ASH WED @ HUMC

Tonight we had a really good Ash Wed. service. We had a pretty packed sanctuary, with at least 40-50 youth making up part of it. I reserved a couple of pews so that the youth could all sit together and then after they sat down I handed all of them a journal page I prepared earlier today that talked about Ash Wed. and Lent and gave them a place to reflect on the season, and what they'd like to give up/take on if they chose. I knew that quite a few of the youth would not really have a strong grasp of what Lent is, so I hope the journal page helped.

It was really meaningful and powerful to watch members of the congregation go and receive the imposition of ashes. As I watched youth return to their seat with the cross on their heads I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming love for them.

SINGIN' DCA BLUES IN THE WINTERTIME WARMTH

Tomorrow morning I get to play travelling evangelist at Donelson Christian Academy's chapel services. One for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers. I thought about doing my Benny Hinn routine but I'm still not sure about that one.

I have quite a few students in my youth group who go to DCA and they have been hoping that I'd be invited to speak at some point. This may be the first time a non-baptist has been invited to speak at DCA (it's kind of the rumor that I've been passed) so I can only hope that all goes well.

I'm a bit nervous, in that the students are used to weekly altar calls and getting saved and that's not really my style (at least on a weekly basis).

I asked the spiritual life director if there was anything that I should speak on, or a scripture passage that she'd like for me to focus on. She said whatever God would lay on my heart... Oh great, I guess I have to go beg God for a word now (jus joking). She did say that their theme this year is "Step Up and Step Out" which I think is awesome. So I used that as my prayer words for this week.

Here's what I came up with for tomorrow. Of course since I speak off the top of my head it won't go exactly like I've written it, but I kind of like the direction. Let me know your thoughts.

I'M THINKING ABOUT ABORTION...

... not to be confused with "I'm thinking about an abortion".... since that would be biologically problematic.

This Wed. night at our youth small group, HOP TOPICS, we have decided to talk about abortion. I came across a great article by Dorothy Butler Bass, whom I have much respect for after reading her book, The Practicing Congregation.

In her article she states that the church really is not in a place to make statements about abortion. The reason for this is that the Church has "given in to slogans and untenable philosophies" and coopted theological reflection for American political ideology.

In thinking through this she went back to some writings by Stanley Hauerwas on abortion (now I really know why I like Diana- she has great theological taste). Here's what she posts on those reflections:

Nowhere, however, is Hauerwas more provocative than in debunking both "pro-life" and "pro-choice" positions. He reminds pro-lifers: "Christians do not believe life is sacred." Indeed, he points out, "Christians took their children with them to martyrdom . . . Christians believe there is much worth dying for. We do not believe that human life is an absolute good in and of itself" (Pope John Paul II also made this point in Evangelium Vitae). As for "pro-choice" advocates, he attacks the idea that abortion is individual and private, arguing instead that Christians must embody "the kind of community" that can "sustain the practice of hospitality to life." Finally, Hauerwas states that abortion is intrinsically linked to Christian sexual ethics: "The church has to make it clear that sexual relations are relations of power." From that perspective, he states that abortion is not primarily a women's issue. Rather, abortion starts with male sexual promiscuity, "nothing but the exercise of reckless power." He claims that until the church clearly addresses male sexuality, which it appears loath to do, Christians will continue to misunderstand the ethical dimensions of abortion and its proper theological context. Male promiscuity, an expression of sexual power, victimizes both women and children.

Wow, once again I and we the church are challenged to think about how we reflect and come to some sort of idea on an issue such abortion. But I agree with Diana, while we are reflecting on this issue, let us not forget to have as our underlying "practice"- "hospitality to the "least of these" or prophetically challenge the disordered "relations of power" that plague our lives, churches, and society."

THINGS ARE GOOD

I am really tired today. I am just in somewhat of a slump. I think it just has to do with how crazy busy things have been lately and the fact that I'm nowhere near the end of that tunnel. This weekend is Warmth In Winter, our conference's major winter youth conference. It's a great event but I always come home absolutely exhausted.

Then we have our ski trip in less than a month and I think we have, at this point a little over 50 youth signed up to go. That's definitely a reason to celebrate but it also means a lot of preparation and paying very close attention to all the details which is not always my strong suite.

Other reasons to celebrate:

1. Last week we kicked off our "Wonderful Wednesdays" with youth. The next couple of months we have small groups going on and over 50 youth signed up in classes. How cool is that?

The groups are:

1. U R N the Video: making a movie with a message. This group is making a short movie (less than 5 minutes) that is to have a unique and inspiring message. That's the only criteria I gave them.

2. Reel to Real: Finding faith in the Chronicles of Narnia

3. Girl's Night Out: Discovering inner and outer beauty: this group of girls take one outer beauty activity a week (this week it's lip gloss) and also one inner beauty character trait (this week it's how we use our words to build others up).

4. Hot Topic: social issues, and our faith: talking about issues such as abortion, homosexuality, racism, the rebel flag, and others in an open way. we're focusing this one on how to talk differences without getting angry and maintaining respect for one another.

