Last week I had the privilege of attending the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry Forum in Calgary. There was a lot of great discussion from denominational youth leaders from across Canada. There were also a couple of guest speakers for the event. Bruxy Cavey and Andy Harrington. Here are some of the quotes that I was quick enough to write down.

Quote # 1
Bruxy Cavey: "When we blend Scriptural teaching with a passing culture we become irrelevant, but when we just use Scripture we become more relevant."

Quote #2
Bruxy Cavey on how to engage youth and young adults

"Invite people to join a mission, movement and cause"
"Teaching becomes equipping for the mission"
"Keep our eyes on Jesus, the Holy Spirit draws people to Jesus Christ"

Quote # 3
Bruxy Cavey on the Hypocrisy Quotient - The hypocrisy quotient is the difference between what we know about living for God and what we actually live out, and yes we all have one.

Quote #4
Bruxy Cavey on religion:
1. Humanity is on the brink of destroying itself.
2. Religion is making the problem worse not better.
So we can conclude that a loving God would actually be against religion. Jesus was living proof of that.

Quote #5
Andy Harrington - 7 ways to reach our world
1. Liberate a new generation of leaders
2. Create transitional structures - temporary roads
3. Build new communities
4. Practice Authenticity
5. Rediscover lostness (the lost)
6. Teach the Bible in different contexts
7. Find a balance in teaching the justice of Gospel with the righteousness of it.

Quote #6
Andy Harrington - "When an old culture is dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure"

This is by no means a comprehensive report on the forum, but a collection of quotes that made me look at ministry from a different perspective.

Happy New Year!

On New Years Eve I was walking through Costco. As I walked into this Costco I was amazed at what I saw first. In the very first section were all the essential items for New Years Resolutions. There were vitamins, fat burners, Nicorette patches, exercise equipment and books. I think there were even some resources on finances. I guess we really are that pathetic.

New Years is a time to start over, to make a change. Costco in its brilliance recognized that we feel the need to make changes at the change of the year. I decided to make some changes. Lose some weight, eat better, spend more time with my kids, and spend my money better. Costco is ready to help me with my goals and sell me the products I need. As a pastor I have to spiritualize everything so here it is.
Costco studies people needs and spending habits to offer them products that they will buy. On a spiritual level do we know what people need? How do we discover that? I think we need to take a two-fold approach. We need to be aware of our world and culture. We also need to consult the person who can help us. The Holy Spirit is vital for us to reach people. How are people drawn to Christ? Through the Holy Spirit, I believe that this point is Biblical, and who empowers us to witness for Christ? Acts 1:8 is pretty clear on this. My resolution for this year is to be engaged in our culture but to see it through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew the needs of the people that he walked and talked with. He used this knowledge with the power of Holy Spirit to change lives. I want to do that.