Posts tagged worship

Why My Wife Is A Better Youth Pastor Than Me

People typically have set ideas on what makes a pastor a pastor. A pastor should look a certain way, have the right title, sound a certain way, have the correct education. My wife does not have the title of “youth pastor.” She’s an early childhood teacher, greatly-talented photographer, and world-traveler but she also is one of the best pastors I know. 

I have been involved in youth ministry for almost 10 years now, leading worship, teaching, leading small groups. Because I’m on church staff, I have been referred to as both a “priest” and a “reverend.” Titles that assume I am somehow “holier than thou” or more important than others in our church. My wife is a perfect example of someone who simply believes what Jesus said and longs to live for a greater purpose in life. Over and over again she pours herself out for the benefit of others. She has shown that a pastor truly making a difference is less about title and status and more about love and effort. Here are a few examples I’ve learned from her on how to truly help others.

• giving time: a full-time wife and two part-time jobs demand tons of time. she still finds slices of time to meet with her girls, write them on facebook, answer texts
• getting coffee with girls several times a week
• listening first. showing she cares instead of slathering advice and correction
• prayer
• actually caring. I’ve seen her shed plenty of tears when talking about the girls she leads.

Leading worship is easy compared to what my wife and other volunteers at our church do. I’m in awe of how they give so much passion and energy to the investment of others.

What makes a pastor a pastor? Who do you know in your life that regardless of their job-title is a full-time pastor?

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new worship songs

these are some of the new songs I’m hoping to introduce to the students this fall:

“Always”- Kristian Stanfill [a very simple, catchy, but powerful song]

“Towards You”- Hillsong Youth [not released yet, loving how “synth-driven” it is]

“Rooftops”- Jesus Culture [driving song, interested to see how it goes]

“Unending Love”- Hillsong [my favorite off the newest Hillsong album, the melody is sweet]

“Where You Go”- [one of my songs, hoping to introduce around the middle of october, we’ll see how people respond to it]

i have songs too

Last night I played for Axis McHenry (our local 20’s ministry) and I realized something: I do not play my own songs enough. At the beginning of the night, I played some of my original tunes and did not feel comfortable at all. I was not very familiar with the chord structures or lyrics for most of them and in one case I could not even remember the song melody at all!

However, when it came time to play a worship song, I had it completely down. I have played it so many times I did not even have to think about it. That partly makes sense, because that is a big part of my job, learning other people’s worship songs, but there is no excuse in forgetting my own stuff!

I never want to be the guy always listening, discussing, and enthralled by his own stuff but I also need to find a happy medium here because I actually like some of my songs and really enjoy playing them. So, here’s to me learning my own songs with the same vigor and practice that I go through weekly to learn other people’s stuff. 

breathe

“I rest in the thought of you watching over me.” - hillsong united

I’m teaching myself how to breathe again. It’s not that I stopped completely, that might not be the wisest move, I am just remembering that there is nothing wrong with stopping and taking a moment to breathe. Everything that represents chaos, stress, and busyness can wait. If I don’t finish my product, make deadlines, do everything perfect…life will still continue. 

I breathe deep the truths and promises of God, the reality of who I am as a creation. I breathe out the lies and expectations that have built up over the years, that tell me what I have to DO in order to be a good member of ________ (fill in blank.)

There are numerous things in life that I can control like daily tasks and decisions. When I stop to breathe though, I am reminded of the fact that ultimately I’m not in control. Each breath could be the last one I take on this earth. It may sound a bit morbid, but this actually comforts me. I am not God. I don’t have to control things or know everything. I can rest in faith that the same God who gave me breath is watching over me.

kingdom come

This week I am introducing a new song to our student ministries called Kingdom Come by Elevation Worship. Basically the song is the Lord’s Prayer with an added chorus and bridge. The line I am most excited about says: “we’ll show the world how You love.” I love how the word “show” is an action word. It creates a picture of followers of Jesus physically giving examples of amazing grace and hope, not merely trying to convince others with words and arguments.

The question I have is will we really show people how Jesus loves? I know for myself, I would rather not. I would rather sit at home, watch some t.v., and drink coffee. It seems easier. I would rather people come to church on Sundays and then I could talk to them. That way they are meeting me in my environment, where I’m comfortable.

I’m hoping these words will be unsettling to students. They are definitely unsettling to me. May we be moved to wake from our selfishness and comfort. May we leave our homes and church buildings searching for ways to show people how Jesus loves.