Do the Nets Work? Metro NY Youth Workers Are Invited
By Jeremy | February 7, 2010
Friends:
As you may have heard, in January the Coalition of Urban Youth Workers transitioned leadership from co-chairs Walter Sotelo and Kevin Young to me as its new Chairperson. After serving the Coalition for three years in a supportive function as the architect of 20/20 Vision for Schools, it is an honor to have been asked to assume a leadership role again after that assignment ended.
This Monday, February 8, is our regular network meeting from 10-12. In January, Coalition presented a vision for 2010 that includes connecting youth workers, cultivating leadership, collaborative partnerships, and communicating for greater Kingdom effectiveness.
This month, we will unpack those ideals in an effort to bring training resources, collaborative opportunities, and connecting points with other youth workers closer to where we actually serve in ministry.
What: Network and Planning Meeting
Where: Nyack College Manhattan Center
361 Broadway (b/w Leonard and Franklin Streets)
6th Floor Conference Room
When: Monday February 8, 10 am – 12 pm
Who: NYC church and para-church youth workers
Why: Trained youth workers collaborating for exponential Kingdom impact
Please RSVP your attendance via email. Thank you!
In Service,
Jeremy Del Rio
Topics: coalition, schedule, youth ministry | No Comments »
On Starburst Nipple Rings and Super Bowl Memories
By Jeremy | February 7, 2010
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Anticipating a great game — and half-time snoozefest — for Super Bowl XLIV, and remembering the controversy that precipitated the recent wave of half-time retreads? Originally posted in 2004.
___________________
Let’s Talk about Sex
A sixteen year old boy ogles internet porn on his bedroom PC. His fourteen year old sister listens to Jessica Simpson’s “Sweetest Sin” while text messaging gossip about her fantasy with green eyes. Their twelve year old brother lost his virginity last week.
And mom and dad are still irate about Janet Jackson’s sunburst nipple ring.
It’s time for a little perspective.
True, the Super Bowl half time show was a prime time peep show, and yes, Howard Stern’s raunch putrefies the airwaves. MTV does in fact peddle sex and sexuality to children, while Tony Soprano frequents nude bars and Showtime flaunts “The L-Word.” Hollywood starlets find it “liberating” to take their clothes off on super-sized movie screens; fashion magazines delight in high-gloss sensuality; and a drug-addicted curiosity flashes a talk show host half a dozen times on network TV. Mainstream musicians produce hard core pornography; advertising titillates; Pee Wee Herman is a registered sex offender; Jerry Springer built a career out of showcasing sexual deviants; and an Oscar-winning actress boasts about noncommittal “adult relationships” with “friends.”
But it’s not just entertainers whose “milkshake” brings “the boys to the yard.” Regular folks jump in an out of sexual relationships, and sexual sin plagues many a pulpit. Even biblical heroes were sexually suspect (Samson, David, Solomon, to name just three), and the apostle Paul acknowledged sexual “burn.”
In an age of hyper-sexuality and Lil’ Kim pasties, what are parents to do to protect their children from premature sex besides complain about the FCC? (Incidentally, the FCC exerts exactly no influence over your teenage son when he’s alone with his girlfriend.)
First, clean house. Not your kid’s house; your house. It’s difficult to talk to your teen about lust when Playboy’s anniversary special is hidden in your closet.
Second, communicate more than just “The Talk.” While the birds and bees might be fine, they’re just the beginning. Sexual curiosity is real, and if your child doesn’t feel comfortable looking to you for answers, he’ll find them somewhere else. If you’re not sure what age to begin the dialogue, ask your kid. What does he know already? What would she like to know?
Third, offer accountability, not judgment. The best way to safeguard oneself from secret sin is to expose secret struggles to trusted confidants. If you want to help your child resist sexual temptation, be someone she can trust not to hold her temptations against her.
Fourth, relate, don’t condemn. Except for hardened individuals whose consciences are seared, most people know when they’ve done wrong – or even just thought wrong – and feel terrible about it. Heaping guilt and condemnation (“That was bad!”) breeds helplessness, not hope.
Fifth, seek restoration, not retribution. When sexual failings do occur, as many do, help rebuild and restore your child’s confidence. Instead of “punishing” him by removing privileges, help him define boundaries for his own behavior. Empower success by assisting her in discovering her own capacity for self-control.
Finally, have an ear to hear. Specific behaviors often mask deeper emotional issues. Avoid the temptation to get distracted by the salacious details of individual acts, and press in to discover what’s really going on in the person’s life that would weaken resistance to lust.
