your opinion...please

Our Young Adult ministry is going through a season of evaluation and last night a market analyst came in to lead us through 2 focus groups. Here are some statements I highlighted in my notes while I sat at the observation table, a.k.a the table that you’re told to shut up and just listen at.

Here's some of what I heard:

“I felt isolated because I didn’t know how to plug in, there was not an obvious entry point”

“Environment is EVERYTHING to me and it shows that this is IMPORTANT to you, and I appreciate that, even if you get it wrong at times”

“Form doesn’t matter as much as real encounters with God”

“Our Generations doesn’t want church, they want God, so give me real encounters with God”

“if you want to create a comfortable environment just put your gathering where all our friends naturally hang out”

“I felt no accountability to the church because no one seemed to notice when I wasn’t here?”

“When someone stands up to teach me, they better shoot straight, not beat around the bush, and be real! Cause the one thing I’m looking for the most is an authentic faith, I'm sick of pat answers”

“I want to know where YOU have screwed up, and how God was there!”

“I don’t go to events to meet new people, I go to events with my existing friends, I don’t leave my comfort zone, and I’m considered to be an outgoing person”

“Always have food!”

“What I mean by wanting “deeper teaching” is more historical context”

any insights? feel free to share

mistake

I came across this passage by mistake this morning and it is still shaking me.

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” Ps. 116:12

David is asking a rhetorical question to which he already knows the answer. “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” The answer is nothing. There is nothing we can return to the Lord for what he has done for us. Upon seeing who God is and what He has done for him, David is in awe at the mercy and grace of God. There is no gift(s) or act(s) of service that can come close to repaying God for His benefits toward us.

I just bought a house a few months ago with borrowed money. So, I could potentially be repaying the bank what I owe it over the next thirty years. It will take a loooooong time but I will pay the bank back. How deceived are we when we think that we can repay God for what He has done. Who are we to think that our efforts alone can appease such a holy God? Oh what a debt we have to pay for our sins and there is no way we can settle this account with God! But when seeing the debt that I owe, God has looked upon the payment of His Son as sufficient for it. Paid in full! Christ has rescued me from darkness (Co. 1:13). Because of His great love and being rich in mercy, while we were dead in our sins and transgressions, God has made us alive together with Christ! (Eph. 2:4).

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? Nothing! There is no sufficient gift for what God has done for us. Knowing that my efforts are useless and empty and that I am nothing without Christ and that all I can do is rest in the grace of God-that's what is shaking me. Our response to this is worship. Worship God for who He is and what He has done and offer a life of thankful obedience. Praise God for His being rich in mercy and great in love and that He does not require us to pay Him back!

Those guys…

Parks here...
I just finished blogging about "those guys" on my personal blog, you can read more here.

In a nutshell, we had a rockin night tonight at Saturate (our young adult gathering) yet the evening had a lot of set up and tear down and I was not looking too forward to the time it would take to do this, but "those guys" jumped in and knocked it out. You each have "those guys" in your churches, those unsung heroes who do what ever it takes to make things happen. They wash dishes, they clean floors, they drive tractors over to run ice cream machines, don't laugh I just did it tonight.

Hero's in the church they are!

I was reminded how God sends those priceless volunteers at just the right time to make things happen. They are so critical to our ministries and I often forget this.

So, tonight as I'm about to crawl into bed, my soul is thankful, thankful for "those guys" who seem to come out of the wood work to pitch in a head to make things happen.

God, thanks for sending "those guys" at just the right moment.

May I slow down my life so I can truly be thankful for the many hands that make our gatherings and environments happen.

May I live with my eyes open to see where I can pitch in

May I lead well, praise often, and know how to thank "those guys"