Youthfront Lessons

Wow....

Thats all I can really say (of course I'm gonna say more but, you get the point)

What an interesting summer it has been already. I have to say it has been VERY up and down, and God has challenged me like never before.

I sit here, and I try to sum up the summer so far for you guys....and there is only one coming to mind... humbling.

I have, so far, ministered to 62 students in my cabins (give or take a few). I've had the great opportunity to share with them during (and some after) camp about my life, and they have done the same. (Some of them might be reading this right now, and if so, shout out to you guys). I've had a couple tell me that what I've shared has impacted them, and a couple have asked me very difficult questions that I can only do my best to answer.

Amazingly, it has taught me humility. Who am I to minister to these kids? Sometimes it feels like I am just a kid myself... Some of these guys have dealt with things I cannot even imagine. Who am I? But then I realize something, and this is what I want to share with you guys... God picks us. We might not understand why, and we might not think we are worthy. We may be scared, or nervous, or even think that we are too inadequate to fulfill the calling He has for our lives. But just as Jesus called his disciples, He calls us to follow Him. If we trust in him, we will be able to make it, cause he will walk with us the entire way.

So, I'm gonna continue doing what I am doing. I am going to keep asking questions from peers who have given me some of the best life advice, I'm going to keep soaking in all the knowledge I can of ministry, I am going to have as much fun as I can, and finally, I'm gonna keep walking with these guys, for at least a week, in their lives. Sharing with them what I can, and them sharing with me what they can. Because truly, and not to seem cliche, but I am learning from them, just as much, if not more, than I am teaching them.

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and the prayers. It has meant the world. And if any Youthfront people are reading this...I can't wait to continue this journey with you guys... Some days, its hard, and we wanna quit and never look back (I've felt this way too...) but guess what? We are gonna make it...cause Jesus has called us to this...and the results...have, so far, been amazing...

God Bless

Night Before

So here I sit...in my bed...for the last night...at Zeta Chi. At least for this summer... Well, maybe even just for this week. But it feels...nostalgic...

I spent most of today hanging out with Jessica. While we were driving back to Baldwin, I pointed out to her how empty the dorms and campus seemed. Incidently enough, I started getting a sick feeling to my stomach. Freshman year is gone, and now it is time to move on to this summer.

In approcimately 7 hours, I will be stepping foot onto Youthfront Camp South. I must say...I am excited. I'm also very nervous. I do not know what to expect, I do not know how everything will go down.

I guess that is an issue I have had for most of my life. I like control. I have a hard time letting it go. I would not usually disclose this information in blog form, but, anyone who knows me knows that is true of me. I like knowing what is going on and what to expect 24/7.

I guess that is going to be one of the things I'm gonna have to work on this summer. I need to learn to let God have control of the situation and trust his rplan, and I believe that God led me here, so we'll just have to see what happens. I think growth will occur, and I'm excited for it. So...I guess...this is it. My next update will be at Youthfront. *sigh*....Ready or not...here we go....

The Beginning...

Ok, so some of you may not know, but I am going to spend this Summer at Youthfront as a cabin leader. Youthfront is a great ministry based out of KC, and the camp I will be working at is Youthfront south. It is the high school camp and I will get lead a cabin of high schoolers throughout their week there.

Why did I choose to do this? Well...Youthfront is where it all started for me... I went to camp there the summer before my freshman year. It was one of the top 5 experiences of my life so far. It was the place where, for the first time, I felt and knew what it meant to live a Christian life. It really started this crazy ride I've been on since really giving my life over to Christ.

So it just made sense. Many of you know that I am working on becoming a pastor, and I really feel like I need to develop my ministry style, so I'm going back to where it all began. I honestly have no idea what I am getting myself into, nor do I have any idea what it will be like. Its been a long time since I've stepped out in faith on something like this, and too tell you the truth, I'm just trusting God on this one.

So, in a little over a week, I will pack my bags, say good-bye to Zeta Chi and Baker University for the summer, and go to a place where I know no one, have no idea what to expect, nor know anything about...well....anything. Nervous? Yeah I'd say so. Excited? In the words of Sarah Palin, "You Betcha!"

However, I will do my best to keep everyone updated on what's going on. Along with this endeavor, I asked God to point me towards a book that I could get a lot out of and read over the summer. The book that came up was Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell. I'm excited to start in on it. Rob Bell is one of my favorite pastor's, and he is seen as a very controversial pastor. However, I've heard great things about the book, and it was the one God was placing on my heart.

I will try to keep everyone updated as much as possible. Until then, if you have finals still, finish strong (I'm right there with you) and enjoy summer.

Until The Whole World Hears,
Bryce

Don't just sit around!

For this blog I have a little bit of a reading requirement... I know, I know..but don't worry, their won't be a test or even a worksheet, and honestly, I think its one of the best articles I've read from umc.org. Don't worry, even if you're not an United Methodist, it still applies to you:

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=7983193


I just want to say, this article, has us generation y'ers down to a "T" (hmm, generation y'ers...kinda sounds like generation wires (ironic, no?)).

I definitely think that the church that has been the last couple of decades is not compatible with the main ideals of generation y. I was born in 1990, smack dab right in the middle of the age range we are talking about. I love going to church, after all, I do want to be a pastor. However, I must say that sometimes I get VERY frustrated with all the talk and none of the do.

My age group gets thrown information and pictures and words 24/7 because of the internet, text messaging, satellite tv etc... We hear enough talk, what we want to see is action.

There is also something else I see with youth today. While I cannot speak for everyone, there is something that I see in A LOT of people in my age group. We want to change the world.