God wired us to desire sex as the ultimate expression of love and the means to procreate. That pure desire gets corrupted in a sinful world, becoming a universal thorn in the side for all of us. By maintaining an honest dialogue, adults who care about kids can teach them to manage the thorn and rely on grace.
In other words, talk the SEX talk and walk the SEX walk … with your kids.
Topics: articles, nfl, sex, sexuality, super bowl | 1 Comment »
Recently on Twitter: Weekly Digest
By Jeremy | February 6, 2010
- Great times, great friends at #Bizarro World. Thanks @upsidedowninc for investing in youth workers! We > me. #
- @kennynyc when r u leaving? Coffee/lunch first? in reply to kennynyc #
- Masterful story teller Pastor Sam Meza causing hysterics at the home of the Storytellas. http://twitpic.com/10radh #
- Celebrating JJs creative wk: 1st published article, DragonFire car, Crazy Crystal sci prjct, & book summary – all despite strep. Yay, Mom! #
- Stunning! Cyrus Portraiture courtesy @JosephCortese http://post.ly/LbhB // Thanks PJHC and Crossroads for ur hospitality! #
- Great fun dusting off Bagged Lunch and a Drop of Oil for #bizarro on Sat. Multiply Re$ource$ for youth ministry: http://short.to/15dr3 #
- I think I found my next profile pic, courtesy of @josephcortese. King Cyrus at his inquisitive, snuggly best: http://myvisualjournal.com/cy #
- @ItzRyYo I love you, ry! in reply to ItzRyYo #
- @jkruse33 congrats on 12 years! in reply to jkruse33 #
- Priceless // “A friend is someone who helps u up when u're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside u & listen.” Unknown via @PastorJJW #
- Judah's "Exciting Day with the Assistant Principal" – his first published article! http://tinyurl.com/yzgut8b #
- @rubenaustria keep championing these champions. Thanks again for Saturday at #bizarro in reply to rubenaustria #
- Time for a confession // New Blog Post: Pursuing Authenticity Requires Practicing what we Preach http://tinyurl.com/ps102js #
- Rudy's reasoned perspective: I could hear The Left better if they would just add some humor to their earnestness. /via @rudycarrasco #
- A laugh-out-loud good morning from my … grandkids. Some of my favorite ppl evr. Find out why: http://short.to/15yk7 #
- @DP4Real prayer for you and your family today. May the God of all comfort embrace u today in reply to DP4Real #
- @PastorJJW safe travels! in reply to PastorJJW #
- Fourth graders have a voice too. NYC Public School students are living life out loud: http://short.to/1634w #
- See past what's in front of you, do what it takes to get there. Via @KenBobe #
- Friend & provocateur @Eric_Iverson on how short-term missions & missional youth ministry CAN go together: http://su.pr/5mKwx8 #verge10 #
- @marcoswitt welcome back to nyc! How long ru in town? Hope ur well in reply to marcoswitt #
Topics: twitter | No Comments »
I feel like a proud grandpa
By Jeremy | February 3, 2010
These guys are amazing, still among my favorite people in the world. They were kids in my youth group; now they are leading and loving others well. I’m so proud of them.
Be amused… they are also hysterical.
Topics: abounding grace, eden martinez, generation xcel, jonathany del rio, youth ministry, youth ministry 2.0, yw8 | No Comments »
Pursuing Authenticity Requires Practicing what we Preach
By Jeremy | February 3, 2010
Readers of this blog know of my fascination with stories and storytelling, especially the stories we live out loud everyday. You also know of my interest in public education, and my work with 20/20 Vision for Schools.
It’s time for a confession. Even before launching 20/20 in 2008, despite being known is some circles as the 20/20 Vision guy, my work on education reform was mostly theoretical. My passion was real, but day to day, aside from designing and architecting 20/20, my personal involvement actually living 20/20’s engagement paradigm was non-existent.
Why? I haven’t run a community group or helped lead a congregation in almost four years, which means I couldn’t commit an organization to adopt a school for service and advocacy. Nor have I been involved in direct youth work since 2005, so I couldn’t directly empower student leaders to become change agents within their schools. Finally, until this year, my son attended private schools, so engaging a school as a volunteer was difficult.
Then this fall everything changed. My wife and I enrolled Judah in our local public school, P.S. 102. Dropping him off that first day, we were struck by the visual of instructional signs in a dozen or more language plastered on the school entrance. Combined with the traditional clothing worn by many parents, the visible diversity energized us.
