Monthly Archives: July 2009

Have you ever been called on to pray publicly and had someone compliment you on your prayer afterwards? They might say that you “did a good job” “said a lovely prayer” or “that was great”.  Am I the only one to find that strange? I mean you do not walk up to someone after hearing their conversation and say “Way to Talk!!!” “way to put those words into….ummmm.. sentences and…..ummm paragraphs to complete ideas  and way to use your….  errrr…..mouth to say it.

I know. I am being silly but the point is that when we pray instead of being focused on God  we have the habit of trying to sound prestigious. In the church we have found that if we string a bunch of over used cliches together and throw in some King’s English people will compliment us and call on us to pray more.

I have been trying very hard to break that pattern. I have focused on praying conversationally with God as if I were talking with a person face to face.  I want to be honest and transparent before God and I don’t care if  I sound eloquent or not  that isn’t the purpose of prayer anyway and if we practice these habits we accomplish nothing and get nowhere in our realtionship with God.

We have just returend from a great week of camp. There were many decisions and discussions that arose from what the staff at the camp prepared and presented.

But with everything there is always a negative side. This week was no different.  This week I saw the worst example of leadership I have ever been exposed to and it saddened me but also angered me.

There was a church in attendance who had just brought on a new youth pastor.   This new guy was not interested in attending this week but since it was already planned an payed for he was stuck.  And even though his group wanted to be there very much he was not willing to accept it. So rather than make the best of it he set out to ruin the whole week for everyone.  He started by bad mouthing everything and criticizing the staff and content. He then started skipping out on the sessions and adult Bible study times. Then he tried to take his group away and have them miss out on some important content . He  didn’t do it discreetly either. His own students knew exactly what was going on and asked thstaff to intervene.

This bothered me so much.  This is a man who is supposed to be a leader and it is actions and decisions like these that give Youth Pastors  a bad name.

This is what should have happened

1. Take advantage of the opportunity

You do not always get your way but when that happens you have to allow God to use it to His glory.

2. Submit yourself

When there are rules to be followed you should submit yourself to that authority. That is your chance to be an example

3. Be humble

There is no need for I told you so’s and malicious talk. Keep it to yourself or take it up with the camp leadership.

I know I am not perfect and I make lots of mistakes but being a baby about things is just ridiculous