Bennie Weenies

To Save A Life

Jake is devastated at what Roger has done. And something in him changes. In seeking answers in his own life, one question plagues him the most… Could I have saved him? He is now deeply compelled to reach out to the students who are on the fringe of acceptability by the school’s upper crust. But he finds reaching out to the undesirable threatens his world. He may lose his own friends, his scholarship, his dreams and even his reputation to do it.

I am looking forward to attending a pre-screening at Evansville at my friend Ben Taylor's Church. If you are a leader of teens, and would like to attend, let me know or contact Ben.

Pastoring Men
What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why It Matters Now More than Ever

No man fails on purpose, but most men are under a lot of pressure. When a man fails it sets powerful forces of bondage and brokenness in motion. It can take several generations to break the cycle.

As America staggers beneath the load of a 100 major problems like divorce, fatherlessness, poverty, pornography, adultery, abortion, disrespect for authority, ethical failures, and truancy—where have the men gone? What has happened to our men?

At the root of virtually every problem is the failure of a man, ironically a man who got up this morning wishing that his life would make a difference. A man for whom Christ died.

This is an excerpt from the Moody Published book Pastoring Men by Patrick Morley. For more information on this book and how to disciple men, please visit http://www.maninthemirror.org/

Hillsong United "LIVE": We're All In This Together

NCM Fathom is partnering with the popular Australian musical group, Hillsong United, for a special in-theatre event for only one night. Hillsong United was originally a youth movement ministry that began in the Hillsong Church out of Australia.

They now have emerged as a very popular international musical group with a very diverse, youthful following across the world. They support social justice movement, with huge emphasis on their music (Christian Contemporary) paving the path for support around poverty, natural disaster relief, equality, human rights and health issues affecting the world.

The event will include a Live introduction from Australia, followed by pre-captured content about their worldwide journey over the past several years and will conclude with Live value added content including acoustic songs by the band and dialogue with the youth ministry in Australia.

Cost is $15 at Showplace 12 in Terre Haute, IN.

Doug Fields: Pursuing New Opportunities

Doug Fields announced his departure from Saddleback Church yesterday – you can read about it in the letter he wrote to our church family. Here’s an excerpt:

What am I going to do? Well, there’s not another specific job” that I’m departing to, but I am leaving staff to pursue some incredible opportunities to express my writing and teaching gifts. What I’m really doing is what I’ve taught you to do-listen for God’s whisper and obey it! Several people have said, You’re crazy to leave a secure Saddleback Church job during this unstable market.” Humanly speaking, they’re right… following God doesn’t always make sense, but I know I need to do the right thing: listen and obey.

Post by Josh Griffin

See You At the Pole 2009

Plan to attend See You at the Pole 2009 at your school. Your Administrators, Teachers, Staff, Class and Friends are depending on you to lift them up in prayer. Don't let them down!

Michael Jackson Remix

Michael Jackson remix @ Yahoo! Video

Checkout this amazing Remix of the top hits of Michael Jackson. These guys are the bomb! Awesome harmony. Enjoy!

The 2010 Online Missions Trip

January 31 to February 13, 2010

Begin planning now for the Online Missions Trip. This 2-week campaign is designed to empower us, students and leaders alike, to use social media to share Christ with our friends who don’t yet know Him.

During these two weeks you will be engaging in spiritual conversations with unsaved friends about your faith in Christ online by making posts and talking with friends on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, World of Warcraft and other such social hangouts online. You are encouraged to upload videos, post photos, create links, update your status to share what God’s doing in your life, writing notes, sending messages, develop blogs, create intentional events to invite friends to, and anything else that will result in a conversation about your relationship with Christ.

Last year, 3,000 youth leaders and teenagers from every continent except Antarctica intentionally used social media online to share Christ with unsaved friends. Plan to join this evangelistic effort today by marking your calendars, developing a creative plan, and joining the Online Missions Trip on Facebook for encouragement and ideas. Also, checkout On-line Missions Trip at studentministry.org.

Kids Need More Than Sports For Positive Growth

If you want your children to flourish, get them involved in extracurricular activities other than sports, new research suggests. Children in fifth, sixth and seventh grades who took part in both sports and after-school activities such as Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H or Scouts had the highest scores for "positive development" and the lowest scores for risky and problem behavior, according to a study from Tufts University, published recently in Developmental Psychology.

"Positive development" includes measures of competence, confidence, character, connection and caring, the study authors explained. The new study found that those students who only took part in sports had lower scores on characteristics of "positive development" and higher scores on bullying, substance use and depression than students who also took part in youth development activities.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Homeword Culture Update

God's Chisel

The Skit Guys, Tommy and Eddie drive the Gospel message home using Ephesians 2:10 in this creatively crafted skit. May the message take root in our your life as you view it with an open mind and heart. May God's Spirit (The Chisel) transform us into the beings He created us to be!

