The 'L' Word...

Ok, so it has been a little while since I have blogged. But, I've been working on this off and on the last couple weeks so I figured I'd post it. Plus, it is one of my 2015 goals to write more. so, I look at this as getting a head start.

This post may seem more like a rant, take it as you may. But, I hope this comes across the right way; as a youth pastor who is paying attention to what is going on in the culture he is surrounded by. 

We have to be aware and proactive in what is happening in teen culture. 

The topic of this post is "The 'L' Word. LOVE. It doesn't matter what social media I am on or what school I am at I see and hear it every where! 

"I love you!" 

Now, before you call me a hypocrite and say I have forgotten my teenage years, hear me out. 

There is no doubt that as a teen I didn't always choose my words wisely. I said some things that were mean, I used words to get my way, I could guilt people, I could manipulate, I even knew what to say to get out of detention. But, one thing I was always cautious and careful to hold close to my heart was the 'L' word. 

Seriously, I can remember being 22 years old and waiting 6 months before I told my (now wife) that I loved her. Even, when I said it, it was something that scared me to death! Not because I didn't mean it, but because of the depth and reality of the words I was speaking to someone I cared about. To someone's daughter, to a child of God. 

Disclaimer: 

* I am not saying there is anything wrong with teens being in love * 

But, as a youth pastor I get on Instagram, FB or Twitter and at least once a week and I see a teen guy telling a girl that he has just started dating "I Love You." Now, I would never want to descredit anyone's feelings, but seriously? You love her? It's been a week... 

Usually I will ignore this, or be a good youth pastor and joke with said teen guy in passing. But, the more I see this trend, the more I want to scream; "Shut up boy! You don't love her! You just told me 5 minutes ago you love Xbox & Red Bull, now you're saying you love her? You didn't know her 2 days ago!" 

Our culture has dumbed down the word Love. For too many it has lost it's significance. It has become common language, something we just say in passing. We put our love for Chick-Fil-A and the person we're dating on the same level. I'm not so sure it should be this way....

Here are 3 reasons this trend drives me crazy: 

1.) You don't mean it. 

     - It is ok for teens to like each other. But, don't confuse like or worse (lust) as love. Once you say something you can't take it back. (Try putting your toothpaste back in the tube) 

2.) Even if you do mean it... 

     - Even if you do truly love this girl (whose middle name you don't even know) what is wrong             with waiting weeks or even months to tell her?! 

          - If it's a security issue you shouldn't be telling anyone but your momma you love her. 

          - If your worried you'll lose her, that's not the way to keep her. (See your past 12 relationships) 

          - Besides, if you really do love her she'll know. BY YOUR ACTIONS. (Anyone can say I love you) 

          - When the time to say it is right you'll know. 

3.) Do you really understand what love is? 

     - There are SO many scriptures we could talk about. We could discuss the 3 types of love: Philia, Agape, and Eros. But, when these teens are saying they "love" they mean, Eros (Romantic love). For sake of length and just for the sake of getting to the point I've picked one. 

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25

To be honest this is a scary scripture! Because as a husband there are days that I fall so short of this verse that it is disgusting. But, the love talked about in this verse is the same type of love guys in our culture are telling their girlfriends of 1 week. Unless you are ready to truly love this young lady like Jesus does the Church (or at least try your hardest). If not, STOP! Stop with empty words and promises. There is enough of that in our world already.

We have to make sure our students understand the weight of their words. We have to make sure they grasp the fullness of scripture. We have a responsibility to make sure they are growing and becoming men of God. We have a task of making sure they are treating and talking to women in a way that is honoring God.

As a youth pastor I want so much more for the male teens of this generation! 

Some of you may laugh and just say, "Ah, well boys will be boys." But, I'm sick of that. At some point they have to become young men, then men. If we don't teach them now, they will never be men. They will just be boys who shave, living in your basement till their 40. 

"I Love You."

With those 3 little words comes so much responsibility. So say what you mean and mean what you say. Let's quit playing games. Life is bigger than Instagram. Let's raise up a generation of God fearing  young men who are secure in their relationship with Jesus. 

This do this together young men! 

Shine On, 

Chase Allen

How to spend 1 hour of your day...

Youth ministry calendars are up and down like a yo yo. In the summer you are so busy, that the only other thing you do is sleep. Then, depending on what church you serve in, and what your youth ministry goals are your fall is a little more calm, winter (aka Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years) is nuts, and then in the spring you enter a deep season of planning for the summer.

