From: http://salvos.org.au/blogs/youthleadership/2011/03/31/theyre-a-little-wierd/

Is it just me or do Christian youth groups naturally attract more than their fair share of ‘unique’ people?

It seems that every youth ministry I’ve been a part of or visited is home to some of the strangest young people on earth. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not having a laugh at someone else’s expense…it never takes me long to realise that we’re all a bit whack in our own unique way. What does a normal 15 yr old look like anyway? There’s no mould, there’s no ‘normal’ kids and ‘wierd’ kids; we’re all weird and we’re all normal.

The true beauty and creativity of God is contained in every young person. Sometimes it takes longer to see, and sometimes we’ve got to see past the issues that dominate someone’s persona in order to see just who God made them to see. The challenge is to not write someone off before you’ve truly seen them as God sees them.

Read More- “christian youth groups” – Google Blog Search

From: http://sbcchildrensministry.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/taking-advantage-of-summertime/

We just finished our major New Mexico event for children.  We had  51 churches attending an evangelistic, all-day Saturday event for children.  We had the GoFish Guys, Team Impact, Jeff Slaughter and games and Bible study time.  It was a great day and though it was lots of work, it was also loads of fun.  One of the guests from Team Impact even joined my 5th-6th grade Sunday School class the next morning.  The kids were enthusiastic about having such a special guest in their classroom and they had lots of questions for him.  They hung on to his every word.  It reminded me of the importance of exposing children to lots of different Christians.

Read More- “children’s ministry” – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Can-An-Unbeliever-Be-A-Part-Of-Your-Worship-Program-/2239721
As a ceremony personality it is critical that we simply anticipate a doubt of either an sceptic could be partial of your ceremony program. we am customarily requested this query when dual situations start in a church: there are few group members accessible for a ceremony program, and a one that will not be a Christian is a unequivocally means individual. When you’ve got a large church with many means musicians afterwards a query could not impact we as much, though if your organisation is tiny and a unequivocally means musician or thespian is within a wings, are we means to frankly accept them into your ceremony module with a transparent conscience?

Read More- worship articles – Google Blog Search

From: http://sierranichole.com/2011/04/12/twitter-giveaway/

I was given a bunch of products that I don’t need and don’t know what to do with….so I’m going to GIVE THEM AWAY!

This is what I have (they’re used products but in awesome condition):

1. Manic Thirst-1st album from Derek Loux (CD)
2. E Pluribus Unim-Challenges and Opportunities in Multicultural Ministry by Oliver R. Phillips (BOOK)
3. From Facts to Faith (CD SET)-Evidences in Defense of the Faith by Douglas Jacoby (CD SET)
4. My Friend James by Diane and John Hagee (4 tapes) (TAPE SET)
5. 2 Family Force 5 Dance or Die (CD)
6. WOW HITS 2011 (CD)
7. Jaci Valesquez  “Adore” Album (CD)
8. Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris (Book)

9. The 5 Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman(Book)

10. Point of Grace Steady On (CD)

11. Roy Fields :My Nation is Gods Nation (CD)

12. Roy Fields: Rain Down (CD)

HOW TO WIN:

HELP ME GET TO 2500 FOLLOWERS.

Whenever you tweet add the hashtag #SNG

When I reach 2500 Followers there will be 10 lucky winners.

You can promo my twitter account: @oneforeunner and add #sng to be in the giveaway.

TO WIN: Whoever promo’s me the most wins 2 of the 12 prizes OF YOUR CHOICE

Whoever promos my Blog the most wins 2 of the 12 prizes OF YOUR CHOICE.

The other top 8 who promo my twitter or Blog will win 1 of the 12 prizes of their choice.

The point is to promo the most so you have first pick and get 2 FREE items!

Ok! This is just for fun and who doesnt love FREE stuff and a good contest?

From: http://worship4christ.com/2011/04/living-proof-live-fresno-worship-songs-travis-cottrell/
Living Proof Live Fresno Worship Songs. Posted on Apr 5, 2011 | 5 Comments › 5 comments. Category: Living Proof, Worship | 5 Comments ›. Article source: http://traviscottrell.com/2011/04/living-proof-live-fresno-worship-songs/ …
Read More- “worship songs” – Google Blog Search

From: http://mumbailaity.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/paedophile-priests-overshadowing-churchs-good-works-%E2%80%93-senior-catholic/

One of the most senior Roman Catholics in England and Wales has said the sexual abuse crisis is overshadowing the positive social contribution of the church’s charities.

At a conference in central London, the archbishop of Southwark said the paedophile priest scandal of recent years, coupled with church teaching on issues such as abortion and homosexuality, had not fostered good impressions.

The Most Rev Peter Smith said: “Some people’s perception of the church is very negative, [that] it’s just there to say no.

