Friday Night Fever

What do you do when someone mentions a lock-in? Run the other way, right? Of course not! We're locking ourselves into the church this Friday night November 14 beginning at 7 PM. We'll have lots of food, games (interactive and video), worship and movies! Be there! Let me know if you are coming. 

Lattes and Guitar Hero

Our first full day at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Leadership Institute has been very interesting. Actually, it has been quite overwhelming. In the Rezlife center (their student ministry center), there is evidence of teenagers all over the place. There is a climbing wall, cafe, a bank of video games, basketball court, computer stations, stage, worship area, foosball, pool, air hockey and much, much more. Worship takes place here too! They have a worship band along with lights, cameras and screens.

What to make of this? I don't get the feel that it is gimmicky. It appears to be an authentic approach to reaching teenagers with the story of Jesus. I began to reflect on what draws us in? More specifically, what draws teenagers to church? Is it the decorative chapels or decadent coffee? Is it video games or a vibrantly colored banner? 

After visiting their Rezlife youth group for 7th and 8th graders last night, I can see the fruit of their ministry. This is a place where teenagers can come and build community, share life together, play, worship and talk about God in a safe, non-threatening way. 

So, what draws us in to a place? If you are a youth reading this, what draws you to church? I'd love to hear your comments.

Joy and Peace!

Jimmy

September Settling

Well, we have but one day left in the month of September. Time flies! It's been a great month for our youth ministry. We gathered as a community for the fall kickoff celebration, the 9/11 Unity Walk, and we worked together with the Children's Ministry to pull off the picnic on September 28. All that is just the start!

There's much more to do: worship, playing, service, visioning, playing and more! One of our main goals for the month of October is to vision and put into place some of our ideas for the new youth room space (204 and 206). It's so important to work on this together as we plan for the future of our program. We'll get started with that on Sunday, October 5 during Youth Connection at 5 PM.

I'm off to Kansas City on Tuesday to the Church of the Resurrection's Leadership Institute. It should be fun and informative. I hope to bring back lots of good ideas for our youth ministry here at Metropolitan. I would welcome you to respond to this post with your ideas for our youth room and our youth ministry here at Metropolitan.

Let me know your thoughts!

Peace!

Jimmy