Manure On The Face

Hmm. Interesting title. Even more interesting passage.

3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. Malachi 2:3

Read this in my devotion this morning. Reminded me of the call upon my life first as a royal priest in God's kingdom, and secondly as God's messenger to his people.

The priests had gotten so tired of God and his teachings, they just didn't care. The Priests didn't care! It was the ultimate insult to have that stuff thrown upon your face. (Still is today I would say).

Do I trample the Word of God or become so lackadaisical as his messenger that he would desire to throw manure (or worse) on my face? (Are any shocked that God takes obedience so seriously?) My answer is shown in my life. This passage really makes you look at your life before God, and his passion that his people love him.

The Blessing

Here's a great video recommended by RJ! Happy New Year!

When All Is Said And Done

Derik Davis Husband, Father, Friend
Born November 27th, 1973
Died _______ __, 2___

Thinking about the impact of my life moves me to live with the end in mind. Whatever I do, I know that it can either have an impact for eternity, or be shamefully wasted. So whether it's tomorrow or 40 years from now, when someone walks up to me and says, Derik, thank you for ___ (hopefully there'll be a life changing, eureka-type, change my direction, made me think, drew me closer to God, kind of statement placed in this blank) I want to live with the end in mind, and to move people towards that statement they would give me.

Don't get me wrong here. It's not about me, but about what I can choose to do now to help others with the breath and life God's given me. This upcoming year, 2009, will be full of challenges and triumphs, much like 2008 has been. But it will be different, and I'm praying and moving towards impact, rather than impasse. Rather than my life coming to a thud and going nowhere, I want to continue to create a faith of momentum and metamorphosis. Happy New Year!

Southside's DNA Pt. 4

As I continue to read the book, 7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones, I'm reminded that this is one way to do ministry. These are principles not programs. As our staff looks at the 114 year old church, rich in heritage, brimming with potential, that He has called us to shepherd, nurture and assist in it's growth, I see a tremendous amount of ideas we can garner from a book such as this. (perhaps that's why our dear friend gave all the staff a copy!)

One idea that is challenging my thinking is stated in this 4th principle: Teach less for more. It's been drilled into my head that 3 points, 3 illustrations, and 3 supporting verses can make up a great message! Although that's not entirely the model I use, it's more of a compilation. Many other pastors would agree. But this principle points out something: We teach too much. It's been estimated that students within a student ministry are only under teaching for about a 150 hours, if you just count the teaching time. And other studies conclude that we retain ideas more when they're repeated, rather than added onto with point 2, point 3, etc. So the necessity of strategic planning in teaching to an audience, rather than a flavor of the month is what this principle is getting at.

I'm still not convinced that a 3 point message needs to be tossed out. Presentation is key to any message being taught and the listener learning. But how much is said that can be left unsaid? How much is over the top, flashlight approach vs. laser focus teaching that leaves the listener walking away with a general sense that they learned something, but can't tell you what nor use it to help them in their lives and walk with God? Good chapter, great ideas. needs to be mulled over more to fit our ministries.

Born to Give Us Second Birth!

The most amazing thing in the annals of humanity, is that our Creator chose to be involved from our inception, and that HIS-tory continues miraculously through Christ's birth, sinless life, scandalous death, and shock-the-world resurrection from the dead. To encounter the power of the risen Christ, through the promised indwelling of God's Spirit, is the POINT of everything Christmas. Born to give men second birth. The first birth ends in death. The second birth (spiritual, of the Spirit, faith in Jesus) proves God DOES care about our measly 70 years on this planet, and that he wants us to live that life every second with our future meeting with HIM in mind. Merry Christmas World! God....Is....Here!

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:7-8

Taylor's Gift

Several months ago, one of our students, Taylor, had a idea. His idea was simple: Collect jackets for the homeless of Wilmington. He gave it a name: Jackets for Jesus. Tomorrow he and I will go deliver the fruits of such a God-honoring idea. Hats off to ya man! I'm so glad you've chosen to make good on the idea and be moldable and used of God.

