This year, I used some suggestions from Nelson Searcy concerning my personal planning calendar. While some of these suggestions have always been a part of my planning I really appreciated the concise and creative approach Nelson and his team uses when it comes to helping others plan their year. Maybe some of these things will help you as you look at what  God can do in your ministry over the next 12 months. This year, on a personal level, I am intentionally committing to spiritual growth. I want to be FAITHFUL and FRUITFUL.

Nelson suggests that to be intentional about personal spiritual growth you need to look at your calendar from four perspectives. You need to…

1. Abandon Annually
2. Measure Monthly
3. Withdraw Weekly
4. Divert Daily

Tomorrow we’ll look at taking the longview and committing the next 365 days to God through Abandoning Annually.

Survey: 72% of Millennials ‘more spiritual than religious’
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY

Most young adults today don’t pray, don’t worship and don’t read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows.

If the trends continue, “the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships,” says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group’s survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they’re “really more spiritual than religious.”Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, “many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only,” Rainer says. “Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith.”

Key findings in the phone survey, conducted in August and released today:

• 65% rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either.
• 65% rarely or never attend worship services.
• 67% don’t read the Bible or sacred texts.

Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.

“We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church,” Rainer says.

The findings, which document a steady drift away from church life, dovetail with a LifeWay survey of teenagers in 2007 who drop out of church and a study in February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which compared the beliefs of Millennials with those of earlier generations of young people.

The new survey has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.

Even among those in the survey who “believe they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as savior”:

• 68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was “really important in life.”
• 50% do not attend church at least weekly.
• 36% rarely or never read the Bible.

Neither are these young Christians evangelical in the original meaning of the term — eager to share the Gospel. Just 40% say this is their responsibility.

Even so, Rainer is encouraged by the roughly 15% who, he says, appear to be “deeply committed” Christians in study, prayer, worship and action.

Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. “I’m not going to say these numbers aren’t true and aren’t grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches,” says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to “moralistic therapeutic deism — ‘God wants you to be happy and do good things.’ … I would not call that Christianity, however.”

The 2007 LifeWay study found seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30, both evangelical and mainline, who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23. And 34% of those had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.

The Pew survey found young people today were significantly more likely than those in earlier generations to say they didn’t identify with any religious group. Neither are Millennials any more likely than earlier generations to turn toward a faith affiliation as they grow older.

I agree with Hansen. Yes, the numbers seem overwhelming. The task is daunting. The consequences of failure are real. However, all is not lost my friends. Remember, the gates of Hades will not overcome the Body of Christ.

Looks like we’ve got some work to do.

However, day two & three were as close to perfect as you can get. It was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was out, the powder was fresh (an upside of the storm), and the company was awesome! We head home tomorrow but this was one of the best trips I’ve taken with the youth group. Very bueno!!!

Youth Ministry Ski Trip Tip
This is the third ski trip I’ve taken with teens and if I could give one piece of advice to other leaders out there planning a trip for Spring Break ‘11 it would be this:

REQUIRE that your first time skiers take ski school before they hit the slopes!

This is a must for any first timer traveling to ski with us. No if, ands, or buts.

The first time skiers that I have taken have benefitted tremendously from taking the morning lessons. After classes are over I take them up to run some greens. It cuts down on injuries and it helps build confidence in those first timers.

On the flip side, I can’t tell you how many students I see skiing out of control on the mountain only to see them later with their youth group. In fact today I was almost taken out as some student came careening down the mountain, arms flailing, and screaming. She bit it hard and rode the rest of the trail down on her face. I skied behind her and picked up her poles. When I got to her I saw a friend giving her tips.

He’s a tip: Take ski school.

If you’re a youth leader, save yourself some trouble and look out for your kids by requiring the first time skiers take ski school.

Youth ministry (any ministry for that matter) is inherently based on relationships. If you are not intentionally building relationships from day one you will be fighting an uphill battle. When you have put the time and effort into relationships you experience fulfillment beyond explanation. Today was a great reminder of this for me.

Build Relationships With… Jesus. How’s your relationship with the author and perfecter of your faith? Your power as a minister comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus should be at the center of your life and every good thing you accomplish is by him, through him, and for him. What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships with Jesus? Work on your relationship with Jesus.

Build Relationships With… Your Loved Ones. How’s your relationship with your spouse? Your children? Your friends? I will not, will not, will not sacrifice my family on the alter of ministry. You must be building and intentionally work on your relationship with your family. Sandy and I keep a hedge around at least one night a week. It is ours to do with as we see fit. No events, no visitors, nobody but us (and the boy). Sometimes we hit the town. Sometimes we veg out on the couch. Sometimes we run errands. The point is- we set aside specific time for connecting with one another. As our son gets older and as seasons change the world will fight to squeeze more out of us and will throw up obstacles to keep us from building our relationship. We will fight against the tide. You should too. What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships with your family? Work on your relationships at home.

Build Relationships With… The People You Serve. How’s your relationship with your students? Today, I spent a good chunk of my time talking with and messaging students. I was consumed with thoughts about them today I was able to reach out and connect with a good deal of them today. This made all the difference for me. I have seen students grow and open up and reveal their passions and desire for lives that glorify God and impact the world around them. I never would have the chance to experience this if we didn’t have a relationship. As a youth minister, you MUST build relationships with your students. What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships with your students?

Close Friends
We live in a society that isn’t big on deep, meaningful relationships. Find ways to buck that trend. Be intentional about gather a group of people around you that you can call friends. Friends help ease burdens, are there to encourage you, and help you build margin into your life. Who are your closest friends?

