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Dear Friends,

I sat down again with two of our youth leaders today: Fr. Michael and Erik, and with Fr. Clint. What a team! Clint had brought some ideas to me that really deserved some careful thought and prayer. I need a powwow with the whole team to put my finger on the pulse of where we were going.

Youth and Student Ministry has evolved over the years into a very intense discipline within the church’s life. It is not glorified day camp. It is not even just a cool hangout time with a nice, safe, set of peers. Youth ministry has an incredibly incisive role in the spiritual development of the modern teenager. Her are a couple of things that are guiding our outreach to your students.

1. First, it isn’t a “youth group” anymore; it is a “Student Ministry”. It is a ministry that comes along the student at the most important and formative years of her life. She is shaped by what she learns in school, on the court, and in daily interaction with other teens. Our church’s Student Ministry reaches these kids who are growing up fast is a whole different world that many of us know. These young adolescents need God in the way that every generation needs God. However, I think we all understand that the challenges are much more severe in these days.
2. Our student ministry needs to take into account that nearly every subject you can think of is up for grabs in our secular world. In truth, the Student come of age in a world where everything is ‘flat’. There is no hierarchy of principles or values, according to the secular mind. The Christian truth is equal to the Hindu truth. Thus, how can we decide about certain behaviors and values and activities, all of which are part of a young person’s worldview. Dallas Willard has a phrase called “Spiritual Knowledge”. By that he means the truth and the value of what Jesus brings into a person’s life. Jesus has something to say about sex, materialism, greed, racism, politics, and lying. Our Student Ministry challenges these young people by teaching them to think biblically…and critically…about the world we live in.
3. All of this requires more than passing thoughts about bible, life, faith, theology, culture, and modernity. When the “RENEW for our Future” campaign was introduced it was for several reasons; chief among them was a resurgence of energy and strength in our Family Ministry, Children, and Youth (Student) Programs. Fr. Clint leads this effort…and the results are becoming apparent across the spectrum of our ages. But particularly in the Student Ministry, I am thankful to have two sound and passionate men who oversee the program; Amanda Payne (as administrator) reaches our teenage girls with passion and heart as well. But we are forming up a team and investing in these kids…for the long haul.

(You will get a chance to hear Fr. Michael preach on Senior Sunday, the 3rd of June, at 11 AM. He has a love of Christ and His Word that will be evident to all. Also, he has told me of how impressed he is with our graduating seniors. I know many of them too, and I agree this Michael, they represent a very positive sign of God’s blessing on our church and the future of the ministry of Christ.

In Christ,

Fr. David+

Wait till you see this!!!  On Mother’s Day, Christ Church is welcoming a young, 14 year old organist who will blow your mind.  He will be playing the postlude (after the service) so please plan to stay behind.  In all candor, I have never heard him play, but our music team is overwhelmed by this phenom.

Please welcome Henry Webb to Christ Church.  Stay after the 9:15 and 11:00 service to hear this offering…for our moms.

DHR

From our bulletin…

A few days ago I was feeling pretty low. Things had not gone according to MY plan. I had been unable to accomplish a specific task within the timeframe I had set for myself. I was low…

And when I am low, I always go surfing…the Internet, that is. I came across a magnificent story of a man who overcame far more challenges that I will ever face. It is a story of triumph and victory. It is a story of hope. And when you watch this…and I hope you take the three minutes to do it…you will be inspired to your task; whatever the Lord has placed upon your heart.
Go ahead…make YOUR day. Watch this.

With God, all things are possible. (Mark 10)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Phil 4)
Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine! (Eph 3)

DHR

No. I do not own this T-Shirt

I created quite a controversy on Sunday, I know.  Generally speaking, I think most of the congregation agreed with my assessment of the ‘enticements’ to which men can fall:  Girls, Gold, and Glory.  I made the point during my 9:15 and 11:00 sermon on the sermon I wanted to call, “My Three Sons”.  (Actually, it was called “The Lost and the Found”).  If you were there, you will remember.  If not, please go here to watch/listen to it.

No one has disagreed with me about the men’s side…but some women wanted equal time.  Fran told me there was some talk about it.  Fair enough, I say.  What are the major enticements for a woman?  One sister in Christ simply said, “Security, security, security.”  I think I would agree…but I need more input.  What do you think?

One fellow came to me this morning at On Point with a list approved by his wife and mother:  “Gold, Gucci, and Godiva”.  I like that.  It is cute.  But sisters, you can do better.

Help me, here.  What are the three (or 4) major things that would distract and lead a woman astray.  Write me here…add a blog response.

If you would prefer to email me directly so that your response does not appear here, please email me at DavidR at ChristChurchPlano dot org.

