wall of investment

Fundraising is always a touchy subject in student ministries. I borrowed an idea from Adam Cleaveland and it truly leveraged our budget for several items this past summer.  The idea is fairly simple.  I printed out two sets of envelopes numbered 1 to 100.  Inside the envelope was a response card along with a card that listed out the various items we were trying to fund: summer camp scholarships, vacation bible school, mission trip to AL, etc.

I used a sheet of steel roofing in a wooden frame and magnets to hold/attach the envelopes in sequence.  I cast vision from the front during our announcement time that we would have the Wall up in the cafe for two weeks only.  Members were encouraged to take an envelope for the amount they wanted to donate.  (if you took #45, a check for $45 should be included)  The beauty of compounding takes 200 envelopes, if all are returned and creates $10,100. In our effort we raised $7,000. 

I was clear in the promoting that this was a "special" opportunity and should only be contributed to if it was above and beyond their normal support (we've learned that when special offerings are taken, many times members just shift their giving, which isn't helpful because it creates shortages in the general and building funds).

  

from

tom roepke

pastor to students

http://evosm.com

twitter: 

samgamgee

making text meaningful

LOST BLOGGER ENTRIES: a series of ministry and worship related blog posts ideas] 

http://youtu.be/w7pMDEcZ17Y

I used this video to open a message on Ecclesiastes. Using visuals along with the Scripture helped the students connect with the poetic nature of the text. It wouldn't be too hard to make your own version of this using other Scriptures. If understanding a text is what is important in your message, and it is difficult to understand or interact by hearing alone, we need to find ways to make text stand out. 

move. eat. learn.

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What is your calling in life?

here are three great videos from Rick Mereki - an Austrailian film maker.  these short 1 minute films were used for an Australian travel agency.  but they are brilliant and creative.  i used them as part of a youth worship service on 'Understanding Your Calling' (becoming the person God called you to be). 

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/27246366
how can we know our calling if we stand still?

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/27243869
embracing + consuming the life God gives you is part of your calling.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/27244727
willingness to learn new things will help you connect with God's purpose for your life.

i also tied in the Bethany Hamilton story from I Am Second.
you don't have to be perfect in order for God to use you - in order to fulfill your calling, etc.

scripture references:  1 Peter 2:4-10 (the message); the story of Josiah; Revelation 2:17

also used insight for designing this service from Grace - a fresh faith fellowship in London (titled The Becoming, Sept 2011)  [i adapted it for youth]
and from Jonny Baker (you've arrived / you've not arrived)


~Tim

BEING LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD: "WHITE OWL" BY JOSH GARRELS

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  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMaXzRZw3Ok&feature=player_embedded

White Owl (full lyrics) - a powerful animated video by folk musician Josh Garrels

carry visions from above into the places no man dares to follow
Every hollow in the dark of night
Waiting for the light
Take the flame tonight
...
Like a messenger of peace, the beauty waits be released
Upon the sacred path you keep, leading deeper into the unveiling
As your sailing, across the great divide
...


possible themes:
journey; purpose; carrying the light of Christ into a dark world; learning to trust; learning to rely on God


what themes do you find within this video?

free fall

LOST BLOGGER ENTRIES: a series of ministry and worship related blog posts ideas] 

Free Fall from Prolifik on Vimeo.

http://www.vimeo.com/11555977

a great video telling the story of creation and the fall of man.
painting by Scott Erickson.  (anyone who has been to NYWC or DCLA will recognize Scott's work)

for more info or to purchase an HD digital download of this film - check out Prolifik Films

television is a drug.

LOST BLOGGER ENTRIES: a series of ministry and worship related blog posts ideas]
Television is a drug. from Beth Fulton on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/10857606

This an amusing video about our addictions to technology - notably television. it's rather funny and catchy... will definately hold a teenagers attention. This could be used as part of a lesson or talk on priorities, unplugging, time management, slowing down to recognize God's presence, etc.

