest of the poor, to go where most Christians would not dare to live, much less visit. This inspired me to write. What does it mean to reach the unreached? Jesus said that before He returned, the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached to every creature. Do we understand that there are still many in our world who have not heard the true Gospel once. When we think of missions we often think of going somewhere else, to another country. But what God has been speaking to me, is the fact that there is an unreached people group right here in our Ghettos. When ever an unreached people group is reached, the next step is to create a translation of the Bible in their own language. there are so many who, though they see Churches on every corner, those Churches, for the most part have not communicated the Gospel in the language of the people. Now I'm not talking about changing the Bible to make it comfortable for people, but to translate it in a way they understand. As many in our Ghettos cry out for help by way of crime, sex, drugs, and hopelessness, we as the Church need to take up the mantle of missions and begin to reach the unreached people groups in our hoods.
God bless
Dee
God bless
Dee
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