Bringing a large group to Follow 12?

Follow 12, this year’s International Wesleyan Youth Convention, is fast approaching. Thousands of students have had their life altered because of their encounter with Jesus at these events. This is why your involvement is crucial. God moves, students respond, and lives are forever changed.

As a former youth pastor, I understand the difficulties of bringing a larger group to these events. The logistics of managing a group of 25 or more can become overwhelming, keeping you from effectively leading because of all the “busy work” involved. It also can discourage you from attending the event entirely. It is my desire to help you get your students to Follow 12. Below is a menu of items we have created to assist you:

Special offers for groups of 25 paid registrations or more:

• For every 25 paid registrations, you will receive one registration free (valued at $185—quad rate).
• For groups of 25+, we will complete the online registration for you when deposit and registration information are received (students fill out the paper registration available online, you send them in along with the deposit, and we will enter the registration information online.)
• For groups of 25+, we will reserve seating for your group in the main rally.
• For groups of 25+, we will reserve an area for your group to during the event.
• For your convenience, $5 meal boxes will be available for purchase on site at the convention center.

For those of us who like seeing the big picture or need to have every step planned in advance before making a move, operating on a need-to-know basis can be extremely frustrating and challenging to our desire to follow Jesus. Francis Chan, in his Book Forgotten God, reminds us that there are times when the chase of God’s will for your life can actually get in the way of following after Him. Read that statement again. Chan goes on to suggest that we need to forget about God’s will for our lives. Yeah, that’s right: forget about God’s will for your life. The fact is, very few people in the Bible knew God’s will or plan in advance. We serve a God who called Abraham to go. Pack up your family, get all your stuff, and go. Go Where? Abraham didn’t know, he just gathered all of his possessions and started walking. Chan points out that God cares more about our response to His Spirit’s leading today, in this moment, than what we intend to do next year. In fact, the decisions we make next year are profoundly affected by the choice to follow after the Spirit now, in today’s choices.

Needing to know all the details not only removes faith and trust from the equation; it also provides a nice to place to hide. It is possible to hide behind God’s will for your life. Often times we use that as an excuse for inaction over disobedience. It so much easier to live for God in the future than to ask Him what He wants from you right here right now. It’s easier to follow him someday than this day.

In Jeremiah 29, we see that God has a plan for our life (v.11). However, if you read on, God encourages us to “seek His face,” not the plans (v.13) and in Matthew 6 we are told to seek first His kingdom and then all things will be added to you (v.33). We may not know God’s will or plan but we do know this: we are called to walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh… if we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (5:16, 25)

]]> http://headhearthand.com/blog/youth/follow-on-a-need-to-know-basis/feed/ 2 http://headhearthand.com/blog/youth/come-together/ http://headhearthand.com/blog/youth/come-together/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:22:08 +0000 Wesleyan Youth http://headhearthand.com/blog/?p=3172

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:1,2

Jesus knew that if his followers were unified amongst each other and with God, they would be purposeful and effective witnesses for Him. In order for the gospel to be carried throughout the world, those who carried that message had to have one heart and mind. They all had to share the responsibility of not only the mission, but the message as well. Jesus said that the greatest testimony to the world was going to be their love for one another and their spiritual like-mindedness. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This love for one another included not only a mutual respect as leaders but also care and compassion as fellow eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Unity among the disciples was critical.

In the closing session of FUEL, we came together as one. We signed a banner as a commitment to the call of Jesus upon our lives. In that moment we joined our hearts and embraced the mission of making disciples of this teenage generation. In his last days, Jesus prayed that those who would follow after him would be united as one (John 17:21). He knew the trouble that was coming. He knew how challenging the call would become and in that moment he prayed that all believers would become one. Together, we will encourage, support and move forward with one another as we seek to faithfully live out His calling upon our lives.

This week, a small poster of that banner will be mailed out to each youth leader that signed it. It will remind us of our commitment and will serve as a moral compass to our ministry practices. It also will serve as an encouragement of everyone else who is walking alongside of us, joining together to be “like minded” in reaching this youth culture.

If you were not at FUEL12 but would like to join the 230+ Wesleyan youth leaders in this calling, go to http://www.facebook.com/wesleyanyouth to read the commitment. Simply post the comment “I will follow”. In return we will mail to you the same small poster. Sign it and keep as a reminder to the calling we all have. Join the movement, become united and let’s all reach this youth generation for the glory of God.