We Are None of Us Alone (VIDEO)

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(original concept blogged in Dec. 2007)

We Are None of Us Alone from Tim Beck on Vimeo.
http://www.vimeo.com/16552757

an ancient proverb.

We are none of us alone.
Even as we exhale, it is inhaled by others.
The light that shines upon me, shines upon my neighbor as well.
In this way, everything is connected to everything else.
In this way, I am connected to my friend even as I am connected to my enemy.
In this way,there is no difference between me, and my friend.
In this way, there is no difference between me, and my enemy.
We are none of us alone.

[i created this for a youth worship service with the theme of 'baggage'.  i used the video to help students understand that they are not alone.  that when they walk with Christ together - they are connected... the joy and the pain is shared by all - and we can give our burdens over to Jesus.  we don't have to go it alone.  side note:  this idea was originally inspired by a Dec. 2007 episode of the television show LIFE - which enjoyed a brief 2 year run on NBC]

Scared to Death

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it's a simple video about one of the most dangerous jobs in the world:  guys who climb thousands of feet to repair radio antennas.  yes, the video is a bit long (7 min. 27 sec) but i felt intrigued the whole time.  the POV camera mounted on the helmet of the repair man made me feel like i was climbing thousands of feet above the ground.  i nearly lost my stomach a few times.  

this video might work well with a lesson on FEAR or RISK or PERSPECTIVE or STRESS.  things could always be worse!

the beauty of a second

[LOST BLOGGER ENTRIES: a series of ministry and worship related blog posts ideas]


The Beauty Of a Second - 3rd round compilation (Instant Bliss) from The Beauty Of A Second on Vimeo.

The Beauty Of a Second - 2nd round compilation from The Beauty Of A Second on Vimeo.


Every Second Counts!

 
thee videos are unique and creative.  they could be used as a tie in to a discussion on making every second count or on the beauty of life.  Luke 12:27 comes to mind as well: "consider the lilies..."




art is beautiful because life is beautiful.

Book Review: The Narky Nazarene

The Narky Nazarene by Nathanael Gillett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

99 cents via the Kindle. very interesting... a series of short essays and stories about Jesus and his 'narkyness'

i really enjoyed this book. it's easy to read and very thought provoking. it's a series of 72 essays, anecdotes, stories, pictures and challenges.

I think this book would serve as a great discussion starter for any group that wanted to grow deeper in their faith walk. i would hope it might also compel readers to action. i am eager to share this book with others, so that we might discuss it and live it.

it's super simple. super easy. short segments make for easy reading and re-reading. a great book that is worth your time.

View all my reviews

the sea in between

Book Review: The Icarus Deception

The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly? by Seth Godin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

if you've read anything by Seth Godin, you'll no doubt appreciate this new book, The Icarus Deception.  If you're not familiar with him, this book would be a great start.  this book is about the art of creating something of value - something new that matters.

i really appreciated part five:  To Make Art, Think like an Artist.  To Connect, Be Human.  This is a book that many would think is for anyone working or living in the business world - but there are so many usable parallels to what Seth is writing about in this book, especially in Part Five, that is practical on so many levels, no matter what you do or aspire to do.  I like the connection between making good art - and thusly connecting with others as a result.

I highly recommend this book.  I underlined a lot and took a lot of notes.


View all my reviews

best of 2012

the way i listen to music has changed.  to be honest, with the addition of Spotify (and now Spotify Premium) to my listening habits, as well as SiriusXM and even internet radio, my music consumption has changed.

i don't think i purchased as much music this year - at least not from iTunes - although i did purchase some via Amazon.com, much of what i listened to this year was via Spotify.  I'd routinely use the Shazaam app on my iPhone to 'tag' certain songs that i liked and heard on SiriusXM, then i'd build playlists of said songs in Spotify or on iTunes.

On SiriusXM, most of my listening consisted of channels 33, 34, 35 & 36.  (33 is New Wave; 34 is Lithium - grundge from the 90's; while 35 is XMU - indie rock and 36 is Alt nation).  XMU fulfilled the majority of my music time this year (or at least since April, when we got 6 months free of SiriusXM)

So i listened to a lot of new music this year - but out of that, i'd say that i listened to more singles than albums.  But none-the-less, here is a list of my favorite albums of 2012 - in no particular order.

Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal
Metric - Synthetica
Bear in Heaven - I Love You, It's Cool
Grizzly Bear - Shields
Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
The XX - Coexist
Mumford & Sons - Babel
The Lumineers - s/t
DIIV - Oshin
Tame Impala - Lonerism
Loscil - Sketches from New Brighton
Sola-Mi - Nexus
Josh Garrels - Love & War: B-Sides & Rarities
Dum Dum Girls - End of Daze
Beach House - Bloom
Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar



Here are some great singles from 2012:
Purity Ring – Fineshrine
Silversun Pickups – The Pit
Passion Pit – Take A Walk
Of Monsters And Men – Mountain Sound
Mumford & Sons – Lover of the Light
Grimes – Oblivion
alt-J – Fitzpleasure
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti – Only In My Dreams
Atoms For Peace – Default
Beach Fossils – Shallow
Beach House – Wild
Django Django – Default
Dan Croll – From Nowhere
Dum Dum Girls – Lord Knows
First Aid Kit – Emmylou
Royal Teeth – Wild
Japandroids – Adrenaline Nightshift
Muse – Survival
Grizzly Bear – Yet Again
Santigold – Disparate Youth
Imagine Dragons – It's Time
Lord Huron – Time To Run
The Chevin – Champion
Blondfire – Where The Kids Are
White Rabbits – Heavy Metal
Wild Nothing – Shadow
Pinback – Proceed to Memory
Youngblood Hawke – We Come Running
Metz – Sad Pricks
Metric – Youth Without Youth
Bear In Heaven – The Reflection Of You

Consider the Lilies

(originally published in Release Magazine ©1991 by Rich Mullins)

Did I forget to tell you that He loved lilies? It is well-known and much overlooked fact of His life--as known and overlooked as the lilies He loved. And it's a puzzling fact, too. Why lilies? Why especially lilies?

Maybe He loved lilies for being white, the way many people love roses for being red. Maybe it was because of the brilliant green of their long, slender stalks or the glorious, darker green of their leaves. Maybe He loved them because their blooms looked like trumpets and their leaves resembled swords. It could have been their simplicity, it might have been their commonness. It may have been because of all of that and it just as easily could have been because of none of that at all. But it seems like He loved them.

In the Sermon on the Mount--a sermon that predated the birth of Christianity, a sermon so profound and timeless that it would endure throughout the history of Christianity and would (in fact) shape and distinguish the character of everything Christian--Jesus pointed to lilies as examples of a splendor superior to that of Solomon's. He considered them to be better dressed than kings--lilies, that is (and a lily is one of the most naked flowers known to us). He did not apparently blush or stutter when He commanded His flowers to consider them. He gave that command with the same authority that He gave the command to "let your light so shine" and the command to "turn the other cheek." It is an astonishing command maybe because lilies are astonishing flowers or maybe given because Jesus was an astonishing man.

After all, He had a certain fondness for sparrows and did not consider their care and feeding beneath the dignity of God--though God's care and dignity (Jesus would assert) is beyond the comprehension of men. It was God's Spirits that led Him into the wilderness where He fasted and spent forty days (Mark tells us) "with the wild animals." It is easy, considering this attitude about lilies and sparrows, to imagine (and yes, this is imagination and certainly not revelation) that He spent that time romping with those creatures, not cowering from them and thus in His person, partially fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about a "peaceable Kingdom of the Branch."

If this was the whole picture of Christ, we could easily write Him off as the nature lover with a heavy Hebrew orientation. But this is where the love of lilies throws us a curve--He loved men. It was to the end that they might be saved that He came. This man who looked at flowers and loved them, also looked at an arrogant young human and loved him. He who romped forty days with the wild animals, spent and worked three years with yet a more savage and brutal species--man. He who rejoiced in God's providence for sparrows miraculously fed a crowd of 5,000 people on one occasion and 3,000 on another. His attention and affection was not won by the attractive and the beautiful--His glance and His love made things and people attractive and beautiful. The touch of His hand would give sight to the blind and from the hem of His garment flowed healing.

