Speaking to Seniors

Now you may think that because I am youth pastor this blog post will be about graduating students. But it is not. While I love speaking with high school students, they aren't always the most encouraging group. The group I spoke with this morning is however, I spoke with a group of individuals 65+.

Every wednesday morning from 1030-noon we have a group of seniors which come together to sing some hymns and hear a message. All the pastors on staff take turns preaching to this group throughout the year. I am always happy to preach but this group really makes it fun.

The first time I got up to preach I was blown away by the fact that the nearest person to my age that week was 50 years older than myself. I didn't know what to say, I thought I should be the one to be sitting and learning from the wisdom of those older than myself. But I got up shared my testimony and then began to preach from it. When I was done, I thought to myself how bad it went. Then everyone started sharing how that impacted them and what they learned from my story. I didn't bomb in their mind, they hadn't heard it all before but they really enjoyed it.

Over the few times I have spoken at Wednesday worship I have been corrected (by a guy who knows more about the Bible than me) I have been encouraged and I have had some good jokes pointed in my direction. But the best part is it is all from love.

By spending an hour every few months with my more mature friends I have begun to learn a lot about christian living, and I have got to hone my craft of preaching more. I never feel nervous in front of this group because even when I preach and things don't go as well as I hoped, the seniors always have a kind word of encouragement, a lot of insight and sometimes they even help me fine tune my thinking for when I teach a similar message in the future.

So I would encourage you, if you ever have the opportunity to speak at your 'Wednesday worship', take the chance and get to know these older people. They will love you, encourage you, pray for you, pray with you and will be good teachers and listeners. And it might surprise you but they will learn from you to (and as a preacher that always feels good).

5 things God uses to Grow your Faith

This week we started using the resource by this blog titles name by Andy Stanley in our Young Adults small group.

The reason I chose it is because it has a powerful message and great teaching.

Great Teaching: Andy Stanley is one of my favourite speakers. He hits home about a lot of things and is engaging to watch and listen to.

Powerful Message: Its simple there are 5 things that God uses in our lives to grow our faith. If we are aware of them and glean from them we have a good chance to grow deeper in our intimacy with God.

The 5 Things are (All starting with 'P' so its fun and easy to remember):

1.Practical Teaching
-Listening to teaching that points us in the right direction. Not only is it God honouring but practical advice for us to follow

2. Providential Relationship
-People who direct us towards God. Maybe your parents, a colleague or that little old grandma figure who inspires your faith

3. Private Disciplines
- Yep, you guessed it. Bible reading, prayer, fasting, tithing, listening to God's voice, praising him

4.Personal Ministry
-We often like to ignore this one in the church, but we are all called to have a personal ministry. I think it is important to have a ministry you pour into in your church and outside the Church.

5. Pivotal Circumstances
-Some events in life just point us towards Christ more than others. Some of these things are good, but often they seem bad at the moment. Just remember God uses all things for his good. It might not be a good thing, but if we follow His guidance there can be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Cool things to think about. Looking back at your life seeing how God has shaped or begun to shape you.

-Kyle