What I'm Learning

Went to Catalyst One Day yesterday in Columbia, MD it was a good experience; however, once you start going to a bunch of these things you start to hear a lot of the same stories, lessons, etc.  But, even if that's the case you have to ask yourself, "Am I really listening?"  It's often we can go to conferences, workshops, and teachings and put ourselves in a mode where we know the lesson but we don't apply it.  If that's the case you are probably a conference junky. 

So I spent my time looking at what Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel had been telling us and asked what is it that I need to work on and this was the question that stood out in my mind:  What values am I passing down to my leaders?

I'm passionate about evangelizing and reaching out to lost students...but when do I really go out into the community and reach out to lost students?  I want the student ministers to be out in the community cheering on the students they build relationships with in their programs...but when do I do that?  I've done those things, but I don't do it on a consistent basis, I don't feel the pain, I don't experience the difficulty and the intimidation that comes with the things I'm asking my ministers to do.

I can blame my schedule, I can blame the other priorities in my life, I can blame the limitations around me, but in the end I have to ask myself, "What am I really scared of?" and the answer is the same thing most people are scared of in regards to evangelizing...rejection.  So why do I fear being rejected by teens more than being rejected by God.  Doesn't make sense...so I'm giving that one to God, I'm looking at my schedule and I'm looking forward to being rejected, looking a little odd, but in the end bringing Christ outside the youth group walls.