February 26th, 2007 — Posted in Media
I just finished reading Presence-Centered Youth Ministry by Mike King, president of YouthFront.
This is a very good book that thought-fully addresses the need for a paradigm shift in youth ministry (and church ministry). I believe this work is helping to redefine youth ministry… here are a few excerpts that stood out to me:
“The notion of youth workers as entertainers and program directors must give way to youth workers as authentic shepherds, spiritual guides with a holy anointing to lead youth into the presence of God.” P. 25
“The way of the kingdom is through relationships, not events. Youth workers who serve as spiritual guides for youth nurture a presence-centered youth ministry by engaging in the hard work of creating an environment of authentic community.” P.69
If you are a student out there, let us know what you think about this!!
Michael
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February 23rd, 2007 — Posted in Stories
God’s story is great. It is rich and deep. It is also active, and He calls for us to join him in his mission to bring restoration to the world. And deep in our souls, don’t we all really hunger to be a part of something greater than ourselves—to be a part of His mission?
Zach Hunter is only 15 years old, but he is engaging in a greater story—a movement to end slavery around the world. In addition to being the spokesperson for the “Amazing Change Campaign,” Zach is the author of a book called Be the Change, written to inform and mobilize people in every country to join the fight against slavery.
Learn how you can get involved—volunteer ideas, petitions, resources and much more—at www.theamazingchange.com
Vanessa
Student Event Support at Sonlife
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February 16th, 2007 — Posted in God's Story, Stories
Today in our Sonlife staff meeting Chris Folmsbee—our President—led us in a time of reflection on the symbol of the Table throughout the Bible. Check out some of these verses where God uses a table as the symbol of his provision for us: Psalm 23:5, Malachi 1:6-7, I Corinthians 10:21, Psalm 78:15-20.
Our God is a loving Father who gives us all that we need. It’s easy to see all that we don’t have—the clothes we’d like, better grades, friends who are more fun, a family that we actually like. How often to I feel restless or dissatisfied, wishing I had more? Even, dare I say, thinking I deserve more?
When we come to that point, we have to pause and remember what we really deserve. Picture Christ on the cross…getting what I deserve…and I go on to live with (compared to his suffering) little discomfort. How often do we recognize how richly we have been blessed? How often do I thank him for all that he has given me?
Take a moment right now to reflect on how good God has been to you. As you go through this day, remember his provision and let it fill your heart with joy and peace. You serve a great and powerful God who is full of lovingkindness!
Vanessa
Student Event Support at Sonlife
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February 6th, 2007 — Posted in Announcements
Come and get them! The 2007 Merge brochures and posters are here (and we like them!) If you’d like to promote Merge in your youth group and at your church, let us help. Email us at merge@sonlife.com, and tell us how many you’d like. Don’t forget to include your mailing address!
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January 30th, 2007 — Posted in Announcements
In case you haven’t noticed, MergeSpot has a new and improved look! Special thanks to our favorite designer Kevin for all of his hard work. We hope you enjoy the new design, and as always, we’d love to hear your comments and suggestions!
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January 29th, 2007 — Posted in Stories
Senior year can be pretty busy for most high school students. Not only do you have to make time to study (with high hopes of graduating), you also need countless hours to check the mailbox for those college acceptance letters or to search for that ever-elusive “job.” Jerod Wanner knows the drill. But, Jerod finds time in his stressful schedule to work at his church as well. Jerod is the first-ever student intern at New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw, IL.
While he has been involved in church activities from AWANA all the way through high school youth group, he is now serving and leading his peers. Jerod works with Phil Shields and Josh Gates, the high school and junior high pastors at New Castle, learning and gaining experience as a junior high leader. Amanda McLaughlin, a high school youth leader, has watched Jerod grow and mature over the years. She said, “he is an extremely influential leader in his class, and always seems to challenge even me with how much he loves God.”
Over the years, Jerod has participated in several Sonlife events. Last year, he journeyed with his youth group to Chicago to attend Sonlife’s new high school experience called Merge. Jerod talked about what he was expecting from Merge…”I was expecting a spiritual high which wasn’t what I needed, but that’s what I wanted.” Instead, he found something quite different. He explains, “Merge built a foundation that I am still building off of today. Merge changed everything about how I went about reading God’s Word. It made me branch out and see his Word as a story that’s completely relevant in my life. I began to see all the characters in his story and relate to them.”
The biggest thing that has changed in Jerod’s life over the past year is his personal time of prayer and study with God. He says, “My time with God after Merge has been changed dramatically. I used to see my time with God as a checklist, where if you read your Bible and prayed, you were set for the day…it just wasn’t personal. Looking at God’s Word as story instead of textbook makes experiencing God more real. Merge made digging into God’s Word exhilarating and helped me understand that this story is still being told by you and me.”
While Jerod is entering his final semester of high school, his passion for ministering to youth is not ending. Jerod has been accepted to Moody Bible Institute in the fall, and he desires to pursue Youth Ministry as his major. As he looks to the future, he notes, “I am privileged to be a part of His story and to change things in the ministry in my church, school and ministries that I have yet to encounter. Merge helped me realize that even though, in the grand scheme of things, I am small and inadequate, God is willing to use me to better his Kingdom.” So, while Jerod makes plans for graduation and college – like most seniors – he’s excited to be part of a bigger plan…the story and mission of God.
Please pray for Jerod, as he seeks to serve Jesus, and for the student ministry at New Castle Bible. For more information about Merge, go to www.sonlife.com/merge
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December 1st, 2006 — Posted in Media
We stumbled across this really fun sight where you can customize monk-e-mail. Rather than describe it, we will let you experience it… click here.
After you watch the message we created, create your own!!
Send it to us at mergemonkey@sonlife.com. Go ape!
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November 8th, 2006 — Posted in Announcements
Next summer, we will host two Merge events in Chicago for North America in place of our regional events. Make plans now to join us for Merge 2007 at Wheaton College on July 8-13 or July 15-20. Youth groups and our regional event staff will be joining us from all over North America!
Merge is a unique experience that helps students discover their identity and mission through exploring key episodes in God’s Story. Through hands-on learning projects, discussion groups, creative storytelling, walk-through experiences, media, music and the arts, Merge challenges students to:
Merge with God’s Story…
Gain a deeper understanding of the great, overarching
story of God… and see how that story continues with us.
Merge with God’s Way of Life…
Discover through the story what God is like, and the way
we were created to live.
Merge with God’s Mission…
Recognize our role in the great story… as a community that brings God’s love and restoration to the world.
We are excited about the impact and momentum that is building around Merge! Click here to read some of the feedback we have heard from students and youth workers. It is really amazing to see what God is doing through his Story!
If your plans included attending Merge in another city, we would love for you to consider joining us in Chicago. We hope this change does not create any inconvenience for you or your group. Registration for these events will open in January. If you have questions, please email us at merge@sonlife.com or call (800) 770-4769. We hope to hear from you soon!
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