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When I started in Youth Ministry...

I started full-time youth ministry in the year 1991. I thought I would look back and contrast how different things are in 2006. So here is my WHEN I STARTED IN YOUTH MINISTRY LIST... If you would like to add your own please post it.

WHEN I STARTED IN YOUTH MINISTRY...

-The only mobile phone students had where the ones they carried out into their backyard

-MySpace was a kids bedroom not their online web page

-I wrote kids letters becuase nobody had e-mail

-The highest GPA a student could get was 4.0 not something like 7.3!

-Students danced at the prom instead of having sex in public on the dance floor

-Parents busted their kids for smoking weed instead of smoking it with them

-Students rode the bus to school instead of driving their brand new SUV.

-Girls actually waited for guys to ask them out instead of doing the pursuing!

-Students played one sport at a time not three

-You could actually get students away for a weekend retreat

-Their was actually rap music without profanity

-My students watched MTV for music not reality shows

-My students were into Super Nintendo instead of XBOX 360

-Students were vicariously living out their teenage years in Dawson's Creek not the OC

-Teachers taught students not had sex with them

So there is my list so far, I would love to see yours

Mark

Meet Dan Kimball

A little over four years ago I got to interview for a job at Santa Cruz Bible Church in Santa Cruz. I didn't get the job but I did get to hang-out with Dan Kimball who was a pastor at SCBC and was running one of the premiere alternative worship gatherings in the country. Dan has since started his own church called Vintage Faith Church. Dan is doing some amazing things for the emerging church in America and I feel privileged to call him a friend, I have learned a lot from reading his writings and  his books Emerging Church and Emerging Worship. He has a new book coming out in March of 2007 called They Like Jesus but Not the Church. Can't wait. Dan commented on this blog yesterday and It was good to hear from him. Do yourself a favor and pick up his books. He is a dedicated and humble servant of the Lord and a lover of all things Elvis and Brian Setzer.

You can read Dan's blog Here. Thanks Dan for what you do and for personally taking time for me over the years.

See you in Austin!

Mark

Callin all Hot Christian Girls!

If  you thought it couldn't get anymore ridiculous it just did. This girl is out to save the world one missionary date at a time. She is looking for HOT Christian girls who want to enter the wild world of missionary dating. You can help be a part of this revolutionary thing known as DATE TO SAVE! If you want to be part of the movement click HERE. We hope you will take the challenge! I hope your catching the sarcasm!

Here are some helpful tips before you start!

10 Christian Dating Tips for

Effective Missionary Dating

1. If he tells your that you are hot...

Tell him God made you hot.

2. If he wants to hold your hand...

Give him a Bible.

3. If he tries to get closer...

Tell him the Holy Spirit is wooing him.

4. If he asks to pay for dinner...

Remind him that Jesus also paid a debt He did not owe!

5. If he reaches his arm around you...

Tell him that nobody will ever be as close to you as Jesus is.

(or ask him if you instead could "lay hands" on him in prayer)

6. If he tries to kiss you...

Remind him that a kiss killed your Savior.

(and you're not ready to "speak in tongues")

7. If he asks to come inside...

Ask him if he has asked Jesus to come inside his heart.

8. If he tells you he loves you...

Tell him that Jesus loves him.

9. If he gets angry that you won't put out...

Clarify to him that W.W.J.D. does NOT mean "Who would Jesus Do."

10. After you dump him...

Tell him that Jesus Christ will never leave or forsake him.

Are you ready Now!

God save us from ourselves!

In Jesus,

Mark