Over the course of the summer, with the non-stopped pacing… The Ramblings lost it’s way. It lost it’s teeth.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I’m back, baby, with a vengeance. The coffee is kickin’. I’m awake. And let the rants and rambles return!

So, hello again…

I first heard about this from Tim Schmoyer’s blog on “How to get an Xbox 360 Elite for free.” I was intrigued by the idea and thought maybe I should consider trying it for our youth. Well, lo and behold, I hear that Tim just got said free Xbox 360. So, if seeing is believing, I’m interested. So here’s how it works (text below taken from Tim’s excellent youth ministry blog - thanks Tim!)

HOW IT WORKS
It’s pretty easy to do. It probably takes about 10 minutes to setup. Click on the link below, register, pick an account type (referral is the easiest) and complete just 1 offer. This is not like other sites where you need to complete one offer on 2 or 3 different pages. And a lot of these offers are free trials with nothing else to buy and no commitments!

There are plenty of cool offers to choose from, such as Netflix, Stamp.com, BMG music, Blockbuster online and Gamefly, services you might regularly sign up for anyway. I’m going to do the BMG music membership for music for the youth. Another good offer is renting DVDs through Netflix (it’ll cost ya $9.95 to try it) - I’ve had it for years and I love it!

After signing up and completing your one offer, simply refer 8-13 people (depending on the free prize you choose) to do the same under your link. Then they will ship your 360 Elite or your selected item for free.

Step 1: Click on this link: http://www.360Elite4free.com/index.php?ref=4418438

Step 2: Sign up and choose an account type (Referral is the easiest)

Step 3: Complete just 1 offer (like Netflix or Stamps.com) and refer up to 10 people to do the same.

Step 4: Receive your Xbox 360 Elite for FREE!

Here’s a news report and also another one on YouTube that explain how all this works and proves that it is indeed legit.

Anyone wanna help our youth and work towards their own free Xbox 360 Elite?

Click here

Alright, I’m picking a fight here.

I think it’s flat stupid that that seminaries and colleges offer degrees and majors in Youth Ministry. I know you’ll probally tell me I’m crazy, but I think it’s dumb. What are your classes: Gross Games 101? How to have really edgy youth pastor hair 310? How to get stains off the sanctuary floor so the elders don’t get mad 420?

The part that I think is stupid is the fact that people try to sectionalize out youth. Youth are people too. Ministry is ministry. People are people. In any people group (age or culture) you must adapt to reach the group you’re working with. There’s no Senior Adult ministry degree. Most youth that I know who act stupid, will eventually become adults that act stupid. If you can’t work with people, then you can’t work with youth. You shouldn’t be taught ministry on an age graded scale. You’re not teaching school or learning how to entertain kids. You’re shepherding a flock. That part gets lost.

You want to be educated on the state of youth? I’ll save you thousands. Just buy a book by Chap Clark.

Think I’m wrong? Tell me why?

Brian posed this question on my answering machine:

What particularly do you do when new kids show up - how do you make them feel welcome and connected?

I misunderstood which Brian it asked the question. There’s a youth pastor Brian and a student Brian that reads this blog. So I ended up answering that question to both the youth pastor and students.

To a Youth Pastor:

To the Students:

Anyone else want to put in their two cents on this question?

It appeared that on our last youth retreat that someone took a crap in the shower. It happened the first night there and it sat there in the shower for the next three days. Word spread and then the bathroom became like a zoo, people flocked in to look at the caged brown beast. Much speculation took flight around our camp as to who would do such a horrific deed. Many were accused, many were disgusted. And in a gross way it was a uniting factor. Everyone had the turd in common. It was the crap that binded us.

Now to tell you the truth, it was not infact what everyone thought it was. It was simply a Cliff bar molded into a famailar shape and left all alone in that shower. So this is my confession: I did it! No one took an ill-fated movement in the shower. It was a hoax and it worked beautifully!