Searching for Meaning and Purpose...

As we attempt to navigate the worldview waters out there, I am struck by how many people who go to church have a non-biblical worldview. Now, some might say, "So what?" and others are appalled but then there are some who look and go, "Huh?" The vast majority of students fall into the last category. They could care less about what undergirds their lives because that isn't important. I hear it all the time: "Well, they believe it so it's true for them." or to put it another way: "Dude, it was okay for me to lie to him cause he didn't need to know." At issue here is the idea of absolutes and morality. In the post-modern world the idea is that it all comes down to our story, there is no bigger story we're a part of. However, in the Christian world, we must acknowledge the bigger story we are merely a small part of. These two fundamental differences shape everything else that is believed, thought, or done by most people. Those

We just ran our kick-off lock in for junior high and it was insane! Which leads me to my thought: is running a lock in merely clinical insanity writ large or is it really worthwhile? I have an answer based on what I saw, but still had to ask. At our lock-in it brought out our regular crowd and most of my junior high leadership team, but it also brought out 8 brand new faces (people who have never been associated with our program before!). Thinking about that, this evening allowed me to meet and spend a LOT of time with students who have never been here before and most of whom don't have a church background or church home! So, with that in mind, I say that doing this insanity (and the $100 we spent on food, etc.) was well worth it. Which leads me to the second point: when we do things on purpose, it leads to results most of the time. We planned this lock-in to reach out. The whole purpose of the lock-in was to allow us to reach out to and bring in students who haven't eve

Summer is at an end! The school year officially begins for most of my students tomorrow and brings to an end a REALLY busy summer. But, looking back there are three things I'm really proud of: Mission El Dorado Mission Arkansas Mission Mexico In each endeavor we were being Jesus where people were. And not just around the country or world, but right here in our backyard. Jesus said to take Him to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all the Earth. This summer we did that: taking Jesus to our city, our nation, and the world. Plus, nothing beats seeing how hard students can work and how much they can get done! I realized again I am very blessed to be a part of a church that so values DOING something with our faith...