Yesterday was a big day. We were going to watch the inauguration on the news channels we get here, but our electricity went out.
So we quickly jumped in the car and went to Starbucks to watch the live stream. The internet was choppy there, but we managed to listen to Obama’s speech.
When we got home, the electricity was back on so we could watch the rest of the coverage. I noticed some really great things about the inauguration of President Obama.
Here are some things I found interesting:
What were your favorite or most interesting things about yesterday? Leave a comment. I’d love to have a collection of great things about this memorable day.
Series: Global Youth Ministry – This post is part of a series on Global Youth Ministry. Be sure to check out part 1 – Why Global Youth Ministry is Important, Part 2 – What’s a Global Youth Worker?, and Part 3 – Benefits of Being a Global Youth Worker.
Youth pastors have tons of things to do. Sometimes, when you look at your calendar, you think, “How could I possibly fit one more thing in here?” I remember that feeling. I just had it this morning.
But it doesn’t take much to be a global youth worker. Here are some practical things you can do to think globally as far as youth ministry is concerned.
- Pray specifically for missions. (Check out five times to pray for us and a great way to remember the world’s youth)
- Participate personally in missions (more than just with your group) – YMI is always looking for people who are interested in teaching courses in one of our seminary programs. You can contact us for more information.
- Teach your students about missions.
- Read biographies of missionaries and use them as examples in your teaching.
- Keep up to date with current missionaries by reading their blogs. (Check out missionary-blogs.com for a list of missionary bloggers.
- Take short term mission trips with your group. (Interested in coming to Mexico? Contact us.)
- Learn about other cultures and expressions of Christianity.
- Develop relationships with international missionaries and youth workers.
- Give to missions – books, money, resources, etc.
- Minister to international students in your area.
- Donate your time and talents to missions. There are a lot of things you can do to help the cause of Christ overseas. Get on board with what you’re good at.
If you’re interested in training youth workers internationally, please contact me or leave a comment. Youth Ministry International is constantly looking for international trainers, and I’d love to talk to you more about the opportunities there are all over the world.
Graham Browne from Mobileyouth.org published this presentation of 50 Youth Marketing Trends for 2009. It is focused on people marketing to young people, but it is relevant for local church youth workers as well.
A few of my favorite thoughts:
- Let’s get it in our heads that youth don’t wake up thinking about our brands. Let’s get it into our heads that they don’t wake up thinking about our youth ministries, programs, or latest sermon.
- What am I if I’m not here to serve my customers? Shouldn’t we be serving the students in our ministries, too?
- Drivers: Can you help me be significant? Can you help me belong? These are the two timeless and culturally independent requests youth have of your brand. These two things are fundamental and thought about constantly by our students.
- Your young customers don’t care that you know unless they know that you care. This is an oldie but a goody. How much do we actually care?
What other trends mentioned in the presentation do you think are relevant to youth ministry?
Today is the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America. Regardless of how you voted, you can please God today, tomorrow, and in the future. Here’s what 1 Timothy 2:1-8 says.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
My Observations
- What should we do? Make requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.
- Who should we pray for? Everyone – including kings and those in authority (aka…the President)
- Why? That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
- Another why? This is good, and pleases God our Savior.
- What about God? He wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
- How should we pray? With holy hands lifted up, and without anger or disputing.
Today, my family and I will pray for Barack Obama, hoping to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. We want to please God our Savior, believing that He wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
(image by: Wa-J on flickr)