“I don’t think there is an awareness of the positive social engagement. We don’t go around blowing our trumpet. We’ve been modest and humble.”

Read More- church laity – Google Blog Search

From: http://mumbailaity.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/paedophile-priests-overshadowing-churchs-good-works-%E2%80%93-senior-catholic/

One of the most senior Roman Catholics in England and Wales has said the sexual abuse crisis is overshadowing the positive social contribution of the church’s charities.

At a conference in central London, the archbishop of Southwark said the paedophile priest scandal of recent years, coupled with church teaching on issues such as abortion and homosexuality, had not fostered good impressions.

The Most Rev Peter Smith said: “Some people’s perception of the church is very negative, [that] it’s just there to say no.

“I don’t think there is an awareness of the positive social engagement. We don’t go around blowing our trumpet. We’ve been modest and humble.”

Read More- church laity – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.youthleadersacademy.com/time-management-in-youth-ministry-becoming-efficient-and-effective/

I’m one of those people who believes in the benefits of good time management. Why would I want to spend an hour on something when half an hour would be enough if I would just do it differently? Over the last ten years, I have tried out many things to become more efficient. Some were very successful, some not so much, and in this new series on Time Management in Youth Ministry I will share much of what I have learned, along with some lessons others have written down.

Generally speaking, as youth leaders we need all the efficiency we can get, because there’s always more work than can be done in the time we have. Our overflowing inboxes prove that we’re still not on top of our email, our to-do-lists seem to get longer instead of shorter and there’s always this nagging thought in the back of our head that we still haven’t done this or that…

Read More- “youth ministry” – Google Blog Search

From: http://answersforthefaith.com/2011/04/11/saudi-arabia-house-church-christians-in-jail-without-even-a-trial/

It is illegal in Saudi Arabia to have a Christian church and it is even against the law for Christians to worship in their own homes much less till Muslims about the faith. To bring that point home, two Indian Christians have been in jail since January for sharing their faith without even a trial.

In prison they have no access to a Bible but not only that, they are forbidden to even pray. I guess the Saudi’s don’t really understand that Christians can pray silently any where or anytime. Meanwhile, prison officials are trying to force them to convert to Islam.

Read More- saudi arabia christians – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.atheistmedia.com/2011/04/daily-show-mike-huckabee-on-church-and.html
In this unedited, extended interview, Mike Huckabee talks about Glenn Beck’s transition and the separation of church and state.
Read More- “church and state” – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.persecutionblog.com/2011/04/my-entry.html

As you may know, there have been numerous horrific stories coming out of Pakistan where those who are trying to defend Christians against the blasphemy laws there and increase human rights, have been murdered in cold blood, including most recently Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs.

Now we have Naveed Walter who is not only receiving death threats from those who are threatened by his work, but Joseph Francis, Director of CLAAS (Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement), has also received death threats for his work on behalf of religious liberty.
Read More- “christian persecution” – Google Blog Search

From: http://weightlosshelps.net/birth-control-pills-cause-embryonic-abortions-pro-life-video/
Artificial Birth Control Pills Can Cause Embryonic Abortions. Please see end of video for credits. To read more about the contraceptive pill visit: www.epm.org To learn more about Natural Family Planning visit: 1. NFP OUTREACH: www.nfpoutreach.org 2. NFP International www.nfpandmore.org 3. Couple to Couple League www.ccli.org 4. Family of the America’s www.familyplanning.net 5. Pope Paul VI Institute http If you would like a broader philosophical basis for how the pill harms women, men, and society in general, read Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical HUMANAE VITAE: www.vatican.va For insights on God’s plan for sex and human dignity, read Pope John Paul II’s LOVE & RESPONSIBILITY and THEOLOGY OF THE BODY. Artificial hormonal birth control works by introducing artificial estrogen and artificial progesterone (progestins), at 4 to 10 times the dosage naturally produced by the body. These dangerously high levels trick the brain into thinking that the person may be pregnant and cause ovulation to stop.
Read More- “pro life” – Google Blog Search

From: http://cmbuzz.com/2011/04/lead-%E2%80%93-follow-%E2%80%93-or-get-out-of-the-way/

Leadership is tough. Real Leaders know that and don’t shrink back from the job.  Whether it’s in business (been there), coaching (still there) or teaching (always there), when you’re the leader everyone has an opinion about how you’re doing your job.  Whenever someone criticizes your leadership you know that at the very least you’re doing something.  The only leader that never gets criticized is the one who’s doing nothing.  Make a change, try something new, or stop doing something and somebody is going to criticize your decision.  Just get used to it.

