Energizing An Initiative

Want people to get excited about something?

Get some kids and youth involved! 

Yesterday our Student Ministry (for students grades 8-12) baked goodies for a baking fundraiser for our new building project. They came together for 3 hours and baked up a storm, and then today after our church service they gave their goods away by donation. 

People young and old were eating it up (pun intended). They thought it was so cool that our students were involved in this project so they wanted to support it. In fact they raised a couple hundred dollars more what I had projected for us to raise. And this was because our students were excited about what they did and their excitement for the project was contagious.

I'm pretty sure anyone wanted to bring excitement to a campaign, cause or initiative of any kind, if they just found a few young and energetic people who were passionate about the cause and then brought them on board they would have far greater success than they originally projected.

So think about it, how do you incorporate young people in what you do?

Lockout Season

So far the NHL and NHLPA have not been able to come to agreement. For some people this is terrible news. For me, I can't really be bothered to care.

On Twitter, Facebook and blogs I have been blasted by the news about the NHL lockout. People stressing because they may have to go for a year without watching hockey. Other people are angry because of the greed going on. Me, what am I concerned about? I am concerned about the state of our priorities.

Whether people want to admit it or not, in our culture we make sports a priority. People skip out on church to go to a sports game, other people might have to miss a Bible study because there is an important game. And worst of all, if there is any sort of sporting event on when I could be spending time with God, you better believe I'm watching something else.

Now I am not saying sports are wrong, they are healthy and important. Playing them is good for us, watching them is entertaining and supporting friends and loved ones is appreciated. The problem is that sports often put us on spiritual lockout.

We don't have time to spend time reading our Bibles because of a game, and the only prayer we might say is the one that asks God for our team to win.

Its sad, and I want to see the lockout end.

What changes will really happen in the world if NHL players get a few more bucks?
 I'll take a guess that not a lot will change.

What change will happen if people spend a little more time with God?
Lives will be changed
People will have a renewed hope and passion
People will turn to Christ
God's name will be shared and praised.

So we have to pick, which will be more important to us: An NHL lockout or our Spiritual lockout?

-Kyle