The Tattered Hat

The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:08:00 +0000

God is not calling us to GO to church; he is calling us to BE his church, the hope of the world-theChristianatheist by Craig Groeschel p221

This is one of my favorite quotes from this book. I think that Craig has done a great job with this book. A lot of the things that he addresses in this book I think are dead on. I know I have experienced (and am still struggling with) most of the issues that Craig brings up. Craig does a great job of being honest, transparent and sharing the struggles he faced and how he has worked through these issues. Craig is challenging us move beyond lip service. Does your belief in God really effect how you live?

The Christian Atheist is a pretty easy read and I believe very helpful. If you call yourself a Christian you will probably find this book helpful. Check it out.

Dad Life on Vimeo

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:54:00 +0000

Dad Life on Vimeo: "

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.
"

I know this is a little late but had my first fathers day this year...I don't think I've "made it" to this level yet...lol.

Less Clutter. Less Noise.

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Less Clutter. Less Noise.: Beyond Bulletins, Brochures and Bake Sales

A couple of weeks back I finished reading Less Clutter. Less Noise. Beyond Bulletins, Brochures And Bake Sales by Kem Meyer. One the the reason I picked up this book is that I make a bulletin insert pretty much every week and I make handouts all the time. It was a good read with some good insights. Not everything in the book applied to me but it helped me reflect on how I communicate on the web, in print and verbal. I have implemented several of the ideas already. It is 270 pages long but is served up in bit size chunks and is easy to read.

A Parable-Starbucks/Church/Guests

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:52:00 +0000

What are your thoughts on this?

it: How Churches And Leaders Can Get it And Keep it

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:53:00 +0000

Just finished reading it: How Churches And Leaders Can Get it And Keep it by Craig Groeschel. I enjoyed reading this book. It was a good reminder that the leadership needs to focus on what really matters, their relationship with Jesus. This book brought balance to all the things I've been reading lately. It reminded me about how God is the one who changes lives and not copying the church down the street or implementing the "new" ministry strategy.

I really enjoy the last two chapters. Craig talkes about how he had it and lost it and then re-gain it. A lot of times at church we forget that its about doing everything we can to share the good news of Jesus with a world full of hurt and pain. Instead we get caught up in being comfortable and not looking at people the way Jesus did.

Sunday's Coming-Movie Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:51:00 +0000

You may have seen this already. I've seen it posted on facebook and in tweets. I first checked it out after reading this tweet-@DougFields What do you think? Has church become "this" predictable? Interesting to say the least!

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Any thoughts?

Leaders Who Last

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:18:00 +0000

I've been thinking about leadership lately and I've been in full-time ministry for 7 and half years now. I came across Dave Kraft's book Leaders Who Last. I thought well I want to last, so I picked up a copy.

It was a great read with lots of actuate observations and practical advice. I would encourage anyone who is in a leadership position or planning on being a leader in ministry to check out this book. I think it will be very helpful and its only 148 pages. Most of the stuff in this book are things you probably already know but have forgot or just haven't taken the time to think about. It was very refreshing for me.

Books

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:09:00 +0000

I just finished reading Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus by D.A. Carson. It was a great read especially before Easter. It was very helpful in reflecting on the cross and resurrection and what it means for us. This book was 170 pages long and focused on 5 different passages.

Carson used some vocab that I have never heard before but I guess that is going to happen when you have the vocab of a 1st grader. I found myself laughing at times because of how Carson calls people out a couple of times. Good times.

I also finished reading Youth Ministry 3.0 by Mark Oestreicher. This was also an interesting read and on the short side, which I love:) Mark takes a look at the past (1.0), present(2.0), and future(3.0) of youth ministry. I enjoyed the honest and accurate look at youth ministry. It was thought provoking and challenging.

I'm not to sure about his thoughts about the future of youth ministry and how it can be done. It seemed to me that their was contradictions in what Mark was per-posing and how to keep it simple, how it works in any size church, and how it wouldn't be driven.

But at least Mark is not just saying hey their is a problem and good luck with figuring it out! I enjoyed the book and if you are involved in youth ministry at least it should get you thinking about how we do things and what needs to change to be more effective for Christ.

simple student ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:47:00 +0000

I just finished reading Simple Student Ministry-A Clear Process For Strategic Youth Discipleship by Eric Geiger// Jeff Borton

Eric also co-wrote Simple Church which I read first. I loved Simple Church and was interested in what they had to say about the process of discipleship in the student ministry context. I love Simple Student Ministry. This book isn't too different from Simple Church but it gives examples of other student ministries and how they are implementing discipleship and using a simple process.

It is a great help and reminder for what student ministry is about. Discipleship and not being an crazy busy event planner.

Fight the Youth Ministry Stereotype

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:26:00 +0000

Saw this at More Than Dodge ball

Love it

Jesus Saves

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:26:00 +0000

Excited that I was able to take part in what God was doing in one of the youth groups students lives. Nick S. came up to me after youth group and had some questions. That night Nick started his relationship with Jesus and now is one of God's children. Praise God! Nick told me that he had been thinking about things since winter retreat. I'm glad God choose to let me be a part of Nick's journey. Please keep Nick in your prayers.

