Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, That'll Preach Sayings, Worship & Prayer
Unless The Lord…
This was originally posted by Pastor Corey on February 18, 2012….
1Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those He loves. Psalm 127:1-2
For the past few months, I have been sensing the Lord stir something in the atmosphere. Awhile back, I was speaking 3x (November/December) on Psalms 127:1-2 and how God has an urgent need to build his Kingdom. And about 3 months before that I had a dream about that same scripture (Ps. 127) that literally woke me up concerning what the Lord was doing. Without going into too many details in the dream (on the blog), I was speaking at a large youth/young adults conference for a dear friend of mine, with some other young prominent preachers/worship leaders. And I vividly remember a complete shifting in the conference arena, as I stepped on stage after worship. After paying honor to the conference host (my friend) and joking alittle while, I immediately stated that the Lord, sent me on “assignment” to bring an offense to the conference attenders, specifically the Leaders who were there. And how they have been vying for position and status in the eyes of the world and Christendom. That a lot of the people (leaders) were there to hear more from & “rub elbows” with the prominent leaders, then from what God directly wanted to say to them. After this, I went into the context of my message which was on Psalms 127:1-2 and how we are building houses, God never required or asked us to build. Afterwards, I gave an 2-fold altar call and invitation; 1- for leaders to repent for vying for favorites and 2- for everyone else to surrender!
Fast forward to mid-December – I was sitting in an young adults life group with some of the awesomeness people alive, and I got this huge sense of heat all over me. We were discussing some changes in the ministry and where/what we see God doing. My turn comes around and I didn’t say anything… as if I couldn’t speak. Everyone else finished and as we were closing out for the night, I finally felt led to speak. I recall saying that the Lord is about to do some amazing things in our midst and that we as a ministry was about to apart of a revival in our city. Briefly shared with them on Habakkuk 3:2 and that the prayer of our hearts have to shift to seeing God revive things in our day now. That the past revivals, awakenings and movements weren’t good enough for now, we DESPERATELY NEED our own.
Now that brings me to a couple weeks ago – feeling & sensing those same stirrings in the atmosphere. Stirrings of a season of intense prayer and seeking Jesus for the revival & movement that’s about to take place in my life/ministry and in this generation, that only He can do. I find myself at the mercies of Psalms 127:1-2 once again, rendered over the fact that unless Jesus is the foundation & architect of His house we are wasting our time. A blunt but deep & serious call to ALL believers from the Lord… Here’s my rest, let me build. More and more as I read, understand & study my heart is overwhelmed and burden for the church to allow God to speak directly to us and stop “doing” church. Would love your prayers and encouragements during this time of consecration as I pray & seek a greater desire for more of the Lord… as he builds His house and watches His city! I am looking forward to this time of fasting and seeking the Lord! Even as I prep for my message next week, I’m joyful to rest in the Lord’s presence!
Man is building his house in which he wants God to furnish for man’s sake. All the while God is trying to build His House and furnish it for our sake. HIS (Jesus) work can NEVER become OUR work until we surrender to Him & wait at His feet. Then are we able to become co-laborers w/ Christ…
church, COREY GIBSON, featured, God, Jesus, Jesus Focused, ministry, Pastor Corey Gibson, Psalm 127, Psalm 127:1-2, Rest, The Church, Unless the Lord
Guest Post, Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, Student Ministry, That'll Preach Sayings, Worship & Prayer
Guest Post: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
This was originally written and posted by Pastor Micah Berteau here…
Healthy is not a sexy word in youth ministry. If we are ever asked about the status of our youth group we would love to use words like “growing,” “powerful,” “massive,” “explosive,” “game-changing” and then end that sentence with a humble brag like: “but praise God because He’s the one sending the masses of kids to hear me preach!” Don’t flatter yourself. Humility is the breeding ground of revival. Is that one of those one-liners with no truth behind it? False. Think about it. The Bible clearly states how the humble will be exalted. God is moving in places where he gets all of the glory. God is into promoting purity over pride. Which makes it clear that Humility is a strong indication of spiritual health
The word “health” is most likely not our favorite word to describe our impact on culture. The reality is, we get caught up with size instead of health. We must redefine the metric in which we measure a thriving youth group, or any ministry at that. Numbers without health will not sustain. On the other side, healthy ministries cannot and will not stay without growth. Health does not mean taking a picture at that one angle for social networks that make your youth group look like 2,659 students. Health is being huge in spirit before you are ever huge in number. It is the foundation of prayer that starts with the youth pastor. It is reading the Bible for more than just sermons. It is keeping Jesus as the main focus of our entire operation.
What is one of the most effective ways to build a healthy youth ministry? Copy everything you see on Instagram from other churches. Joking. It’s DICIPLESHIP. Discipleship is showing this young generation the reality of Jesus in their every day lives. Discipleship is replicating who you are. Discipleship is dirty. Discipleship is time consuming. Discipleship is the ultimate Jesus model.
Jesus took 12 nobodies and turned them into some of the baddest people to ever walk on earth. Talk about #SquadGoals. How did Jesus do that? Matthew 4:19 (NLT) states, “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” In this verse we learn the Jesus model of discipleship in three steps.
- COME. Allow the students to come as they are, not as you would like them to be. The greatest leaders aren’t born they’re formed.
