important reminder

Words have power.

What you say matters.

What you don't say matters.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. James 3:3-5

Vocational Discipleship pt 1

Lens; student ministry

Premise; ministry to teenagers is less about tomorrow and more about later, sometimes much later

First, I am not condemning anyones ministry. Lord knows that I have missed the mark more times to count over the last 10 years. I am in a season of deconstruction when it comes to the intention behind ministry to students/youth/teenagers. It is a tough place to be when one doesn't have much patience.

So here is where this is coming from; I was recently listening to a recorded conversation with David Kinnaman who co-wrote an incredible book titled UnChristian. Within the conversation he mentioned a huge weakness in the Church at present. He tagged it as 'Vocational Discipleship'. He's smart and hip - so we will go with it. Shortly after he gave a brief description my mind went into a place of warp-speed. I literally don't remember finishing my drive to work. Sorry Nan, don't mean to freak you out.

First realization, My Church definitely calls its congregants to engage the kingdom where they find it i.e. at work, at home and in their community and world. That is all well and good if a.) you're a regular worship attender b.) you are an auditory learner c.) an adult that meets the situations daily. What about students? I immediately felt like the spotlight was on me while standing on a empty stage begging for the music to start - think Napoleon Dynamite.

First thought, for those of us connected or actively participating in ministry to students;

Are we too consumed with the present that we forget about the future of our kids as fruitful disciples in the Kingdom? You see, I am guilty as charged. I hope that we lean into a healthy tension between active and aware engagement now in the life offered to us in Christ and quality preparatory discipleship training that knows that we are all ministers of the gospel and that we are all called. I know that for myself it was a long time before I realized - I mean really realized that the Great Commission was for all, not just those with a fancy church staff title.

I want students under my care to have more tools to seek His Kingdom as a college student, an intern, a young professional, a healthcare professional, a teacher, a musician. I believe it is our call. I don't believe this is a new idea. When I look at the gospels I see Jesus constantly speaking and doing things that are in preparation for his followers. Engaging conversations that speak to their emerging vocation as well as action that shows others how to react and envelop their calling in their world. I see the growing pains of the early church in Acts that depended solely on the spirit of God to discern and lead. I read Paul challenging those seeking Christ to shrug off the distractions and seek the Lord. Not just a seeking in a particular time and place, but rather in their lives, all-the-while undergirding a message of holiness - the set apart.

Students need to know that seeking holiness is not just a time or place but rather a way.

2nd thought coming soon

TELOS - snapshot 3/23/2011

Series; '4D Future for 3D People'

Theme; Dream; hope, aspire and vision with a blank slate

Message; Jeremy Knight

Scriptures used;

Matthew 5:13-15

Message in a sentence/paragraph; Jesus makes a bold proclamation of the Kingdom and speaks to us telling us what we are 'Salt' i.e. seasoning, preservative, disenfectant. When we know what we are it frees us to hope, dream and aspire aligned with God and his work in our world.

Music;

All Because of Jesus

Everlasting God

Where the Spirit of the lord is

Up Next; Spring Break (no TELOS) (3/30) , Lock-In (4/1)

I haven't forgotten about you

I know the ole' blog hasn't gotten much attention lately - except for the letter below.

Truth is, the last 8 days have been a whirl-wind of sorts. Rest assured I haven't forgotten about you - it is actually you that are in the forefront over the last 8 days.

Trust that your students will be well lead through this transition. You have a tremendous church staff that are intimately involved in making sure NexGen Ministries thrives well beyond my time here.

I can't begin to thank you for the heartfelt words and messages both Nan and I have received over the past week. We are truly humbled by your grace and thankfulness of what God has done over the last 4+ years.

Grace and Peace

My Resignation

It is with a bittersweet heart that I inform you of my recent

resignation from St. Luke's UMC as the Director of NexGen Ministries.

Nan, Leyton and I will be moving back to Mississippi where I will be

serving Main Street UMC in Hattiesburg as the Pastor of Students and

Families beginning June 1, 2011. It has always been a desire of our

hearts to return to a location closer to home in the future although we

did not think that the ‘future’ would be this soon. We are truly

excited about this opportunity and feel very much at peace about this

very difficult decision we have made together. I will continue to serve St. Luke's until late May.

I informed the High School Students Wednesday evening at TELOS

of my resignation. Dave Jans and I will address this news with our Middle School Students Thursday evening at FUEL.

I write you for several reasons. First, I value you as a partner in ministry. I hope with every ounce of my being that you know the incredible affect you have on your students. I have always been aware that I was your partner in this, not that you were my partner- or that our influence is stronger than yours. The truth is that we seek to come along-side you and yours to build Disciples that impact God’s Kingdom.

Your families have helped me ‘grow-up’ as a man, as a minister of the good news of Jesus Christ and most importantly as a disciple. We ask for your continued prayers for our students and leaders, both lay and staff, as they enter a time of seeking God’s desire for NexGen Ministries at St. Luke’s.

The pastoral and lay leadership of the church will be communicating

with the entire congregation next week about my transition and the

process that will begin to ensure that St. Luke's continues to have a

student ministry that is deeply grounded in Christ.

I cannot consider myself anymore blessed than I am to have been able to

serve St. Luke's, your students and your families over the last 4+ years.

I will relish the next few months with you and pray nothing but

blessings over St. Luke's and ministry for the time ahead.

Grace and Peace,

Jeremy