Baptizing an Ogre

One of the more memorable experience as a Youth Pastor occurred while baptizing, not an Ogre, but the Ogre. As the name might imply, Ogre was a 6’5” muscular wrestler that accepted Christ as Savior following an International Wrestling Tour that ended in Turkey. Ogre’s shoulders were as wide as the baptismal, and his height stretched longer than the space provided. I was fine until, “I baptize you brother in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” where Ogre hit his head on the end wall after I dropped him. The matter got worse when I vocalized a deep “Ugh” sound, and portrayed a red-faced strain during “buried in likeness and raised in newness of life.” The experience ended with congregational gasps and laughs, as Ogre splashed water over the front wall while standing to his feet and holding his head. I praise the Lord I am living today to tell of this joyous celebration!

Most Memorable Moment in Youth Ministry

One of the most memorable, but awkward moments as a Youth Pastor, occurred while trying to explain to an inquisitive camp owner and an intrigued camper from a public camp grounds why I had a student run through the grounds from the shower house to the campsite wearing only a hand towel and shaving cream. Let’s just say that, unlike the campers, the student was very forgetful!

Getting Mobile in 2oo9

Lately my wife has accused me of being addicted to my Blackberry and I have caught several "ribbings" from friends as being a "Twitter-holic." However, I realize that in today's information age, the church must utilize every avenue to get the Gospel out to a lost world. Bobby Gruenewald from Lifechurch.tv just posted an article on his blog that is worth your time to view and to follow, as he lays out some innovative ways to utilize today's mobile phone craze as an avenue to share Jesus Christ and minister to the needs of the sheep God has placed in your fold and area of influence.

Bobby states, "At the start of last year, 3.3 billion people were mobile phone users. This is a global phenomenon and contrary to what many believe, “global” actually includes the US :) 13-17-year-olds in the US send/receive an average of 1,742 sms messages each month. EVERY populated area on Earth is affected by the growth of mobile usage. So mobile is really both global and local. I believe the Church must communicate with and engage people where they are at (not just spiritually, but geographically)."

To read more:
http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2009/01/05/2009-the-year-the-church-better-get-mobile/

So, if you are being teased about your mobile usage (SMS's, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.), be sure to let them know that you are "just spreading the Good News of Jesus' Saving Grace" and ministering in an effective, cultural relavent way.