And even if someone would (and why should they) doubt the accounts of His miracles, I can testify myself I had never seen a lily until He showed me one. I had never heard a sparrow until His voice unplugged my ears. I had never known love until met Him...and He is love.

So, all those things He did that we call "miracles" became believable to us because Christ, who performed them, operated out of love--and love (His love at least) has a height and depth and breadth and length that reach beyond the dimensions of mere reason. And while reasons my be found within His love, no reason would be able to contain His love. It is possible that He loved lilies because He is love and that He feeds sparrows for the same reason. It is possibly that the evidence of His divinity lies in that love--that in light of love, miracles seem sort of unremarkable. If God can love me, the rest will follow. And Jesus Christ is, for me, the evidence of God's unreasonable and unsolicited attentiveness, His unearned favor, His incomprehensible love.

Did I forget to mention that He loved lilies?

on the brink: the cuban missile crisis remembered

“Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right — not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and, we hope, around the world.” – President John F. Kennedy in his speech to the nation on Oct. 22, 1962

50 years ago, our nation and our world were on the brink of something catastrophic.  The Cuban Missile Crisis spanned 13 nervous days in October 1962, in which Nuclear War with Russia (and WWIII) seemed eminent.  Then President John F. Kennedy gracefully and cautiously navigated us through it, and disaster was avoided.

Back from the Brink - article

(we are not alone)

we long to be connected...  a brilliant reminder.

next steps

as part of my new role as director of discipleship at wadsworth united methodist church i've create a discipleship blog, titled NEXT STEPS.  it is my goal to share short, simple inspiring and empowering words, videos, images and quotes to help disciples of Christ navigate their faith journey throughout the week.  check it out:  http://disciplesteps.tumblr.com

i hope to keep blogging here at fantastic distraction - it's something i've been doing for 8 years now.  i took a bit of a hiatus this past summer - but i'll hopeful and confident i will get back at it.

i have to be honest, i'm still striving to find my rhythm here in the midst of new surroundings.  it's taken perhaps longer than expected.  i've not blogged as much, read as much, ran as much... but it's been busy (not that that is anything to brag about.)  so i aim to establish new rhythms here in the near future.  God is revealing things to me and my family, this i know... but in the midst of all things new, i'm slowing navigating my own new journey of faith, and slowly discovering new forms of expression.

a challenge, no doubt, but a welcomed one at that.  God has given us all purpose and vision.  i know a destination is in front of me - at this point, the journey is the destination.

next steps. one foot in front of the other...

my window

as i look out my window of my newly inhabited office (for about two months now) i see an empty parking lot, with pristine white lines marking spaces for cars to park. i see trees that are changing hues as i type. from green to red and orange and various shades in between. the road beyond is slightly sloped with patches of tar, a repaired reminder of the cracks now covered up. and to the left, a basketball hoop with a busted rim, angling towards the asphalt below. and a frayed net taboot.

 to the houses across the street, what do they see when they look out their bay windows? what are we? how are we perceived? are we mere bricks and mortar? a parking lot and a building? an eyesore in the midst of a residential area? a business that becomes an inconvenience on the weekend? with the cars and the traffic that appear? a church that is concerned about its own, yet can't fix the basketball hoop so that neighborhood kids can play? 

on this afternoon of inactivity i can't help but wonder what we are. where we stand. how we are seen - if even at all.

 a mail truck now appears on the street. the mail man delivers mail to each residence, proof of their existence, even though we don't know them. he knows their names. we do not.

 this is our picture. we are the church. we have good intentions. we love Jesus. but we are not capitalizing on the opportunity that may very well be right outside our windows. Lord, give us eyes to see, not mere projects, but people. people who need you and who want to encounter you, even if they've yet to realize it... perhaps even in the littlest of things.. may we go and be Jesus, not to the world, but first to our street. through fixed basketball hoops and outstretched hands of generosity and hospitality.