- FOLLOW ME. Students need a man/woman of God to follow as they are on their journey with Christ. Someone to text, call, or message at any time of the day for prayer and guidance.
- I WILL SHOW YOU HOW. Our young people no longer need to hear about how they should live, but SEE someone living it out in front of them. Discipleship is more illustrative than it is verbal. Show them how to read the bible. Show them how to worship. Show them how to pray. Leadership is more caught than taught and these young people need to see what a righteous walk looks like.
Understand that everyone you disciple may not make it. Even Jesus had a runaway: Judas. However, do not lose heart because though you may not see the temporary impact, discipleship produces eternal impact.
Micah Berteau has grown up in the house of God. Micah, along with his wife Lindsey, are the youth Pastors of Heart&Soul and Stadium Youth & Young Adult Ministries at The House in Modesto, California. Micah influences hundreds of young people on a weekly basis. He has led events with over 2,000 people in attendance and has had the privilege to see thousands of people saved. Micah is a dynamic, powerful, and enthusiastic speaker. He carries an anointing to speak not only to the youth, but to all generations. His passion and love for God is refreshing and contagious. Micah has a heart for evangelism and a desire to see the youth and young adults of this generation intimately know Jesus and boldly make him known.
Discipleship, featured, Healthy Ministry, Heart & Soul, Jesus, Jesus Focused, Micah Berteau, Pastor Micah, Pastor Micah Berteau, Stadium Youth Ministry, student ministry, This Changes Everything, Youth Ministry
Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, That'll Preach Sayings
Faulty Gospel
Let’s stop this faulty Gospel of adding Jesus to our lives.. Scripture teaches that we must lose our life and then find it it in Jesus. He makes all things New. We can’t add new Wine (Jesus, Holy Spirit) to old Wineskins (Us, in our old state). We must prepare ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit to become New Wineskins ready to accept Jesus!
gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Focused, life, New Wineskin, Wine
Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, Student Ministry
Celebrating 10 Years
10 years ago today, I started my journey in ministry with a focus on young people. And even though I am currently serving as an associate pastor, my heart has always burned for students to come to know the saving love of Jesus and experience the Gospel. Here’s to year 11 of serving the Lord faithfully in FT ministry!!! #BestIsYetToCome #moreLord #stumin
Leadership, Randomness, Reflections & Introspection, That'll Preach Sayings
I’m Weak… And That’s Okay
Ever since I could remember, my greatest weakness & fear was of the big R – REJECTION. Yep, you heard it right… as great, funny, cool and popular as I was and still am – my number one struggle was Rejection. I was scared people wouldn’t like me, that I wasn’t funny enough or even cool enough to be in the “popular in-crowd!” I guess the jokes was on me. This weakness and fear allowed me to not be as bold as I wanted to be in High School. Missed opportunities, missed and failed relationship/dating experiences, emptiness and neglected jobs… all of these things happened because of my fear or weakness of Rejection. Thinking back on it now, I realized how great my impact and influence would have been if I wouldn’t have been scared of what others would say.
At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. [2 Corinthians 12:8-10]
I’ve learned something over the last 3 years that really has guided me when I feel rejection trying to creep up to the #1 spot —‘Even in my weakness, if I’m surrendered to Jesus, he still makes me Strong & when I’m in him, he never sees my weakness!’ Man, what a thought… Are you telling me, I can struggle with my weakness and Jesus still approves me? Good question, the answer is a great big YES // And he gives me strength in the midst of my weakness? YES, and better yet, He will help you overcome this weakness!
I have learned that in some areas I am weak. That in some situations, I am broken and frail. And guess what… I am okay with that. I know that Christ is my strength, therefore I can be weak. As a matter of fact, if I am in Christ, He has to be strong. Because my weakness would’ve killed me or depleted me to the point where I would have been taken out of the race.
Recently I had as situation where I thought I was the “the one,” but in actuality wasn’t chosen. The very minute the news broke, the mindset [spirit] of rejection tried to set me back with what God was doing. Immediately, I found myself in intense prayer over the situation and taking my mind captive to the negative thoughts. Needless to say, I was actually okay with the decision and am content in it. Here, I took another rejection situation, but instead of allowing it to beat me for a few days – I focused on the positives and Jesus’ strength in my life.
I’ve developed a joy in leaning on Jesus’ strength, especially when it comes to ministry and preaching/teaching. When I started in full-time ministry, I used to be afraid of networking with other youth pastor I didn’t know or preaching before large crowds. Now, that my joy in the strength of Jesus outweighs my frailty in my weakness… I like and enjoy networking with other pastors/leaders and speaking to the large crowds. It literally all boiled down to this – I rather be rejected before man.. then to be rejected by God.
Take a look at your life and see where you are weak! It’s in your weakness, the Lord is trying to accomplish the greatest victory for your life. YOU ARE WEAK, But because HE IS STRONG… YOU STILL GET THE VICTORY! I love how the message translation puts the scripture above.. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. This simple means, that His strength and power is made perfect when we are weak and rely on him alone. I’m weak… and that’s okay cause my strength is not in me but in Christ!
bye bye weakness, church, COREY GIBSON, featured, Giftedness, God, hello strength, I'm Weak, I'm Weak... And That's Okay, I'm Weak... That's Okay, Jesus, Jesus Focused, ministry, Pastor Corey Gibson, Rejection, Weakness, Youth Ministry, youth pastor
