dikrankoundakjian.com

I saw this video on Josh Griffin’s site. It’s a video that Mariner’s Church did for their Easter services and it’s Awe-some!

One of my favorite personal accomplishments has been staying at our church for 5 years now. This is after staying at our previous church for 6 years. I know that there are many people who have been doing youth ministry at their churches for much longer, but it seems like such a trend to jump from ministry to ministry. I began to think about why we leave ministries. Sometimes we have legitimate reasons for leaving, other times, not so much. So, I have come up with some (what I think are) legitimate and non-legitimate reasons for leaving your current ministry. Oh, and I didn’t include “God called me” as reason for leaving because that would open up an entirely different can of theological discussion worms. (more…)

Several months ago I made a post on here about using the arts in worship. After that first night I made a decision to use these forms of worship for special times. I was wrong. Let me give you a glimpse into what we are doing with worship in our ministry and why. I would love to hear you thoughts on it, and get your help into taking it to a different level.

1. We don’t use a live band to sing with. For one reason, our youth room is not acoustically well designed for a live band, but a bigger reason is that for many youth worship leaders (and adults for that matter) have a hard time separating leading worship and performing for their friends. I’m not saying they can’t, but I think it’s a thin line. So, we use worship DVDs, and honestly, it has been great.
2. Each week we set out paints to paint on the “continuous painting” and markers and crayons and paper on a table, and we have chalk and chalkboards out as well. As we get ready to open up our time of worship, I make sure that the students understand that the room is theirs to respond to God in any way (appropriately) that they feel. They can draw, they can paint, they can write, they can sit quietly, they can sit and read their Bible and journal, they can pray with each other or a leader, or they can stand (or sit) and sing with the worship music playing.

It took a little while, but the students are starting to embrace the idea that worship is not all about standing in rows and singing. I do know that there are other things I need to work on and develop in our worship, but it has been a process.

I want to know how to incorporate live music and students who worship through playing instruments and singing without setting them up to struggle with pride. I want this to be a true time of worship for them. I want to figure out how I can keep this from inadvertently teaching them that we only worship at specific times. I want them to understand that they can worship God at all times in everything they do.

I would never say that this is the way that worship should be done. I don’t claim to be an expert in worship, and I am always worried that I could be doing more harm than good. We will keep trying this and trying to grow, and I will keep praying that God would draw us into authentic worship as a response to His Word and what He is teaching us.

For you viewing enjoyment here is a progression of our painting.

I don’t usually lead a small group during the year. Frankly, there are usually better people to do it, and it frees me up to do other things. This year however I am leading a group of Jr. High boys. They are hilarious and It has been great to lead them. Last night I gave them all nick names. Here’s a picture from last night. It took several tries to get one where we could see everyone’s face.

From Left to Right: “Brick House”, “Squirl”, “Stretch”, “Arm-Pit”, Me, “Crazy Legs” & “Freight Train”

Okay, I know that I’m a youth pastor so I am a little partial. I thought that this video was hilarious, especially the “awkward side hug” part!

Last night at youth group we said goodbye to three students who are leaving for college. I have been doing this a while and have said goodbye to hundreds of students, but it never gets any easier. Kelsey, David and Jake are some of the greatest people I have ever had the chance to know. They make me proud to be their youth pastor. My prayers are with them and I can’t wait to see them next. I love you guys (and girl)!

Last night I spoke at youth group about having faith. I used an illustration I had seen used at a conference. They told us to use it if we wanted, so I did! The premise is based on the Law of the Pendulum.

The Law of the Pendulum is: A pendulum can never return to a point higher than the point from which it was released. Because of friction and gravity, when the pendulum returns, it will fall short of its original release point. Each time it swings it makes less and less of an arc, until finally it is at rest. This point of rest is called the state of equilibrium, where all forces acting on the pendulum are equal.

It was a great illustration, and Kelsey did a great job of sitting there. I thought she might freak out. My brother provided the old bowling ball, and all it took was drilling a hole in it, and screwing in an eye-bolt, and then hanging a rope from the ceiling. You should try it!