Communication

 

Communication - the Lost Art.

 

 

When I decided to start this blog it was to increase the amount of and ease of communication between me and all of our church family and any one else who stumbled across this page.

 

The longer it went on the longer the time span between posts. This last lapse in time, 7 months. I hadn't even though of the Blog in probably five or so. So what happened? Life's distractions, Satan's attempts to derail something good, laziness,.....there could be an endless list I'm sure.

 

But here we are today- New school year started in some communities and ready to start next week.

 

For us in student ministry at Mehan Church this means new faces. New 7th graders coming in and a new group of seniors taking the reins leading our youth.  For this to all work COMMUNICATION IS KEY!

In this fast paced messaging, texting, snap-chating society we've even come up with emoticons to help communicate if people can"t really see our face.

 

We must communicate to build each other up, to build the Church, and to spread the Gospel.

 

 

Praying I'll do better- We love you guys- David, Krista, Kash, and Kody.

 

Romans 10:14-15New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”^[a

 

 



Sate of the Church - Student Edition

As we look forward to what God has in store for us, we also look back to what he Has shown us in the past year.

God has shown our students prayer works. That love does cover a multitude of sins.

 

I have seen our students in a time of prayer on their own time, after church was over. Praying for their friends, specifically, by name, by their situation. I have seen them reach out to the lost and hurting, not only with their own age group, but through serving at our Food Day.

God has shown us that is Church is powerful and essential in the Christian Life.

 

We have seen our attendance, on Wednesday nights, increase. Not just sporadically but steadily, with dedicated, passionate, and driven people. This continued growth has brought about an awesome thing. On Wednesday January 8th we started two Student Ministry service times, 6:30 and 7:45. The second service time is geared towards our older students and young adults. Everyone is welcome.

 

 

As we look forward now at 2014 and the opportunities it will hold we, above all, desire to still draw closer to God. We, my family and our student ministry family, are so excited to be apart of Mehan Union Church. 

 

God is Good and Greater things have yet to come.

 

February 2nd - Pancake Breakfast

February 9th - Valentines Dinner

March we will have a carry out lunch and bake sale. 



New Beginings 2014

2013 went in a flash. Like every year for some it had heartache, for some it was a great year. But in all we serve the same God and He is good, all the time. We stand on His word that He works all things for good for those that love Him. He also has a plan to prosper you.

2014 is bringing something new to the table in Student Ministry at Mehan. Two youth services on Wednesday nights. Our normal meal at 6, a 6:30 service and now an 8pm service. We saw God grow our group in 2013 and we hit the 70 mark and over 70 a few times. We believe this change will help us minister more effectively and will also allow for more people to encounter Jesus. We are so excited about this opportunity.

But wait- Are you looking for another opportunity to worship? Another opportunity to serve? Maybe you just want to see what church is like on Wednesday nights? Maybe this 8 pm  service just fits your schedule. COME ON- You can also come enjoy this time of fellowship and worship with us.

Better things have yet to come-

Love- David, Krista, the boys, and all the leadership of Mehan Student Ministry

Ministry and Christmas

This Sunday the 15th will be our second session in our Ministry Training series. We will again meet immediately after Church and it will last under an hour. Lunch is provided.

These first two sessions are focusing on our mission, both as a church and individually. Last time we looked at the churches mission through Jesus. To seek and save the lost, to make disciples.


This class will not meet next on January 19th.




Also this Sunday we will be attending Harvest Church's Christmas Spectacular service. It starts at 5pm. We will leave the church at 4:00 pm.

Next Saturday the 21st will be the Student Ministry Christmas party. At 7pm at the church. Justice Quinn will be speaking. We'll have worship, ugly sweater contest, and we will have food. Bring your favorite snack!

We are currently looking at our New Years plans and we will get that information out as soon as we make some final decisions.

We truly thank all of you who continue to support studet ministries at Mehan. Krista and I love you all and on behalf of everyone in our ministry- Love and Merry Christmas-

BIG NEWS - Youth Update

 

Starting December 1st we start our

Student Ministry Training

 

 

So what is Student Ministry Training?

 

It is a time that allows anyone interested in ministry to figure out how they fit in. Identifying their strengths, their communication abilities, and what their interests are.

 

Personal-Global Vision & Mission, Audio/Visual arts. Technology/Social Media, Preaching/teaching, Worship, Ministry Logistics- These are the main topics that will be covered in our training. Others may develop as we get ideas from the group.

 

What it is NOT-

 

It is not a Youth Group activity. It's not a social event. It training- Training is for a purpose, its work, there will be homework. 

 

Why Training? God calls us to train-

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

 

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

 

Where- Mehan Church- Zetterberg Chapel

 

There's not better place to train than the place you will serve.