Recently I have made it an absolute priority to take 1 hour of my day while I am in the office to:
1.) Get (at least) 1 cup of coffee.
2.) Do 2 days of a Bible reading guide I am following.
3.) Dive into and take notes on a book that is going to help me grow. (Recently this, has been ALL youth ministry books.)

This 1 hour may seem like an easy task, but with all that happens on a daily basis in youth ministry, sometimes finding time to go to the bathroom can be a impossible task. But, you can't put a price on how valuable this 1 hour is.

I would encourage you to find a good Bible reading guide. The key here is to find one that works for you. There are so many to choose from. 1 year guides, 90 day guides, specific focus of study guides. It's all up to you. Pick one that you know is going to push you, stretch you and grow you.

Then when it comes to a book that is going to help you grow, again it is all about what you are looking for. It may be a book on spiritual formation, leadership, preaching styles, how to deal with difficult parents, etc. No matter what book you choose, I would encourage you to pick something that is going to be worth your time. There are only so many hours in a day, once they're gone you can't get them back. So find a book that is going to challenge and change your life.

Take time to dream, set goals and plan where you are going and how to get there. This 1 hour has become one of the best hours of my day. I hope it can be for you too.

"Focus on being a person of God, before doing the work of God." - Doug Fields

We can't put the plow before the horse. Make sure you are focusing on your spiritual life, before you attempt to be a spiritual leader.

Shine On,
Chase

Like, Like, Like.....

Last Tuesday, we went to the South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC). It was a great time! Lots of men and women excited about God, Seminaries wanting you to get your Mdiv, lots of free random stuff, and of course a lot of important business. Having gone to things like this a few times I have kinda found my niche and am able to easily accomplish what I need to do. 

This year, I noticed something though. To fully understand this you have to know me and know that I love to people watch! As I was doing this throughout the day, I couldn't help but notice some guys, by their actions and conversations were playing the comparison game. You the know the drill, the young guy with the faux hawk, skinny jeans, plaid shirt and cool watch walks in. Automatically, there will be some youth pastors who look at a guy like that and think..."I bet he is such an awesome youth pastor!" As if the clothes you wear have anything to do with it. 

Then you will have the others, while in conversation, you can't help but hear them brag. Numbers this, numbers that. Numbers are definitely important. But, when you are using it to pat yourself on the back, watch out. 

I say all that to say this, I too am guilty of the comparison game. I see other youth guys and think, "man If only I could be more like that guy, I would be able to draw more students in." Or, "Wow, if i was funny like, or could communicate like, or came up with games like, or prayed like, or dressed like, or was creative like." Or "If I was at a Church like, If I had a youth room like, If I had a leadership team like, If I had technology like, If I had curriculum like, If I had more schools like, If I had a bigger budget like..." 

We can get on blogs and instagram, and twitter and drive ourselves crazy, if we aren't careful. 

Stephen Furtick says, "We are comparing our everyday, with everyones highlight reel." 

We can get ourselves into a lot of trouble when this happens. God designed each of us with the perfect gift set that we need to reach and impact the people God places in our lives. We can't doubt that and we shouldn't feel bad because we aren't as funny as the guy across town. MOST LIKELY you have something the other guy wishes he had in his skill set. 

When we try to be something we're not, we usually cause more harm than good. Let's be us! 

Craig Groeschel says it this way, "We're living for likes and looking for love." 

I'm so thankful God made us all so different! It takes everyone of us. With our different hair, clothes, games, sermons, prayers, methods, strategies, encouragement, short comings, pasts, love, etc. Let's stop the comparison game and use what God has blessed us with to reach as many as we can! It's a huge task to Walk Alongside Teens As They Journey With Jesus. Don't grow weary, Keep going!  

A Verse to encourage you today: 

"Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments." - Psalm 119:73 

Fall Retreat '14

We are fresh off of returning from our Fall Retreat. Planning for this retreat was full of ups and downs as I felt God constantly giving me more and more for our students. This retreat began by planning on going to Charlotte. We were going to talk about 'Making Giants Fall' and go to Carowinds. Then, I felt God was directing me to take our teens to 'Silver Ring Thing' a purity conference in Lexington. All the flyers were out, prices were advertised and everyone was excited. 

Then, we got the news that Silver Ring Thing had been canceled. This really upset me, and shook for a little bit. I considered canceling Fall Retreat all together. I wanted to throw in the towel. I honestly didn't want to do anything at all. Then I realized the impact that these retreats have on our students. I knew I owed to God and to them to see where we were supposed to go. 

Over the next 2 days, as God poured into me, I poured into the keyboard. Searching for places to stay, things to do and busted out our entire retreat book. (I don't say this to pumped myself up, but to show just how awesome God is.) We ended up having 11 students go, and WOW was it awesome! 