37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:37-40

50 Youth Marketing Trends for 2009 by Graham Brown mobileYouth.org

Found this post on DC Curry's blog, Granger's Student Ministry Pastor. If we as a church are to reach students, knowing their culture is the bridge that can introduce them to Christ. Check out this slide show. What I found interesting was

We don't market to youth, we market with them.
They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

The maddening thought I have is...Is the church even on the radar of the unchurched American Teenager?

PART 1: 50 Youth Marketing Trends for 2009 by Graham Brown mobileYouth.org

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: teens kids)

Graffiti - A Message Meant to Be Heard

Graffiti Church

I took my son to a relatively unknown park today, thanks to a tip from a friend. When my son and I arrived, we saw friends from church and school! They were surprised at the new park as well, being so close to our homes!

What was also surprising was the new graffiti on one of the freshly painted buildings. We as parents wondered why would someone do that? All the kids playing stood in stark contrast to the reality the grown-ups knew about the graffiti. But yet, the vandal wanted to be heard. There was even barbed wire fence beyond the wall. Amazing.

We all have stories we so desperately want to tell. We want people to care deeply for us and hear us out. One of the cool things about being a part of a community of faith is that this actually happens, but it's messy. Graffiti is like that. Messy. Not the easiest way (or legal), to get a message across. But if our "messiness" is not heard, how can we ever get our messiness clean?

I want to take you to an incredible story of a pastor who went against incredible odds to pastor a church, oddly enough, called the Graffiti church. I've met this man and his family and his church, through a partnership several years ago. It's messy. But cleaning is going on there. Check out the work of God there in the lower east side of Manhattan. Take time to read the graffiti. People want to be heard. Cleaned up? Absolutely. They must be heard first. Then cleansing can come.

8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jn 13:8-9

The Christmas Story

7 Christmas Facts or Myths Not In The Bible

1. The Bible mentions no innkeeper. (Luke 2:7) (We only assume)
2. The Bible mentions no donkey. Possible though (Isaiah 1:3)
3. The Bible mentions no animals around the manger. Possible though. (Isaiah 1:3)
4. Wise men didn't bring gifts to the manger, but to a 2-3 yr. old Jesus at his house. (Mt. 2:11)
5. Angels didn't sing to the shepherds. (Lk 2:13)
6. Jesus wasn't Mary's only son. (Mark 6:3, Mt 13:55)
7. Jesus didn't bring peace to everyone. (Lk 2:14, ESV)

(taken from a study found here)

DNA Pt. 3 Throw Away All Your Flashlights!

It seems as I read this book I'm being reminded of why we're doing what we're doing as a 114 year old church. We're doing too much. Let me say that again. We're doing too much. As a staff, we have decided by the leadership of the Spirit, to throw away the flashlights, and go buy some lasers. Flashlights are broad. Lasers are focused. We've removed several of our Wednesday night programs, in an effort to FOCUS more on our goal of reaching the unchurched. When we're doing less, we're doing more. There will be some who will fret at the loss of light, but will soon realize, I suspect, that the laser has more impact. Shedding some pounds is always healthy, more so for a church that's been around awhile. Wilmington will never be the same because we stepped up and chose to throw away some flashlights. Great chapter.

Making a Good Connection

I recently had some battery trouble, and went to an auto parts store to find a remedy. After discovering that my battery had a corroded, weak connection to the electronics of the car, I soon realized the source for the whirring, ker phoosh sound the engine tried to make as it started then fuzzed out.

Then something out of the ordinary happened. A gentleman in the store worked passionately to fix the problem, yet he could not speak. He could hear, but could not speak. He had a phone at the ready to text his thoughts whenever needed. Yet, there we were communicating without words. Nonverbal Communication, as my prof would say. His work was fierce as he dashed in and out of the store to find just the right connection. Once it was found, the car started right up.

Sometimes our communication with our fellow man breaks down in the worst way. Feelings and opinions corrode what was once a solid bond. But there are those in our lives who are passionate about making good connections. People insistent that we "get along" or "go deeper" in our lives. I'm grateful that sometimes the connections need adjustment, need cleaning, need replacement even. Good connections happen when we become passionate even beyond our own ability to communicate, to see the body of Christ fit together in a broken, yet ALIVE community. What connections are you in need of?