A couple of weeks later at an open house, my wife and I were among 14 or 15 parents meeting Judah’s fourth grade teacher for the first time. Only one other parent was obviously born in this country. Accents and surnames suggested that the rest were born in the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
The following week, I met Judah’s teacher to see how his transition to a new school was going and to learn more about the curriculum. She explained that fourth grade at P.S. 102 emphasizes not just literacy, but more specifically revising and editing written work. As an occasional writer, this both thrilled and concerned me.
Editing happens best one-on-one, but she has 25 students, and twelve or so are learning English as a second language. How could she manage to edit so many kids at various skill-levels at once? She invited me to come in once a week to provide more focused help for students who might need it. Since mid-October, some of my new favorite people are Judah’s classmates. The highlight of my year has been watching their confidence rise along with their literacy.
I met the parent coordinator on Halloween, and she asked if I might have any interest in helping start a writing club. Specifically, she was concerned about budget cuts to the school newspaper, and wanted to explore non-traditional media as a platform for student writing.
Five weeks later, together with a third parent we launched an online journalism club with twelve fourth graders representing all eight fourth grade classes at the school. They named themselves the Journalism Stars, and this week they published the first edition of their Virtual Journal.
We are learning how to celebrate the lives people live out loud each day. Here’s an excerpt about the club:
We are twelve 4th grade students, two parents, and one fearless parent coordinator learning that the most interesting stories are the stories of our lives — the ones we live everyday. Journalism is one way we can capture those stories and celebrate the life of our school with others.
Stories are all around us. … They can inform, persuade, or entertain us. They make us think or feel, and the best stories cause us to do both. …
Every great story has certain elements, like characters, plot, setting, timing, drama, and a purpose. Journalists discover the elements of the stories we tell about people or events by answering six basic questions: Who? What? Where? When? How? and Why?
Each month Our Virtual Journal will publish stories that relate to one of those six question. Our January 2010 issue begins by asking WHO? Who are we at Journalism Stars. And who are some of the interesting characters at PS 102?
Show support to the Journalism Stars at PS 102. They’ve reminded me, once again, what really matters for authentic living. Check them out and leave a comment or two.
Topics: 2020 vision, authenticity, education, education reform, journalism stars, ps 102, story | No Comments »
Judah’s “Exciting Day with the Assistant Principal”
By Jeremy | February 3, 2010
My heart’s all aflutter seeing Judah’s interest and affinity for writing. Today his first published article went live, courtesy of the Journalism Stars club at PS 102. I reprint it in full here (for my own archival purposes) but enjoy it at the club’s Virtual Journal site as well.
Feature: My Exciting Day with the Assistant Principal
It was a dark and stormy night (actually, a very bright and fun day) and I was walking the halls to … the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S office! I thought, “I should call my mom and say goodbye and I love her like they do in the movies.”
I entered Mrs. Fassenele’s office while picturing her as a blood thirsty vampire. Instead, we talked a lot about her life, and she turned out to be a very nice person.
One of the reasons I know she is nice is because she thinks that she is very fortunate to work here. She has been assistant principle for five years, and before that she taught fourth grade for seven years. As the assistant principal, she runs the school’s budget, which means she makes a plan for how much money they are going to spend for this and how much they are going to spend for that. She also got some phone calls while I was interviewing her, so I know she gets interrupted a lot.
Mrs. Fassenele said that one of the challenges at the school is when a student who has just come to the country has to take the same tests as the other kids. It’s hard because they are just learning English but the tests are in English. She has to help them figure out how to do better.
Mrs. Fassenele was born near where I live in Bay Ridge. She went to Visitation Academy all girls’ school. Visitation Academy was very strict. They got demerits and had to wear uniforms, so it is hard to believe the loving Mrs. Fassenele came from such a strict school. She enjoyed playing softball, traveling, reading, and playing piano when she was a kid, and now her hobby is raising her baby who is almost one.
So, the interview started in my head as scary, and ended up merry. Mrs. Fassenele is a great woman, and a very hard-working assistant principal.