Not of this World

 13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth." ~John 17:13-19

What an amazing scripture.  What an amazing prayer.  Jesus is in the garden... it’s the night before his eventual death and demise... and he’s recounting to God the Father all that he has said and done and taught the faithful disciples.

“I have told them many things so they may be filled with joy."
“I have given them your word.”
“Protect them from the evil one.”
“Make them holy.” 

 I love it when Jesus says “They (the disciples) do not belong to the world any more than I do.”

 Jesus, in essence, calls the disciples, the faithful ones, aliens. Foreigners. Outsiders. Something was different about them now. But Jesus didn’t ask them to be taken away from this world - to be taken away from the challenges that come to those who follow. Jesus knew their potential. He knew what had to happen next. He’d go to the cross - sacrifice Himself - so the faithful few could be made holy. Sanctified. Set apart. By doing so, He set in motion a path for transformation and the world would never be the same.

What an amazing prayer, a prayer for any follower of Jesus - a hopeful inspiration to us all. What’s the least we could do for the One who gave his all for us to live? What if we all truly claimed that prayer and accepted being ‘made holy’ and set apart? What if we lived as aliens, foreigners and outsiders? Maybe the world would take notice. Maybe others would say ‘there’s something different about you. I want what you’ve got.’

Accept the words of the Father. They have been given to us by His son, Jesus. Accept God’s truth. Change the world, just as the disciples did. Jesus believed in their ability. He believes in your ability, also.

the 3 Muscles of Visual Life

In this Intel Visual Life short documentary, Michael Wolff, co-founder of Wolff Olins Agency and considered one of the preeminent visionaries and perhaps the father of 20th century brand expression and identity, talks about his approach to looking at the world, including the muscles of curiosity, appreciation, and imagination.


i value this mini- documentary (thank you to my wife for finding it) because of its fresh perspective on life... what we see... how others see us... how do we bring about inspiration?  how are we branded? 

While watching i thought of many parallels to faith and the church.  There are so many elements of value found in this short 6 minute film.  I'd like to focus on a few.


How Am I Known?

as Christians - we may think we know how we see ourselves - but we certainly don't know how others perceive us.  the same could be said for the church.  (but that's for another blog post)

"I don't know what I look like to other people therefore I must package myself in a way that reveals who I am."

What Do We See?
From a faith standpoint, do we, the church (or we, as Christians),  have a holistic view of our design? 
Michael Wolff talks about the 3 Muscles:
Curiosity (being willing to ask why?) + Appreciation (noticing) = Imagination.

Part of appreciation is brand identity.  What is the purpose, the vision?  what does it do?  what does it bring?  we need a brand that makes it so people can take it, receive it, value it, treasure it & choose it.
This is the whole process of branding.


This is a message for the church.  This is a message of discipleship.
We (the church/the body of Christ) need to brand our process of discipleship... we need to present to others an identity that compels others to take it, receive it, value it, treasure it & choose it.

Think of the impact we might have, for the glory of God, to brand our identity in Christ in a way that would entice others to follow Jesus.  In a real, honest and humble way.  That's Kingdom work.  That's the Gospel in action.  People are drawn to authenticity.  How might we brand that, so to speak?

This is something that each church needs to investigate and digest.

Curiosity matters.
Appreciation matters.
Imagination matters.

Utilizing our imagination is an outward expression of who we are in Christ - created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) - to do great and mighty things (John 14:12).  Our process of discipleship can naturally derive from that.  Nothing more, nothing less.  In the simplicity of curiosity and appreciation - there God can be found, because God is in vastness that our imagination. 


Open Your Eyes.

"If you walk around with a head full of preoccupation you're not going to notice anything."

We need open eyes.  We need to see new things.  May God gives us the vision to see the new thing in front of us (Isaiah 43:19).  May our preoccupations wane so that Christ may abound (Phil. 1:9).

Just think what God might do through us...
How will you now visualize life?