And while I am speaking of men’s and women’s issues, let me mention a very cool ministry that our church offers.

Ringleaders.  This is a ministry for married men.  ‘Husband College’ it has been called.  What an amazing success we have had with this at Christ Church.  We have  ‘graduated’ over 100 men.  As every year, this year Fr. Jeff and Ken Wilgus (the leaders) did a great job.

Ken wrote me a note yesterday:

Dear Fr. David,

Last Saturday we celebrated the closing ceremonies of another RingLeaders class. As you know, ringleaders is a 12-week discipleship course for men who are interested in improving their marriages and deepen their relationship to Christ. Fr. Jeff Rawn and I have taught this course five times over the past three years. This spring, over forty  men completed the course that finished Saturday with a dedication ceremony and lunch served to their wives. It has been a great joy for me to see the enthusiasm with which this training has been received by our men at Christ Church.

Watching each man rededicate himself to Christ and to his wife, also caused me to reflect again on how valuable Jeff Rawn has been to this ministry. The idea for RingLeaders had floated around in my head for years. It was Fr. Jeff who made RingLeaders a reality. He encouraged me in this pursuit, did most of the legwork, and helped shape RingLeaders into the vibrant ministry it is today. His enthusiasm is a great encouragement to me and a significant force in the ministry of Christ Church to our men and their marriages. The (over 100) ringleaders graduates and I owe Jeff a great debt of gratitude.

Sincerely,

Ken Wilgus

It has been a blessing for many married couples…and many more still to come.

And what about our single men and women?  I have been mulling over and praying over a visit I had a few weeks ago with two very nice, lovely, unmarried women who attend our church.  They asked me about the place that single people have at Christ Church.  That is what I have been thinking about…and that will be the subject of a future post…in the near term.

Faithfully yours,

David+

As many would know, the portrait below is Rembrandt’s famous depiction of Jesus’ most famous parable.  A beautiful rendering of this hangs in our chapel and in the priest’s sacristy.  It has deep meaning for many, many people.  If you have a few minutes, click on the portrait and look it over.  Consider the amazing grace of God covering the brokenness of the poor lost boy.  Note the stuffy elder son in the background.  Pay attention to Rembrandt’s use of light and shadows; look at the size of the father’s hands.  See how he holds to boy close to him.  Look at the broken sandals, the torn clothing, and the utter defeat of the boy as he returns to his father’s house.

Read this parable in Luke 15.  Come to Christ Church tomorrow morning at 9:15 or 11:00 for the next message is a series: The Seven Wonders of the World.

Rembrandt's "The Return of the Prodigal"

I'm late, I"m late, for a very important date!

From time to time I just run out of time…every time.  Sigh.  Here are a few things I had hoped to get up on this blog this week.

1.  I spent some time with Fr. Clint Kerley this week reviewing the work in our Family Ministry.  What a great joy to see things turning to life!  Great stories.  New children.  Great staff.  For example, this weekend our Gap45 kids will be heading to Pinecove for an overnight.  We have about 40 of these 4-5 graders going…and plenty of sponsors.  I hope to drive out sometime on Saturday with Bishop Bill Godfrey (our friend/bishop  from Peru) to have some time with the kids.

2.  Fr. Clint told me that our Student Ministries Summer Camp program is filling up…  Think of it: Estes Park.  June.  Coolness.  Mountains.  Beauty. Rockies.  I plan to spend a few days there as well.  I attended (for a few days) the camp a few years ago on the beach.  Our kids are awesome.  If you haven’t signed your teen up…please do so right away.  There are some limited scholarships available.  Don’t be bashful…we want your student there!  June 10 and following; check the website for more information.

3.  I had the distinct honor of presiding at the memorial service for Ms. Cathi Woodmansee.  Fran and I are close with the Woodmansee family and over her years of struggle with cancer, hundreds of people came into their orbit of love and inspiration.  It was a service of love and celebration of her life…and the life of Jesus her Savior.  Thanks to all who came to support the family and be a part of the sadness and joy.

I felt the power of the Holy Spirit present…  Many did.

4.  This Sunday is the fourth in a series of parables called “The Seven Wonders of the World”.  Our idea is to use the parables of Jesus as transparent portals into the reality of God’s Kingdom.  These parables are ‘postcards’, in a way, from the Kingdom of God.  Through each of these parables, we can see things about God’s character and God’s Kingdom.
This week I will be preaching on the greatest parable of them all…or at least Jesus’ most famous one: The Parable of the Prodigal Son.  (Luke 15)

I hope you see you this weekend.  Weekly worship is a joy and, given the state of the world, a necessity and privilege.

Don’t be late!  :)

DHR