3T

Hey Gang!
It's that time of year again where summer is starting to wind down and I am sure you are in the midst of your planning for the fall activities. Just wanted to let you know that our 3T meetings will resume again starting in August. And to be more specific, the third thursday in August, which is the 16th @ 3:00 pm. We will be meeting @ New Holland Brewing. This meeting will probably just be a catch-up type of meeting, with how your summer went, mission trips, etc. I hope to see you there.
Blessings!
Kurtis Ritsema

Graduation Gifts...

It's that time of year again - graduation, and every year I struggle regarding a gift to get kids who have gone through the youth ministry. I've purchased books for kids, but they never read them. I've purchased CD's, and a few kids probably listened to the CD, but now I feel that was a meaningless gift. I've also purchased Bibles, but a lot of kids already have a Bible.

So, again this year I'm struggling to figure out a gift for seniors. Do any of you have a gift idea? What has worked for you in the past? Any help on this topic will be greatly appreciated. Hopefully there are people who still read this blog. If not, I just wasted time writing this entry.

Dave Roberts

Parade??

Hey,

What all is the plan for Thursday. I know the time and stuff that was on the postcard, but what about who is bringing what. I would like to help as I'm sure others would as well, just wondering how and stuff. I guess this is what happens when you miss a meeting you don't have a clue about what is going on.

Sorry I didn't make it to the meeting last Thursday, I was heading down to Ohio for a conference with some others from Calvary. It was a great conference about being a church that is focused on missions and serving. Our leadership staff here at church has really been wrestling with this stuff, so the conference was a great encouragement. This last Oct. we started a year of Jubilee where we decided not to spend any money on any building projects here (and paid off our mortage) instead we wanted to do building projects all over the world and send teams of people from Calvary to assist in those projects. Now about half way through it has been incredible to hear all the stories about what God has been teaching us and doing. So after experiencing the success of this and reading a few books (mainly Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne) we have been evaluating how this year of Jubilee is going to affect the way we do church and who Calvary is as a church. Although things are just in the begining phases it looks like we are going to become a church that is extremely intentional about focusing on others instead of just looking inward. It will mean we have to ask and answer a lot of hard ?'s and rethink what it means to be successful (not how big can we build our church). I am really enjoying this and it is great to see the leadership of the church struggling through this. We just had a staff retreat yesterday and brought all the staff up to date on where things are heading and invited them to dream and struggle as well. It is great to see us asking ?'s about getting more to Jesus heart then to what the American church says.

If you want a book that will mess with you (which is acutally our sermon series right now) read Irresistible Revolution. What makes the book so powerful is that it is not full of ideas, but rather stories of how he has lived his life as a radical ordinary for Jesus.

Expectations...

I love reading Mark Batterson’s blog, Evotional. Mark is the lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington DC. theaterchurch.com Recently, he wrote a blog entry entitled Seven Expectations. These are the expectations he has of his staff. Personally, I think they are great. To read these expectations, check out Mark’s blog.

What expectations do you have of the people you work with?

A Whole New World

Well Ladies and Gentlemen...

I'm breaking out into a whole new world today ~ the world of blogs.

I guess it is about time for me to move forward with technology.

This posted blog is to see if I am doing this correct.

You are welcome to let me know. Thanks!

Kurtis

20 Best Youth Pastors...

I posted this on my blog the other day, and it generated some good conversations so I thought I would put it here to see what all of you think...

I just came accross the list of the 20 best youth pastors. I didn't make the list. Personally, I don't want to be on the list.

Looking at the list makes me ask some questions...
- How did they come up with this list?
- What was the criteria for getting on the list?
- Are you only a good youth pastor if you are in a large church?
- Why are we fascinated with ranking people?
- If I believe in the Bible, wouldn't it be best to be last on the list of youth pastors?
- How much time was wasted on coming up with the list?
- Why isn't Ty on the list? I think he's a great youth pastor.
- What does it mean to be a great youth pastor?
- Are we sometimes too hard on ourselves, trying to copy what other youth ministries are doing instead of being ourselves?

Anyway, interesting list.

Where Youth Ministry Must Go Conference

Anyone else going to the conference at Cornerstone • GRTS on Monday?

If so, we can look at going up together. Let me know: chap@harderwyk.com

Pax: Ty

Superman vs. Batman

I have no idea how to bring a post over to this blog? Dave, any ideas?

Ty, Dave and I were blogging about superheros and youth ministry. So, here's the link. CLICK HERE. Check it out! Ty is creative and funny in his response!

D-Now

Hey All,

Was just wondering if any of you have ever heard of Discipleship Now weekend retreats. I'm actually in Atlanta, GA right now and I'm going to be a small group leader during the time here - with several churches here partnering together. I've never gone through one, but it sounds like it's going to be amazing.

That said, anyone ever done one or knew of a ministry that did it in the Holland area?

Keep up with the SHIFT Student Ministry Conference at Willow Creek with the web link below.
http://www.shiftnow.typepad.com

First Thursday

First Thursday will have to be at a different location this month. I plan on hosting it again, but we moved our coffee machine and it's not hooked up yet. So how about Thursday the 1st at September Woods @ 9 AM? I'll be there and we can talk and relax.

Let me know if you're planning on coming.

Pax: Ty

Tailgate Team Spring • Summer Version

Last fall a bunch of us got together to do some tailgate parties at the local high school. It was a great start and a good way to meet some of our students on campus.