Over 230 Wesleyan youth leaders gather together in Louisville, KY for the annual training event, FUEL. Director of Youth Ministries, Scott Simmons, started the conference by giving a  “State of the Wesleyan Youth Movement” Address. He shared eye-opening statistics about today’s youth culture and centered everything on one basic question: “Is the Gospel you’re sharing producing disciples?” Discipleship was an important topic of FUEL as it prepared us for the theme and vision of the International Wesleyan Youth Convention Follow 12, scheduled for December 28-31.

Kyle Idleman, teaching pastor of Southeastern Christian Church and author of “not a fan,” shared in two sessions on Friday. Kyle taught us that “You cannot lead students where you are not going,” challenging all 230+ of us to take our walk with God to the next level. He also reminded us “What you win them with is what you win them to.” Meaning, if we attract students with shallow/flashy products, we will win them to a shallow/flashy faith. If we attract students with authenticity and discipleship, we will help create a sincere faith focused on serving the Lord.

Round table discussions were held between sessions, led by some of our own youth ministry veterans. This was a great time for practical application, and fellowship. It also created time for youth pastors to ask specific questions in ministry.

A-Town A-List was the house band for the first three sessions, and front man Dustin Ahkoui emceed the event. They did an incredible job entertaining a room full of student pastors and workers. They were funny, creative, engaging, and sounded incredible.

The last session started with a powerful worship set from The A-Town A-List. Scott Simmons closed out the night by challenging the Wesleyan youth leaders to be united through their calling in reaching this teenage generation. “Our challenge,” as Scott explained, “as ministers of the Gospel, is to help students become more like Christ every day.” The session closed with a call to us as student ministers to live a life worthy of the calling we have received (Ephesians 4:1). The session ended with over 230 youth leaders coming together and signing this covenant:

“Our calling as ministers of the gospel is to help students follow the way of Jesus, not that they become “religious” or “more involved”, but that young people will become more like Jesus in their everyday life.

As Youth Ministers

- We make a daily decision to die to ourselves and live for Christ (Luke 9:23)

- We will pursue Godly relationships over earthly possessions (Matthew 6:33)

- We will value holiness over hype in our ministry practices (2 Timothy 2:15)

It is our charge, our responsibility and our privilege to live lives worthy of His calling.”

After 10 stops in 8 states plus 1 stop in New Brunswick, Canada, the Follow tour has come to an end.  We logged over 8,500 miles and clocked 960 hours as the invitation to Follow Jesus was given to over 6000 students. The Follow tour, which started back in April made its final two stops December 29-30 at the First Wesleyan Church in High Point, N.C. and simultaneously at the Skyline Church in San Diego, CA.

Taking a detour from the traditional way of holding the Regional Wesleyan Youth Conventions, the Wesleyan youth division took the conference on the road hosting the events in our churches and college campuses. This allowed us to cut the cost of registration, build relationships with the local church, raise up new leaders, and most importantly, reach more students.

God showed up in a mighty way and students responded. 510 students made first time decision to accept Christ as their savior. 1170 students re-dedicated their lives to him. 749 students answered God’s call into fulltime Christian ministry and over 2,500 students made commitments to “Follow” Jesus and serve him wherever he may lead.

While the Tour has come to a close the movement has just begun. The 2012 International Wesleyan Youth Convention has been set for Louisville, KY this coming December 28-31. Before the dust can settle from the tour, the international convention will continue with the same call to “Follow” Jesus. We believe that these students can shape the culture they live in. God can use them to bring the message of His hope and love to a desperately seeking generation. Follow 2012 will challenge them to do just that. Watch the Follow 2012 Promo Video.

Faith, Grace and Works
Luke 8:4-15

The first time I ever heard the story of the Sower and the Soil was when my uncle Mike read it to me. I was 16 and he called me over to his house one afternoon. Evidently my mother had called him with concerns about how I was living my life. Since I had no father growing up, my uncle served that role in my life from time to time. It was cool when he would take me camping; it was not cool when he would have to question my faith. His words stung as he pointed out that I did not have “deep roots” and was in risk of “falling away” in the face of temptation. What my uncle taught me that day was “where there is no fruit, there is no saving faith”. That’s the sobering truth behind the parable of the sower. And the sad thing is he had me dead right. He called it and I had no excuse. In my heart I was a Christian, but my lifestyle was far from it.

Many people’s hearts look the same way.  Believers have enthusiastically signed up for Jesus and committed to following him,  but either the concerns of the world or their own callousness have impeded progress to the point that we stop and question question whether they’re still in class with Christ or not.  The truth is anyone owned by Him, filled with his Word, and possessed by his Spirit will bear fruit.