Topics: articles, journalism stars, judah, ps 102 | No Comments »
Recently on Twitter: Weekly Digest
By Jeremy | January 30, 2010
- I have learned to be content in every circumstance, in plenty or in want, bc I can do all things thru Him who strengthens me. – Phil 4:10-13 #
- The secret to financial freedom: CONTENTMENT. Pastor Paul, quoting Paul the Apostle (Phil 4:10-13). Put "I can do all things" in context #
- How much $ do you need to be financially free? The amount you already have. Key: Contentment in every circumstance. Phil 4:10-13 #
- "Godliness with contentment is great gain." If we are discontent w what we have, we won't be content w more. I Tim 6:6-10. #
- Missing the Jets manhandling of Indy … to watch Judah compete in the CYO Swim Championship. Go J(ets)udah! #
- Like the Jets, whose game was half right, my picks were 50/50. Good riddance Favre. The Saints are coming. #
- Jeremiah Lanphier: "Christ is the text… preaching without Christ is building castles in the air." Http://tinyurl.com/yf2jx8k #
- Live blogging the Pastors Prayer Summit at http://jeremydelrio.com #
- @JosephCortese you caught me … live blogging the summit. in reply to JosephCortese #
- Good thinks happen when pastors worship… and pray… together. 250 gather at the Pastors Prayer Summit 2010 http://twitpic.com/zsbii #
- When your focus is profit you lose your meaning; when your focus is meaning the profit comes. (Via @erwinmcmanus) #
- There's Judah swimming backstroke in Lane 7 at Nassau Aquatic Ctr. Tht pool's no joke! CYO Bklyn A Championship http://twitpic.com/zt577 #
- RT @AdamDurso Anticipation is turning into tremendous excitement & Fri – Sat it will become Reality. Bizarro World http://upsidedowninc.com #
- Thanks. Love being on the same team! // RT @belramos Big ups to @jeremydelrio that was on point…all of it http://twitpic.com/zvfe6 #
- Christ alone: "I am the vine. U r the branches. … Apart frm me, u can do nothing." John 15:5 #
- The 52 hr countdown to Bizarro World has begun. Http://upsidedowninc.com #
- A whirlwind day with incredible ppl. I love kids. I love ppl who love kids. And I really love ppl who love kids in New York. #
- @MackieCharles it went well. We missed you. Let's connect by phone next wk in reply to MackieCharles #
- There are no plateaus in God, only resting places. – AR Bernard #
- Faith is not blind and dumb. It's a reasoned trust. "Come let us reason together." "Consider the lillies of the field." – AR Bernard #
- People who wrestle with their identity are uncomfortable with their call. – AR Bernard #
- Communicate: 1 educate the mind, 2 stir emotions, & 3 motivate the will. Balance is key to life. Capture all 3 in preparation @arbernard #
- Goal isn't quantity of message but quality of message. Quality means less is more. Too much info = problem of retention. @arbernard #
- @rafaelcastillo me too. We shld meet up. in reply to rafaelcastillo #
- Life demands: family, spirit, education, health, social, financial. They make demands simultaneously. Order your life or perish @arbernard #
- Prayer fuels change. Plans make them happen. @arbernard #
- Burst ur messianic bubble. Build teams that are larger than u. Implement team thru ur operational strategies. @arbernard #
- Passing baton isn't tossing it to successor. Requires both runners holding baton for a season. @arbernard #
- Your greatest competition is culture NOT the devil: ads, celebs, music, film, tech, fashion, tv, art. Be savvy @arbernard #
- Judah and his Pinewood Derby masterpiece http://twitpic.com/10eiyw #
- King Cyrus and his new buddy @eric_iverson, chillin at Pinewood Derby http://twitpic.com/10ekj7 #
- Judah's fleet: last year's winner flanked by the 2010 Dragon Fire model http://twitpic.com/10el27 #
- Luv u bro! Thx for hanging w the fam. // RT @Eric_Iverson The 1&only @jeremydelrio holding it down at home front http://twitpic.com/10icnt #
- @ChrisDurso congratulations, daddy! in reply to ChrisDurso #
- @adamdurso @rafaelcastillo: Greg Stier needs to hear about 20/20 Vision for Schools. #bizaro http://2020schools.net #
- @MichaelDurso Our 8 th grandchild has arrived… CHLOE !!! WOW // congratulations, grandpa! #
- Greg Stier: unleash this generation. Young people have the goods. Empower them to change the world. #bizaro #
- In NYC 99% of incarcerated youth are Black or Latino. Costs $226K per yr/kid. 89%boys 81%girls reoffend @rubenaustria Truly #bizaro #
- @cascheller no offense taken. They are nasty ex-NYers #
Topics: twitter | No Comments »
ANNOUNCING: Urban Youth Workers Institute NY/NE
By Jeremy | January 29, 2010
Topics: UYWI, coalition, reload, training | No Comments »
20/20 Architect Jeremy Del Rio Now Executive Director
By Jeremy | January 28, 2010
Republished from 20/20 Vision for Schools website.