 

When-

Sunday December 1st immediately after Church. We'll have a "Working" lunch.

 

So whether you're already involved in ministry, you want to get involved, or you just want to know more about the how and why of Student Ministry at Mehan, join us Sunday December 1st @ 12:05.

 

 

 



 





MEHAN YOUTH 11-2-13

As I sit down and seek the Lord about what to put out for world to see and read. Its hard to sum up what is going on within our church as a whole.

We are a busy community of faith filed, loving, followers of Christ. We are being called to serve, love and give in new ways, it seems every month. There are always opportunities for us to serve others. Serving others IS serving Christ.

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Pt 4:10

 

It's easy for us to justify the neglect we show in the opportunities the Lord provides to serve others. Satan wants to minimize the ministries of the Church.

 

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Pt 5:8

 

One of the things I myself have been guilty of is saying "I don't think I can do that". Or "that's just not my spiritual gift."  We say these things without actually trying to SEEK these things out.

 

 

1. Know your spiritual gifts- http://www.chazown.com/spiritual-gifts

 

 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. ! Tim 4:14

 

 

We CANNOT down play what our Spiritual Gifts are. follow the link, take the test, print it out, take it to your pastor. He will want to know how to get you serving somewhere in the Church.

 

 

2. Along with your spiritual gifts- How do you communicate and respond to communication?

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/

 

 

Besides the gifts that God has given you, He has "wired" you in a certain way. We must know that we need to communicate with others in a certain way and that we receive communication in a certain way. Again follow the link, print it out, take it to your pastor, and take it to heart.

 

 

3. Look for opportunities to serve-  God may give you a vision for a ministry that doesn't even exist.

 

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Pr 29:18

 

God calls all of us to have VISION- for our individual lives, our families, and

 HIS CHURCH.

 

Love - The Lyons- David, Krista, Kash, Kody, and the Mehan Youth Group-

 

PS- Don't forget to set your clocks back! & Food Day November 9th.

(Take those tests, I want to know)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROW CHURCH GROW!!

Church growth is a very interesting thing. It's also up for debate what it really means. Even the famous on-line Wikipedia has a post about Church Growth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Growth 

 

In an article I recently read about church growth, it took a look at our standards of Church Growth and compared them to Jesus ministry. So lets look at the overview of His growth-

 

Jesus recruited 12 men into His "church". He then spent 3 years with those same guys, teaching them, living with them, discipling them. One of His disciples fell away from they faith and took his own life. Although Jesus spoke to many, His close group never grew.

 

In every conversation about church, at some point, we get asked, "So how many people go there?" and "Who's the Pastor?" .

 

So are numbers alone a good measurement of Church growth? Or is there some other concrete measurement tool we could be using?

 



We tend to associate church growth with the physical location, the population, and the Pastor.  But the real Church is the people inside the walls of it. Its not the building or the Pastor, nor is it the programs it offers. It's about all the people in that collective body of believers.

 

    An examination of the Greek word "ekklesia" reveals that the word is properly translated into English as the "assembly" or "congregation." It is used to refer to a group of persons that are organized together for a common purpose and who meet together.-Bibile-truth.org

 

If you're not growing, neither is your church. If the Church is not growing, neither is the church. If you have all the God you want, that is reflected in the ministries of your Church. If you're on Fire for God and are seeking Him in your life the other 6 days a week, that is also reflected in the ministries of your Church. That myfriend is still not tied to numbers but more of a "feel" from the Holy Spirit.

 

The Church builds the church. If I am not able to get excited about the ministries at my Church, If I cant stop talking about what God is doing, maybe I'm the issue. That old saying If I'm not part of the solution, maybe I'm part of the problem. I believe that is tied to the numbers.

All of that being said Krista and I, along with all the leaders with in our Youth Group are very excited about what God has been up to in our midst. Krista and I started with the Youth in June 2012 at Falls Creek and now here we are 16 months later. Wednesday nights we started with about 40 regular attendees and are now at 60 plus each Wednesday night. There have been a few times we've been over 70. Glory to God and Him alone.

But more than the numbers, we are seeing spiritual growth. We believe in student led ministries guided by a common vision and mission. If you haven't been by in awhile, stop in and see our posters, you can catch the vision. We are here to build His kingdom.

Overall, we couldn't be more excited about what God is doing at Mehan Union Church. We are truly thankful for what He continues to do. We also thank God for each of you who gives, prays, and serves our Church. YOU are the CHURCH- Grow CHURCH GROW!!

NO YOUTH, CHILDREN, OR MEAL THIS WEDNESDAY THE 16TH.

Love- The Church.