Ministry Friends
I am privileged to work amongst a great set of men in an area-wide ministry circle. We genuinely care for one another and enjoy each other’s company. Over the years we have moved from just planning events together to really getting to know one another. We share triumphs and heartaches, frustrations and practical advice. I love these men and I know they care for me and my family. Do you have a group like this around you? If not, what can you do to begin building this type of group in your area? If you are going to stay in ministry long-term you must surround yourself with people who are like-minded and who are in the trenches right alongside you. Who are your Band of Brothers or Sisters?

3 in the Morning Friends
Back in high school I had a group of my buddies that I knew were my 3am friends. These are the guys I could call at any hour on any day. In fact, I still consider these guys close enough to take my call at anytime. Life and situations have changed us (Babies and kids are asleep at 3am) but I am glad I have people like this in my life. Who can you count on to be there for you whenever you need them?

Ministry is not designed to be a solo journey. Get you some friends to help share the burden. Encourage one another and lean on one another.

She is my biggest fan and fiercest critic
No one gives me more encouragement than Sandy. She is quick to tell me that I’ve done good and she is always there to cheer me along. On the flip side, she can be brutally honest. She minces no words when she tells me I could have approached something better. She doesn’t beat around the bush when I’ve messed up either. So whether it is praise or criticism, she is honest with me and that helps me stand firm or to move forward and get better.

She is my sounding board
I often feel sorry for Sandy when she is sitting in one of my classes or participating in something I’m leading because she has had to hear about the content, the teaching, the stories, and the jokes over the course of the last week. I run ideas by her. I ask her if the transitions make sense. I gauge her reaction to a story. She is very familiar with something before I deliver it to the public… and yet… she never seems to mind. Thanks for the input babe!

She participates and leads in my ministry
There is an old joke that says that churches will often get a “two-for-one” deal when hiring youth ministers. That is most definitely the case with Sandy. Sandy participates in classes, bible studies, camps, mission trips, you name it. She cooks meals on Sunday nights, bakes brownies for Wednesdays, and opens our home for Bible studies and movie nights. She prays with girls, encourages the guys, and hangs out with them both. She is not a passive participant in the youth ministry. She is a leader.

She takes care of our home and family
THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY SANDY HELPS MY MINISTRY IS BY TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILY. No joke. Sandy does everything within her power to take care of Hewson and I. She is selfless and she is tireless in her efforts to create a quiet, loving, peaceful home. Everything gets clean, everything gets put away, everything gets taken care of. If this were the only thing Sandy did for me it would be more than enough to satisfy. Instead she takes care of our home and much, much more. Nobody does it better than Sandy. She is the greatest wife, mother, and partner in the world. I can’t thank her enough.

Thank you for every single thing that you do for us Sandy. Hewson loves you. The teens and their families love you. I love you. You are the greatest!

Now, who deserves the credit for your success in life? Give them a call. Send them a text. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

Over Christmas, I downloaded a collection of his articles and talks to my Kindle to read while at the in-law’s cabin in the mountains of Virginia. I remember reading some of them in YouthWorker or other youth ministry resources. I remember how jazzed up they made me feel about youth ministry and I remember how they challenged me to move forward with an open heart and open mind all the while keeping my eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

Below is an excerpt from Yac about the importance of taking care of your own soul while in ministry. Most of you know I am a ferocious reader. I consider reading to be a spiritual discipline that keeps me grounded and gives me the knowledge/tools/desire/focus to progress. Here is the advice Mike Yaconelli gives to youth ministers about the habit of soul tending through reading:

Most youth workers don’t read nearly enough. Yet reading is absolutely essential to your spiritual growth.

ASK THE PEOPLE WHOM YOU ADMIRE AND RESPECT WHAT BOOKS THEY READ.
If you’re drawn to certain people, then chances are they have the same reading interests you do—so trust them to get you on the right track.

NOTE THOSE AUTHORS YOU RESONATE WITH, THEN GET ALL OF THEIR BOOKS.
(I have my own group of authors who, through their books, have become my reading-world friends: Eugene Peterson, Barbara Brown Taylor, Walter Wangerin Jr., John Claypool, Earl Palmer, Henri Nouwen, Calvin Miller, Frederick Buechner, Alan Jones, Will Willimon, Evelyn Underhill, and Philip Yancey. I read everything they write. Somehow they know me; they name my struggles and put into words what I’ve been unable to find words for.)

PLACE THOSE FEW BOOKS THAT HAVE REALLY AFFECTED YOU IN A BOOKCASE CLOSE TO WHERE YOU WORK.
In my study I have all my favorite books—my friends—just to the left of my desk and within arm’s reach. I have lots more books in my study, but my friends are right next to me.

INTERACT WITH YOUR BOOKS. Mark your favorite passages, make notes, mark and then file the quotes that grip you. Books are made to be marked—and stained with tears, too. Reading is more than gathering information—it’s a relationship.

DON’T WORRY IF YOU TAKE A BREAK FROM READING NOW AND THEN.
Sometimes your soul needs space and time to process what’s going on in your life. At such times reading can distract you from the soul work you should be doing.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T LIMIT YOUR READING TO SPIRITUAL BOOKS.
Read recent novels, old classics, biographies, short stories, essays, articles. Christians aren’t the only ones speaking truth. Truth is truth, regardless of who says it.

Thanks for the challenge Yac!