New Look... Same Blog

I'm trying out a new look for my blog. The all blue thing was kinda drab (although it did remind me of my favorite jeans). Let me know what you think!

Lock-In Madness!!!

The Youth had a Lock-In this weekend. Since it was a holiday weekend, we held the Lock-In at the church from Sunday night to Monday morning (since they didn't have school). If you have church Lock-Ins and are looking for a good time to host them, let me tell you that they work really well on holiday weekends -- there aren't as many sporting conflicts, and typically more adults can volunteer.

Anywho... it was quite the weekend! At the Lock-In that we had in the fall, about 16 kids were here. Not bad... This time, the word must have gotten out that we host a really great Lock-In, because we had 28 kids! That's right... 28! They just kept on coming! It was awesome! (It was also made a few of the volunteers nervous to be that outnumbered... but we all survived!)

The big hit at the Lock-In: video games. Specifically, the musical video games of Sing Star, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band. Not only are the kids hooked, but I'm pretty sure that I'm hooked, too. Seriously -- Guitar Hero is addictive! Perhaps it helps that the music that's featured in Guitar Hero is the music that I grew up enjoying. (Yes... I'm a pastor. And yes, I used to listen to groups like Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath. In fact, I still do. I'll take listening to Black Sabbath over practically any country music group anytime!)

If you have not tried your hand (or voice, in the case of Sing Star) at one of these games, I highly recommend that you do! It is crazy fun, and it is a great way to connect with youth!

Movin' On Up...

So, the Interim Head-of-Staff pastor decided that he didn't need to have the monster-sized desk that was in his office. Instead, he wanted to have a much smaller desk. Lucky for him, the desk that I have been using for the past 2 1/2 years was the perfect size! I've barely had room to put a few books on my desk, but apparently, he doesn't need that much space.

So not the monster-sized desk is mine. Seriously - it is HUGE! We traded desks last week, and now I have a TON more space to spread out all of my crap -- I mean, all of my "highly important ministerial accouterments". But, as it tends to happen with any kind of move, this has suddenly become the time to sort through and clean out my collection of highly important ministerial accouterments.

Seriously... it is like an archaeological dig in my office right now! There are papers in my file cabinet that I have never looked at, never needed, and frankly...I don't think I even knew they existed. Much of what I am finding that has taken up so much space is crud that was left here by the DCE that had this office before they called an Associate Pastor.

I have a feeling that the "round file" is going to be full before the end of the day...

Holy Ghost...?

So... the 4 year old daughter of one of my parishioners said the following as her family was driving to church a few weeks ago:

"I don't believe in the Holy Ghost. I don't believe there are ghosts. [slight pause] I believe in Santa."

God bless the world's youngest theologian!