LIMITLESS POTENTIAL - Axis Year End Recap

"This group of teenagers has limitless potential" - Rich Yauger

 

This past Wednesday we had our last youth group of the school year before our summer programming. It was fun to celebrate what God has done and to look forward to all that God will do this summer.  Here are some thoughts about what happened Wednesday and within this past school year:

 

1. The structure for growth has been set! The overall structure to AXIS meetings, adult help, and vision is in place for future growth. Just like any house the structure and foundation is the most critical part. It's imperative to set-up a proper youth group structure that will not be outgrown or be obsolete quickly. The groundwork has been laid in anticipation for what God will do with the future of Axis. Here are some ways in which God is making it known that growth is on the horizon:

 

- A large incoming crop of sixth graders is about to move up!

- We are taking a large group to Momentum this summer. We are close to 80 with more interested in signing up!

- We are sending two mission trips as well as going to Momentum this summer and we will see around 100 persons mobilized into doing mission work this summer.

 

The planning concerning vision and structuring along with all that is going to happen this summer leads me to believe that God is up to something! We must be prepared for what He wants to accomplish with our teenagers.

 

2. Not only are we prepared for the future but we honored the past! This Wednesday we had the opportunity to hear from former youth pastor Rich Yauger and pray and commission him as he transitions to a new church in Maryland. In order for Axis to move ahead we must never forget how we got where we are now!

 

3. This group of teenagers has limitless potential! As I was able to look at and view all of our teenagers it was obvious that we have some talented and passionate young people. As the structure has been set it will be the teenager's turn to build the house. I look forward to giving and watching teenagers take responsibility and be equipped for future ministry.

 

This first year has been a great learning year of understanding the culture of the church, youth group, and in getting to know the people. As always there are bumps and bruises along the way, but the table has been set for God to do some incredible things!

 



We got to pray and commission former youth pastor Rich and Carol, our teen missionaries, and our seniors!

Thanks Rich for all that you have done. We gave the keys to Axis to him as he is always welcome back!

 

Every great movement of God starts with prayer and pray we did!

 

The BEST decision I NEVER Made!

The top two biggest life test questions a person will face are:

1. Will you trust in Jesus?

2. Who will you marry?

 

I got A's on both test questions.



Memorial Day weekend has a dual meaning and symbolic memory for me. First, it represents honoring the men and women who are and have served to protect our country. Second and more personally, it represents a decision I could have made, but did not. It would have been six years ago (almost to this day) that I would have married someone else that I was engaged to at the time.

 

It would have been a colossal mistake, but God protected both her and I, and I never had to make that choice. Sometimes the best decisions are the one's that are not made!

 

God protects His children in various ways and sometimes slams the door on poor decisions that we would make so that we can not make them. While painful, those situations come from a loving and good God.

 

I will always have a reminder every Memorial Day of this truth and of God's goodness to me!



What's the best decision that YOU never made?

 

A+++

The BEST SEAT in the HOUSE - A Pastor's Perspective on Weddings



On wedding days the pastor has the BEST SEAT in the HOUSE! In fact if you think about it, a pastor has a better seat (view) than the bride and the groom's parents!

 

During a wedding ceremony I always enjoy looking for and watching people's reactions.

 

This past Saturday I had the honor of officiating a wedding of a former student of mine and his fiancée. While on stage I had the best perspective and view of the following:

- Groom's reaction when the bride was coming down the aisle - (Tears/Joy/Relief)

- Crowd's reaction at both serious moments (Vows, Rings) and fun moments (Entrance, Recessional)

- Bride's reaction to being pronounced as husband and wife - (Exhilaration)

- Groomsmen and Bridesmaids interaction during the sand ceremony - (Support for the soon to be married couple)



The part of the wedding ceremony that always brings awe and wonderment to me, regardless of how many times I have done it, is pronouncing that the bride and groom are husband and wife. It's incredible to imagine that at just that moment, when I speak those words, God considers the couple to be united and one. What a humbling concept and one that I do not take lightly!

 

From the beginning of the ceremony until the end I have a front row seat in getting to view everyone's reaction and emotions. It allows me to enjoy the relational and emotive aspect of God as I watch the bride and groom go through the full spectrum of emotions on their wedding day. If you don't believe me, just wait until you get married, because all married couples can understand what I am saying. 

 

Being a pastor has different perks. One of those is walking with people and being a part of all the major events that take place in their life. In that respect, I have a front row seat into the lives and major events of people! What a blessing from the Lord!

 



 

A pastor's seat....is definitely the best seat in the house!

(Congratulations Shawn and Alexis)



A Tribute and Thank You to Rich Yauger

May 19th, 2013 was MY public resignation at First Christian Church

May 18th, 2014 was Rich Yauger's public resignation at Grace Community Church

 

Rich Yauger's public resignation coincided almost a year ago to the day with my public resignation at First Christian Church. While on stage with Rich I believed I was able to feel, in just a small way, some of the same emotions that he was feeling. Here are some things that I noticed this past Sunday and within the past nine months that I have been on staff here at Grace regarding Pastor Rich:

 

1. Every pastor deep down inside wants to know that they made a difference and impacted people for Jesus. It was evident that Rich had done so during his pastoral ministry at Grace. He received a standing applause, and rightfully so, in all three services. Not only that, but it was truly a heartfelt appreciative applause that was expressed.

