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A Word from Shane | |
When I was ministering in North Dakota for eight years, I made a promise to myself: I'll never resign in February! And this year it seems that North Dakota has shared their annual winters with the rest of the country. (For a laugh, check out this video...it's all too familiar this year.)
So, here we are in February. How are you doing?
 You see, there were two reasons why I said I'd never resign in February. The first was, of course, because of the long winters. After the first few years I discovered that it didn't really matter how well life and ministry were going, the winters did have some affect on me. When March/April hit with the balmy 40 degree days and all the college students began walking to class in shorts and flip flops, I found there was just a different spring in my step.
But the other reason was I had found that in my own rhythm, February was just about mid-school year. I often found myself a bit winded in February as I stood between the rush of the fall, the holidays, January retreats on the one side and planning spring break trips on the other, the last half of the school year, lots of teens with depression (I guess the weather affected them too), preparing to launch out another senior class and making plans for summer trips (and of course those beloved fundraisers).
Over the years I discovered that what I needed was to take some time in February to pull back (even if that simply meant giving myself an extra hour in the morning or evening) to have a important conversation... with myself.
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| Quick Links | |
Mark Your Calendars
Challenge '12 is in New Orleans
July 1-6, 2012. More Information is coming, April 2011
March 4-7 Chicago, IL |
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Challenge Effect: Camden McAfee |
 When he attended Challenge 2010 last summer, high school senior Camden McAfee of Northfield EFC (Northfield, MN) had no idea what God would birth from that week. Camden shared, "I certainly felt God move. I also had the greatest worship experiences of my life. I went away from Challenge with an eager desire and expectation that God would continue to use my life for His glory." But he had no idea what that would look like. Camden heard that one of the Challenge speakers, Nick Hall, was going to be in his hometown of Northfield just a week after the Challenge conference. Excited, Camden looked for information online about PULSE, Nick's ministry. That night, his pastor called him and mentioned the event and asked if Camden wanted to attend. "That night God planted a vision in my mind for PULSE and this generation," Camden said. "I started praying for PULSE every day after that, praying that God would use them powerfully." (read the rest of the story) |
| Placement Special Limited Time Offer | |
MinisterConnection.Net is the EFCA matching system that streamlines the process for churches to connect with pastors open to a new ministry position. Through April 30th, it is offering you a free student ministries pastor profile posting. (An $80 value). Even if you are not formally looking for a new church position, this free offer is a worthwhile investment as your profile is good for life and can be updated at any time.
- You can choose to keep your identity hidden. A "hidden candidate" profile is not seen until you review a matching church profile and elect to release it. Shane Stacy, acting as your gatekeeper, will be the only person aware that you're seeking God's guidance for a possible new ministry.
- You can choose to make your profile immediately available to any church searching for a student ministries pastor. In that case, you'll be contacted by the church as soon as they are ready to connect with you as a potential candidate.
A valuable personal development tool that is part of MinisterConnection is the Ministry Match assessment. For only $40, this assessment tool is designed to show you how God has equipped you for ministry. Many EFCA leaders have used Ministry Match for their personal growth, even if not looking for placement. A sample Ministry Match assessment is viewable at www.efca.org/placement. You will need to do the Ministry Match to complete your MinisterConnection profile.
Take a free tour at www.MinisterConnection.Net. Please contact Sharon Trucker at sharon.trucker@efca.org for further information. If you desire to post a profile, Sharon will provide information on the next steps. Currently, MinisterConnection has 11 EFCA churches looking for a student ministries pastor. This offer is valid until April 30, 2011. |
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Looking for a Transformative Summer Experience? | |
 If you've not landed plans for your summer, consider being a part of Bridging Urban Mission Project (BUMP). Registration for BUMP 2011 is in full swing. As of this writing, New York City sites are now full and registration closed for the city. BUMP's remaining cities of St. Louis, Los Angeles and Twin Cities still have week-long, summer mission openings for you and your youth group!
This year, Twin Cities is adding two new urban churches, increasing capacity and ministry opportunities there. For the most up-to-date information and to register, visit BUMP's website. For questions, please call 800-745-2202, ext. 753, or write us at BUMP@efca.org for quicker response.
Serve an urban church for a week. Gain ministry skills that last a lifetime. Return home. Change your world.
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| Disciplemaking is Relationships Journal Now Available | |
Over the last two years, a few of us from EFCA ReachStudents have had the privilege of working with our friends at Cadre Ministries in developing some training tools that we call Disciplemaking is Relationships. I'm excited to announce that after many hours wrestling in community, living out these values, studying the scripture and beta testing the materials, we are at a place to begin making both the training and the material available.
This Disciplemakers Journal consists of 25 studies to help you wrestle with the disciplemaking genius of Jesus with your friends. You'll explore D3 disciplemaking, mutual community, kavannah, haver learning, disciplemaking learning communities, and much more.
A few of our ReachStudents National Council Members have already been using it with their spouses, volunteers and students and finding it very fruitful.
I encourage you to grab a few friends and wrestle through it together. Then consider bringing the training to your whole team. What would happen if everyone in your ministry began to own Jesus-like disciplemaking values? Find out more information. |
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Failure to Launch: Why are Emerging Adults Not Emerging as Adults? | |
You've probably heard the reports over the last couple years that we're seeing adolescence extend into people's late 20's. Some have called this phenomenon the "failure to launch." This is an issue of growing concern for two major reasons: What does it mean for our country as the Baby Boomers are leaving the workforce in mass over the next 10-15 years and the largest generation in US history, the Millennials, are not entering into the work force as responsible, competent adults.
Second, this is a concern simply for the young people themselves. Has our culture created structures that, rather than developing our youth into successful adults, are instead hindering them so that it is taking nearly half their lives to finally grow up? Read more |
| Wish It Was Warmer? | |
Well, we can't do much to help you with that today, but mark your calendars now for Rebound 2011. We'll be back in Melbourne, FL this coming November 12-15. Rebound is a refreshment and renewal retreat for youth workers (and spouses if applicable). |
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A Few More Goodies | |
I always say most books should have been just articles. Here are a few good articles for your consideration this month.
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Following Jesus, together,
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Shane Stacey
Director, EFCA ReachStudents
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