exploring out-vitation

the busyness of the season is accurately reflected in my absence of posts for nearly a month. we have had a great March including a Snow Day, Feedback Forum, Confirmation retreat, and Leadership Learning Party. I was even able to spend a full weekend with my boys while Lisa visited friends in Boston. I wanted to blog today about the sentiment explored yesterday in our Leadership learning party. Troy Earnest, former Oak Grove member and current Area Director for Northlake YoungLife, was our speaker. He shared YoungLife's focus of "being present" in the midst of the "messy lives" of teenagers. He echoed the conversation we have been having about the crucial need for caring adults invested in the lives of teenagers, especially beyond our calendared events. He gave deserving praise to the leaders gathered there and affirmed their tremendous impact in the community. I wanted to piggyback and start a conversation on the topic of out-vitation, something which we want to continue to grow toward. "The church" (Oak Grove and most others) often has a posture toward teenagers which appears as us standing with one foot inside the church building doors and one foot outside. We are waving our hand and inviting students inside, to our turf and our agenda. Now this is not to say that our turf and our agenda are not welcoming, hospitable spaces. It is only to say that teenagers are also issuing a welcome, though it may be subtle. They are inviting us to make an entry into their world. To spend time with them outside of the church building, and outside of our programs. They are wanting us to invest in their hobbies, to share a meal with them, to tell our stories and then listen to theirs. This takes courage and patience for their world is often scary and the work is often long. But it is so worth it. We will continue to invite them in, but we will also work to listen to their invitation to come out and be present there in the midst of their world. leave your comments on how you could see this working itself out here amongst us at oak grove church.

who you are makes a difference...

if you have an e-mail account you have no doubt come across the story of the "Who You Are Makes a Difference" campaign. If you are only aware of "inbox" as it applies to the overwhelming basket of "tend to me" items sitting on your desk, then let me review. A teacher instituted this program so that her students could share their gratitude and recognition for others in their life. She pinned each of them with a ribbon with the slogan printed on it, and then equipped them with 2 other ribbons each. They were to pin someone else, and then ask that person to pin yet one more person. This was how the ripple moved out from the teacher. The story ends with a father pinning the ribbon on his teenage son who was secretly contemplating taking his life that evening. It communicated the power behind reminding people of their great worth to those in their life. I wanted to take the opportunity to say this to those who are investing in the lives of teenagers. If you don't hear this often enough, hear it today.

if you are a parent... who you are makes a difference

if you are a small group leader...who you are makes a difference

if you are a teacher...who you are makes a difference

if you are a coach...who you are makes a difference

if you are a mentor...who you are makes a difference

if you are a friend...who you are makes a difference.

may you live a life that knows this.