dikrankoundakjian.com

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…)

Hello. I’m Dikran and I’m a technology-aholic. It’s true. I want the newest and coolest gadgets out there. I ususally have more gigabytes on me at any given time than my entire high school had in 1993.

In recent months I have begun to wonder what kind of damage (if any) is all this technology doing to my life, my relationships and my ministry. Is it helping or hindering?

In my own life and relationships I can see how technology has actually been hindering growth. I find myself staring at a screen of some sorts almost all day. I’m on my computer most of the day. When I get home, I’m doing stuff on my laptop, playing a game or emailing someone on my iPhone or I am watching TV. I’ve been noticing how this has been affecting me and I have been noticing how it has been angering my wife. So, I have begun to institute some new rules in my life. No TV before 7pm. No use of my iPhone when I get home unless it is a phone call or Jill and I are watching YouTube videos together before bed, and I am leaving my laptop at the office or in my bag. I’m hoping that this time will allow me to read more, spend more quality time with my wife and allow me to focus on what is important.

In my ministry, I have been going with the less is more concept. I am considering shutting down our website. (I don’t think they use it anyways.) We had all these TVs hanging from the ceiling, we took those out. I changed out our huge sound system and speakers for a smaller receiver and speakers. We haven’t set up the Wii since the summer. We still do videos, and we use videos for worship. I still video tape events and take pictures, but technology is no longer a big part of our ministry. I think that by removing the electronics, we have allowed for real conversation and fellowship.

I don’t know if I am over-reacting to the use of technology, and I don’t believe that what I am saying is right for all people and all ministries, so don’t think I am criticizing anyone. What do you think about technology use?

This past Sunday, I was given the opportunity to preach. The text was Matthew chapter 10. I really struggled with this passage. If you would like, you can listen to it here.

I used a Mr. Potato Head toy to illustrate the body of Christ when I was teaching from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 with our high school group. God has arraged the parts of the body the way He wants them. Problems arise when we get jealous of other people and the jobs that God has given them. We decide to do what we think we should be doing instead of what God wants us to do. When we do this everything gets messed up and the body no longer works the way it should, and it no longer looks attractive to other people.

Our group has been dealing with this issue, and I don’t think we are alone. For far too long churches have looked ugly to the rest of the world because of our own jealousy with each other. When will we be grateful that we are even called to be a part of the body instead of jealous that we aren’t a different part?

I guess that these things have been on my mind for some time, and these are just some of the random thoughts that have been going through my mind. What are your thoughts?

I have a heart for Chicago. I lived there longer than I have lived anywhere else. My wife’s family lives there, and I have countless friends that live there. Newlife Community Church is an awesome church with locations all over Chicagoland. I have friends that work for Newlife, friends that attend Newlife, and I have attended their Bridgeport location a few times. This video almost made me cry in the middle of Caribou. I love what Newlife is doing, but what moved me was the willingness of the older folks at these locations that were willing to put their personal desires aside to reach their community. We should all take a lesson from these saints!

http://sundaytown.com/media/restart/