Archives For Live to Serve

Black & White

Ben —  February 24, 2014

4-color-puzzle-piece-special-needs

At a time when I felt I knew a lot about student ministry, I still have a crapload to learn.

I am entering this new season right now. A season waiting to take me for an incredibly challenging spin. Had you asked me last year if I would ever venture in this realm I would have told you “I don’t think I have the capacity or bandwidth for special needs ministry.” (By the way, I think we say those words when we’re either too busy or don’t want to take on any new challenges.)

So this new challenge of serving in the special needs arena is something I have honestly been terrified of, thinking I would in no way be able to take on a role at any level, but… evidently as much as I try, I can’t really control all aspects of my life.

Go figure. Continue Reading…

Partnering

Ben —  December 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

“I just don’t know what to do, it doesn’t seem like my son is connecting with their small group leader.”

~ Parent

This question I hear so very often, from parents of students in my friends group, from students talking about parents of their friends, and also from the parents of the group of dudes that hang out with me on Sunday.

The truth is that when conversations between leaders and students happen, most of the time they are not profoundly theological or on that level of complete trust. If they ever do get there, it is because we have learned how to connect with each and every individual student.

We’ve learned to do this: Continue Reading…

Fakin’

Ben —  November 21, 2013 — Leave a comment

Actions, words, in person or even on social media. We all have the opportunity to present ourselves however we want.

We can pretend.

We can pretend to be an awesome father who spends every spare minute with his son and daughters. We can pretend to be a scholar who has the answers to everything. We can pretend to be a badass who can beat up anybody who gets in his way, to protect his family. We can pretend to be a true romantic, as an example of what it means to be a husband, or we can pretend to be the perfect example of how a Christian should live their life. Continue Reading…

Closer

Ben —  November 11, 2013 — Leave a comment

In trying to rejuvenate my writing habits, I wanted to start by sharing the story of why we moved our family 20 miles across town. First, it all starts from back in 2006, when my job moved me and the fam from Phoenix, AZ to Atlanta, GA.

I knew that we had to soon find a place to go on Sunday’s, because well that was the thing to do, and as a Pastor’s Kid I knew it would click sooner or later why we did this “ritual” on Sundays. Perhaps it would seep into the rest of the family and hey, maybe we’ll even join a “bible study” on a Wednesday night or something. Who knows.
Continue Reading…

#429Tribe

Ben —  July 8, 2013 — Leave a comment
9 Members of the #429tribe, along with 2 guests

9 Members of the #429tribe, along with 2 guests

 Dear 4:29 Tribe,

Welcome to High School. We’ve all been together for a while now growing up through Transit, having a ton of fun going on outings to the Hooch and lake, serving together downtown, making silly videos, and most importantly growing closer together as a tribe. It’s been real, and it’s been fun.

However…
Continue Reading…