Recently, our entire church staff took some time out of the day to play volleyball and eat lunch together. It was a blast! I totally suck at volleyball but loved playing. A few people on my ministry team were a little less than excited to play. Here's why I think having fun is good leadership and builds teams:

• It's a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.
• It's one way we can get back at the elders who didn't approve our budget
• Breaks up the regular patterns and flow of work life.
• Relationships are started and enhanced.
• Creates slightly awkward moments.
• Having fun reduces stress.
• New experiences CHALLANGE assumptions (e.g. I didn't know Henry from accounting knew how to smile)
• Shared experiences build memories which builds community.

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The final week of our sex series focused on confessions, forgiveness, and restoration. Here are two videos we played that weekend:

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A friend sent me a link to this video the other day and I felt like it was good enough to repost. Here's what I liked about it:

• reinvention rather than tradition
• devotion rather than apathy
• impact rather than influence
• grace rather than giving up
• triumph rather than ineffectiveness

Here's the vid:

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A few days ago I read this post over at the YS blog from Jonathan McKee about programming.

I don't typically do a lot of reading to discover what's going on out in the world. I'm pretty ignorant on culture, politics, and latest ministry trends (I guess there was something called "post modernism" ... but never really knew what that was about). For years this has been a source of laughter and myrthment for both Doug Fields and I. He loves "the news," and think that's hilarious. I'm ignorant on just about every current event, and he thinks this is funny (still not sure why).

This is just another reason why we've been such good friends over the years. Anyhow, it probably seems like I'm way off topic, but I'm not:

Even I, the one who is basically in a bomb shelter of oblivion and ignorant bliss, have caught wind of "those people" who think programming isn't a good way to do youth ministry.

Now, McKee is filled with way more tact than I will ever achieve (which I liked), but I'll say it like this:

There is nothing of any substance done anywhere without program.

That may be a slight overstatement, but not by much. Here are a few observations:

• Schools have programs (can education even happen without a text book and a school bell and a clock) (maybe Montessori schools don't have these...I'm not sure)
• Political parties have programs (to raise money, to preach a platform)
• Sports teams have programs (practices, games, etc.)
• Every business has programs (meetings)
• Even psychologists have programs (set length of meeting time, specific objectives/treatments are predetermined)
• Human life is a program (birthdays, holidays, traditions, rituals)
• Entertainment is program (don't even need to list)

"BUT MCGILL, the church isn't anything like any of these!" If that's a real thought out there, I don't even know where to begin with you.

"BUT MCGILL, none of my friendships are programs!" Ok...but... most of them probably started at some kind of a program, and they certainly were deepened because of some programs...and if you are best friends with some person you met at random at the street and all you do is randomly meet and continue to do nothing--way to go! You are one in a trillion.

I also liked McKee's balanced approach, as he outlined the dangers (and past mistakes) on relying too much on program. Great stuff.

Programs are important. Life change does happen at programs...and programs are an excuse for relationships to form and foster and develop and deepen.

We can love program too much...but we can also "love" relational ministry too much...

Anyhow, good article, McKee. I probably need to check out some of your other stuff.

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I've accepted an exciting responsibility from my senior pastor—probably the biggest project I've ever worked on.

My calling is to identify, challenge, and help develop the next generation of great leaders: people who will plant churches, become pastors at our regional campuses, or lead large ministries within Mariners Church.

The person that I’m looking to hire will need to fill the following general position: reach out to lost high school (or junior high) students, help them build their faith, and identify students who will become leaders. Would this type of ministry excite you? Might you be the kind of leader we need?

For you, does influence come naturally? When you walk into a room, no one wonders if you are a leader. You're not insecure, you don't have to be the center of attention. Instead, your confidence and convictions move you to motivate others.

Do you have a message that you’re bursting to share? You have the ability and the need to teach others. To quench this expression of your gifts would be to deny who God has called you to be.

You are always on the move, looking for opportunities to leverage. Failure isn't an option, it's inevitable because you're constantly trying new things. This is a secret to your success.

For most people, rules are a wonderful necessity. But for you, rules are mere suggestions and the only way to discover a good rule is to break it. If you're not given latitude, you'll take it.

You'll have plenty of time to hesitate and second-guess when you're in a nursing home. Until then, life is all about TAKING ACTION. PROVOKING assumptions. INTERRUPTING the ruts. It's all about making a massive impact for the Kingdom of God.

You aren't just a self-starter, you have the ability to motivate others to become self-starters. You're able to set things in motion for the kingdom.

YEAH, I KNOW: THE BAR IS HIGH.

Everyone can lead, because everyone can serve. This is, of course, is what Jesus taught. However, this position isn't for everyone. I'm looking for leaders who lead leaders. This isn't just BUZZspeak.

Our church is committed to developing leaders for the next generation and I’m looking for the right people.

Interested?

The next step is to fill out an application at http://www.marinerschurch.org/job-openings.

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The primary function of the soul is to trust, for it is always fully surrendered to something or someone. Like a newborn child that must be held, so our soul is cradled by ideals and convictions. Let's be clear: this dependence isn't a determined destiny. We are not slaves to the situations around us.We get to entrust our souls Instead, let us give up the laziness that reduces our deciding to mere instinct.

In what do you trust?

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A couple of my friends and I are working on a new project, the goal is to create create a place for students to get a daily three minute devotional--something that can be easily read before school. It won't be tied to my church, in hopes that it'll be relevant for any student. I'll post more info about this later once we get closer to the launch.

