A note about High School Youth Group

This year we are trying something different.  Instead of the large group meetings every week, we will have those once a month.  In the mean time, we will be meeting in small groups at people’s homes. 

The reason we are trying this is to encourage more interaction and discussion on the Bible, and better relationships between the leaders and the students.  The large group often left us with less and less time to get to the relational and spiritual stuff after worship, announcements and group activities.  So the students were left with not enough time to go deeper in their discussions, and the leaders did not have adequate time to get to know the kids.

I also believe that the neutral space, and the intimacy of being in a home, will help the relationships to grow.  I hope it will allow kids to feel more comfortable to bring their friends.  I also anticipate more interaction outside the youth group structure as kids become more comfortable with their leaders and perhaps the leader’s family.  I anticipate fun nights at home, watching movies at sme point, and perhaps going out for Ice Cream, bowling, catching a movie, or anything that sounds fun for the group to try together.  If the leaders know the kids better, and vice-versa, this becomes much more likely.

The apostle Paul once said that he was eager to share the gospel, but also his life with the church when he visited there.  I believe he meant he was sharing meals, sharing stories with the children there, and getting to know the people.  At the beginnings and especially at the ends of his letters, there is always a special note to people he cared about in the churches.  The only way these people were special to him, is because he shared life.

So this is the reason for the change, and I look forward to seeing what this change will bring.  There’s still room for leaders to get involved in this new format.  If you are interested, please contact brandon.  brandon@lighthouse-ministries.org

GVSU Move in help

Hey I just got back from helping to move in GVSU students.  As part of our new college ministry we decided it would be good to give the students a hand and make a connection by helping them out on moving day.  We met a few who were very suspicious and very private, and did not want any help, or any water.  We also met a few that were eager, and thankful for the help.

One family told us we were a blessing to them.  They were not looking forward to moving all those boxes.  You could see the relief on their faces when we arrived.  It was awesome to see the dad so grateful.  We shared with them about our church and what we were about.  They were thrilled to know a church was doing something like this.  It was unbelieveable to them.  It made me wonder what is wrong with the church, if selfless help is considered unbelieveable. 

Another mom was happy to see us as well.  She said God must have sent you here.  “Well”, I said, “that’s pretty much it”.  It was a lot of fun and a real momentum boost to head into the season.  This is going to be an interesting ministry.  We truly have no idea where this could take us and our church.  I am overwhelmed by it as much as those who saw us coming to help.

Matt Vandebunte of the Grand Rapids Press was there to interview us today.  (I had a fresh haircut…thanks lovey).  They took pictures of us carrying boxes.   They definitely fall into the camp of take lots of pictures and choose one good one.  He must have snapped 100’s of pictures of al of us moving boxes.  I think I took more out of helping those two special families and a few others than the interview, but it went well. 

The students are in a big world.  They are confronted with a lot of life choices.  How they are going to be when they are alone.  One mom said she would put the church flyer up on the fridge.  Her daughter gave her a look like, “yeah right…until you leave”.  We will have a lot of walls to break down with these students and their home church experiences, or non-church experiences.  But I think when they get to know us, they will find good guys that just love Christ.  Authenticity.

Anyway, look for the article about us August 25th in Grand Rapids Press.  I’ll be the one in the black shirt : )

Coming Fall Season

It’s almost time for the fall season to begin.  As we gear up for the season I wanted to make sure everyone had a heads up on our plans for the coming year.

 HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY

The biggest changes are on tap for the High School Ministry as we transistion from a weekly large group meeting to weekly small group meetings.  These groups will be led by adult shepherds and hosted in homes around the church community.  For those who are a regular part of our group, many of you will receive letters and information about the beginning of your group in the weeks to come.  If you are new to Lighthouse and to our High School youth group, you can get in touch with one of these groups through our kick off meeting on September 9th at 6:30 at Lighthouse.

The groups will be studying a series designed by us called “Life for Dummies”.  It is a very practical and helpful look at the book of Proverbs.  Tackling some of lifes most practical questions in light of an all-wise God.  Each group will work at their own pace and grow closer together as they study the Word and share life.

In addition to these small groups, our groups will convene once a month for a a worship event.  We will worship and pray together, share in some fun and fellowship, and we will share what we have been doing in our groups.  These meetings will also feature a study of the book of Daniel one of the most disciplined and wise people in the Bible.  These will be great places to meet new people and invite new friends to see what youth group is all about.

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

The middle school will pick up where we left off last season.  We will continue to meet as a large group beginning September 12th at 6:30PM.  Some changes this season include new leaders, starting with activities at 6:00PM.  We have a some great activities planned for the season and some special work projects.  We will be studying Prayer, the Book of Ephesians, and the Parables of Jesus this season.  We are kicking off our fun together this summer with a canoe trip on August 18th.  Check out the web site at www.lighthouse-ministries.org for pictures of that event, and a slide show or video may show up on the blog as well.

STUDENT DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES

Our Sunday morning program is geared to bring students deeper into their discipleship and deeper into the Word.  We have four classes this season divided by age.  6th, 7/8th, 9/10th, 11/12th.  These classes will last for a semester each beginning in September through January, and January through April.    We are actively recruiting teachers for these positions and setting up the curriculum.

ONLINE CONTENT

Make sure you keep your eyes on the website at www.lighthouse-ministries.org there will be a lot of information including a downloads page where you can get all the information you need on upcoming trips and retreats, calendars, fund-raising forms and more.  This blog will be used as well to discuss what we are doing in youth group, what we are studying, and fun things we have done.  I hope you’ll check us out.

Church softball

We had our first church softball practice today.  It was way too hot.  I play in the fall league for the cooler temps.  Less sweat!  Anyway, we had a good practice.  Most everybody could hit well, and our church custodian showed her true calling for short-stop.  Whatever happened to the Ladies Professional Baseball teams.  Sign her up!  She can hit too.  And she throws better than I do.  Anyway, I can out throw her with a 12 pound ball.  I hope : ]

I think I swing too hard.  I popped up a lot in the infield.  I got the practice tips from my brother-in-law.  I squished the bug on most of them, but I was swingin’ for glory on every pitch.  I did have one nice hit, but it still would have fallen short of the fence on the actual play field.  We practice again next week, I will see if I can get video of the at bats for me and you can see just how much effort goes into every swing.  All I want to do is send one way out.  It’s all I’m playing for.  It’s one of those unfinished business things from my youth.

Trying too hard.  I am guilty of that a lot.  If I could put the effort into cleaning my office, and my side of the bed nightstand, I would be a much better person.  So next Tuesday if you feel a sudden breeze coming from the direction of the township park, say a simple prayer that Brandon can calm down, and just make contact in the sweet spot with the power V, and squish the bug.