 

2. Every person that I meet describes Rich as a "give the shirt off of his back" type of person. During our small group time on Sunday almost everyone in our small group was able to remember a time when Rich through a small, but albeit significant way, had contacted them and encouraged them. Rich truly cares for others.

 

3. Rich did things the right way. During my transition to youth pastor at Grace Rich was gracious and complimentary. He said and did the right things in a delicate transition process. As Rich is transitioning to Maryland he also did and said the right thing. I cannot express how hard this is to do while transitioning from a pastoral ministry. Simply put, Rich passed the test.

 

I will always be thankful for the time that Rich helped me to getting acclimated into the youth pastor role at Grace Community Church. I believe that part of the reason why God overlapped Rich and my's time at Grace was for him to help me understand the culture, dynamics, and speed of the youth ministry and church here.

 

During our first Wednesday youth group that Rich and I led together in which he passed the baton to me I told him that he was always welcome back to youth group and that we would "always have his back." As we celebrate Rich's time here at Grace and regardless of the fact that he will be ministering miles away at a church in Maryland we will "always have his back!"

 

Rich's last Wednesday at youth group before he transitioned into another pastoral role we prayed for him.

We will always have your back....both physically and spiritually!

My last Sunday at First Christian Church.

 I was reminded of the impact one could have as I officiated the wedding of a Kendallville couple this past weekend. May you continue to see the fruit of your work Rich!

Rich transitioned well as he moved into a different role at Grace Community Church. We know he will transition well into a pastoral role in Maryland. Go get 'em Yauger family!

 

The Greatness and Significance of a Mom

"Behind every great man is a great woman"

 

Whether us prideful men want to admit it or not the above phrase is true. It's important to honor significant women in our lives.

 

Jesus valued women. Whether it was the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), the adulterous woman (John 8), or his mother (John 19), Jesus elevated and looked out for all of them.

 

Without mothers the world would be harsh and critical. God created mothers because he is a gentle and tender God. "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem" (Isaiah 66:13). Let's face it, when I was younger and needed emotional support and sympathy from one of my parents the clear choice was my mother. She was naturally gifted and wired to be caring.

 

As I was sitting in my office today thinking about how our church honored mother's I could not help but think about my mother. Here's some reasons why my mother deserves to be elevated and praised:

 

1. She's my biggest fan. Let's be honest no one follows my life and my ministry career as closely as my mother. I know when my mother is on Facebook because she will go on my profile page and like my last week's worth of posts.

 

2. She's allowed me to be independent and soar. My mom is not needy or controlling. Since my freshman year in college she has required the bare minimum as she understood where my future goals and aspirations were taking me. She's not only equipped me to soar, she's allowed me to as well.

 

3. I have an example of optimism and encouragement. My mother is the bubbliest female I know. She is the ultimate optimist and encourager. While I consider myself more of a realist she has given me an example and showed me the benefits of how to encourage other people.

 

4. She is a believer in Jesus. Not only is she a great mother but she is a Godly mother.

 

There are innumerous other reasons why I am thankful and grateful for my mother. Maybe the biggest reason is that she has had to put up with me!

 

Whether it be Mother's Day or the day after or any day let the record show that I love my mother and am grateful for her!

 

I LOVE MY MOM!



I will never understand why people UNDERESTIMATE and UNDERVALUE teenagers!

Teenagers may be the most underutilized group of persons on this planet!

Let's face it, the secular world understands the power of reaching teenagers; that is why the entertainment and advertisement industry is geared toward influencing teenagers. If you can reach a teenager you can set them on a path for the rest of their lives! Not only that, but you will have the opportunity to influence those that come after them as well!

Why are many teenagers sitting on the bleachers in most churches, schools, and organizations? Teenagers are a force to be reckoned with. The question is are you going to harness that energy in a positive direction or a negative one? The choice is yours.

I was reminded of the potential power of teenagers this past week in a couple of different ways.

1. I spoke at a youth retreat, the Canton Grace Brethren Retreat, this past Saturday. It was a pleasure partnering with my parent's church and be a blessing to them because my parents have invested so heavily into my spiritual development. I could tell that there were a few teenage boys that were the typical "restless" type. They were chatting back and forth, tossing a pen, and of course were sitting in the front row. In one minute I had quietly resolved the situation by taking the pen from one of the young men while continuing naturally and in flow with my teaching. (The young man who gotten the pen taken away quietly under his breath said -"sorry". He definitely got my point in that I wanted to communicate something important and needed his attention). From that point on the students were taking notes, glued in, and wanted to learn. By the end of the second session I fielded deep, probing, theological, and complex questions. The questions the students were asking were the same that many adults are asking. If harnessed correctly teenagers have some serious brain power.

2. This past week has been a huge fundraising week for our teenagers as we work at raising funds to go to the Momentum Youth Conference. The teens here worked hard this past Sunday in making 300 pizzas and in setting up and helping with our Flower Fundraiser as a semi load of flowers was delivered on Tuesday. Teenagers like to be busy and do things so give them opportunities to serve!

Youth ministry is not a baby sitting job!

 

It's about seeing the potential in young people and getting the most out of them because you know they can do it.

It was great receiving a prayer blessing after teaching teenagers at the Metamorphosis Retreat this past Saturday!

 

Hard working teenagers making pizzas to be sold at church this past Sunday. We sold over 300 pizzas!