Tom's Going to be Famous

A Youth Pastor friend of mine, Tom Bowers, has a part in a five minute movie. Check it out!

Another Tear Jerk Video - I Am Such A Sap

I was doing some research for our "American Idol" theme at youth group this week and found this video. I had to tell you about it - even though it has been shown over 2.7 million times already. What a great story about a 47 year old church worker who sang at Britains Got Talent. What a great feel good story!

I can't embed it because of copyright laws, but you have to see it. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

The Newest Techology

I like new technology and most of you know that I like to use twitter (follow me at http://twitter.com/rmyuth). Well, I have found the newest social networking: Flutter. Check it out.

An Unwatchable Gift

So, last night the "Passion of the Christ" was show at the church. Our pastor has really wanted to show this movie during this period of the year and decided to see who else would like to see it. I was curious as well. A small group comprised of people of all ages showed up to watch. When asked, a lot had never seen the movie. I had heard a bunch of people who said they would rather NOT see it again due to the "disturbing" pictures they saw. So, the small group was not surprising to me. During the movie at least 5 people left. My guess is that it was just to graphic for them to watch. I understand. I have seen it numerous times and it seems to get worse for me each time. However, that got me to thinking just how much Christ must have cared for me and how much I take what He did for me for granted. Thank for, Jesus, for you truly unspeakable (and sometimes unwatchable) gift!

To Be or Not to Be . . .

This is probably one of my most serious blog posts. And, I am probably more afraid of what people might say than I have been in a long time. But, here goes. . .

This morning, like every first and third Friday mornings, we had a before school breakfast for our teens. Cutting right to the chase, what I want to talk about happened after breakfast. As most of you know, I serve at Richfield Mennonite Church,an Independant NONDENOMIHATIONAL church in a small rural town in PA - very close to what some call "Amish Country". Well, after breakfast we take kids to school . . . in a BLACK church van we have. (The van was bought for a great price, not the color, I might add). Usually the kids get dropped off where they have to walk to the school. However, it rained today. So the kids wanted dropped off in front of the school; well most of the kids. There was at least one who was kind of ashamed to be seen getting out of a black van because "everyone would think he was Amish."

Now this kid comes to church with his grandmother and is kind of shy, etc. but this was a big deal to him. For me and bunch of other adults, this would be no big deal, but to this kid and many others I could talk about, the stigma of being something that he/they wasn't/weren't made an impression. I, being the social butterfly could talk my way through it. But, to many, this wasn't something they wanted to deal with.

My question would be, when does the name of a church be a hindrence to ministering to and reaching out to people of all ages. I could talk on both sides for a very long time, but I am interested in your thoughts. Let's dialog.

April Fools

April Fools!! I was just kidding . . . My last post I wrote this morning, "Youth Pastors: Under worked and Overpaid." was just a joke!