_________________________________
20/20 Vision for Schools proudly announces the hire of its lead architect and visionary Jeremy Del Rio, Esq., as its first executive director, effective January 1, 2010. Jeremy previously served 20/20 as a strategic planning, organizational development, marketing, and program design consultant since its inception in 2007, and has championed the movement through our September 2008 launch and first academic year.
This decision to hire Jeremy aligns with the Action Plan crafted with the input of 120 multi-sector leaders convened on September 18, 2008, for “An Urgent Appeal to Engage a Generation at Risk: Helping Everyone Reach their Highest Potential.”
Executives from the business, government, religious, education, and social sectors – including Newark Mayor Cory Booker; former congressman and pastor of Allen Cathedral Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake; former president of the Girl Scouts of America and founding chair of the Leader-to-Leader Institute Francis Hesselbein, Former Philadelphia Mayor and Amachi founder Dr. Wilson Goode, Service Master founder William Pollard, and many more – gathered explicitly “to initiate an actionable plan and model to help New York City school-aged youth reach their highest potential.” Organizations represented included the United Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cornell University, New York University, Deutsche Bank, M&T Bank, WMCA Radio/Salem Communications, Dow Corning Corp., Princeton Theological Seminary, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Express Business Travel, The West Paces Hotel Group, World Vision, Latino Pastoral Action Center, Pomeroy Capital Hedge Fund, and others.
Together, they concluded that America’s crisis in public schools is first and foremost a crisis of leadership. A systematic refusal to accept accountability for chronic underperformance has permitted decades of institutional failure, which has placed current and future generations at risk of social unrest and decay. Comprehensive reform requires multi-sector, collaborative strategies led by men and women willing to commit, as Geoffrey Canada of Harlem Children’s Zone says, “to fix this problem … to put politics aside and do what’s right for America’s children.”
Students who began first grade in September 2008 are the high school graduating class of 2020 – the generation for whom 20/20 intends to make good on the promise of public education. But to manifest sustainable, systemic change requires catalytic and creative leaders who are empowered to champion the movement moving forward. The consensus of 20/20 Vision’s founding partners, The New York City Leadership Center and The Coalition of Urban Youth Workers, is that Jeremy Del Rio is such a leader, and we welcome him into his new role.
Topics: 2020 vision | 1 Comment »
Who Christ is OVER us and BEFORE us
By Jeremy | January 26, 2010
Pastors Prayer Summit, Session 4
Facilitated by David Bryant and Steve Millazo
Augustine:
“He who has Christ has everything. He who has everything but does not have Christ has nothing. He who has everything plus Christ has no more than he who has Christ alone.”
A Christ-awakening is beginning in Rahway State Prison. 200 inmates gather for prayer and worship each work.
Colossians written to the smallest church in the smallest city. Paul had never actually been there, yet he writes such a grand portrait to reveal “the mysteries of Christ” (Colossians 2). Paul understood that it’s not the size of the congregation that matters for the advancement of the Kingdom. It’s the size of our vision of Christ.
Isaac Watts hymn “I Sing the Mighty Power of God.”
OVER us:
As the King OVER all creation and the Cosmos
As the Lord OVER the unfolding and outcome of history
As the Sovereign OVER all nations, languages and peoples
As the Ruler OVER all authorities in each sphere of human endeavor
As the Master OVER all heavenly hosts and demonic forces
As the Head OVER the one Body of Christ in Heaven and earth
BEFORE us:
As the one who goes BEFORE us into the new creation of God
As the one who goes BEFORE us into the holy presence of God
As the one who goes BEFORE us into the grand promises of God
As the one who goes BEFORE us into the eternal triumphs of God
Testimony Steve Millazo, Pastor Bethlehem Assembly of God
Death has been close to me. Dad died at 4. Mon was a 26 year old widow with 4 kids. Stepdad died at 14. Both sisters-in-law died of cancer within 8 weeks
At 19, survived a near fatal car accident. Met Jesus afterwards
In August 2009, survived a jet ski collision. This time had confidence where he would go if he didn’t survive.
God has gone before us, along with the hosts of heaven… This is the hope that I have… Christ died and He rose and He’s coming again, and death CANNOT separate us from the love of God.
