All Things SFA
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Top 10 Spiritual Growth Acitivities for Students on Winter Break
Friday, December 17, 2010
Serving Christ with Enthusiasm
What would be different if I woke up each morning and thought, “How amazing is God’s love for me?” “I wonder what He has in store for me today.” I can just imagine the joy and enthusiasm that would overflow into the lives of those around me.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Serving Christ Through Adversity
I don’t want to judge someone else’s ministry by the numbers and statistics they report whether those numbers are increasing or decreasing. Instead, I would rather know if those involved are growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
And yes, I know the picture doesn't fit the blog, but I'm just too excited about the game this Saturday. Axe'em Jacks!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Privilege of Serving Christ
Yesterday was a long day, but full of purpose and promise. On Mondays, myself and a few others fast and pray for our campus at SFA. I prayed for my own heart, that I would not be captivated by this world, that I would not cling to any temporary home or possessions here. I prayed that I would look forward to heaven, to my home and eternal life with Jesus. Then I prayed that men at SFA would come to know Christ, follow Christ, and live their lives for Him and not for this world.
This afternoon, I spent an hour with three fraternity guys, one of my favorite times of the week. Last semester we were able to start this Bible study and we’ve had anywhere from 1-8 guys show up. I love spending time with these guys because they want to grow closer to God, but they don’t fake spirituality. If they are struggling with something or if they have a particular sin that’s tearing them down, they’re honest about it. A few guys say it’s the only time of the week they sit down and talk about their relationship with Jesus. By the end of the Bible study they are lobbing questions at me about God’s view of alcohol, homosexuality, and God’s creation of mankind. I’m praying this group will grow and some of these guys will really begin to pursue Christ wholeheartedly.
Last night, we were able to put on a program for Hall 16, the last true guys dorm on campus. About 35 guys showed up for free Raising Canes and to answer focus group questions on subjects ranging from purpose of life, to sex and dating, to Jesus. At the end of the program, I hand everyone an index card and I ask them to write down one question they would like to ask God. Then I give them the option of writing their name and number on the card if they would like to talk more about that question or anything else. Eight guys wanted to get together and talk more. Some of the most heartbreaking questions came from guys that didn’t put their name or number. “Why did my mom have to die?” “If I died today am I going to heaven?” “If I’m gay, does that keep me from going to heaven?”
As I drive home from campus most days, I think of that which frustrates me about students or all the areas where we aren’t reaching students, or wishing we had more money and resources for our ministry. Yesterday was different, I drove home thinking how privileged I am that God allows me the opportunity to reach college students with the gospel.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Top Ten Outreach Ideas
These are outreach ideas I would like to try. I have no idea if they will work, so if you try and fail, I will not take any responsibility.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Campus Time
“I know that if I’m at the office, I’m not going to run into too many students.”
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Five Cool Links of the Week
Here's a great question to wrestle with. Would you be happy in heaven if Christ were not there? Tim asks how this should effect the way we present the gospel.
http://www.timcasteel.com/2010/11/would-you-be-happy-in-heaven-if-christ-were-not-there/
I once had someone tell me, "If Thursday night is party night at SFA, and your meetings are on Thursday, then make you meeting the best party on campus." Not exactly sure how we do that without beer, but I do think we could probably make our meetings a bit more fun. If I were a new student walking into our CRU meeting at SFA, would I walk away thinking that was a good time. Benson poses that question here.
http://exploringcollegeministry.com/2010/11/10/the-good-time-evaluation/
Some of the words and phrases in this one are a little over my head. We don't use big words like "research" when you major in kinesiology. However, I always enjoy reading an article that reminds me of the reliability and validity in the Bible. Yeah, I had to look up both of those words.
http://theresurgence.com/2010/11/12/why-fast-company-sam-harris-need-to-do-their-homework
This is probably my favorite of the week. Its a video expressing all thats happening in Ethiopia. I had the opportunity to spend a week there in Spring '09, and was amazed at what God's doing and the zeal of the believers. If you're a student at SFA, you can go see all this first hand this summer with students from Arkansas and Oklahoma State.
http://onleadingwell.com/2010/11/11/video-studentled/
Great story on how Athletes in Action and FCA are partnering together to reach the Athletic Department at NC State with the gospel.
http://www.athletesinaction.org/news/post/2010/09/28/FCAAIA-Ministry-Thriving-at-NC-state.aspx
Plus, SFA started their basketball season with a win last night and our football team pretty much assured themselves of a playoff spot with a blowout win over Southeastern Louisiana. Great Week!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Best Ministry Ideas - Pancakes
So often, as a college ministry, we brainstorm ideas and talk to other campuses about what works best for them. Then sometimes you discover a great idea almost by accident. A little over a year ago, my wife and I thought it would be fun to invite students over to our house on a Friday night for dinner. As we tried to figure out what to serve, it needed to be something cheap that we could churn out in bulk and fast. Pancakes! Students loved it. Seeing the energy on these nights and the community building that takes place is amazing.
