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    • 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


    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 »

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    By Jeremy | February 6, 2010

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    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

    By Judah

    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 »

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    By Jeremy | January 30, 2010

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    ANNOUNCING: Urban Youth Workers Institute NY/NE

    By Jeremy | January 29, 2010

    NY_Ad_03

    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.

    _________________________________

    IMG_155620/20 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

    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

    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

    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.”

    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

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.

    RULE OF LIFE EXERCISE

    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

    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

    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 »

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    By Jeremy | January 23, 2010

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