January 2010 Archives

Book Review- The Space Between by Dr. Walt Mueller

Published on January 22, 2010 by Trent Lewis

Amazon.com is too much fun for someone who likes to read. I fall prey to their suggestions all the time. The other week while ordering a few Youth Ministry books, the super-computer at Amazon suggested the book "The Space Between" by Dr. Walt Mueller. I have been to a few seminars that Mueller has spoken at and know him to be a trusted author in the Youth Ministry community. I read the tag line to the book to say "A Guide to Teenage Development". I am always trying to understand the students I work with better and the idea that Mueller would unpack this issue seemed exciting. 


A few weeks later I opened my package from Amazon (it's like Christmas Morning, all year round) and I discovered something wasn't quite what I expected. This was "A PARENTS Guide to Teenage Development". Now, I'm not a parent. My role with students is WAY different than that of a Parent. With that said, I owned the book now and really like Mueller, so I decided to give it a shot. Also, I set a goal this year to read a book a week and since this book is 120 pages with large print, it's getting read.


This is a great book, it's concise and gives practical advice for parents. It is layed out in a simple way. I can see a parent reading it and discussing it with their spouse or another parent of a teen and enjoying themselves. It will prompt many stories and give a lot of insight. Adolescence isn't by any means an excuse for disobedience, but knowing what is happening physically, emotionally and socially to your student will be VERY helpful. Here's a few quotes that stood out to me. It is only a sampling of great content in the book. 


"There are no well-adjusted adolescents. Adolescence is, by definition, maladjustment. And getting adjusted is a strenuous and often noisy process."


"It's easy for parents to feel rejected as their teenagers devote greater amounts of time to building friendships and making social connections, and less time to the family. Don't misinterpret this as rejection. Studies, observation, and discussions with adolescents have all yielded the same result: Parents remain tremendously important and significant in the lives of their teenagers."

"As Raymond Duncan once said, "The Best substitute for experience is being sixteen!"

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MSM- Diakonos Postponed

Published on January 20, 2010 by Trent Lewis

Please Note- The printed calendar says we have an event on 1/30. This event has been postponed.

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MSM- Night Games Explained

Published on January 01, 2010 by Trent Lewis

We've got a great event coming up for your students called NIGHT GAMES! This is from6:30-9:30 on Saturday, January 10th. The cost is $5 and that covers all the games, prizes, and PIZZA! We will be on campus the whole time and your student should meet us in room 205. The games will be various strategy and hiding games. Whether your student is athletic and likes running around or is more low-key and doesn't like sports, we ensure that everyone has a good time. We will have plenty of staff to ensure the safety, run the games and connect with students. We did this event last year and everyone has a LOT of fun. It's high energy, and different than anything else they do.

This is an event that we do to get students to invite their friends so that they can come in the door of the church for the first time, have a good time, meet some great people and Lord willing come back to church and get connected. I've found that once students are on campus and have a shared memory with people, they're much more willing to come back. And if your student has grown up in church but is hesitant about Middle School Ministry, it breaks down those barriers too!

Here are 3 simple things you can do to help:
1. Encourage your student to go: Use the information we gave you to help them and you know the needs of your students, so you can speak to that.

 2. Ask them which friend they want to bring: They may initially say 'nobody' but be ready to give some suggestions.

 3. Be willing to pick up their friend: Sometimes this takes an extra 30 minutes for you, but in the long run that's totally worth it and a great way to support your student and the church.

Please bring your student dressed in black and with $5 on Saturday Night at 6:30. 

In the mean time, enjoy a date night out or a quiet night in while we take at least one child off your hands for the evening. And while you're out on a romantic date or home watching TV, pray for us. Pray that night that student would be connecting with friends and leaders, as they begin the process of connecting with God.

Thanks for your support and let me know if you have any questions.

-Trent

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