Youth are looking towards the future with hope. I attended an event earlier this school year called Exploration. While their, I might with hundreds of my peers my age that were looking into ministry as a career. While I cannot speak for everyone, there was one thing I saw with everyone I talked to; we have a drive to make the church more relevant again. We want, we NEED to help the world, and we see the church as the institution to do it. We see the church as a place that can change lives, heal broken people, and serve all mankind, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

So basically the bare bones of what I'm trying to say is this: lets start getting our hands dirty. I will admit, over the last couple of years we have made great strides in doing this. However, we MUST keep it up. As a church, we need to find new ways and new opportunities to help the world. If that be environmentally friendly initiatives, 3rd world relief, social justice, or just serving the community. If the church decides that they are going to, not just open the doors, but leave the building with the example that Jesus set for us that we learn inside the building, I think we will see real change in the world.

If we do that, I think we will find a legion of millineals standing with us, ready to get to work as well.

(if you agree...like my status on facebook that is connected with this post...or, if you disagree, I'd love to hear why, don't worry, I love constructive criticism :) )

My Inner Voice Screamed at Me Today...

So I am in a class at Baker right now called "Listening to Your Inner Voice." We have been exploring God's call in our life and our vocation. Today we went to Valley View United Methodist Church in Overland Park for a panel discussion.

When we stepped into the sanctuary, a lot of things hit me all at once. I looked around at what I thought was a very impressive sanctuary. I could see myself greeting people as they sat down. I could see myself giving the latest message.

Once our panel discussion was over I wanted to look around the church, mostly out of curiosity. So Ben, Becky, Alyssa and I all went to investigate the church. Pretty soon we ran into Ira who showed us around (he had been a pastor there before.) Then the visions came back, I saw myself walking around the hallways during Sunday school, peering into the classrooms, visiting with people as they tried to find their class. Then Ira took us down in the basement to the fellowship hall. I saw myself giving a blessing over the meal that the congregation would partake in soon afterwards. We went into their gymnasium and I saw myself partaking in some pick=up basketball with youth and younger adults in our Sunday best.

Mind you, I wasn't trying to picture all of these things, I just saw them happen. I can't explain why I saw them, I just did. Then I started wondering, "was God calling me to minister in THIS church?" That couldn't be possible, I was a United Methodist, our preachers moved around a lot. While its possible that someday I would work in this church, it was highly unlikely.

That is when my inner voice screamed at me. It said "but don't you see? This is what being a pastor is about. The people! You can do all that stuff, ANYWHERE! However, it is what you're meant to do. Minister to people as an elder."

I have to say I smiled rather large on that one. Thank you inner voice! Thank you for reminding me, this is what I'm called to do, any boy am I excited about it!

Old Meets New

Anyone that has ever worked with me in a worship capacity knows that I am a very contemporary guy. I like new music, rockin guitars, drums, technology in service, really new-age stuff. However, that is not everyone's view. A lot of times people like the traditional way of doing service. Give them an organ and old fahioned hymns.

Alot of times it seems to be a debate of "old vs new" "hymns vs contemporary music" "tradiontional vs new-style." However, what if we do something different. What if we meet toghether, work toghether, put aside all differences. Yes, we may have different perspectives and different tastes in worship. But is that really what matters? Here is another example, I have two songs, please take some time and listen to them both (I wish I could post clips, don't feel like you have to listen to all of it, you'll get the point by the time they hit the chorus):








If you listened to them both, even for a little bit, you got that they are the same song, done two COMPLETLY different ways. I know, I know, David Crowder is a contemporary artist, but the style of this song is done in a very traditional style. Chances are, you liked one way better than the other. But guess what? It was the same message. God is all around us, and we need him.

That comes to my point, why can't we work toghether? Both styles are very legitmate, and people can be reached both ways. Ok fine, you might be saying, "but Bryce, those are still two contemporary artists, so, aren't you just making the point that contemporary is better?" Well how bout another example (same rules apply):



(this next one takes a little longer to get to by point, make sure you listen til at least 1:40)



Same song. A very beloved hymn "It Is Well" done two COMPLETLTY different ways. But the message. A lot of people might think it is a disaster that they are redoing one of the most beloved hymns of all time, and some people might think the old way is just outdated. However, its the MESSAGE that matters.

So what do I propose we do to settle this debate which one is better? How bout this, why don't we work toghether? Traditional recognizes the merit that contemporary worship style of reaching people for God, and contemporary sees the history and tradition and the value that traditional style has. And who's not to say that some people can enjoy both? So instead of trying to force one into oblivion, and the other to not grow, why don't we work toghether, cause the message is the same, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and we need him. I think if both work toghether, we will find, where old meets new, thats when the spirit moves.

King of Angels

I really love this Christmas song. It's by a VERY talented Christian women named Krystal Meyers. I really encourage you to check out other songs by her.

So...its finally here. Christmas. Many of us have being anticipating this for a while. Now its time to go to Christmas services, spend time with family and friends. Open presents, eat good food, everything that comes with the Christmas season. Here I am going ot insert a very clique line:

Don't forget the reason for the season.

I HIGHLY encourage you to attend a Christmas Eve service tonight, where ever you are. (*shameless plug alert* If your in Burlington, I would encourage the United Methodist Church, services at 5 with a worship band and traditional at 7). There is nothing like attending a Christmas Eve service.

While you're there, and all through out this Christmas season, I want you to reflect on something. Imagine you are there on that night... What would it have felt like? What would you be thinking? This really was "miracle of grace." What does Jesus coming to Earth mean for you? It really is a "sacred mystery of incarnation." Let the Holy Spirit enter your heart this season. I challenge you to forget about all the stressors for just a bit, and reflect on what it all means, how it changed everything. Reflect on the love of God, and remember, that love, was meant for you, and for all mankind.