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gregstier.org

Rantings of a Jesus-loving, raving lunatic

  1. Listen for God's Whisper
  2. Get Real
  3. Go Wide
  4. Grow Deep
  5. No More Outsourcing!
  6. Build on Values, Not Fads
  7. What principles did I miss, get wrong, understate or overstate?

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    Ministry Mutiny Principle 6 – Build on values not fads

    Posted on Thursday 22 September 2005 by Greg @ 3:06 pm
    Filed under: Ministry Mutiny


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    Ministry Mutiny

    “Well, to be honest, I was hoping for something a little fresher, a little newer than just the purpose driven stuff.” Ty admitted with an edge of disappointment in his voice.“And therein lies the problem, Ty. I believe that over the last few years many youth leaders have grown tired of these timeless truths and have been on the search for something new. But as our old friend Solomon reminds us again there is nothing new under the sun. As a matter of fact, if you think about it, all the ministry mutiny principles I’ve taught you so far are old truths, the ancient ones, straight from the pages of Scripture. I’m not trying to invent or re-invent any laws. I’m simply trying to find better and fresher ways of putting them into practice.”“You’re right, I guess. But if these truths are timeless then why isn’t youth ministry at large working effectively when it comes to truly capturing the hearts of teenagers for Christ beyond graduation?” Ty asked.

    Tony nodded his head in agreement. “Because putting these principles into action takes hard work. Changing lives always does. I think that when faced with the daunting task of putting these truths into practice in the bloody, muddy battlefield of real life or the choice of bowing before the gods of the next new thing, many youth leaders choose the second as an easier option.”

    excerpt from Ministry Mutiny…A Youth Leader Fable

    Questions:

    • Why do some youth leaders "bow before the gods of the next new thing" when it comes to youth ministry?
    • Why is it so tempting to look for the next perfect program, fad or "movement" than just put the timeless principles of God’s Word into action?
    • How can we be culturally relevant and Biblically solvent (rock solid) when it comes to building our youth ministry model?
    • Agree/Disagree:  God’s Word contains everything we need to reach and transform the postmodern culture. Why or why not?

    Comment on the 6 Youth Ministry Principles of Ministry Mutiny

    1. Listen for God’s Whisper
    2. Get Real
    3. Go Wide
    4. Grow Deep
    5. No More Outsourcing!
    6. Build on Values, Not Fads
    7. What principles did I miss, get wrong, understate or overstate?
    Signed, Greg Stier
    5 Comments

    5 Comments for 'Ministry Mutiny Principle 6 – Build on values not fads'

    1. On September 27, 2006 @ 12:41 pm BESS MCCALL said:
      • As a youth volunteer for the last 9 months, I was amazed at how little of God’s Word our teens were getting.  They were getting shows and entertainment.  I believe they get enough of that in the world.  There is too much pressure on youth workers to bring in numbers or follow what they have done in the past.  I loved your book, "Outbreak"!  It really has inspired me personally but I  found it difficult to get the youth minister to even look at it.  I know in my heart that it is the Word that will transform our teens so I agree, God’s Word does contain all we need to transform this culture.

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    2. On September 27, 2006 @ 6:29 pm Becky said:
      • God’s word teaches me and helps me grow.You can add twists like doing a bible study with guides.That sometimes helps me.Also have the teens get into the bible and encourage them to read it  daily.

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    3. On February 16, 2007 @ 11:48 am John said:
      • Build on values not fads. Good principle. We also need to build on our own personal faith, not just create faith in others. My one struggle with "fadish" youth ministry is that it seems more like we’re trying to make something for ourselves (i.e. successful ministries, bigger church, impressive resumes). So many times I have been mislead to push students to do things, or be things that I wasn’t doing or being myself. I have recently gone through my own personal revival and return to what it means to love Jesus in simplicity, yet extreme sacrificial difficulty. What I mean is, live for him myself, choose to lose, choose to be crucified, give up trying to make other people what I want them to be, and simply be what God wants me to be. Leaders lead by example. I don’t mean do all this stuff just so I can say, "I do it, so you need to".  I mean really do it because I believe it’s what God wants. Live for Him (an audience of one). He already knows my heart. He knows my motives. He knows when I share my faith on a plane just so I have a story to tell the youth about how I shared my faith. I want to make choices because I want to please God, not the senior pastor, or parents, or the youth. I have complete peace about the youth ministry I lead because it’s NOT MINE! It’s God’s. It’s not MY ministry. It’s not MY success. They’re not MY youth group. Christians seem to have the same ladder of success as the world, except we compare ourselves to other Christians. We all wanna rise to be doug fields and work at Saddleback. That’s my flesh. God called me to serve where I am, not where I’m not. I want my life to be about principles, not fads. My prayer is that everyday I come to Jesus and surrender all of MY dreams and desires and ask Him to give me His. I love you Jesus! Thank you for using a wretch like me.

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    4. On October 30, 2007 @ 9:12 am kealnt said:
      • Building. Whew. I am starting a Student Ministry from the beginning. No team, a few kids and a big dream. Now I may be the only one, but I am at times amazed and a bit overwhelmed about all the resources, ideas, strategies, philosophies and the rest to consider, evaluate and implement. It would not be a problem if many of them were uh, “poop”, but most are great. There is just not time to do it all. Youth Ministry is never done. I am not trying to be everything and have everything, but there is always one more game, talk, meeting, event, outreach, camp, conversation, heartbreak, problem, book, joy, study,..whew…you guys know. I want to be the best God can make me so the kids I have the privelege of investing in are not cheated. I dont want to fail them. We cant all be Greg, Doug, Johnathan, and so on, and I get so much from all of them, but they are like awesome, yeah with years on most of us, but still. I guess I am looking for direction and focus from God. I cant give what I dont have in ministry and in life. I want to build on authenticity.I dont want to be a clone ya know, but why re-invent the wheel? Well this is rambling so I will close, if you guys can relate let me know. I pray that you guys also find focus and direction in your ministry however big or small.

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    5. On September 4, 2008 @ 3:56 pm Carl Browning said:
      • I have been in youth ministry for 3 months now and the pressure to please the teens with entertainment is great. My leaders have given me the priveledge to follow the heart of God but it’s easy to want to cater to what will make young folks and parents happy and excited about youth ministry. I have settled in my heart that God has created me with my own gifting; to be myself and to follow his plan for the ministry I serve. I believe the youth should recieve the pure word through different forums of teaching but through the inspiration and guiding of the Holy Spirit. Most teenagers are social creatures and need to embrace fellowship in the church, this has been heavy on my heart.

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