Each Sunday, we wanted to create a series of questions to help students personalize and respond to what they heard at church that weekend. Here's our latest version:

1. What was one big idea from church this week? What did you learn? How where you encouraged, challenged, or even confused?

2. God wants to do something new in your life! Refuse to be the same person week after week. What’s one practical life change you can make this week as the result of what you experienced at church?

3. Who did you invite to church today? How did they like the experience? Who could you invite next weekend?

4. As you showed up for church, how was your attitude? Do you feel like you were ready to worship? Ready to engage and participate? What could you do next week, before church, to get your heart in the right place? What would it take to show up with an attitude of humility and surrender?

5. What did you hear God say to you this weekend? Are you holding onto something that you need to confess? Where do you need to seek God’s forgiveness?

6. Tell a friend something you learned this week—it may be awkward, but try it anyhow!!

7. Build an attitude of gratitude: make a list of ten things for which you are thankful to God.

8. Develop your friendships by keeping “short accounts.” Do you need to apologize to someone this week? Is there someone you need to forgive? Have you been holding on to a grudge and need to share it?

I'd love your feedback, what do you think? Do you have any ideas that will better help a junior high or high school student to reflect on their experience with God at your church?

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3. did I really say that?

Most people hate conflict. I've seen this lead to superficial friendships and passive aggression. It's not healthy to avoid conflict, nor is it good to secretly sabotage others.

Of course, neither is it good to always be on the attack. Sure, everyone around you will know where you stand, but none of them will be standing with you.

There are lots of good reasons to initiate a confrontation. Clarity is one of them, especially in leadership situations.

In the absence of clarity, we will either gather assumptions or garner resentments (or both!). Assumptions lead to misunderstandings and further communication breakdowns. Resentments only increase isolation and build until a boiling point. Nobody wants this.

If you are confused, by either the people you are leading or by the people leading you, it's worth talking about and getting it out in the open.

YES, It's risky!
NO, It can't be avoided!
YES, You'll get great results.

I'm assuming you enter the confrontation with wisdom and humility. Actually, when we plan a confrontation (rather than waiting to snap), we have a greater chance for wisdom and humility.

What do I mean by "great results?" I mean you'll have a deeper understanding. With more information you can make better decisions, choose godly attitudes.

You may not have agreement or even achieve resolution.

But you'll no longer be working in the dark and your next step won't have to be accidental.

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In a recent conversation, a student said, "It doesn't seem fair that people who never hear about Jesus would be sent to hell." I decided to write a short response to this... I wrote it quickly...so be gentle if you have ideas to improve it... I'm sure it wouldn't earn a good grade in seminary, but I feel it's a biblical response. If this can help you in your ministry, great!

If you are interested in more practical answers for students, check out these cheap resources: http://goo.gl/qOXPD and http://goo.gl/BjXUc

What about the people who never hear about Jesus; does the Bible teach that they will go to hell?

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

Jesus is clear: to know Jesus is to know God. This phrase may create some difficulty: "No one comes to the Father except through me." At a first glance, it may sound like "everyone must hear and accept Jesus to get to heaven." If this was the only verse in the Bible, maybe I'd be inclined to accept that.

Maybe you're thinking, "Wait, McGill, are you saying you can get into heaven without Jesus?" I'm saying we ought to  dig a little deeper. Let's see if we can understand who God is and how he works by looking at more then 9 English words.

Paul writes the following to the church in Rome:

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) (Romans 2:12–15)

In this passage, Paul is talking about those who have the law (Jews) and those that don't (Gentiles). The law is one kind of God's revelation, the revealing of himself to people. Jesus was another kind of revelation (as noted in John 14:6-7). Nature is also another kind of revelation from God (see Psalm 19).

Nature "talks" about God, so does scripture (Law), and so does Jesus. Nature paints broad strokes about God (and is technically called "general revelation"), while scripture and Jesus paints a more detailed picture about God (and scripture is technically called "specific revelation.")

One analogy might be to compare radio with TV ... listening to a song and watching a music video. Audio makes an impression, audio and video together makes a deeper impression.

It's clear that people who don't hear about Jesus, won't be judged for knowing him or not. God doesn't judge a person for what he or she doesn't know.

Earlier in his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote:

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:18–20).

Not only has God revealed himself with nature and scripture and Jesus, he is also actively working on peoples' hearts, trying to draw them to himself.

So then, what did Jesus mean, when he said he was the Way, and that no one could come to the Father except through him? While God doesn't judge a person for what they don't know, the other side is true: he does judge a person for what they do know.

If a person knows Jesus, hears about the real, biblical Jesus, and denies him...this is the same thing as denying God:

No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 Jn 2:23.)

For me, this leads to another question: "what does it mean to deny Jesus?" and that's best pursued in a different article!

How do you feel about this? What are your thoughts? Where do you gain new insights? What new questions do you have?

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• Negative attitude
• Smile less
• Critical spirit
• Lowered self control
• Shorter fuse
• Destructive thoughts
• Guilt
• Self doubt
• More arguments
• Less motivation
• Numbness
• Isolation
• Feelings of helplessness
• Fear
• Paralysis
• Unreasonable excuses
• Lack of grace
• Lowered self value
• Loose sight of dreams
• Less risk taking
• Comfort seeking
• Opportunities for spiritual surrender 

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