Tonight we had 30-35 students in our home, which is about all that our house can hold. They were loud, laughing, and having great conversations. I guess there’s just something about a home cooked meal and being able to just hang out with friends off campus that creates great connection among our students. We even have students involved in our ministry that tell us the first event they were invited to was pancakes at our house. Pancake night has become a staple for our ministry; we now have it about once a month. If we miss a month, students start asking why we haven’t had pancakes in awhile.
So if you're looking to build community, start with pancakes.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Torrey Honors Institute « Biola University
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Next Generation Leader - Coaching
1) We want to coach to the potential of each student, not comparing them with other students. To unpack this, it means that some students may have potential to engage and build relationships, share the gospel, and lead other students very naturally. Another student may be taking great steps of growth by simply serving others more consistently instead of being “up front”.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Romans 1:1
God called Paul to a specific office or role, that of an apostle.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Praying for SFA
I pray that more students at SFA would know Jesus.
I pray that more students at SFA would really care about living for Jesus.
I pray that more students from SFA would be sent to reach the World with the Gospel.
I pray that God would turn lost SFA students into Christ-centered laborers reaching the world for Christ.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Evangelism and Momentum
Last Friday, we had an outreach with about 10-12 students going out on campus using soulariums and perspective cards for conversations with students hanging out on campus. Each group of students was able to have at least one good spiritual conversation with someone. Then a few hours later I received a call from one of our staff telling me about the conversation he had with three students, including one who considered himself agnostic. The guy really liked the perspective cards and wanted to get together again this week.
Even though it was just an hour or so of evangelism on a Friday afternoon, I felt encouraged and excited about our movement. We hadn’t seen anyone begin a relationship with Christ but I felt like we were actually engaging students with the gospel.
As I think through most of my time in ministry, it seems we have the most momentum as a movement when we are actively sharing our faith (duh). Whether we see students place their faith in Christ or not, we gain from stepping out in faith and trusting God.
If we want to gain momentum and energy in our movement we have to make sure staff and students are sharing their faith with friends and new students we meet. We may not necessarily see the attendance at our weekly meeting and small groups grow, however they probably will, but we will be encouraged and excited about what God is doing in our lives through evangelism.
Philemon 1:6 “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Baseball and College Ministry
why the 2010 Texas Rangers (and maybe any good baseball team) would make a great college ministry
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Knowing Scripture
This is from Jason Hayes about his desire to incorporate scripture memory into his life. Jason is the Young Adult Ministry Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Brian Wilson's Story
If you've been following the World Series, you've seen Brian Wilson (the guy with the crazy dyed beard) closing out games for the now World Champion Giants. When Wilson gets the last out you may have seen him make a cross and point to the sky and think he's doing that to show up the other team or draw attention to himself. So many sports stars seem to have dances, routines, and gestures that become their signature way of saying, "Look how great I am".
That's not the reason for Brian Wilson's gesture at the end of games. Wilson became a believer in Christ in 2005, and this is his way of honoring what God has done in his life.
Here's the story, as he tells it, on Fellowship Day at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco this season.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Christy Mathewson - Integrity
One example is that of Christy Mathewson, pitcher for the New York Giants. Yes the same Giants in the World Series, before they moved of course. This guy would make Tim Lincecum look like a 12 year old…wait…Lincecum does look like a 12 year old. Anyway, Mathewson was one of the first great American sports heroes, before Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, and other great athletes. He was a part of the first class of inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Amid all his accomplishments, one thing that Christy was known for, on and off the field, was his integrity. He was often called “the Christian Gentleman” by his fellow teammates and opponents.
Here’s an excerpt from the New York Herald-Tribune the day following his death.
