40 of my closest friends got on a plane

So we wrapped up our conference of youth pastor's from the largest United Methodist Churches in America. These churches all average over 1200 in worship over a weekend. We had 40 of the 100 invited who came to Church of the Resurrection for the gathering.

We began with a challenging message from my Senior Pastor, Adam Hamilton, of who we are as United Methodists and what role we can play as Youth pastor's of the largest churches in raising up the next generation of ministry leaders.

After sharing in some desserts and conversation we began moving into "business" discussing such topics as; staff structure, team building, org charts and leadership by gifting, discipleship, mentorship, recruiting and equipping of both adult and student leaders. The discussions were insightful, positive, and inspiring for each of us involved.

Some new connections began and this event will continue next year with another church hosting. I am excited to have been a part of "birthing" this idea. it is really great to sit down with other leaders with similar settings in ministry.

Two cool moments....The first would be that one of the participants, Steve Cragg, long time Youth Pastor at Memorial Drive UMC in Houston, TX was celebrated for raising up Dave MaGee, our own High School minister here at Resurrection. The second was Kirk Dana from First UMC in Lakeland, Fl. He has been in full-time youth ministry for 36 years!

Check out UMYouthPastor.com, Jeremy Steele from Christ UMC in Mobile, AL has begun this resource sharing web-site!

God is Good!

large church connection youth pastor's gathering

Tonight I will welcome 40 youth pastors from some of the largest United Methodist Churches in America to a conference here at Resurrection. This is in direct relation to our Senior pastor Adam Hamilton's work with the same gathering that began last year for Senior Pastors.

We will hope to accomplish a few things in this gathering...

1) to connect, support, and encourage one another.

2) to discuss, in round table fashion, what seems to be the greatest obstacles in youth ministry in these settings (as submitted by the participants).
-Staff Structure and Team Building
-Recruiting and Equipping Leaders
-Discipleship
-Connection to the Church Whole

3) Launch this as an annual gathering to be hosted by different churches. I will offer to host it again to be sure it happens. My true hope is that someone is inspired to do so, and I would come beside them as co-leader expecting that to happen with the 2010 host person and the next year's host.

I am excited to connect and conference together starting tonight!

Easter partnership between Resurrection and Grand Ave Temple

Here is a recent news report about our downtown partnership with Grand Ave Temple. We launch the Resurrection downtown campus this fall, along with also launching an internet campus (more to come about that).

Vibe Easter Services at Resurrection

I hope you will join me in worship this Easter weekend in the Vibe worship services. Each service is identical with a moving message of hope from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton via the video screens, powerful music from the Vibe band, and community praise through the flowering cross.

Service times are 9:15am and 11:15am, with children and teens welcome in the Student Center (East Building).

All central, west, downtown, and internet campus services listed on cor.org. Click here to link to all the worship service opportunities for you to be inspired and challenged through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!