So if you’re going to be the leader here are some things you’re going to need to stay in the game:
Read More- “children’s ministry” – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.dfwcatholic.org/drop-in-number-of-victims-of-clergy-sexual-abuse-continues-application-of-charter-needs-clarification12885/.html

WASHINGTON (MetroCatholic)—Reports of current instances of sexual abuse of minors continues to decrease, with seven credible allegations against seven priests reported in 2010, according to the 2010 Survey of Allegations and Costs done by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, CARA. At the same time diocesan audits are uncovering weaknesses in audit compliance and finding reports of boundary violations short of abuse, such as inappropriate hugging.

A credible allegation is one which has a semblance of truth to it following an initial examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegation.
Read More- clergy news – Google Blog Search

From: http://salvos.org.au/blogs/youthleadership/2011/03/31/theyre-a-little-wierd/

It seems that every youth ministry I’ve been a part of or visited is home to some of the strangest young people on earth. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not having a laugh at someone else’s expense…it never takes me long to realise that we’re all a bit whack in our own unique way. What does a normal 15 yr old look like anyway? There’s no mould, there’s no ‘normal’ kids and ‘wierd’ kids; we’re all weird and we’re all normal.

Read More- “christian youth groups” – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.rethinkingyouthministry.com/2011/04/youth-ministry-as-family-ministry-be_12.html

Scholar John Dominic Crossan has observed that Jesus is often depicted as attacking what many today might term “family values.” Though there are many biblical texts to which we could turn, two are particularly instructive for understanding Jesus‘ vision of “family“ in the realm of God: Mark 3:31-35 and Matthew 10:34-38.
In the passage from Mark, the reader is presented with a concept of family that does away with biological ties. Here Jesus sees those who follow him to be a new kind of family, one that even takes the place of blood ties:

Read More- “family ministry” – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/paris-dialogue-with-non-believers-raises-need-for-youth-outreach/
After the first official dialogue session with non-believers in Paris, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi and the Pontifical Council for Culture plan to approach future meetings with a greater emphasis on reaching out to young people.

The forum is called the “Courtyard of the Gentiles,” and it seeks to engage adults and youth alike in contemplating spirituality through discussion on subjects like culture, philosophy and politics. It creates a “courtyard” like that outside the temple in ancient Jerusalem, which was reserved for debates between Jews and non-Jews.
Read More- “youth outreach” – Google Blog Search

From: http://www.davidsantistevan.com/2011/04/stepping-down/
You may also want to follow me on Twitter.] Dear Worship Leader, I’m a volunteer on your worship team. Not sure if you remember me. This might be hard to swallow, but I’m going to be stepping down from the team. [...]
Read More- “worship team” – Google Blog Search

From: http://wccworship.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/ipad-for-worship/

Recently I got an iPad 2, which is a wonderful thing in so many ways but especially useful for the worship musician. Actually all of the stuff I’m talking about isn’t necessarily specific to the church music setting – you could use it just as well in any live music environment.

One of the first things I thought the iPad would be useful for is to display my chord charts. I have a big library of chord/lyric charts in PDF and Word format and so I thought it would be great to display them on my iPad instead of having to print them out each week, with just a simple swipe between songs.

I’ve found an app which does not only that, but so much more. OnSong is a fantastic app for iPad (and iPhone), which allows you to import all your chord charts from PDF, Word, and others. These files can then be sorted into collections (books), weekly set lists, or sorted by artist, key, or topic (once you have your library set up). Your existing files can then be easily displayed in whatever order you want, changing page with just a swipe of a finger (or not… see below). Files can be imported through iTunes software via Wifi, through a ‘cloud’ service like DropBox or MobileMe or there is a search box which can search online for songs. You can also add sticky notes on top of your displayed files for what ever extra notes/reminders you need to write.

Read More- “worship team” – Google Blog Search

From: http://sierranichole.com/2011/01/11/gods-desire-for-single-young-adults/

* Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone.
* To have a deep soul relationship with another.
* To be loved thoroughly, and exclusively.
* But GOD, to the Christian says, “No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by ME alone!
* With giving yourself totally unreservedly to ME!
* To having an intensely personal and unique relationship with ME alone, discovering that only in ME is your satisfaction to be found, then will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you.
* You will never be united with another until you are united with ME. Exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings.
* I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow ME to give you the most thrilling plan existing. One that you cannot imagine!
* I want you to have the best. Please allow ME to bring it to you.
* Just keep watching ME, expecting the greatest things.
* Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM.
* Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.
* You just wait. That’s all!
* Don’t be anxious, don’t worry.
* Don’t look around at the things others have gotten or want. You just keep looking off and away up to ME, or you’ll miss what I want to show you.
* And then, when you’re ready, I’ll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would dream of. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, ( I am working even this moment to have both of you ready at the same time.)
* Until you are both satisfied exclusively with ME and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with ME, and is thus perfect love.

Read More: http://sierranichole.com/2011/01/11/gods-desire-for-single-young-adults/