At that time we also talked about doing some Spring and Summer events. We bounced around doing something after parades at Tulip Time, fireworks at Kolen Park on 4th of July and maybe some days out at the beach.

So, it's probably time to talk and make a plan. I'm pretty positive that we are closing our building, the Anchor, this summer on Fridays and meeting kids out at the State Park and everyone will be welcome. Beyond that, I'm up for ideas if this is something we want to do again. I think something at Tulip Time would be sweet, but that's me. What about the rest of you?

Pax: Ty

Oh yeah: First Thursday will have to be at a different location this month. I plan on hosting it again, but we moved our coffee machine and it's not hooked up yet. So how about Thursday the 1st at September Woods @ 9 AM? I'll be there and we can talk about some of this stuff!

Another Thursday

Hey, just a couple of months left my youth group for the season, and I'm kinda out of words to say and ideas to use. We've been doing more and more service stuff this year and it's seeming to work, but having the two last months be all service projects seems a little impractical.

So now as I sit planning March and April, I'm running stuck for a few topics and themes. Any Ideas?

I'm going to go hang out at September Woods this coming Thursday morning starting about 8:30ish and try and come up with the rest of my plan. If anyone else is in the same boat and wants to come put our heads together, that would be great!

See ya! Ty

This Month's "3rd Thursday @ 3" Secret Location Revealed!

Hey HAYP's! As you know or don't know, in an attempt to build friendships and connect, some of us have begun the practice of hanging out each month on the 3rd Thursdays at 3PM. This Thursday, February 15 is the 3rd Sunday. Where are we going to hang out????

Someone said, "how about September Woods?" Someone else said, "okay!" So there you have it! You all (and whoever else) are invited to connect this Thursday (15th) at 3 PM at September Woods. (plus Tim, the owner there, is still suffering from vertigo and not back to work so we can help support his family by buying lots of coffee and cinnamon rolls!).

Hope to see you all there!

Upcoming Conversations in the Area

Kendra VanHouten passed along this information to me to put on the blog. It's information about two conversations that might be worth our time. I'm not familiar with Tony Jones, but I do know Steve Argue and the guys at GRTS. They are good guys and the people they bring in are great. So here's the information from Kendra...

Where Youth Ministry Must Go
We’re really excited about our all-day forum with Mark Oestreicher, Kara Powell, and myself discussing, “Where Youth Ministry Must Go...”

It’s put on by GRTS for a crazy-low price that includes lunch. YS/Zondervan will be there along with youth leaders, students studying youth ministry, volunteers, and pastors.

Grand Rapids Theological Seminary - March 12, 2007; 9AM-3PM. $40. Lunch Included.

Please come and pass the word along to those in your circles who might be interested. Information, check out intersectcommunity.com/blog

Tony Jones
Western Sem is bringing in Tony Jones on May 3 and 4

Questions, you can give Kendra a call at 396-6526 x 107

Student Leaders

Currently, we have been working on developing a more intentional student leadership program here at church. Our church has had student involvement and input occassionally but ongoing and historically some attempts at intential student leadership, but it just never went anywhere. Intentional mentoring/development of student leaders is a big passion for me and I would love to see my student leaders provided with avenues to explore those gifts. In the past, (if I can be somewhat real and somewhat sarcastic) student leadership attempts have looked a bit hap-hazzard. It's consisted of looking at everything that needs to be done and throwing every student onto a committee (a delegated area) where they may have interest or talents... hhhmmm... I'll just leave that there. A couple months ago, we put the feelers out there to see if any students were interested in the concept of student leadership. There are a few who are. Because we have a smaller program, I'd like to start with a (in the words of YS) "Program Planning Leadership Team," those students who have a desire to see YM at our church be successful through helping with ideas, planning things, etc... then from there possibly branch into some peer types of ministry with small groups or something (currently the church has no small groups :) ). We're not there yet. But, so far, we've "surveyed" the students and had a parent meeting (which was very good as the parents are very supportive). But I'm wondering if anyone else has any important input to consider/helpful resources/or would be interested in just chatting about how to impliment this, before we move forward. I would love to learn. Also, if you've attempted this in the small church setting, I'd be particularly interested in your input. Thanks!

Cure!

JP's is a great cure for cabin fever! Coffee, cinnamon roll, lesson plans, people. The snow days can continue if I can get out and get some work done while socializing.

Maybe we all need to go to September Woods some morning [cause it's quieter] and start brainstorming on planning for next year. We all have to come up with a plan, why not hear from everyone's combined wisdom. Take what you need, share what you can, use what will work.

Thoughts?

Pax: Ty

Hey! I've finally gotten the chance to sign on to this blog! Great idea and I look forward to the conversation!

Sabbaths. Good question. I think a lot of times my sabbaths happen by accident. When I get sick or something's cancelled or there's a change of plans and I end up having a block of time at home, it dawns on me to use it as my sabbath. But do I intentionally carve out time? Not too often. Are sabbaths only God-focused? Or is vegging on the couch watching TV consider sabbath as well?

Cabin Fever

So, with all the cancellations, being at home and general horrible weather, is it just me that can't concentrate on planning stuff. I have a middle school purity retreat and a marriage retreat with my wife BOTH this coming weekend and I can't seem to get my mind wrapped around all the planning I need to do. All I seem to be able to do at this moment is msn people and check my facebook every 5 minutes to see who's added me. I'm so lame!

Am I the only psycho or do others of you deal with this affliction of a mind that goes all over the place?

If you suffer from this too, please let me know so that I'm comforted in knowing I'm not alone.

Pax: Ty