LIVE: The Adventure

The other day I did something that I hadn’t done in awhile… I read my previous blog post. I realized two things right away:

1. I agree whole-heartily with myself, when our team works in unity, nothing will be impossible for us. God has good days planned for us and I am thrilled with what the future holds for Live and Fairwood Church.

2. I NEED someone to proofread every single post before I allow them to enter cyber space. I was so embarrassed at how many grammatical mistakes that post had. I feel like I may need to take some writing classes again soon.

Despite my second realization, our youth ministry and church are entering a new season of ministry. We have real-life goals that we are chasing. The only way to achieve the results we desire is to work together in the grace and unity that God has provided us. We desire to see the church and youth ministry grow for a very simple reason. Lost people matter to God, therefore, lost people matter to us.

Within a three-mile radius of Fairwood Church it is estimated that there are 240,000 people who do not have a saving knowledge, let alone relationship with Jesus Christ. Our church has been uniquely placed where it is (along with others) to change those numbers. The new adventure we are on is one that may seem daunting and intimidating, but I accept the challenge and am ready to see our area changed for Jesus.

This all leads me to the point of this post. Last night at Live, our youth & young adults service I did something that inspired me and freaked me out. I publically declared an attendance goal that I believe God has spoken to me for our “Invite Night” coming up on March 17^th. Our previous attendance record for any event that our youth ministry has hosted is 156 people. That was for an end of the school year BBQ a little over a year ago.

So last night as I concluded my message that kicked off our “LIVE: The Adventure” series I felt myself getting nervous as I prepared to make my bold declaration to youth and leaders alike. I went back and forth in my head wondering if I should really make such a bold statement. “What if we fail miserably?” I thought. “What if I set the bar too high?”

Would our students be inspired or feel hopeless by this huge goal? “What if the leaders tell me this is just too unrealistic?” I continued to battle my own conscience. Finally I blurted it out…

“Our all time attendance record for one service is 156; for the March 17^th Invite Night I’m believing for 300,” I said confidently.

Silence.

More silence.

Then after what seemed like an eternity a single, “Amen.”

I went on to explain that I believe we are capable and that God has called us to reach our area with the good news of Jesus Christ. Even as I sit here replaying that moment in my mind I still get goose bumps. Can we really do this? Is this too big a goal? Am I asking too much?

I suppose time will tell, however I am certain of this. It’s great to know that we have our eyes focused on reaching others. The adventure I’m leading others on is one that I am excited to be on myself. Jesus gave us this mission before He ascended to Heaven and “Invite Nights” are our way of trying to accomplish that mission.

It’s going to be a wild ride, are you willing to join us for the adventure?

Dear Live Leaders...

Dear Live Youth Leaders,

While driving from Fairwood to Phoenix (24 ½ hours) I had a little to think, ponder, and reflect on some things. I write to you today out of heart that is exceedingly grateful for all you do to minister to the JH, HS, and college-aged students at our church. Words cannot really describe how thankful I am to have you as part of our team. Everyone always thinks it’s fluff to say it but it is nonetheless true… Ministry, on the level we wish to operate in, is NOT possible without dedicated leaders like you making it happen. I am impressed every week by the number of you that rearrange schedules, get baby-sitting, and take time off of work to minister with us. I’m not just talking about camp; I’m talking about EVERY Wednesday, Sunday, and Life Group night.

Stacey and I are thankful for you and I hope that you know how much we value you as part of our team. Our team is helping JH, HS, and college-aged students receive the grace that has been extended to them by our loving God. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us, our youth ministry, and our church in months, years, and decades to come. I have no doubt that God is up to something big in our ministry and you (the one reading this letter) are going to help usher in a new wave of God’s grace to this generation. I can’t think of anything else in the world worth giving your life for.

At our recent camp United 2010 we talked at length about the idea of unity. For whatever reason this has been something I’ve been thinking a lot about recently. I’ve studied it and read many scriptures on it and am now more convinced than ever that we must fight for the unity of our ministry. We must be vigilant in creating and maintaining an environment of unity, which will allow God’s grace to flow through us and to our students. I am both haunted and inspired by what God said about the people who building the Tower of Babel. When he saw the people working together to do evil he said, “The people are UNITED and they all speak the same language… nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them.” (Genesis 11:6, NLT)

I am calling for us to pursue and fight for the unity that God has given us through His only son, Jesus Christ. As we work and walk together in unity at the leadership level this will trickle down to our students. It has been said that everything rises and falls on leadership. I say let’s become a group of leaders that raise up young people around us that carry out the purpose of being God’s reconcilers. I hope you were as moved as I was by P. Brian’s vision for the church. (If you’d like to read it for yourself take a look here: http://briandolleman.com) For Fairwood Church’s vision and the vision of Live Youth Church to become realities we must walk and work together with unity.

The future is bright and you are a big reason why. Let’s walk into the promised land of vision that God has for us in all areas of our lives. The church, our youth ministry, our students, and me need you (the real you) to be who God has called you to be. Let’s move into that new land together.

Grace,

Andy