Distraction

Here's a great post about how distractions can prevent us from achieving what we really want. So many times we get carried away with doing lots of good things it prevents us from doing anything truly great. Click through, but here's a quote for you:

"You know how sucky Stevie Wonder’s songs would have been if he had to run a
&*^%#$’ clothing company and a cologne line?"

JM

Acts 8:32-40

I love how Philip used that passage to transition into presenting the gospel to this guy. And what's really incredible is that he talked about more than just salvation, he talked about baptism, too. A lot of people like to use this verse as proof that baptism is part of salvation. I don't really see it that way. The guy just wanted to be baptized because he so passionately wanted to show that he was a follower of Jesus.
I think it's important for us to be able to think on our feet. So many people have certain methods of presenting the gospel that require the person to ask a certain question and sit through a 5 minute presentation. That seems lame to me. I think if we're familiar with it and truly understand it, then we should be able to communicate that truth however we feel we need to. JM

Great News!

It's a great time to sell your house because home sales are at a record low and home prices have fallen 5.1% in the last year. Yet, if God wants somebody to buy my house, he'll make it happen no matter what the conditions are. JM

Expelled

This movie looks incredibly interesting to me. It's Ben Stein doing a documentary on how scientists who support intelligent design are being mistreated and removed from important positions. JM

Resignation

Here's my resignation as I read it to the second hour worship service. JM

Telling The News

It's so tough to drop a bomb like announcing your resignation, and I had to do it four times. I told middle school at 9:15, high school at 9:30, our first service at 10:10, and our second service at 11:45. Each one was unique, but I said the same thing to both MS and HS and something different to the services.
The notes of what I told MS and HS I posted yesterday.
Telling MS was tough because I work with these students every week. They took it really well. It was so quiet in the room. I didn't have any problems maintaining my composure (even though I don't ever cry, I thought I might doing this). At the end there were a few questions that mainly dealt with logistics. It was interesting to see their reactions afterward. Two of the 8th grade guys that I know very well just kind of walked right past me. I don't think they were mad or anything, but just didn't know what to say or do. It's weird for them. Heck, it's weird for me. The 8th grade girls spent their small group hour crying about it. It took me a long time to earn their trust, but I finally did about a year ago. They've been awesome this year and are really the best leaders I have. They help plan our events and plan an opening time for the MS girls every Sunday morning.
Telling HS was actually a little bit tougher because of my relationship with the 10th grade guys. They were sitting to my left and I had trouble making eye contact with them. I'm sure it hurt them pretty good. I know it hurt me to tell them. Most of them responded well, but some of them you could tell didn't know what to do. It's just an awkward situation all around. I'm sure I'll probably have to do it again at some point, but I really don't like doing it. JM

Acts 8:26-31

I love how when most people are speaking to students about quiet times, they just say read the Bible. As if a student is supposed to go home, crack open the Bible, and something magical happens. I hate that. I mean, the Bible is a tool that should be used to discover God, and it should be my job and the job of the church in general to help people learn how to use it. I'm so thankful that people took the time to explain how to study it to me. Otherwise it would just sit there unread like most other Christian's Bibles. I guess part of discipleship should be to "be Philip" to people. JM

I Quit

I quit my job today. It was weird telling the middle school and high school students. I'll post some more about all of this later as well as the whole process that I went through. I'll post the video of me announcing my resignation in big church tomorrow. I'll also post as we go through this transition. It will be cool to look back at eventually, but right now it's just kind of sad. JM

So

Here's what I told our church this morning.

I'm going to tell you:
1. What's happening
2. How it happened
3. Why it's happening
4. How it affects you

What's happening - I am submitting my resignation effective 12.17.07. Basically that means that I'm quitting my job as the associate youth pastor at First Baptist Peachtree City and that my last day will be 12.16.07.

How it happened - On 08.02.07 I got a call asking me if I would be interested in the MS position at First Baptist Harvester. This is the church that I grew up in and left 4 years ago to come work at FBCPTC. I told Harvester that I was happy where I was, but that I would be interested in exploring the possiblity at Harvester. I talked to them a couple of times over the next few months. In November, I flew up to St. Louis for an interview. I received an offer shortly after this interview, and accepted it on 11.20.07. I told Pastor Steve and Jim of my decision on 11.19.07 and we talked about what my departure should look like.

Why it's happening - I feel like God is leading me there. That's kind of a nebulous statement, so to break it down a little bit more, I feel like it's a great ministry. The student ministry at Harvester is amazing and I really feel like I line up closely with where the other youth ministers there feel that youth ministry is heading. This is also the church that I grew up at, so I have a heart for the ministry of the church. Also, both my and my wife's families are there.
Not why it's happening - This isn't happening because I'm mad at somebody, or because I'm frustrated with anything, or because I'm disappointed with something, or because I'm being forced to do it. I am leaving on very happy terms and Peachtree City is being very understanding of this transition.

How it affects you - I won't be at FBCPTC anymore. The nature of my job is that I will go to a different church now. And this church will be 600 miles away. It's normal to feel emotions about something like this. I certainly am. You may feel sad, mad, happy, or be apathetic about it. Or you may experience these emotions at different stages.
Please feel free to talk to me, Jim, your teachers, or your parents about any questions or concerns you may have, or just to help you process through this experience. Also, please don't forget me. I invested in your life because I want to see you become all that God has for you. Please keep me updated on how you're doing. Come and visit if you can, but wait until I have a house. Please talk to me. It may seem awkward at first, but it'll be worth it. My family will be leaving the south on 12.18.07 and moving up to St. Louis. I hope to see you before we leave and hopefully we can see you after we leave sometime, too. JM

Tomorrow

One more day. I'm getting sad. JM