Topics: augustine, christology, copgny, david bryant, isaac watts, pastors prayer summit, quotes, steve milazzo | No Comments »
Who Christ is TO us and FOR us
By Jeremy | January 25, 2010
Pastors Prayer Summit 2010, Session 3
Facilitated by David Bryant
Christology Bibliography
- “Jesus: Son and Savior” (John Paul 2)
- “Pauline Christology” (Gordon Fee)
- “Who is Christ for Us?” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
- “The Supremacy of Christ” (Adjith Fernando)
- “For the Life of the World” (Alexander Schememann)
- “Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God” (Mark Gali)
- “The Many Faces of Jesus” (Volker Kuster)
- “The Person of Christ” (Donald Macleod)
- “The Challenge of Jesus” (NT Wright)
- “Jesus Ascended” (Gerrit Scott Dawson)
- “Above all Earthly Powers” (David Wells)
Who Christ is TO us and FOR us
Reconnecting Who God is:
TO US
As the full and final revelation of God Himself
As defined by who Jesos to and in the Triune God
As portrayed by His unique attributes and characteristics
As He embodies the principles, prophecies and promises of Scripture
As the Father’s inexhaustible treasure to be uncovered through all ages
As we find out who He is for, over, before, within, through, and upon us
FOR US
As He becomes forever one of us, in the Incarnation
As He sacrifices Himself in the place of us, in the Crucifixion
As He defeats death on behalf of us, by the Resurrection
Vertical Proclamation: A Prayer Tribute
Testimony: Edwin Colon, New Baptist Temple, Brooklyn
“Me too, Edwin” — What Jesus communicated during Pastor Edwin’s homelessness
- When I was on earth, I had so much stress my capillaries burst
- I was homeless for a lot longer than 2 years
- Do you want me to be God to provide your God (idolatry)?
An Appeal to Fund Haiti Relief
In Partnership with Beraca Baptist Church and Converge Northeast.
Celebrating 22 Years of the United Prayer Movement in NY
Tribute to Rev. Dr. Mac Pier as he transitions leadership of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York to Rev. Gary Frost.
Mac: The Movement has been a great gift. At times a struggle to unite diverse groups, but always a gift. The prayer movement is maturing; similar to the Fulton Street Revival of 130 years ago. Over 22 years, the current prayer movement has become incarnational: children sponsored, schools adopted, etc. I’m not going anywhere. Just transitioning to a new role at New York City Leadership Center. Pastor Gary Frost has the “purest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.”
Topics: beraca baptist church, books, christology, converge northeast, copgny, david bryant, edwin colon, gary frost, haiti, mac pier, new york city leadership center, pastors prayer summit | No Comments »
An Invitation for Contemplative Spirituality
By Jeremy | January 25, 2010
Pastors Prayer Summit 2010: Session 2
An Invitation for Contemplative Spirituality
- Drew Hyun, Teaching Pastor, New Life Fellowship
Matt 11:28-30: If you’re tired or weary, come to me and I’ll give you rest. My yolk is easy and burden light.
John 10:10: Christ promises life “to the full”
Drew was “burned out on ministry and seminary by 25.”
Reflecting on those verses, realized ministry life contradicted these promises. He had spiraled out of control
Reminded of Luke 10:38-42
He had Martha Syndrome
Task oriented; forgot to rest at Jesus’ feet
Ministry is not about doing. The mark of a good pastor is NOT being BUSY
Martha was active BUT missed Jesus
Mary was contemplative — she rested in his presence
Mary found “what is better”
Out of contemplation (Being with God) overflow into ministry Activity
Too often, our ministry operates out of an attitude that says: “I’m not human; I am the Christ. I don’t need rest.”
- Rich Villodas, Teaching Pastor, New Life Fellowship
Sabbath Keeping
At the heart of original sin is a refusal to submit to the rhythm of God
Exodus 20, the 4th Commandment requires us to keep the Sabbath. Why? It follows God’s creation rhythm.
Deut. 5: A second rationale for Sabbath. Instituted as a picture for how redeemed people should live. It’s a sign of what free people do.
Four Sabbath sign-posts
- Stop. Eugene Patterson: “Quit. Stop. Take a break.” 24-hours straight. Easier said than done in a City that Never Sleeps. An act of trust and humility. Acknowledges that the world doesn’t revolve around me.
- Rest. Sabbath is a day to be restored. Released from the constraints of working and doing. God didn’t rest because he was tired. Rest is a sign of completion and abundance. Difficult to self-care because we are too busy caring for everyone else. Goal of life isn’t to compete or outdo someone else. Live without a to-do list.
- Delight. After God finished creation, He said: “It is very good.” If there is no delight, joy, replenishment, it’s probably not a Sabbath. What brings you life? Whatever that is, delight in it for 24 hours.