I am continually floored at just how awesome our God is, how he works, and that he is willing to use a nobody like me to share His word. 

This Retreat God laid on my heart to speak to our teens about 'Dealing with Disappointment.' It seemed fitting, considering the changes in plans and I knew it was something our teens needed to hear. Our theme passage was Romans 5:3-5: "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy spirit who was given to us."

We focused on 3 words to help us in dealing with disappointment: 
- Perseverance
- Character
- Hope

It is my hope that as I type this our students are sitting in classrooms with a refreshed spirit this morning. I know my heart is full after such a great weekend.

Shine On,
Chase

The Youth Pastor's Son

As a Husband, Dad to an 9 month old and Youth Pastor my weeks can be a little hard to balance at times. With that said, there is nothing else I could possibly do with my life. God has undoubtedly called my to preach His word, LOVE people and walk alongside teens as they journey with Jesus.

As a youth pastor my wife and son are there every Wednesday night serving right alongside me. This means more to me than they probably know. My wife runs the power point for us while I preach, give announcements, Etc. Noah, our son just sits right in his Mom's lap or is held in the arms of one of our volunteers. Some nights he sleeps (snores out loud) some nights he is bouncing up and down and squealing, some nights he farts in the middle of his Dad trying to give       and invitation and lead teens to Christ.

Knowing that my son will be growing up in the Church, constantly surrounded by: teens, soda, pizza, loud music, games, small groups, theme nights, communions, Sunday School fellowships, etc. There is something that I hope he and others in our lives will understand. 

First and foremost who my son is, is not dependent on his Dad being a pastor. It is far too common that preacher's kids live in a fish bowl. People will be watching him, and questioning his choices, his friends, his wardrobe and countless other things. I pray that my son will be himself. That he will grow up, strong and confident and capable of feeling comfortable in who God created him to be. Will he make mistakes? ABSOLUTELY! But, the way he is looked at or treated should not be more or less severe because of who I am or what position I hold. 

Secondly, my son's with relationship with Jesus is dependent on him. I can't love Jesus for him. But, I can/will pray everyday that when my son is old enough and understand who Jesus is and what Jesus did for him,  that he will completely give his life to Jesus. I pray that my son will come to know that there is no greater life than one that is cloaked in the love of Jesus Christ. 

I want my son to grow up not regretting that he is the son of a youth pastor. I want him to grow up thinking and knowing that his dad has the greatest and most important job (maybe not in this world, but definitely in the next). 

I am thankful that my son reminds us weekly that it's ok to fun in Church. I am thankful for what he has brought into my life. A pride, a love, a bucket of emotions that I can't really explain. I'm amazed how even at the age of 9 months he has the ability to love and minister to people. His smile has been known to change the outlook of the day. His laugh can take you go from tears to joy that you didn't know was existed. When he goes to the bathroom during the middle of his Dad's sermon, you can't help but think God has a sense of humor. He's an amazing gift. He's going to be an amazing man one day. He is the youth pastor's son...

Closing Summer/Opening Campus Ministry

As I am writing this our youth and their parents are in a hustle to do a couple of things. 

1.) Buy school clothes
2.) Find the coolest binders and pens in existence.
3.) Double checking with the guidance counselors to make sure they have all the right classes to graduate and pad the ole GPA.

One thing is for sure, the summer has quickly come to an end.

Some would think that this is the time when a youth pastor starts to shut down. But, it's the complete opposite. With a new school year beginning, a whole new branch of youth ministry and opportunities to reach teens for Christ opens up!

Here is a list of how I "Close Out" the summer and how I "Open Up" the school year's Campus Ministry...

"Closing Out" Summer 

- When we finish each summer calendar I look back over it and calculate some numbers.
     * How many 'ministry' hours did we put in? (We will be close to 275 hrs.)
     * About how many different teens did we minister to?
     * What were some high points?
     * What were some low points?
     * What events/hang outs were successful?
     * What events/hang outs do we need to rework or cut?
     * What do we need to make more of a priority for next summer?
     * Should we do 'Summer' Wednesday nights differently?
     * Should we do 'Summer' Sunday morning Bible Study differently?

- I take down the Summer calendars and put up the school ones.

- We have our closing event = "So Long Sweet Summer"

- I have a meeting with our Youth Team and discuss anything and everything from point one, and we vision cast/plan for the school year.