“While Mathewson’s record in baseball will stand while the game lasts, it was not his prowess as an athlete that made him the idol of American manhood young and old. It was the character of the man…He played for all that was in him, he fought the good fight and the clean fight. He was the incarnation of all those virtues with which we endow the ideal American.”
The greatest demonstration of this took place on the last day of the season in 1908. Mathewson’s team, the Giants, were facing the Chicago Cubs for the chance to play in the World Series. Winner takes all.
In the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 1-1, with 2 outs, Harry McCormick was on third and nineteen year old rookie Fred Merkle stood on first base. Al Bridwell lined a hit into right center and McCormick scored. Merkle didn’t bother touching second base after seeing McCormick score. The Giants and their fans rushed the field at the Polo Grounds in New York, everyone was in full celebration. Except for Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers, who yelled for centerfielder Solly Hofman to toss him the ball. Evers knew that if he stepped on second base it would be a force out of Merkle, and the third out of the inning and McCormick’s run wouldn’t count.
At first both umpires said they didn’t see if Merkle touched second or not, but later that evening Home plate umpire Hank O’Day ruled that Merkle was out and so the game was still tied. At this point it’s too late to resume the game. No lights. Its 1908, remember. The Giants are fighting mad, so they appeal the call. At this time there was no commissioner for baseball, instead a board of directors ruled over the game. The board took affidavits from every player and coach involved. You can imagine what that was like, every Cub said Merkle didn’t touch second, every Giant said he did.
One affidavit stood out, Christy Mathewson’s. Christy was the one Giant that said Merkle didn’t touch second, and He would know, He was coaching 1st base and ran to Merkle between first and second to hug him as they celebrated their apparent trip to the World Series.
The board ruled in favor of the Cubs, the game was replayed and the Giants lost. Mathewson sacrificed a lot; a trip to the World Series, more money, and probably the friendship of some of his teammates. But one thing is for sure, no one could question his integrity when he passed away at the age of 45.
In the Bible, 1st Samuel 12:1-5, the prophet Samuel was able to stand before the Israelites and say, if I have wronged anybody tell me and I will pay restoration for it. No one could bring anything against him and they said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.”
How great would it be to lie on your death bed and send out a facebook message, tweet, text, smoke signals, or whatever, and say if I have wronged anyone then speak up so I can make amends with you. And you hear nothing but silence. You have lived your life in such a way that your integrity can’t be questioned.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Josh Hamilton on Larry King
Since He's tearing up the Yankees, I was reminded about this interview on Larry King where Josh talked about his life, addiction to drugs, and his faith.
If you haven't read his book, it details his story in much more depth. When he talks about his addiction in interviews you only get a short account. His book, Beyond Belief, really illustrates how deep he was in addiction and how God's grace has allowed him the opportunity to live. When you read the book, you can understand why he see's baseball as a gift from God.
I really appreciate his authenticity and his continued desire that God would use him to influence others.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
CRU Weekly Meetings
One of the things we talked about in staff meeting this morning was the distinctives of our movement. Students are able to view this or at least be introduced to who we are at our weekly meeting so it really matters what our weekly meeting looks like.
forty-NINE decisions you’ve already made about your college ministry’s large group meeting « Exploring College Ministry blog (daily notes about our field)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Not So Dark, Just Needs Someone to Change the Light Bulb
We have spent the last 2 semesters developing trust with students we know in the Greek system. We now have two Bible Studies going, one for fraternity guys and one for sororities. The question is; what do we do now?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Reading To Be Challenged
Although I feel like I’m plodding through this book, there is more depth than a lot of stuff I read, like Josh Hamilton’s autobiography. It’s caused me to rethink my reading list. Making sure I’m mixing in old books with new. Making sure I’m challenging myself with those who have gone before me and have thought deeply about life and not just being satisfied with the latest bestseller.
One of the articles that started me thinking about including older books - Milmin Training » Blog Archive » Inklings: Read Old Books
Dark Places Part 1 - Residence Halls
As I’ve been processing places on campus where the gospel is not going, I’m discovering that I would receive failing grades in campus ministry 101. Okay, maybe I’m sliding by with a “C”.
Making some honest assessments of where we are as a movement, we’re not doing a lot in the residence halls. Sure, we have a few small groups taking place but other than Move-In this year, I can’t think of any actions we’ve taken to reach a specific dorm hall. No outreaches, no socials, no game nights, no hanging out watching tv or playing video games, nothing.
