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The Gaga Gospel | |
I've been reflecting on Lady Gaga's song Born This Way since the single was released on February 11th. The song quickly became a Billboard Hot 100. The song sold 448,000 digital downloads in three days; the most downloads in a first week by a female artist. By March 22, Born This Way had sold over 1,650 million paid digital downloads in the United States alone. No matter what you may think about Lady Gaga and her message, it is being embraced by this generation.
Gaga has a gospel for this generation or as she calls it a "Manifesto from Mother Monster." It would be wise for us to take sometime to listen, reflect and prayerfully consider what it is that Gaga is saying, why so many are downloading her message, what does that tell us about this generation and how should we respond as missionaries to this generation?
This is exactly what we did this month in our ReachNational monthly staff meeting. We listened to the song, reflected on the lyrics, wrestled with what we could affirm and/or agree with, what raised great concern and how would we respond from a biblical perspective. In considering our biblical response we chose to limit ourselves to the book of Colossians. It was a great exercise of comparing the lyrics of Gaga's Manifesto for her "new race" to Paul's description of our Supreme Creator and Savior (Col. 1:15-20), the need to be "reborn" (Col. 3:1-3), our new identity (Col. 2), the new community (Col. 3:4), and the way of life.
Continue reading Shane's blog |
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| Quick Links | |
Mark Your Calendars
Rebound Retreat
Hilton, Melbourne Beach, FL
November 12-15, 2011
Challenge '12 is in New Orleans
July 1-6, 2012. Watch your mailbox this month for information! |
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Evangelism: A Catalyst for Spiritual Growth |
It is often assumed that evangelism will be the natural by-product of growing in our relationship with Jesus. It doesn't take too much reflection to realize that if this is true then why is it not working with our adults? How many people in their 50's have sat through countless sermons, Bible studies, small groups and conferences and yet sharing their faith with others seems to be nearly non-existent?
As our National ReachStudents Council (RSC) has been working on the Disciplemaking is Relationships training we've been asking ourselves: what is it that encourages young people's faith to begin to overflow in word and deed? This question spurred us to sit down with Greg Steir from Dare2 Share, a ministry passionate about equipping teens to join The Cause of making disciples that make disciples.
Greg identified that, as church leaders, we are called to care greatly about the spiritual formation of our young people. We all want them to grow deeper. But, he challenged, how do we get there? Greg suggested that evangelism is not an outcome of growth but a catalyst to growth.
Read more |
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Challenge 2012 is Coming |
I know we haven't even made it through 2011 yet, but it is never too early to get Challenge on your ministry calendar. In 2012, Challenge, the EFCA's national student conference, will be held in New Orleans, LA. July 1-6.
Over the last few months our ReachStudents Council and our Challenge Lead Team have been in New Orleans meeting with city leaders, planning and praying. There is every indication that this is going to be a historic event.
Five years ago hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Hundreds of EFCA churches were mobilized to join in the recovery of the city. Now, from the ashes God is creating the opportunity for not one, but five to ten churches to be planted in the New Orleans metro area by the end of 2013. Challenge students will have the opportunity to partner alongside church planters. Never before in EFCA history has a vision to reach an entire metro area ever been such a reality.
If you want to a unique, customizable environment that challenges your students to live on mission with God everyday, everywhere, forever, then start planning for Challenge 2012. Keep your eyes open later this summer for a full promotional package. Start planning now!
Watch for the preliminary Challenge information coming to every church mailbox this month! |
| ebound 2011: Draw Near! | |
Melbourne Beach, Florida, November 12-15, 2011  Let's be honest, there are times we have worked so hard in our ministry that we begin to identify ourselves more with the ones we've been sent "to" rather than with "the One who has sent us." In Jesus' prayer just before Good Friday, recorded in John 17, we find that one of the things Jesus asks the Father is that we'd be with Him where He is, that we'd see His glory, and that the love the Father has for Jesus would be expanding in our own hearts. Jesus identifies Himself with us more than He does with our ministry. It's easy for us to get the two turned around, isn't it? Rebound has been designed as an environment for youth workers and their spouses to find space to draw near to the One who sent them. This November we'll be back in Melbourne Beach, FL, November 12-15. Go to the website for more information. Plan now to carve out some time in your calendar to draw near to the One who sent you! Registration is now open. |
| 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 August 31, 2011. |
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Looking for a Transformative Summer Experience? | |
Registration for BUMP LA and BUMP St. Louis has been extended! If you are interested in having your youth fill the remaining spaces to serve at First EFC in Los Angeles (approximately 25 openings) or Jubilee Community Church in St. Louis (small-sized team), contact Rosanne Wood, BUMP Administrative Assistant, at rosanne.wood@efca.org or leave a message on the BUMP voicemail at 800-745-2202 ext 753.
Our urban churches need you to come alongside them to reach their community with the gospel message!
For more details, visit the BUMP website www.efca.org/bump
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New Resources |
Evangelical Convictions: A Theological Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Free Church of America
 A fresh resource has just been released that seeks to help people understand and appreciate the wonderful truths contained in the EFCA Statement of Faith, this theological exposition speaks in clear terms-expounding on what is affirmed, what is denied, what theological parameters are acceptable, what is not addressed, and is in the category of the significance of silence. A user-friendly reference for all believers who want to be grounded in the essentials of the faith, it is focused on the goal of worshipping our great God. Evangelical Convictions will guide you to know and understand biblical truth.
Suggested uses:
- Use as a tool for teaching through the Statement of Faith in a Bible study or class.
- Use as a resource to deepen your understanding of EFCA theology as a ministry staff or in a small group.
- Use as a way to deepen your own understanding of, and appreciation for, the gospel as lived out in the EFCA and through its theology.
Disciplemakers Journal
 It doesn't matter how many Bible studies and messages you've taught, if you are not drawing a few close to you in order that they may capture your way of life in Jesus (1 Cor. 4:17) you'll never experience a disciplemaking movement that has a three generation vision (being disciples that make disciples that make disciples).
Over the last several months nearly 1000 EFCA youth workers (vocational and volunteer) have been introduced to our Disciplemaking is Relationships training. One of the companion tools which is available to everyone is the Disciplemakers Journal which in a very simple way will help you grow as a Jesus-like disciplemaker. Grab a few copies, some friends and wrestle with Jesus-like disciplemaking priorities for the 21st century.
Thinking of a Transition?
 Mark DeVeries and Jeff Dunn-Fankn have just written two very helpful books to help both youth workers and churches through the steps of finding their next right fit. 
For the Church that is looking for a youth pastor:
Before You Hire a Youth Pastor
For the person looking for a youth ministry position:
The Indispensible Youth Pastor
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Following Jesus, together,
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Shane Stacey
Director, EFCA ReachStudents
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