Learning to be a Better Pastor

Pastor means Shepherd. I am a Youth Pastor, which means I am called to Shepherd those crazy people who find themselves in the teen years. This encompasses many "fun" new life challenges, which include but are not limited to: puberty, Spiritual understanding, the thought of invincibility, the lack of self-assurance, the entrance of most sexual confusion, the entrance of self actualization, the start of real independence and a deeper desire to figure out the "why's" of discipline.This is my calling...the Shepherd these teens. Not only am I called...

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GIVE AWAYS!!

Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Mark Driscoll page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to take your Bible study to the next lev...

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The Echo Within- Book Review

Hardcover: 192 pagesPublisher: WaterBrook Press (January 6, 2009)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1400074347ISBN-13: 978-1400074341This was a book that took me by surprise. I was amazed at how candid, how authentic and how well done this book was. I was expecting something less and what I got was something more.The Echo Within was Benson's way of sharing how he came upon his calling, His echo of the Word God had whispered into him from the beginning of...

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Youth Ministry 3.0 (Post 2)

As I stated in my first post on this book (HERE), I am going to unpack further some of the ideas that Marko opens up in his book: Youth Ministry 3.0. Today, I will deal with two: 1. Getting small; 2. Belonging. Marko contends (rightly, I believe) that in order to meet this new wave of Youth Ministry, we have to have a "get small" attitude. This is a MAJOR shift within Youth Ministry, because it's has been (in the YM 2.0 mode) all about GETTING...

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The Power of Discussion

This week in Sr. High, we continued with our series in 1&2 Corinthians in chapter 12:12-31. I titled this section "The Unit" since it deals with being the Body of Christ, which is a unit. This week was a different type of week for the Sr. Highers. Our "typical" schedule is like this: 7-7:35pm gather, chat, drink some sodas and get settled in. 7:40-8:10pm games, some silly, some over the top and some admittedly LAME. 8:10-8:30pm "the Talk",...

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Outlaw Marshal: Book Review

Paperback: 304 pagesPublisher: Multnomah Books (January 6, 2009)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1601420544ISBN-13: 978-1601420541 Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches This was not my normal genre to read. The story was very intriguing as well catchy. The characters were believable for the most part, as was the setting. The authors obviously took extreme care at keeping the integrity of the historical atmosphere of the Old West. The...

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Life's Lessons (A Youth Pastor Confession) 2

As I have been taking time this weekend (amidst the crazy work schedule) I've set myself to introspection. Maybe this is a shock to the world (I doubt it) but I, Marv Nelson am a person who sins. I sin. I've taken time to seek God on what drives my sinfulness, what drives my life and what drives my ministry. During this time of connecting with the Spirit of God, asking Him for the answers to these questions, I've found out this simple truth: I...

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Life's Lessons (A Youth Pastor Confession)

I had one of those conversations yesterday that suck. It stunk because I knew what the other person was saying was true. I was given some insight into some of my failings as a Youth Pastor, and the heart of what was said was dead right. I'm a gifted preacher/teacher, so what happens with that is I am always trying to be heard. I want my sermons to be listened to and I rarely seek interaction from my crowd. I like the sound of my own voice so...

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Youth Ministry 3.0

I've finally read Marko's Manifesto of Youth Ministry. I've read snippets, interacted with blips (Youth Ministry---What Must Die) and enjoyed what I've read of Marko's ideas for his book Youth Ministry 3.0.Now, having read the book entire, I want to share, work through and interact with the content. Being it's a "manifesto" this will take more than one post to do it the justice it deserves.Marko's main premise is that Youth Ministry has been...

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Thoughts on The Holy Spirit

It's amazing that God dwells among us. It's incredible how Spiritual we as humans are and how closely we can be to the Holy One. When I go through my daily life, I forget a lot how spiritual a being I am. I forget about the intimate relationship I have with the Spirit of God and I don't remember to stop and listen to Him. When you stop to think of being a Spiritual being, being close to the Almighty God and the ramifications those realities have on our lives, it simply takes your breath away. A God so Holy, so Perfect desires...me, desires...you....

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