Gospel Journey Maui Promo

We will be offering the Gospel Journey Maui Study as a "Connection" Group Elective for adults at Agape Christian Church in the near future. Stay tuned to the Discipleship Posts on http://www.agapechristianchurch.com. If you have questions about the content or discussion, feel free to talk to any IMPACT Student.

Mobilizing Teenagers to Share the Gospel with Every Teenager They Know

Free Youth Ministry Resources
The Purpose of doing what I do!

Hebrews Meets Star Wars

I saw this on Chris Davis' Youth Ministry Geek Blog. Someone took the beginning of the book of Hebrews and made it into an opening scroll from a Star Wars movie. Wish I was teaching out of Hebrews this week! I would definitely find a spot to share the amazing creativity. Enjoy the intro from "Long, Long Ago!"

10 (Mythical) Reason Not to Go to Church with (Real) Responses
from "The Mancode"

Reason #1: Everybody in church is a hypocrite.

(No, everybody in church isn't a hypocrite, and your own negativity doesn't make it a reality.)

Reason #2: The church doesn't meet my needs.
(Lots of people in the church are trying hard to meet your needs. Are you looking past these folks or for them?)

Reason #3: Church takes up too much time.
(Sure church takes time. But so does watching the Golf Channel, the NFL, NASCAR, and American Idol. And which is more important?)

Reason #4: They're always asking for money.
(No, they're not always asking for money. And besides, if every guy gave what he should give, the church wouldn't need to ask for money.)

Reason #5: I don't like the preacher.
(The preacher is trying to get through to you. How hard are you trying to let him get through?)

Reason #6: I had a bad experience in the church.
(No place is perfect. You've had bad experiences everywhere: at work, at home, at school, and just about every place in between. But you probably didn't quit work or drop out of school at the first sign of trouble, and if you did give up, the common denominator is you.)

Reason #7: The music is too loud.
(Really?)

Reason #8: The music isn't loud enough.
(If so, why are you still sitting in the last pew?)

Reason #9: The Sunday School classes are boring.
(Your church obviously needs a few more good teachers. By the way, when was the last time you taught?)

Reason #10: Someone sat in my pew last week.
(Your pew? Maybe the trespasser thought is was God's pew.)

http://www.themancode.net/

G-Force Children's Ministry

Boxcar Drive-In Theater

Fri. Aug. 28th at 6:30pm!!!

1st-5th Grade Children...

Wheel on in to the Agape Christian Church Drive-IN Theater with your very own creatively designed box-car for an exciting evening of contests, popcorn, and a movie hosted by the

ACC IMPACT Students!

Awards will be given to those with the most creative designs

from recycleable materials.

Have fun preparing and... Bring a Friend!!!

Kids Say the Funniest Things

My son told me that I should set up a "Pastor Play Date" at Saddleback to talk ministry with Rick Warren so he could go and tour Legoland in Cali. I never thought of ministry meetings as Pastor Play Dates, but I will from now on. I tweeted Pastor Rick the comment today. He love it and thought Schyler was hilarious.

I think this one topped the "Active Reflexes" comment when referring to struggles with Acid Reflux.

What is the funniest one liner you can remember from your child/children?

Praying for Taiwan

Join me in praying for those suffering from the typhoon in Taiwan and for the churches planted there. May the church be able to minister in the name of Jesus to those left struggling and homeless.

Blue Parakeet
Rethinking How You Read the Bible

If you love the Bible and want to be stretched as a believer with a new approach to reading God's Word, take a look at Scot Mcknight's Blue Parakeet. I have been challenged and a new desire/hunger has emerged to see things in a different perspective.

G-Force: The Movie

G-FORCE: Movie Trailer - For more funny videos, click here

Went to the movie with my son Schyler and friend Joshua to see G-Force. Fun movie with some amazing special effects. Totally cool since G-Force is the name of the ACC Children's Ministry. And hey... the popcorn was good too!

Is this the future of Wedding Ceremonies?

It looks as if the future of wedding ceremonies holds dynamic entrances. If this is true, I think I'll struggle with standing at the altar while everyone else makes their moves down the aisle. It's time to break out the cardboard and work on the "Man in the Mirror" moves to join in on the action! Or, on second thought... I'll just try to keep a straight face and try and control and explosive belly laugh! Fun Stuff!

Thanks TerraceCrawford.com for the heads up!