- Contemplate. It’s a day to spend in God’s presence. Reflect on his goodness and grace. Stillness. Worship. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Nouwen: 50% of our lives should be spent reflecting on the 50% that is lived.
Topics: concerts of prayer, copgny, drew hyun, henri nouwen, new life fellowship, pastors prayer summit, rich villodas, rule of life | No Comments »
“In Christ Alone”: Pastors Prayer Summit 2010
By Jeremy | January 25, 2010
Live Blogging Pastors Prayer Summit
- Rev. Dr. Robert Johannson, Chair COPGNY
John 17:20-26
Re-align the Focus of the movement … on Christ alone
Re-connect the Leaders for the movement … around Christ alone
Re-new the Movement as a whole … for Christ alone
Re-awaken the Church through the movement … to Christ alone
- Rev. Gary Frost, President COPGNY
Matthew 17:1-12
When God shows up, Peter proposes a building project (v. 4)
But Peter needed to be revived and reawakened on the mountaintop for the work in the valley
For 20 years, pastors have been praying for a Christ-awakening.
A Christ-awakening happens when God’s spirit uses God’s word to reconvert God’s People back to God’s Son for ALL that he is.
Quotes by Jonathan Edwards and Ebenezer Porter: time to surpass our first love.
In a Christ Awakening we become:
Person Drive
so that we become
Promise Driven
so that we become
Passion Driven
so that we become
Purpose Driven
Augustine: “Now my heart pants for you alone”
The Crisis of Christology
+ Michael Horton: Too much Christless Christianity.
+ Erwin McManus: Fewer people are going to church because of the diminished influence of Christ on the church
+ Jeremiah Lanphier: “Christ is the text… preaching without Christ is building castles in the air.” Http://tinyurl.com/yf2jx8k
Pastors Prayer Summit Schedule
Rediscovering Christ
Encounter #1: Intro (This Session)
Encounter #2: Who He is TO us and FOR us
Encounter #3: Who He is OVER us and BEFORE us
Encounter #4: Who He is WITH CHRIST Together/Alone
Encounter #5: Who He is WITHIN us and THROUGH us
Encounter #6: Who He is UPON us
Topics: christology, concerts of prayer, copgny, david bryant, gary frost, pastors prayer summit, prayer, robert johansson | No Comments »
Recently on Twitter: Weekly Digest
By Jeremy | January 23, 2010
- Survived Judah's 1st ever sleepover. Di: why won't they just play pictionary? #
- Sayonara, Cowpokes. Let's go Jets! Represent Giants Stadium and all of NY proudly. #
- "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" ~ MLK Jr. (via @eugenecho) #
- "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." – Albert Einstein (via @exectweets) #
- The J-E-T-S Just Ended Turner's Season! Besides Rex, who'd a thunk it?! Congrats! #
- "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice… corrects evrythin tht stands against love" MLK Jr /Via @PastorJJW #
- "Freedom only comes thru persistnt revolt,thru persistnt agitation,thru persistntly rising up agnst the systm of evil"-MLK via@chris_heuertz #
- "Let's fight passionately & unrelentingly 4 the goals of justice and peace. But let's be sure that our hands are clean in this struggle"-MLK #
- "Shallow understanding frm people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding frm people of ill will." #MLK via@YS_Scoop #
- "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Bishop Desmond Tutu via @corybooker #
- After Journalism Stars club and 4th grade tutoring this am, travel afternoon. Destination: Grand Rapids. #
- Countdown to Bizarro: nine days. Register online: http://upsidedowninc.com. #
- At DeVos city coordinator training. Can't wait for NYC 2010 cohort to begin in Feb. Trained leaders collaborate 4 exponential impact. #
- RT @AdamDurso: "Bizarro World" = @UYWILarry @RonLuce@BoBoshers @JeremyDelRio @RafaelCastillo @JamaalBernard http://upsidedowninc.com #
- @drrahnyfc I'm psyched that he's part as well. We have to compare dvuli notes. Go NY! J-E-T-S! in reply to drrahnyfc #
- How can we adopt Haiti's orphans? Http://tinyurl.com/ybtpe4q #
- @td_jakes how have you experienced & persevered thru persecution? in reply to td_jakes #
- Amway Grand Hotel (Grand Rapids): nice place to visit, great place for a steam room #
- Seriously, does anyone know how can we adopt Haiti's orphans? Http://tinyurl.com/ybtpe4q #
- DAILY kids of all ages consume 11 hours of MEDIA except READING. Next time give a BOOK. via @jimespo http://tinyurl.com/mmmmepi #
