Living Beneath The Water Line
In the world of ministry, the path you travel consistently provides you with the opportunity to build one of two kingdoms: Yours or God's. When you start to build your own, you become the hero and any weakness or vulnerability revealed presents disaster, and your pedestal crashes beneath you. But if you choose to build God's kingdom, you allow authenticity to become a part of your ministry. People around you connect much quicker to an ordinary man or woman than to a superhero, so admit when you fall short or mess up. Realize that as you do, you provide hope to those looking up to you. Psalm 71 says, "Hope makes not ashamed." David begged God to search him, know him, and investigate his life inside and out. His sins put many of us in a good light, yet the Bible still refers to him as a man after God's own heart.
David wanted to please God, and endlessly worked to live life "below the water line," a phrase that comes from a story I read years ago...
Michael Plant, an expert yachtsman, sailed all over the world and faced nearly every challenge the sea offered, yet in the fall of 1992, he attempted the feat of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Without a doubt, if anyone could do it, Michael could for he had the best equipment, the most navigational experience, and the highest level of safety equipment of anyone else around. But tragically, only eleven days into the voyage, rescuers found Plant's boat capsized and discovered the revered yachtsman floating dead in the water. The incident stunned everyone, but investigators soon discovered the one reason the expert sailor fell victim to a mild storm... there was not enough weight below the water line.
From our motives to our hidden thoughts, we all carry weight below the water line. Deeper issues root us to be the tree David talks about in the first chapter of Psalms, "...that brings forth fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither, but whatever it does shall prosper." As a man or woman of integrity, I hope you remain a youth pastor or youth leader who stays afloat during the stormy seasons of life, by putting weight below the water line.
Living beneath the water line is not difficult. Quickly admit your mistakes and honestly give real life examples to your kids and your leaders. Do more than quote the Scripture, "There is none righteous, no not one," but follow the words, "I'm far from perfect..." with an actual moment when you blew it. I am not recommending that you admit to a constant struggle with lust, pornography, or some red flag issue. Keep those comments reserved for time alone with your accountability partner, but tell your teenagers about the time you lost your temper in traffic. Tell them that sometimes you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling. Tell them when you used a negative voice tone towards someone, and then went and apologized. Slowly as your examples will show those looking up to you authenticity and vulnerability, and it will be precisely those stories that will make them love you. Use a serious example, but use humorous examples too, and discover the truth that laughter is often the shortest distance between two points. Take your own embarrassing moments, and allow God to use them for His glory.
Every year I refine my ability to laugh at myself and release any pride I might harbor. Years ago I emceed at a formal Christmas banquet. I'd lost some weight and instead of fitting snugly around my waist, the taffeta skirt hung like a sack on me. Nearing the end of the event, I made my way to the front to close the evening out, and immediately felt a chilling breeze rush past my legs. I'd exposed myself to an entire crowd of teenagers, yet I was able to hide behind a large evergreen tree on the stage and call for my assistant to take the mic. Did my faithful assistant run to my rescue? On the contrary, the heartless individual, lay on the floor overcome with laughter. Did I survive? Yes, even when accusations came of using an inappropriate act to build attendance on Wednesday nights, the sun still rose the next morning and each teenager left with one more reminder that I too go through embarrassing, disappointing, less than perfect moments.
Stories may give us a reason to laugh, but it's much more than just retelling your most embarrassing moments. When your actions, your thoughts, your words don't reflect the Fruit of the Spirit to say the least, please have the integrity to admit it. Walk with your kids and leaders, not above them. The youth and young adult culture you and I are called to reach is begging for authenticity. Before they open up to you they're waiting to see if you struggle with things too. Keep ever before them the only One who was perfect, and continually remind them He is our Answer, our Truth, our Super Hero. Whether you work with junior high, high school, college or adult age individuals, the principle remains the same... people follow you by your strengths, but they connect to you through your weaknesses. Allow your life to weave into the lives of others, and it will turn your moments of being human into a beautiful tapestry that represents a life of authenticity.
In the world of ministry, the path you travel consistently provides you with the opportunity to build one of two kingdoms: Yours or God's. When you start to build your own, you become the hero and any weakness or vulnerability revealed presents disaster, and your pedestal crashes beneath you. But if you choose to build God's kingdom, you allow authenticity to become a part of your ministry. People around you connect much quicker to an ordinary man or woman than to a superhero, so admit when you fall short or mess up. Realize that as you do, you provide hope to those looking up to you. Psalm 71 says, "Hope makes not ashamed." David begged God to search him, know him, and investigate his life inside and out. His sins put many of us in a good light, yet the Bible still refers to him as a man after God's own heart.
David wanted to please God, and endlessly worked to live life "below the water line," a phrase that comes from a story I read years ago...
Michael Plant, an expert yachtsman, sailed all over the world and faced nearly every challenge the sea offered, yet in the fall of 1992, he attempted the feat of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Without a doubt, if anyone could do it, Michael could for he had the best equipment, the most navigational experience, and the highest level of safety equipment of anyone else around. But tragically, only eleven days into the voyage, rescuers found Plant's boat capsized and discovered the revered yachtsman floating dead in the water. The incident stunned everyone, but investigators soon discovered the one reason the expert sailor fell victim to a mild storm... there was not enough weight below the water line.
From our motives to our hidden thoughts, we all carry weight below the water line. Deeper issues root us to be the tree David talks about in the first chapter of Psalms, "...that brings forth fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither, but whatever it does shall prosper." As a man or woman of integrity, I hope you remain a youth pastor or youth leader who stays afloat during the stormy seasons of life, by putting weight below the water line.
