The Journey of a Next-Generation Leader

Lecrae – Rebel

// May 17th, 2012

Just saw a video that one of my former students posted. Check this out.

POTSC | Your Story Doesn’t End in the Valley

// May 11th, 2012

C.S. Lewis on Learning

// May 11th, 2012

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“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavourable. Favourable conditions never come.”

—C.S. Lewis

Jairus Like Faith

// May 10th, 2012

Last week I was reading Mark 5:21-24, 35-42. This passage is about Jairus’ faith that Jesus could bring his daughter back from the dead. When reading this passage I was blown away by the way he approached Jesus.

Jairus approached Jesus with three things:

• He approached Jesus with an INTENTIONAL MISSION. Jairus loved his daughter and was on a mission to get her healed.
• He approached Jesus with a GREAT RESPECT by falling at his feet.
• He approached Jesus with a DESPERATE FAITH. Jairus literally pleaded with Jesus, knowing Jesus could bring his daughter back.

Could you imagine if we approached Jesus with an intentional mission, great respect, and desperate faith? I would imagine our lives would look much different. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts and stories on how this could apply to your life.

Leadership Fender Bender

// May 10th, 2012

Have you ever been in a situation where you get yourself in trouble because you are looking too far ahead? This might happen in many different situations but a common one is driving. You probably were focusing too many cars ahead and the car directly in front of you slammed on their brakes causing you to slam on your brakes? It is in these situations that we ruin our momentum.

This is the same in leadership. We cannot be focused so far down the road that we ignore what’s right in front of us.

Lately I’ve been more focused on becoming a great leader rather than just being one. At times, I am trying to focus on the next strategic step to have an impact for the Kingdom when, in all reality, I’m just hindering it because of my selfishness.

So my challenge to you today is focus on the job, task, volunteer, or employee at hand. Encourage, disciple, and lead the way God is calling you to lead. Do this one step at a time and everything else will fall into place.

4 | 12

// May 4th, 2012

It is a blessing to be a part of the next-gen team at Christ’s Church of the Valley. One of the reasons it is a blessing is because of the students that attend our Student Ministries and College Ministries. They are so passionate about changing this world for Christ. I have probably learned more from them, then they have learned from me.

This is why I am so excited about this next series in our Student Ministries. It is going to be a complete series led by students. They will be in charge of everything— from setup to tear down, from announcements to preaching, all of it.

This series will be based on 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

As students lead out in this, I would like to ask you to join me out in these three things.

1. Pray for the students leading this series
2. Pray for everyone that comes in contact with this series
3. Spread the word (share on facebook, text message people, whatever it takes)

Flickr of Hope

// May 3rd, 2012

We just closed out our last series at SHIFT Students called “Flickr of Hope, ” and wow was it powerful. In this three-week sermon series we discussed why does bad things happen to good people, orphans, and death. These were three powerful, but difficult topics to discuss. It was amazing to see as God brought freedom to so many lives.

I just got done reading some cards students wrote after week 2, discussing orphans. I thought you would like to see some of these prayers by students. Here are only 3 of over 400 cards/prayers written:

“I pray that people will seek you out in the midst of their brokenness and understand you are always there. Allow us to find ways to be world changers for you.”

“I pray for my friend that is broken. Her dad verbally abuses her and uses everything they have to buy alcohol instead of providing for the family. Bring peace to my friend and allow her to know you are there with her every step of the way.”

“Dear God, I pray for the 7 year old _______, who is adopted by a large family that doesn’t truly care for him. I pray that love, joy, and happiness come his way. I pray that his own family doesn’t take advantage of him. Protect him from all harm and guide him in your loving path. Speak to his heart so that he may grow up to a strong, loving, kind, hopeful man who follows you with all that he has. In your name I pray, Amen.”

Please, continue to join not only SHIFT Students in prayer, but also ALL ministries in this Valley as we attempt to see a revival for Jesus Christ. Socal Revival here we come…

Must Watch Video

// May 3rd, 2012

I was cruising around on the internet this morning and found this video. Maybe this is a great picture of 1 Peter 5:8, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Church | A New Product

// May 1st, 2012

I was in my Masters class tonight at Fuller Theological Seminary and we started talking about the current state of the church. We were discussing topics like; “church shopping,” “seeker sensitive,” and “church branding.” All of which are popular with the current state of the church. And if you know me well enough, you know I lean on the side of marketing the Gospel by using a church brand. My attempt to expose men and women to the Gospel of Jesus— an attempt in which will allow them to embrace the calling of Jesus in one’s life.

Right or wrong, I’m not sure. But it got me thinking…

Am I doing this all wrong?
What is the long-term value of this?
Does this state of the church teach young men and women that church is only a new product rather than a tight-knit family?

Just some questions I am processing. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Kony 2012 vs Yard Sales

// April 25th, 2012

This past Saturday I drove around in anticipation to see the results of “Cover the Night” from the non-profit organization, Invisible Children. “Cover the Night” was a night where Invisible Children encouraged people, young and old, to purposefully affix posters around their local neighborhoods. This attempt was to make Joseph Kony famous so people around the country would rally around this cause to display to the American government that Kony needs to be arrested for his unjust deeds.

Regardless of your support, or contention, towards Invisible Children and this cause, this attempt to get people to move was a valid attempt. But it didn’t work. Some people say it was a failure. The YouTube video, Kony 2012, had over 88 million views going into the April 20th “Cover the Night” event. Even with everything that people were saying they were going to do, little was done.

As I was riding my motorcycle around town to see the success of this night I noticed something, I saw more Yard Sale signs than Kony 2012 signs. What? Why? There were over 88 million views, countless conversations over this, but yet little was done. I don’t get it. This next generation is supposed to be the generation that rallies around causes like this.

Well maybe, that’s not the case after all. Because right now I see more words than action and this scares me. I am not saying I have the answer, but I do have a question, “What is it actually going to take to get people to move?”