Theology Evolved?

I am Educating as a Youth Pastor:

“…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

“…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)

This is an extreme important calling to me. Too many times I have reflected upon my bible classes in college or conversations with non-Christians who had real questions about the bible and realized how ill prepared I was in knowing the bible as something more than a collection of stories with morals. Historical context, language, cause and effect relationships, all of these were lost on me.

My hope is that through a Sunday morning or intense midweek bible study I can get the youth to understand why knowing the bible is important and showing them the intricacies that help the bible make sense.

As far as knowing why the bible is important, is because it is the single volume of literature on which we profess our faith, so to have a surface level understanding just does not cut it. If you are a professing fan of any given sports team, a devout fan who wants to show it, you know what is going on with the team: the history of it, the staff, potential trades, players, etc. Often times Christians have knowledge of their hobbies than the core part of their identity. It is important that we do not just send them out with a paper-thin knowledge, but rather a knowledge that covers much more and encourages a desire to know more.

I do not approach this naively, I know that there will be those who do not really care about the deeper aspects, and Christianity is just a cover, a façade, or something their parents made them do. I was one of those at one time. But what I do know is that I can try to do my best to educate, to be open to questions and to be a friend who cares to teach the students.

I was a Youth Pastor?

My focuses would be on:

1. To disciple and educate the young believers into mature and knowledgeable Christians capable of being ambassadors of the Most High God.

2. To demonstrate and encourage a relationship based evangelism where it is more important to have an authentic relationship showing the love of Christ and encouraging towards salvation rather than the broad shotgun approach to gain lots of surface level salvations with no follow-up.

3. To provide a venue where young believers can increase in their faith and be where they can worship and fellowship while also providing another venue designed to be “non-believer” friendly that encourages having an open mind towards Christianity and is a fun atmosphere.

4. To establish a mentorship program where I take the time to cultivate students, also to have adult leaders mentor, as well as graduating high school students take younger students under their wings to help build a inter-generational youth group.

5. To show students a broader perspective of the world by taking them on short-term mission trips to various parts of the world covering multiple income levels and demographics.

6. Top provide for times of relaxation and introspective meditation where students can meet God in an intimate way through retreats and also to provide a community involving broad invitation camp for a fun getaway for those who are not Christians.

7. To encourage students to build an inter-church youth group to dissolve divisions between churches.


There will be a deeper look at each of these to follow as I finish researching, writing, editing, rinsing and repeating. Should not take too long. Check back.

So as some of you have noted, I have not put up a blog since I attained my job with Simpson University, some even blamed the job for me not being able to blog. Well, as of last week, I am unemployed again, for a variety of reasons Simpson has decided I was not a good fit for them and have sent me on my merry way. They did give me a full paycheck, and I am surviving off that and what money I had in savings and I have been hitting the job market. I probably won't return to having any form of abundance of money anytime soon, but if you all could be praying for me I would appreciate it. I have a car payment and insurance payments I was not previously covering. So I am in a bit of a pinch, but I trust that God will show me the open doors, I just need to make sure I have my blinders off so I can see them.

Currently I have my resumes in with these local businesses
1. Moonstone Bistro Waiter (1 Interview Down, 1 to Go)
2. City of Redding Customer Service Rep
3. Verizon Wireless Assistant Retail Manager
4. Target Stores Executive Team Leader
5. Personnel Hiring Center Branch Manager

I am also considering that I might have to pull of a second job, maybe go back to Starbucks, not an exciting thought, but it is a possibility.

Anyways, happy to be back, I will try and keep you all better informed.

Okay so here's the deal.

This morning (12:01am) I shaved my beard off. Why? Because I had a job interview. Perhaps better said career interview with a very large, well known company, and I am really excited because this is more than a job, its a chance to really get into a career where I can be part of a business that I think is a great job. It is to become a management trainee with a major car rental company. I drove down to Sacramento today for my 3rd and final interview. Now it is all about the wait, and I HATE the wait. My nails are gone, trimmed down by the good ole ivories, and I have gone through 3 episodes of 24 season 2 which haven't helped the nails anymore. So yeah... Now my ADD nature has brought me back to the blogosphere.

I hope this wait only lasts hours and not days.