Living beneath the water line is not difficult. Quickly admit your mistakes and honestly give real life examples to your kids and your leaders. Do more than quote the Scripture, "There is none righteous, no not one," but follow the words, "I'm far from perfect..." with an actual moment when you blew it. I am not recommending that you admit to a constant struggle with lust, pornography, or some red flag issue. Keep those comments reserved for time alone with your accountability partner, but tell your teenagers about the time you lost your temper in traffic. Tell them that sometimes you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling. Tell them when you used a negative voice tone towards someone, and then went and apologized. Slowly as your examples will show those looking up to you authenticity and vulnerability, and it will be precisely those stories that will make them love you. Use a serious example, but use humorous examples too, and discover the truth that laughter is often the shortest distance between two points. Take your own embarrassing moments, and allow God to use them for His glory.
Every year I refine my ability to laugh at myself and release any pride I might harbor. Years ago I emceed at a formal Christmas banquet. I'd lost some weight and instead of fitting snugly around my waist, the taffeta skirt hung like a sack on me. Nearing the end of the event, I made my way to the front to close the evening out, and immediately felt a chilling breeze rush past my legs. I'd exposed myself to an entire crowd of teenagers, yet I was able to hide behind a large evergreen tree on the stage and call for my assistant to take the mic. Did my faithful assistant run to my rescue? On the contrary, the heartless individual, lay on the floor overcome with laughter. Did I survive? Yes, even when accusations came of using an inappropriate act to build attendance on Wednesday nights, the sun still rose the next morning and each teenager left with one more reminder that I too go through embarrassing, disappointing, less than perfect moments.
Stories may give us a reason to laugh, but it's much more than just retelling your most embarrassing moments. When your actions, your thoughts, your words don't reflect the Fruit of the Spirit to say the least, please have the integrity to admit it. Walk with your kids and leaders, not above them. The youth and young adult culture you and I are called to reach is begging for authenticity. Before they open up to you they're waiting to see if you struggle with things too. Keep ever before them the only One who was perfect, and continually remind them He is our Answer, our Truth, our Super Hero. Whether you work with junior high, high school, college or adult age individuals, the principle remains the same... people follow you by your strengths, but they connect to you through your weaknesses. Allow your life to weave into the lives of others, and it will turn your moments of being human into a beautiful tapestry that represents a life of authenticity.
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Ever wondered what your reflection would look like if Jesus took a big mirror and held it in front of you? Sounds kind of scary, huh? We're taking a peek into our past and a good hard look at our present and future. We want to celebrate past victories, reflect on where the Lord has taken us and remind ourselves of what God sees when He looks at our reflection.
Pain is a harsh reality and one that we are all too familiar with. We want to discuss how to keep pain from ruining your present and your future and how to use it to further your ministry. Your student's pain may stem from unfair and uncontrollable circumstances, but their attitude towards their situations will determine their future. Let these skits, notes and your own personal reflections be a guide to their healing and to help them see that their reflection is beautiful.
Always reflecting in His mirror,
In this Source you will hear me address my youth in Oxygen with a totally different feel than what you have normally come to expect. So often we focus on the encouragement and love of Christ, which is key and very needed. But there are those nights when we call our students to a deeper level of commitment, Christian or not. This was one of those nights and it was a powerful night of self-evaluation for us all.
The focus is taken from the story of Belshazzar and the word of the Lord that came to him, "You have been weighed and found wanting." Wow, what powerful words right before his life was required of him! Join us on this night called "Weighed And Wanting" and then challenge your students to not be found wanting.
Seeking to finish strong,
Note: Because of the dramatic tone of this message, Fill-Ins were not used and are not included with this Source.
In this Alliance, "Staying A Christian While Doing Youth Ministry," we talk about living with more weight, or concern, above the water line than below it. The "Grand Champion Image Manager," Saul, is our biblical illustration of the effects of getting more caught up with our image (what's above the waterline) than our relationship with Christ (what's below it). Bottom line, we can easily shipwreck our lives when we neglect our souls.
Friends, if you take the time to really look, many of the youth ministry leaders around us are looking pretty unsteady right now. They ran hard the entire school year into the summer. The neglect of their souls through the whole deal has left them living on fumes. What's the price tag they are paying for this? Many are operating on autopilot and have forgotten who they were meant to please.
Can you do me a favor? Simply STOP. Stop? Yes, that's what I said. Stop. Call a time out and pull them in close. Check in, take each other's spiritual pulse, watch a video that will open up an opportunity for an incredible discussion on the topic, and see if you're all ok. You may be doing great, but I bet there is at least one of you struggling and in need of a brother or sister's hand on their back authentically caring and praying for them.
If you're wired at all like me, you will resonate with this month's Youth Leader's Coach. I call it, "When You Feel Like A Fraud." No...I'm not "A Fraud." But there are many times during my years in full-time ministry when that thought has crossed my mind.
John Milton once said, "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven." The reality is, it's not a lie to you if you choose to keep allowing yourself to repeat it and believe it. So listen in as I share 12 different times when the Enemy may plant the thought in your mind that what you're doing is making you "feel like a fraud," and how I've handled those times when they come up in my life.
Still fighting the battles,
In this life, whether we admit it or not, we all want to be KNOWN for something. When we're gone one day, what will people remember about us? What will they say about our character, our family life, our walk with Jesus, how we treated people in our ministry...? I had these same thoughts swarming my head many years ago when my family and ministry was just beginning. I sat down and journaled 7 simple things that I wanted to define Jeanne Mayo and I have spent my life doing my best to live them out.
In this Source, I talk about 8 "Unpleasant Observations" I so often see in our youth and young adult culture today. And then I challenged my students to consider the ultimate question in life...NOT, WHAT do you want to DO? But rather, WHO you want to BE? And then, choose their own "7 Words" that will someday define them...because...NOT to decide...is to decide.
Lovingly,
