Month: March 2013

“The truth is that gay students already come to our ministries or are connected to our churches one way or another. The challenging part for youth workers, then, isn’t facing the questions but rather implementing the answers.”

The above quote is from Ministering to Gay Teenagers: A Guide for Youth Workers – a very helpful little book by Shawn Harrison. Now a youth pastor in Ohio, Harrison shares from his own personal experiences as a gay student in high school, the journey his life has taken him on as he has responded to the call of Jesus, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

What I loved about the book is that Harrison doesn’t avoid truth, nor does he get bogged down in debate. He states: “The church should not compromise truth, but it should not withhold grace either.” Rather, he offers very simple and practical advice for youth workers. He challenges us to do some personal soul searching, gives very simple and practical advice for how to pastor gay students, help parents and families, and lead courageously in the context of the student community. I highly recommend that every youth worker read this book that is less than 100 pages.

Cost: $25 Includes t-shirt.
Must Register at www.shelterrockchurch.com/students by 3/17/13

Dr. Jim Burns leads a free Q and A webinar for ParentMinistry.net on Tuesday, March 19 at 2 pm (central) It’s a chance for you to ask your questions about parenting teens. Register here.

This evening was Dress Up Night for our Sr. High Small Group Dinner. Here’s me with my 15-year old daughter Claudia. She’s so pretty!

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited Heaven or hell when I died. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine and we were off again.

He said, “Give the gifts away, they are extra baggage, too much weight.” So, I did, to the people we met and I found that in giving, I received and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says…”Pedal!”

– Author Unknown