"Opening Up" Campus Ministry

- One of the first things I do, is about 2 weeks from the start of the school year is email/call all of my contacts at our schools. (We minister to about 8 different schools.) I contact them for a couple of different reasons.
     * To ask if there is anything we can do to help them get the school year started.
     * To make sure the school is still willing to let me come have lunch during the school year.
     * To find out if I am even aloud on campus (Unfortunately some make you jump through EXTREME hoops)
     * To start setting up which week and day of the month I will come and speak through the year. (Chapels, FCA's, FCS's, Etc.)
     * To find out if the schools offer any 'sports passes' to come to games. (We go to a lot of games and it really adds up. Even if one school will give you and your spouse a pass, it was worth the call.)
     * To start setting up our 'Tailgate Nights.' (Where we go to football games, and meet tons of people!) = Amazing outreach.

The last things we do are really quite simple: (But, yet kind of fall into both categories...)

- We have our annual 'Boot Camp' = This is for rising 7th graders. It's a day full of learning and exploring what we do in the 'Blue House', why we do it, and how they can be apart of the team.

- We say goodbye to our seniors (Always sad, but they are ready.)

- I have our students fill our new 'Student Info Cards.' These are cards with general information = School, grade, email, etc. But, they also have some questions to make ministering to them a little easier for us = From their favorite soda/candy, to their favorite place to hang out, hobbies, to if they know Jesus as their Savior.

I'm sure I'm not the only youth pastor to do these things. But, I just thought I'd share. 

Praying for this year to be a HUGE, God-sized movement in our schools! 

Shine On,
Chase Allen

Woman @ The Well

This past wednesday at the Blue House I spoke to our students on John 4:7-14,39-42. This passage is known as "The Woman At The Well." It's nothing new, but as we were going through a three wee summer series on Jesus I felt God laying this passage heavy on my heart. I don't think I preached anything revolutionary about the passage but, I do feel as though it was so timely for our students and also for myself. One thing I learned early in ministry training is to always internalize my message before I expect others to listen to it. I always strive to do this and this week it's been constantly on my heart & mind. Because of that I thought this week I would share some notes from "The Woman At The Well."

John 4:7-14,39-42 

I think there are 3 things we can learn from Jesus in this passage: 

1.) Jesus started the Conversation (V. 7-9). 

It's no surprise the Jews and the Samaritans didn't get along.

It would have been so easy for Jesus to choose to ignore this woman.

He could have put His head down, made up an excuse, said she wasn't good enough.

He could have said she was a terrible person (All the men in her life).

She's not worthy.

Etc.

Any one of those excuses would be good enough for us.
- They go to a different school
- He does drugs
- She sleeps around
- He's been arrested
- Their clothes aren't as nice as mine.

We would do anything to not have to talk to someone that is different than us.

Put our head down, walk right by, pretend like we never saw them.

No harm, no foul.

Surely, Jesus doesn't want me to share with them....

Jesus, sets the perfect example for us.

He doesn't ignore this woman. But, instead reaches out, makes the first move, starts the conversation.

2.) Jesus used His Surroundings to share God's love (V. 10-14). 

At this point Jesus really steers the conversation.

He begins to share with her what He is all about.

The great thing about it all is that Jesus doesn't use fancy language. He doesn't tell her this amazing or jaw dropping story. He doesn't use a special tool or tract to share. (Nothing wrong with those.)

But, instead He just simply uses whats available to him.

He tells her, "If you knew who was asking you for a drink you would have asked me, and I would give you living water." (Translation mine)

Jesus shows us that we don't always have to use BIG words. We don't have to remember every illustration we've ever heard the Pastor say. We don't have to have the greatest testimony on the earth.

We just need to be willing to use what God has given us.

It could be: 
- Sports
- Work
- Movies
- Art
- Music
- Hobbies
- Coffee
- Etc.

When God presents you with an opportunity to share the Gospel, don't over complicate things. Just use whats in front of you. Use what the person can understand and relate to, to share Jesus.

3.) Jesus changed a City (V. 39-42) . 

After some more conversation this woman heads back into town. When she gets there, she can't stop talking about Jesus.

She had her life changed by Him, and could not stop telling people. She was so excited that people in her city had to see what He was all about.

They came out and invited Jesus to stay for a few days.

The Bible tells us that He stayed for 2 days and that many more in that city believed.

This should be a HUGE encouragement to us.

It's not always easy to share our faith, but it is so worth it! If we will start the conversation, and share Jesus with just one person, who knows what will happen next. In this case a city was changed because Jesus shared with one woman.

Obviously we aren't Jesus, but if we will share Him, the Kingdom possibilities are endless.

Because you share Jesus you could change your:
- School
- Team
- Work Place
- Family
- Friends
- City
- Youth Group

The Gospel changes people! Share it when you get the chance!

Shine On,
Chase