Dang!

Boast In Christ Alone

Can't contain my excitement! We had an awesome youth worship service last night! We've got an incredible group of dedicated, empassioned leaders that pour their lives into these students! We had 5 students stand up in front of nearly 60 kids and say--not with heads bowed or eyes closed or hands raised--but with eyes WIDE open, that they wanted to follow Jesus! Amazing. No manipulation here ever, but a simple desire to know the One who gives us life eternal. Now...on with their moving towards the One who saved them.

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

DNA Pt. 2 Going Where We Need To Go

As I continue to read the book on best practices, I'm reminded, that this is but one way to be effective in ministry. It is a way that has worked well for North Point Community Church, and has worked well for many other churches. This is not a "how-to" manual, but a book of principles that, when applied, really seem to make sense.

Churches can become bloated with programs that are difficult to see the end to. Andy Stanley notes that this practice is all too common in today's churches. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Where do we want people to go or end up as a result of what we're doing as a church?

It was a great chapter because it helped me to ask tough questions about the ministry I lead. As a student pastor, I want students to be on a path to maturity with God. Getting them there is the challenge our team faces as we seek to create such means, or "steps" as Stanley calls them. How does a student go from our large group environment to our small group environment and feel a sense of connection? How do they connect with other adults or students from that small group? Rather than having programs, the emphasis should focus on direction. We have a lot of momentum within our ministry. How to create movement in the right direction (i.e. maturity with God) will determine our ministry's effectiveness, and will serve as measuring stick to determine whether we need to adjust our programs to meet the intended direction. More to come.

Southside's DNA Pt. 1 Clarify The Win

What makes up a great church? How do you know it's a good church? How does the church know that its doing what it's supposed to? These questions and more will come up I'm sure as I read the book, "The Seven Practices of Effective Ministry," by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones. It's a great book, and a good friend bought it for me at at a conference we went to in Chicago.

As we gear up for The Blend, Christmas parades and all, this book will bring a lot into focus and confirm the direction God is taking us. It already has. In the first principle, getting your people to be a part of the win in which they can consistently see and be a part of is the key to momentum, and continued success.

We want The Blend to succeed. But what does success look like? We've clarified it in vision casting meetings and PR meetings and are still doing so. The win for Southiders? Wilmington families blending their lives into God's plan for them. Life. Faith. Coffee. It's a bridge to get people who feel uncomfortable in church to remove those barriers of discomfort in order to follow God fully. When that happens, we win. God wins. Wilmington wins.

An Open Letter To All Youth Parents

We had some growing pains tonight..Lots of kids, praying for more volunteers! .Coastal Christian High School Praise Band was awesome! We had over 150 there at our youth worship event, much thanks to John and his crew. Here' s a letter from my friend Tim that echoes my sentiment: To all the youth parents out there, enjoy:

A Letter To All Youth Parents

Jesus Take The Bull Horn...

When something God-sized needs to be said, Jesus speaks clearly through his Word and through the Holy Spirit. The question is, will the hearers listen?

When something God-sized needs to be said, the church is God's plan to communicate that to the world.

But humans' ears get clogged way too easily. Clogged by tunnel vision, stress, fear of failure, approval addiction, stubbornness, disobedience, and on and on...the spiritual ear wax needs to be broken through with a bull horn from Jesus.

The Church's ears, also as a whole, can become clogged by infighting, (our pastor says that sometimes the church is the only one to shoot it's wounded), broken relationships, doubt, worry and fear, to name a few. The bull horn Jesus would use is also the church. So we hear from Jesus and then respond right? No, we want to give the bull horn back to Jesus. But the responsibility is OURS.

Effective communication can clear a lot of clogged ears that aren't used to listening. God is refining our church. He's refining me. I'm listening. I'm not singing Jesus take the wheel--or the Bullhorn, but saying right now: Jesus I hear you. I've got the bullhorn in my hands, and I'm about to go make some noise. Others must hear you through me. Anything less just leaves more spiritual ear wax.

So onward with clarity and off with the spiritual ear wax. Anybody listening?

"Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Rev. 3:19-22