Last night we also celebrated an answered prayer. On Sunday nights we've been averaging 60-75 youth. A few weeks back we began separating the jr. high and sr. high, knowing that we did not have enough adult youth leaders. Last night we welcomed two new youth leaders for middle school, the Wolfs, which now means we have 4 youth leaders working with middle school, and 4 youth leaders working with senior high. Yesterday also saw the first meeting of our newly formed youth council, who is very excited about getting to help plan and implement our youth ministry. AND at a parent meeting last night we formed an 8 person parent team/council who's function will be to undergird and help empower the youth council.

So this time a few months ago I was pulling my hair out in frustration wondering how we were going to maintain the number of kids coming to youth group. Now I begin the exciting and challenging adventure of figuring out how to empower and encourage adults to be in ministry with youth. Wow!!! How quickly things can change when you begin to pray.

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FOR MYSPACE?

Wow, since writing my post this morning about myspace's developing monitoring software for parents they have been hit with a lawsuit from several families whose teenagers were sexually assaulted by sexual preditors through the use of myspace.

according to the associated press:

"The lawyers who filed the latest lawsuits said the plaintiffs include
a 15-year-old girl from Texas who was lured to a meeting, drugged and assaulted
in 2006 by an adult MySpace user, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence in
Texas after pleading guilty to sexual assault."

Now don't get me wrong here, I think MySpace is accountable to make sure that it's neighborhood streets are safe to walk and hang out. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and offer that the route of lawsuits offers individual justice and a wake up call (or possibly a sign of the end?) for MySpace, it won't make steps towards engaging the problem.

How about churches, families, caring adults, and youth peers creating neighborhood watches, and simply walking the myspace "neighborhoods" and being willing to hang out. Maybe I'm too optimistic but I'm not so sure that the parents and adults who are so quick to crucify myspace when something tragic happens in the community are willing to take the responsibility on themselves to admit that they have not been present in the spaces or places where their kids are.

BIG BROTHER'S WATCHING MYSPACE

MySpace.com, THE PLACE, for online social networking among young people is in the process of developing a free downloadable software that will allow parents to monitor the information their kids give out.

MySpace officials say that this is another layer of helping to protect young people from sexual predators and potential harmful activity. The software is being developed out of the much concern parents have shown with regards to their kid's myspace use. 1

This new monitoring software isn't something that will get me bent out of shape, however I don't necessisarily think this is the answer to how to keep young people "safe" on the web, whether myspace or other online communities.

I will continue to advocate for parents to join myspace and be a presence in the online community or to find more creative and engaging ways to be present in the spaces where their kids are (even if they do so from a distance). For instance, I know that I have a member of my youth group whose mom has a myspace account. Mom does not use myspace nearly the way the teenager does, but mom is there and present, nontheless. And the teenager leaves comments on the mom's myspace, as do friends of the teenager who knows the mom. I think that's a step in the right direction that does not build barriers like monitoring might. Agreed- some students probably need the accountability of monitoring, however it really breaks down community and does not build up relationships.

That's my two sense on the issue for now.

shalom,
stPhransus
1, http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-01-17-myspace-tracking_x.htm?csp=34

YOUR SPACE OR MINE?

I know that there are many adults who view myspace as either something to be extremely cautious of (and i would agree that safety is to be practiced when using any online community) or they feel its something that teenagers ought to stay clear of.

Gavin and I both use MySpace as a way to engage the students we are in ministry and relationship with (and we both actually have peers who use myspace, as well). He and I have spent a bit of time trying to help unpack a lot of the fear the revolves around online communities for teenagers. I came across this advice column from Christianity Today tonight and as a youth pastor thought it was an interesting post. I find the youth pastor answering the question to still be responding out of fear a bit too much, but on the other hand his advice also is really good as he gives practical tips on how to stay safe online.

What are your thoughts on MySpace and other online communities- good, bad, destructive, valuable, etc.... etc.... ?

Christian Bands in MySpace? Answer by Mark Matlock

Q. My youth pastor has told us to be careful with MySpace. He made it sound like it's a really bad place. But since then, I have noticed all my favorite Christian bands have MySpace pages. If it's so bad, why are they on there? How do I handle MySpace?

A. Many bands use MySpace Music to get the word out about their music. In fact, for Christian bands it can be a witnessing tool. That's not necessarily a bad thing—what's bad is how some people use MySpace.

Jesus said our words reveal our hearts (Luke 6:45). They show what we're really about. And people hiding behind keyboards are even more likely to reveal their true character. The result is that you can find lots of sexual perversion, bad mouthing, lying, and disturbing attitudes on MySpace. It's no wonder many parents I know tell their kids to stay away. (And if yours do, Ephesians 6:1 pretty much ends the discussion.)

If you visit these sites, think about just listening to tunes and reading the band's info—and avoiding the friend comments. Don't hang out on pages that could cause you to lower your moral standards.

If you have a MySpace page, be extremely careful with how much info you give about yourself. Ask yourself: Could someone track me down from something I've said? Do not assume that only other teens will see what you post. Don't post photos of yourself. Also, ask some strong Christians you know in real life to check up on how you're representing Jesus there.

Mark is the founder of WisdomWorks Ministries. You can learn about his conferences, read movie and music reviews, and more at planetwisdom.com.

November/December 2006, Vol. 65, No. 4, Page 24