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the eric trap – my thots

April 17, 2012 in books & reviews, leadership, student ministry, thoughts with Comments Off



Jim Wideman-Sam Luce-Kenny Conley are each individually amazingly smart dudes in the Kingdom.  So when they work together they are  truly “uber-brilliant”.  Recently they have joined forces to pen a new short work on leadership for those in the children’s ministry realm.  (Although, i’m convinced that the wisdom of their effort, along with the practical input of their colleagues – Kristin Englund, Sherri Epperson, Craig Gyergyo, Deana Hayes, and Matt McDaniels- is an invaluable tool for anyone in any ministry).

This is day 7 of the “eric trap” blog tour and i’ve offered up a few thots here on my video review.  I’ll admit the fact that fictional children’s ministry Eric Newman works at New Hope Community Church made me taken an even closer look….and there was more than a couple of times where i wondered if Jim-Sam-Kenny had read my journals.  Seriously in more than 6 years as a pastor, vocationally and an additional 30 years as a volunteer in children’s/student  ministry i’ve encountered every aspect of Eric’s tough week chronicled in the book.

I don’t want to spoil the book for you, but when you finish you’ll be wondering what next steps Eric will be taking…and it all comes down to this…

We win or lose by the way we choose.

~Jim Wideman

For the reader the biggest and most practical take away and consideration is the encouragement from the author’s and their team to take your journal and turn the conversation to your own circumstance and begin to process how you are leading.   The task we are called to in ministry is not easy because its about coming along side others who are equally broken and disconnected and offering them a place where together we get to live out our faith by serving God.  Its hard work.  Its supposed to be.

I need to say again, The Eric Trap isn’t just for those in children’s ministry.  The collective wisdom is something i think every leader needs to process through.  And if you’re a volunteer or a parent this book will give you a better appreciation for what should be the expectations in the local church.  It’s an easy read and is worth the investment of time and money.   Its available here.

disclosure:  i did receive a free e-reader copy of this book for this review.

Strength in Numbers

April 8, 2012 in thoughts with Comments Off

yeppers…ht share the road apparel

 

its only friday…but SONday is coming

April 6, 2012 in thoughts with Comments Off

Start from here: how not to feel like poop

March 16, 2012 in culture, family, thoughts with 1 Comment

my pal tim schmoyer posted this video on his blog earlier this week. i’m fascinated by what jeremy has to offer. the video is worth the watch. some real wisdom here. i’m also impressed by the conversation at the end between jeremy and his pastor. my mind has been moving through alot. i see almost everyday the impact of parents who don’t know how to parent…dad’s who don’t know how to be dads or men…mom’s that are confused about what a godly woman is to be. in fact our culture is stuck in perpetual adolescence.

i’m tired of the mess we have weaved for our children. i’m tired of being in schools the day after a young person has taken their young life…i’m tired of trying to be present in an ER with a young person who’s taken an overdose because the mess of their family leaves them, in their mind, no other recourse. i’m tired of those in the Kingdom not realizing the places we’ve created called “church” where community is anything but. i’m not sure the solution, but the process of restoration is going to be long and hard for our culture.  we’ve got to return to God’s blueprint. in the video, jeremy shares the wisdom of a friend who decided to begin anew. leaving behind the mess of their past, they said “you have to start from here…“  jeremy also shares that…

the trees with the deepest roots grow the highest…

so i’m going to rethink some things…some root things…i told my students this week i was going silent til Easter on the internets…i.e. facebook-texting-allthingssocialnetworks-etc. if they want me i’m available…ring me or come see me in the office or when i visit their schools. i’m going to use the margin to study, pray and learn. see you in april.

Once you KNOW, you never NOT know

March 13, 2012 in thoughts with Comments Off

Yesterday, Moody Radio’s Chris Fabry hosted a conversation with Moody Bible Institute professor Elizabeth Smith discussing the poison of sexualization of children and what we can do about it. i missed most of it but found out that Prof. Smith would be leading a webinar today expounding on the topic.  There was lots of practical wisdom and some shocking statics, but still important data.  one huge statement that still is rocking my understanding…is the reality…

that once a child “knows” about things sexual there is never again a time of not knowing. 

that’s not a problem unless the child is at an age that they can’t process what it all means.  and since the “knowing” thing is being learned at younger ages we need to be concerned.   i have conversations weekly with students in 4th,  5th and 6th grade who are “dating”…and who as they date are “making out” and taking a journey down a road that most likely end in some kind of “wreck”.

Particularly troubling is the impact of the sexualization of young girls.  some of the impact that Smith shared is sobering…

  • Cognitive and emotional consequences -Studies have found that thinking about the body and comparing it to sexualized cultural ideals may disrupt a girl’s mental concentration, and a girl’s sexualization or objectification may undermine her confidence in and comfort with her own body, leading to emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety.
  • Mental and physical health- Research has linked sexualization with three of the most common mental health problems diagnosed in girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.
  • Sexual development – Research suggests that the sexualization of girls has negative consequences on girls’ ability to develop a healthy sexual self-image

There are a couple more webinars in the coming months that will be definitely worth the investment of time.  Learn more about the webinars here.

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