And here’s the thing that scares me, I’m not sure our students know exactly what that looks like. They’re willing and capable but I just don’t know if that’s been modeled for them. Well, I know it hasn’t been modeled for them.
Yep, that means the old staff guy needs to go hang out in Hall 16 and show guys what that could look like. I’d rather not because when I walk in a Residence Hall now I can see the looks on the faces of students. It’s the look of “Yes sir, can I help you find your son? You know parents weekend was last week right?”
Hmmm…maybe God actually wants me to lead out of my weakness. I really don’t like it when He does that.
Over the next few weeks, I could actually move in that direction and invite guys to join me as I spend time at Hall 16 and step out in fear, uh faith, and meet some dudes over there and see what God does.
Here’s a few ideas I may try: 1) Handing out Doughnuts in the morning 2) Halo Tournament with free pizza 3) Watch a few football/baseball games in the lobby 4) Pancakes at night 5) Hanging out in lobby with good ol’ fashioned surveys.
Most outreach ideas I steal from here CruPress Green
My hope is that students could see that this could be replicated in other residence halls and we would see the gospel going to dark places.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Evangelism at SFA
Evangelism is different here in the Bible belt, most of the students I interact with at SFA, have either been to church or they speak great "christaineze". This semester especially, we've found that students have no idea what it means to be a Christian. They either assume they are Christians because they have been to church a few times and agreed mostly with what they heard, or they really are Christians but have no idea how to articulate their faith.
As a staff team we have a come back around to sharing the Four Spiritual Laws/Knowing God Personally booklet with every student we sit down with. We feel like this may be our only chance to give them a clear presentation of the gospel, which so many of them claim to believe. It has been a blast. I have personally shared the gospel more this year than maybe any other time since I've been on staff with Campus Crusade. (I don't know if thats something to celebrate, or an indication of my failures for the last 10 years) Last year we tried to build relationships first, which may work for students, but not for a 38 year old hanging out on campus. Its almost as if the student expects me to share Christ with them. They don't expect me to hang out with them, they know I have a specific motive.
Although I love the Soularium and will try out the new Perspective cards today, for me I have become more committed to making sure I go through the Knowing God Personally booklet with students. Its always an awkward transition but I'm the same guy that schedules vacations around the opportunity to check out new baseball stadiums. How much more awkward can I get?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Looking for Dark Places
Stanley asks the question, where in your ministry are people perched on the mountainside, staring down into the valley wondering and wishing but not initiating? (He had just used the illustration of the army of Israel looking down at the valley when Goliath would challenge them; and their inactivity instead of carefully and prayerfully seeing this as an opportunity to trust God.) In your ministry, there are opportunities that have not yet been exploited because no one has had the courage to go first. What are they?
One of the things that continues to challenge me on campus is the realization there are places at SFA where the gospel is not going. Even though we have target areas, offer Bible Studies on campus, and spend a good deal of time meeting with students, we are still a come and see ministry. “You should come to our weekly meeting.” “You should check out this event.”
I don’t have answers to these questions but I have ideas. I’ll try and share those over the next several days, but it is the baseball playoffs so…
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Focus on the right people – Do ministry thru others
Focus on the right people – Do ministry thru others
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Philippians 2 and Daryl Johnston
Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
I wrestle with Philippians 2 often because if this is supposed to be true of me, it ain’t.
Spending time on campus, I want students to respect and admire me. I want our staff team to think I’m the greatest leader EVER. I not only think more highly of myself than I should but I want others to think highly of me. I want staff and students to grow in their walks with God and I want them to have an influence for Christ on campus, but to be honest, I want the credit and I want acknowledgement.
Scripture seems to teach that God doesn’t really go for that.
Then I wonder how a Philippians 2 heart and mind would affect my life and my work on campus. What would change if I considered my staff team more significant than myself and took the form of a servant? What would change if I saw students in that same way?
As I’ve given this thought, my mind goes to the position of fullback in football. Maybe it’s the two games I watched Thursday night beginning at 930, or it’s the three games I watched Saturday night after the kids went to bed (DVR is going to be the death of me), or maybe it's watching Boise State and Virginia Tech while also drafting my fantasy team but I’m in a football state of mind.
