Out of the Gate

1st day on the ground here in Kingwood was this Wednesday…learned a great deal and had a blast meeting everyone!

A few high points and my first impressions...

1. Watching and Learning: Brian Mills, Youth Pastor at the West Campus, has mentioned before that learning is so important when you are working on building a long term successful student ministry. It is good to set back and watch what happens and determine what you need to do. I'm learning a great deal about what it means to reach students in Kingwood for Christ and I can't wait to see what the Lord does as we seek His face!

2. Community, Community, Community: When it comes to reaching students the team here is knocking it out for the park they have seen many come to Christ over the last few weeks and many waiting to be baptized . Over the next few weeks we I will be pushing our team toward intentional events to not only meet students where they are, but also to get our presence out into the community here in Kingwood. Tailgates, breakfast on campuses, serving on campuses etc..

3. You can't do it alone: My heart is to see many in the church body here catch a huge vision for students and the next generation, and to have them team up with us to reach the future for Christ! This will be key as we move forward!

4. First impressions: What is the first impression students get of our ministry when they come through our doors? What is said about us in the community, in schools? What can we do to create an environment where students feel welcome and decide within the first 20 seconds in the building that they want to come back? These are just some questions I'm asking right now...

shifting student ministry
Brian

Times of Transition

The last few weeks the Harris household has been in the process of migrating from Austin, TX to Houston. We are extremely excited about all the God has in store for us as we join the Second Baptist family and begin to pray some bold prayers for the students in Kingwood!

I just spent the last 2 days with some of the Youth Staff at Second in Birmingham, AL. During that time did some reflection on what I have learned so far in this time of transition. (still much more learning to come!) Here is what I have found:

1. Leave Well: Many of my mentors have shared with me during this process to be sure to take time and make some final solid investments in those I have poured into over the past few years. Take friends to lunch, remind students and their parents how much you cherish them, affirm your friends on staff, and thank those over you in leadership. Be intentional, be affirming, and remind them you are still interested in their lives well beyond your location in their city. Don't burn bridges.
2. Protect Your Family: You're not the only one in transition. Be sure to give you family extra special attention because you are not the only one in limbo. Everyone is changing homes, saying goodbye to friends, and shifting schools. It's a great time for Dad to draw near to the wife and kids and bond the family together.
3. Practice Patience: It takes time to transition, and that's after you've taken the time to get a clear message from God on the direction you need to go. Be patient - trust His timing.
4. Be a Learner: When a new leader derails, failure to learn is almost always a factor. Listen, observe, hear what others have to say before you speak up to much. You can learn a great deal that will help you later as you lead if you will listen. Effective learning calls for figuring out what you need to learn, and Efficient learning means identifying the best available sources of insight.

back from Bama,
Brian

See You At The Pole

See you at the Pole is tomorrow - This annual gathering began in Burleson, Texas, in 1990, as a response to a Disciple Now weekend with a handful of Christian students. It has grown by word of mouth, announcements at youth rallies and churches, and the Internet; SYATP meetings now occur internationally.

curious to learn more? click here

Hyde Park Student Ministry will be holding a POST POLE rally on top of the HPBC parking garage from 7-8pm this Wednesday. I hope to see you there!

Brian

Hurricane Ike Relief Efforts...

Ike has truly impacted the lives of many people I know and lately I have been asking how I/we can help out...well, as a body of believers Hyde Park is responding in love. Here is how you can get involved...HPBC's Hurricane Relief Efforts


Also, I found some unbelievable pictures of Ike on a friend's page - I wanted to share them with you HERE

Brian

Hurricane Ike...how can we help now?

As we are praying for those who are dealing with Ike's aftermath in Houston and SE Texas - I also have been asking myself how I can help out...here is what I have found.

Click here to learn how you can help.

Brian

Fireproof - the movie

Check out the new trailer for the movie Fireproof...comes out in a couple weeks.

Brian

Top 10 in TV today!

I was snooping around Kurt Johnson's stuff and stumbled across this recent list of Top 10 television shows.

Rank TV Program Audience (in millions)
1. America's Got Talen t (NBC) 12
2. Wipeout (ABC) 9.5
3. Criminal Minds (CBS) 9.1
4. So You Think You Can Dance - Thu. (Fox) 8.8
5. CSI: NY (CBS) 8.5
6. Two and a Half Men (CBS) 8.5
7. 60 Minutes (CBS) 8.2
8. House (Fox) 8.1
9. CSI: Miami (CBS) 8
10.Hell's Kitchen (Fox) 8
Source: Neilsen Media Research

Here is what Kurt, Jr. High Pastor @ Saddleback Church in California had to say about it...

Do you remember several years ago when the "Reality T.V." craze kicked into high gear? At the time, most television experts and pundits went on the record as saying that reality tv would only last a year or two. It's interesting that in the list above, 4 of the top 10 tv shows are reality shows. In fact, 3 of the top 4 fall into the category!

The lesson: Experts and pundits aren't always right. Every field has its experts, and in every field, those experts can often be wrong in their assessments and predictions. Youth ministry is no different. And is often the case in other fields, the youth ministry experts, pundits and predictors of things to come are often far removed from the real world of youth ministry. I appreciate the wisdom and observations of men and women who observe trends, society, theology and try to help us figure out where it's all heading. But I also realize that they can be wrong. It doesn't make them less smart or less authoritative, just wrong sometimes.

Keep reading, keep going to seminars, keep talking to people you respect. But don't change your entire ministry based on what today's hot youth ministry topic is among the experts.

When I look at that list I notice a couple things:

First, things change and progress, and that's vital to progress.

Second, while some things change, lots of things stay the same.

Perhaps that's not a bad way to look at youth ministry.

Some questions to chew on for your ministry:

• What things in your specific ministry have changed that you didn't expect?
• What things did you think would have changed by now that haven't?
• What things desperately need to change and you are willing to make it happen?
• What things must never change?

food for thought,
Brian