Confessions of a UM Youth Pastor

Why do we feel the need to be constantly connected to the internet?  I starting thinking about this today as I was looking at my cell phone bill.  I have Comcast internet at home, 12mbs service that costs $19.95 a month.  I also have an iPhone, and I pay $30 a month for whatever speed that service is.  Why can’t I get an iPhone and not have the data?  I can just connect it via wifi when I want to use the internet.  I want a phone that will have my calendar and contacts on it, but you can’t seem to get a good one for that without getting a smartphone that requires a data connection!  It’s crazy that I pay $30 a month for service that is WAY slower than my $20 a month hom connection.  It’s also crazy that I can’t buy a good phone, like the iPhone, and use it without a data connection.  Why do we let these cell phone company’s push us around?  Ok, that’s my rant for today.  Tomorrow’s topic is the cost of Seminary and how to take care of your family while you are there!

I just realized that I haven’t posted anything since March! Wow, I’m a slacker. I’m sure by now, all 2 of my readers have unsubscribed! Anyway, let me brag for a minute on my youth group.

We started early this year raising money for what was originally a Mission trip to Matamoros, Mexico. We have had some great donations from church members and some very hard working adults. Going into our last fundraiser on Saturday, we have raised $12,000!! At a time when money is tight, God has been faithful and provided us what we need to do His work this summer.

I say brag on my youth group because they are awesome. Many of the team members have busted tail helping to raise this money. We even had to change the destination of the trip to Shiprock, NM. They youth team instantly rallied around the new destination and are excited about serving the people of the Navajo Nation. I’m very proud of my peeps!

If you are in Alpharetta this weekend, be sure to swing by the Youth Center building on Saturday. We’ll be having our last Estate Sale from 9am til 2pm. There are some treasures here for sure. I’ll get better about my posting and will definitely share with you our adventures in June in Shiprock, NM.

I’m really enjoying my time with The Divine Hours, so I’m gonna post another from todays Midday Office:

“As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience”  Colossians 3:12

“Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to bee tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen”

The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle

Being a guitar player, I have a love to pedals.  I ran across this Youtube video today.  This guy uses a loop station to create his music with only his voice.  It’s pretty sweet.  Check it out.

I must admit that I haven’t studied much in the way of UM Theology.  I would like to though, and I’ve finally started to dive in, although it is just the shallow end at this point.  I recently started reading “Being a United Methodist in the Bible Belt” by F. Belton Joyner Jr.  I have to say that I’m enjoying it.  It is a very basic look at what it means to be United Methodist.  Joyner has a very “light-hearted” manner which makes this short book an easy read.  I should finish this one tonight, then it’s on to a deeper look at Wesleyan Theology.  Any suggestions?

About a week ago I picked up the book “The New Christians” by Tony Jones. I’ve heard Tony speak a few times at the National Youth Workers Convention. Add to that the fact that I have been interested in learning more about the “Emmerging Church” movement, or conversation, and it was a book I had to read. I’m about 2/3 of the way through the book and I have to say that I am more interested in the Emerging movement than ever. While at times it has challenged me, I find myself agreeing with Tony quite a bit. I’m not very good at book reviews (school was quite a few years ago for me), but I’ll try to post some complete thoughts once I have finished the book.

This is a day of youtube videos for me it appears. I just ran across this one on a fellow youth workers site (Thanks Chris!). I could definitely make a tree like this with all of the Dew I drink!

Working with youth during the Christmas season, I spend a lot of time try to remind them that Christmas is not about “getting stuff”. I ran across this video from Advent Conspiracy. I may be late to the game in noticing, but I wanted to share it. I’ll be using it this weekend with my youth.

In an effort keep up with the trends, I’ve added Google’s new Friend Connect to my site.  I don’t really understand what it is yet, but I added it anway.  So far, I know 2 people who use it, so I’ll let it up for awhile and see what happens!  I think I’ll add Friendfeed as well.