As leaders we often encounter the person who prays to receive Christ, but doesn’t really get into church, youth group or the Bible, or anything.  What if a person accepts Christ but nothing changes… will he still go to heaven?

In other words, is it possible for a person to be legitimately saved without being transformed?  What if the meaning of this parable says, “no?”  There are all kinds of people who take an initial interest in Christ and make public professions of faith, but many, sadly, don’t take the Gospel to heart.  They may give brief evidences of life-change, like going to church and carrying a Bible, but they soon show their true colors.  They are unproductive, and therefore, unregenerate.  This parable suggests that three out of four hearts that hear Christ don’t know him.

Some people will find this idea unacceptable.  They will want to talk about grace, argue against lordship salvation, and remind you of a little reformation doctrine called justification by faith.

But I am reminded of what James said: Faith without works is dead.  It cannot save.  I also remember John Calvin’s formula for reformation: Faith alone justifies, but faith that justifies is not alone.  It results in works of obedience.

This in no way discounts grace.  Grace is the agent that calls forth faith and saves us as a result.  Far from being anti-grace, a belief in the necessity of transformation upholds grace.  It says that anyone who legitimately receives the supremely powerful grace of God cannot help but be changed.  The same grace that saves us is the same grace that grows and sanctifies us.

“T’was grace that brought me, safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

Amazing Grace, John Newton

How can God grip a life without it being radically altered?
How can the Holy Spirit possess a person without bearing fruit through them?

“And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?”

Everything, Lighthouse

I’m grateful that my uncle read this parable and tested the quality of my own heart-soil. As leaders I want challenge you to chart your progress and see if spiritual fruit is growing there.  Luke 8:18 says, Consider carefully how you listen.  We must not let the words of Scripture merely enter our ears.  Those words need to saturate our hearts so that eventually they will get pumped out in our actions.

Test the quality of your heart’s soil. In this parable Jesus speaks to four types of hearts, what’s the condition of yours?

• The Hardened Heart — Represented by the hard path, this heart stiff-arms the Gospel.  It remains unstirred and unresponsive.Acid Test: Does the Bible bore you?

• The Weakened Heart — This person is like shallow, rocky soil.  There is an initial response to the Word, but pressures and difficulties cause the person’s faith to wilt.Acid Test: Do you relax your standards around unbelievers?

• The Congested Heart — This heart is crowded by both the Word and worldliness.  The cares of life, the allure of money, and the pursuit of pleasure choke out God’s influence.Acid Test: What do your priorities say about your heart’s first love?

• The Transformed Heart — The legit Christ-followerAcid Test: How are you different today than you were six months ago?

The Follow Tour made two stops in November (Grand Rapids, MI and New Brunswick, Canada) – more venues scheduled!

The Follow tour partnered with Bethany Bible College and their student weekend, Encounter. Over 300 students attended and were challenged with the call of Jesus to follow after him. Dr. Jim Dunn spoke and opened an invitation to students who were experiencing God’s call on their lives. Over 250 students responded to the call of full-time Christian vocation, and a call to serve Jesus in whatever capacity they could. John Vermilya, from Kingdom Building Ministries was also a featured speaker. Reports are still coming in as to the response students made at this event.

The Follow tour also made a stop at the Kentwood Community Church in Grand Rapids, MI, where over 300 students gathered as well to hear the same message of Jesus. Jeremy Kingsley was one of the featured speakers and gave an invitation for students to receive Christ as their savior. Fifty-three students made first time commitments and 85 rededicated their lives to Jesus. Rev. Scott Simmons spoke, giving students an invitation to answer God’s calling on their lives. Thirty students responded to the call of full time ministry and 62 more answered the call to serve him in whatever profession they choose. The conference ended with over 100 students accepting the challenge of Matthew 16:24 to follow Jesus.

The Spiritual Formation Department and The Wesleyan Youth division would like to thank Pastor Ian Nacy and the entire staff of the Kentwood Community for hosting the event, as well as Rev. Scott Rhyno and Bethany Bible College for allowing the Follow tour to come to BBC.

Moving forward – the next two venues are scheduled for December 29-30 at Skyline Church in San Diego, CA and First Wesleyan Church in High Point, North Carolina. Details and online register available at mywycon.com. Early registration deadline with a free t-shirt is Dec. 15, 2011. Follow the movement @mywycon.