Thriving Youth Groups -Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:37:00 +0000

I just finished reading Thriving Youth Groups-secrets for growing your ministry & creating a friendship culture by Jeanne Mayo. I thought it was a really good book with a lot of practical ideas. I would encourage anyone involved in youth ministry to check it out.

I'm amazed at how God chooses to work through all different types of personalities. When I take a moment to self reflect on the youth ministry that I'm apart of I totally see God. I feel like I'm a mess and I'm not doing things right.

Rend Collective Experiment

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Learn more at http://andirozier.blogspot.com/2010/02/rend-collective.html

Back

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0000

I'm hoping to start updating this more regular again. Life has been busy and I am hoping to get back into posting stuff. Even if its just links to other cool things (Luethy you know you love it)

Fail Us Not-Music Video

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Check out this video that I saw on Facebook.
"Fail Us Not" music video

Update: Little Paul

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:36:00 +0000

Well time is winding down and it is almost time for Rach and I to meet little paul. Rach's due date is Aug 31st! Its been kind of a crazy summer. The youth mission trip to Fort Wayne, IND to work with Refugee's from Burma went well. Sam P. was able to experience the joy of sharing Jesus with a little boy and the little boy asked Jesus into his life. It was so awesome to see God at work! As for me I'm gearing up for the fall kick off and little paul's world premiere.

New Book Rule

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:28:00 +0000

I came across this quote in a book that I'm reading.

It is a good rule, after reading a new book,
never to allow yourself another new one
till you have read an old one in between.
C. S. Lewis

Besides the Bible I don't think that I really have ever re-read a book in its entirety. Maybe I should try this out...It will probably help me cut back on the amount of money I spend on buying books:)

Anyone use this "rule"?

UPDATE: I think that I read this quote out of context and what is actually communicating is every time you read a recently published book it is good to go back and read a classic "old" book. I probably should do that too:)
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What are you Depending upon?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:10:00 +0000

A. C. Dixon said,
When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do.

Piper, J. (2002). Brothers, we are not professionals : A plea to pastors for radical ministry (56). Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Who are you depending upon? John 15:5 ?

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XBOX 360-2.0?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Not sure that this will happen any time soon but what happens when you combine the Wii, Playstation, Eye Toy, and 360 together...Well this is what you would get!

Don't hold your breath but this would be cool.

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Driving Skillz

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Pretty sick. Don't try this at home kids.

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Vacation Time

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:06:00 +0000

Rach and I are heading off to Corpus Christ TX. Trying to sneak in one last vacation before little paul joins th fam. Looking forward to it..but not the 4am start time:)

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Crazy Cool Scary

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:49:00 +0000

I got to get me one of these! I came across this link from Mark Matlock's twitter.
Any thoughts about this? Please share.

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Sustainable Youth Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:28:00 +0000

I finished reading Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries. I think it is a must read for anyone in youth ministry. Its crazy to think that I graduated MBI 7 years ago! I found a lot of good reminders in this book. I feel that DeVries also provides a lot of good insights into the church and youth ministry world. Right now their is a lot of talk about youth ministry not being effective. DeVries points out that has a lot to do with un-realistic expectations put on the shoulders of one person. DeVries also points out that we also set ourselves up for failure because a lot of us do youth ministry moment by moment. We don't take time to really figure out what we are doing. We just try and stay a float. I must admit reading through this book brought up so challenging things to consider. This book will cause you to evaluate the ministry your involved in. This book can also be overwhelming. I don't necessarily agree with everything but I believe this is a great tool and helps you to look at what you are doing and what is expected of you in a constructive way. Check it out.

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The Church...

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:57:00 +0000

I finished reading two books about the church. Vintage Church and On Church Leadership (Book You'll Actually Read). The reason you'll actually read On Church Leadership is because its only 94 pages! Mark Driscoll takes a look at what the Bible tells us about church leadership. Mark also share from his experience from planting Mars Hill Church. I thought it was a good study and would be helpful for anyone that is involved in a local church.

Vintage Church also was a good read with good insights about truth, methods, and the mission of the church. This book is a little bit of a heavier read. I think Mark Driscoll does a great job studying the word and applying it biblically in our world. I have enjoyed thinking and studying what God wants to do through His church.

The question that I keep asking myself is what things do we need to evaluate and change to be local church that God wants us to be?

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Fund Hazing

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Gaspar) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Fund Hazing is the title of the Article on p.64 of the May/June 2009 Youth Worker Jouranl. This article is written by Steve Argue. I thought that this was a great article to really make you think about how you do fundrasing in youth ministry. You need to ask this question about your fundrasing method, what are you teaching the youth with this method?

Are youth ministries teaching and encouraging consumerism with their methods of fundrasing? I would encourage you if you are envolved in youth ministry to read this article.

On a side note I remember the first time I crossed paths with Steve Argue. I was doing a youth internship at a church and we took the youth to SEMP. Steve was one of the instructers at SEMP. It was neat to read an article by him in Youth Worker Journal.

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