Specifically my mind goes to my favorite fullback of all time, Daryl Johnston. Although he made the pro-bowl a few times and is highly regarded by his peers, you rarely saw his face on advertisements or considered him one of the faces of the Dallas Cowboys. You never heard any commentator gush over his stats, because he didn’t have many. When reporters were allowed into the locker room they didn’t run to Johnston for a sound bit. When they assembled players for a press conference, you didn’t see Johnston sitting at the table.
And yet, if you’ve seen Emmitt Smith’s induction speech, his recognition of Daryl Johnston was the most moving moment. The only time he cried.
What if I could live out Philippians 2 and function like a fullback on campus at SFA (minus everyone yelling “moose” when I walk in the student center)? What if I lead the way, but sought out no credit, no honor for myself. What if I, in humility, counted others more significant than myself and looked to their interests?
Maybe I’m just having withdrawals because I haven’t watched any football in 36 hours.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Was it worth it?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ethiopia Summer Project 2010 [HD]
I tell students all the time, you will always be able to find other things to do with your summer, noble and valuable endeavors, but nothing like this.
To quote my friend Dan Boone, "if the cause is worthy, the cost is irrelevant." I think he stole that from someone else, but the hope of the gospel for Ethiopians is definitely worthy, soooo.......
Watch this video and go!
Ethiopia Summer Project 2010 [HD]
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Spiritual Multiplication
Today we talked through spiritual multiplication with our students as we prepare for the coming Fall semester (yes I realize we're very late in starting classes at SFA). Most of this is stolen from either Robert Coleman's book Master Plan of Evangelism or from one of my favorite guys to listen to Roger Hershey.
We started with this video of Andy Atkins, the National Director of Agape UK, explaining the significance of spiritual multiplication.
Mark 3:13-14, "13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach."
People were Jesus’method. Our method tends to be programs. We say things like, "if we had this kind of music or this speaker we would see more happen on campus". His concern was not with programs for the multitudes, but men that the multitudes would follow. Jesus wanted to make sure that he invested in men that would carry on His work and live like Him after He returned to the Father. He knew there was a limited amount of time and He invested it wisely. One cannot transform the world except as individuals in the world are transformed, and individuals cannot be changed except as they are molded in the hands of the Master. He focused on a few men in order to build a foundation that would have a lasting influence that would stretch throughout generations and reach the masses. (Words in Bold quoted from Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman)
Jesus invested deeply, He trained, He prayed with, He taught them. The disciples would have seen Him in numerous situations and had opportunities to ask Him question after question. By the time Jesus was crucified, they would have had a good understanding of what it meant to follow Jesus, to honor God with their lives. And he has shown them what it would look like to disciple others and see this transformation in the lives of others.
The first question we sometimes ask is How do I get started?
There's no way around it, we have to take the initiative. In Matthew 10, Luke 9 – Jesus sends out the apostles with basically nothing else than the clothes they have on – they had to step out in faith and trust that God would provide for them and ultimately lead them in the right paths. For us, maybe, that begins by just intentionally hanging out with others in your areas of interest, but at some point we must share our faith and intentionally invest in the lives of individuals
So what characteristics should this person possess?
You only have so much time and you want to invest wisely.
2nd Timothy 2:2, "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will also be able to teach others."
Faithful Men
To quote Roger Hershey, "we have to work with the right people".
They must be faithful, available, teachable.
Faithful - Are they fully engaged with God, you, and serving others?
Available - Do they make time in their schedule or is there always something else that gets in the way? Is walking with God and growing in their faith a priority to them?
Teachable - As you experience life with them, take them to the scriptures, and train them in ministry skills, are they receptive?
Able to teach others
In order to multiply, they need to be able to teach others, so what are they teaching? What we teach them. What is that?
3 components of quality discipleship
Relationship – investing in a person
A) Learn to ask questions
B) Learn to listen
C) Spend relational time with them, hanging out
D) Learn to be an encourager
E) Demonstrate vulnerability
Time in Scripture – renewing their mind
A) Life transformation
B) Conviction for a lifetime
C) Lies need to be replaced with truth
Example – Having a quiet time with them.
Ministry – training disciples how to walk by faith, communicate faith, multiply faith. Great tools for this can be found at http://crupressgreen.com
Imagine if you chose to invest your life in such a way that when you return to campus in 5 or 10 years that there is someone, maybe several students, walking with God because of your submission to God in Spiritual Multiplication and His faithfulness in return?
May God use us to multiply reproducing disciple makers!