- So long Grand Rapids. Destination NYC. Can't wait to see my family. #
- Will you be muddling thru on Jan 29-30? Interested in turning some thing rightside up? http://upsidedowninc.com (via @rafaelcastillo) #
Topics: twitter | No Comments »
Recently on Twitter: Weekly Digest
By Jeremy | January 16, 2010
- Please Pray: Justice for Kristi. Monday at 3pm http://tinyurl.com/kbjustice // Please retweet. #
- RT @RevRunWisdom Any Dude can love 1000 girls, but it takes a gentleman to love 1 woman 1000 ways #
- Praying people everywhere, u r needed for 5 minutes Monday afternoon. Find of why: http://short.to/132uk #
- Attn youth workers: State of the Coalition this morning 10-12 at Nyack College NYC, Bway bw franklin & leonard, 4fl #
- Your prayers will make a difference, today at 3pm: http://tinyurl.com/kbjustice // Pls retweet/repost. Thanks! #
- Kristi Brattli SSI update here: http://tinyurl.com/kbjustice. Having done all to stand, we keep standing! Thanks for your prayers. #
- Registration for Bizarro World Conference MADE EASY: CALL 718.386.8882 ext. 292! Http://upsidedowninc.com Join me there! (Via @adamdurso) #
- "Rediscovering Values with Jim Wallis in Manhattan," by Jonathan Fitzgerald, Patrol Magazine – http://shar.es/aFlst (via @lisasharper #
- Breaking news: mark mcgwire used steriods. Who'd a thunk it? But *wink* they didn't help his performance. That's why he used them 10 yrs. #
- @jonnie17 he should take his congressional counterpart with him. in reply to jonnie17 #
- @ClumsyFly thanks for the heads up on wptouch. just installed it. let me know if it worked better for you. thanks! in reply to ClumsyFly #
- @HarryTucker prayers and thoughts with you and your family today. in reply to HarryTucker #
- The journey continues: http://tinyurl.com/kbjustice Thanks for praying for Kristi. #
- When God speaks, what you do in response reveals what you believe abt God. – H Blackaby #
- "Lord I believe. Help me with my unbelief." Nothwithstanding beliefs, crisis provokes unbelief. The honesty of a father. Mark 9:17-24 #
- Call me Bizarro, but I enjoy strategic planning … imagining the future … and creating possibilities. http://tinyurl.com/ygjgefl #
- @jordoncooper why the unsubscription? Curious to hear more abt ur and their changes. Future blogpost? in reply to jordoncooper #
- @LeeGrady meet @rudycarrasco author, editor, idea man in reply to LeeGrady #
- We > me: a much harder game to play than to talk. Be Bizarro http://tinyurl.com/ygjgefl #
- Haiti is in shambles after today's earthquake. It's dark, phones are out, buildings are falling. via @LeeGrady #
- Be consequential: pray, innovate, collaborate (Mac Pier). Move from conceptual to concrete. #
- Thousands died in haiti last nite. How r we responding to their pain? World Vision's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund: http://tinyurl.com/y8zhv #
- The following links are for established org's that can help get aid into Haiti! http://bit.ly/8YuAFo (via @lisasharper #
- RT @UYWI January eNews: Larry discusses Fatherlessness, and Check out UYWI West Coast! – http://p0.vresp.com/oEkwQR #
- "Haiti helped re-form me. Help rebuild her." Thoughts on the earthquake and more: http://jeremydelrio.com/blog/2010/01/13/haiti/ #
- Building boys is better than mending men. #
- Build boys AND mend men. Hope and redemption transcend age limitations. #
- "Crying 'The sky is falling!' might sell books, but it never fixes problems" – &other insights on Xians who abuse stats http://bit.ly/8WaRwj #
- You have now texted "Haiti" to 90999 1million times. You have donated $10 million. $10 at a time [via @RedCross] // make tht 1,000,001 times #
- "Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritural life. It contradicts the sacred voice that calls us Beloved" – Nouwen /via @thahouse #
- The goal: Well trained leaders collaborating for expontial impact. // Note to self: stay on task. #
- Comprehensive transformation in #Haiti will come when we deal with The Underlying Tragedy – http://nyti.ms/4sGXOW (via @jimespo) #
- @snavenel enjoy! in reply to snavenel #
Topics: twitter | No Comments »











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I entered Mrs. Fassenele’s office while picturing her as a blood thirsty vampire. Instead, we talked a lot about her life, and she turned out to be a very nice person.