Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

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Why Dont They Get It?

July 2, 2009

Why is it that students don’t get it when it comes to living a life that resembles Jesus? Of course the obvious answer is they don’t know how. That’s bunk. Some might say that they don’t want to…more bunk. I believe the real reason is us. Youth pastors blame the parents. But what role do we play as youth pastors?

Youth pastors. We really play a more pvotal role than we believe…

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The Youth Ministry Journey

November 22, 2008

Someone recently asked me a golden question “Is this(student ministry)what I always dreamed of doing?”

Not remotely. I’m sure there are some out there who were born with the notion of what thier calling was and then went out and did exactly that… I was not one of them.

Actually, coming out of bible school, youth ministry was the one area i DID NOT want to be involved in. I mean I’d already put in “my time” serving students as a volunteer, I was ready to graduate to the more meaningful (and higher paying) adult ministry.

So what happened? Beats me! Just kidding…5 years…yes five years into the journey God told me I’d be in youth ministry for life! Holy decreased earnings Batman! God has never released me and all the while continues to fuel a passion in me for students. I have this crazy idea that students can impact the world. I think this is that vision thing people talk about.

I would say that you could break my ministry into two disctinct phases. Before vision and after vision!

Vision, a personal vision is absolutely vital for any youth pastor. Vision is where God, man and destiny meet!

Peace
D.

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First Blog Entry…What do I do?

November 19, 2008

Hi Everyone,

I’m Dennis.  I’m brand new to the whole blogging thing so I’ll probably start out slow.  I wanted a way to share some thoughts and ideas about youth ministry specifically and leadership generally so this seemed a good place to start.  So today I’ll start with a brief bio thing and see where we go after that. 

I’m the youth pastor at a large church in Plano TX.  I’ve been at this church ever since I starting walking with Jesus.  Incredibly, I’m still here.  Who knew?   I started in youth ministry way back in 1984 as a volunteer.  Yeah, I know some of you a weren’t even born in 1984!  I’ve been on staff at our church since 1991.  I started as the Jr. High Guy and then moved up 1995 to oversee the entire youth ministry with my concentration being High School students.  

I’m married to my wonderful wife Teri, and I have 2 great kids who are both in my youth group!  

I don’t ever get tired of youth ministry.  It’s energizing.  Part of it may be my dogged determination to avoid growing old. Part of it is I really have no desire to make adult ministry my life focus.      

I guess the point of this blog is to write down some of the supposed “jewels of wisdom” I’m supposed to have because of my gradually graying hair and to share some of the ups and down I experience as we (me and my team) try to impact students lives.  

Well, thats all for now…

D