MYP Director at Lake Junaluska

Friends,

Here is the new description of the opening that I am vacating in June. Application deadline is April 30th. Let me know if you need more information! I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Marty Cauley

Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc – Conference and Retreat Center – a United Methodist institution – located in Western North Carolina, seeks inquirers and applicants for the position of;

DIRECTOR OF MINISTRIES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE [Youth, Young Adults, Children/Families],

Qualified applicants should have a passion for developing transformational, cutting-edge, premier ministry events for young people on a large, year-round conference and retreat center campus with a diverse and global constituency.
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The following professional, experiential qualities are primary:
• Christian background, knowledge of the Scriptures – and demonstrated passion and holistic approach for making Disciples for Jesus Christ through worship, mission, teaching/reflection, music and the arts; including a working knowledge of United Methodist polity, theology, and UM resources for young people.
• Highly developed, creative and spiritual leadership gifts, and a working knowledge of Youth/Young Adult culture, interests, trends, music, drama; as well as entrepreneurial skills, including demonstrated effectiveness in budget management; a growing knowledge of and experience in current and emerging technologies, the Internet, and cyber communications.
• Minimum of 6-8 years experience in Ministries with Young People, and identifiable experience in large event settings (300-500+) preferred.
Educational requirements:
A Masters degree (MDiv, MCE, or equivalent) is preferred – or applicants should have an undergraduate degree and relevant (graduate) coursework in the areas of Christian Education, Religion, or a graduate degree in a related field of study. Preference will be given to applicants who are certified in Youth Ministries/Christian Education, and/or persons who are ordained, United Methodist Deacons, Elders.
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Additional Considerations:
• Ability to travel to build network of regional leaders of young people and for event cultivation.
• A collaborative work-style that exemplifies/promotes relationship- building between young people and leaders of young people, and ministry peers/colleagues.
• Strong skills and experience in: staff/team-building, event planning, organization, and event implementation, Comfortable “on stage” and being the “face” of Ministries with Young People to a wide range of constituencies.

A detailed position descriptions is available online at - www.lakejunaluska.com or by contacting the Human Resources office at Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc. – Karen Kirby, Director (828) 454-6707 email kkirby@lakejunaluska.com or Rev. Roger Dowdy, Director, Director if Ministry/Event Development.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2009 – submit completed application and résumé to:

Lake Junaluska Assembly -Human Resources Department
P.O.Box 67
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
or email to: kkirby@lakejunaluska.com

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Pace of Change

This video highlights the extreme pace of change that our culture is enduring. It asks important questions for those of us who seek to find new ways to share the Gospel in a highly technological age. Take a few moments, watch the video and let me know what you think we should do next!

7 Practices of Effective Ministry

I am always looking for ideas that are practical in helping churches function more effectively. In this set of seven brief podcasts, available here and on Itunes, the Northpointe Team explain some basics to help churches move forward. These are particularly effective if you are stuck and can't get out of your rut. Pass them along to your leadership team, read the book, and the prayerfully begin to strategize your next step.


NPCC * PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

Consulting, Coaching & Chatter : The Top Five Reasons Churches Don’t Grow

I am a voracious reader. I know there are times when other people can say it better, louder, and with more authority than you can. This is the case with 5 Reasons Churches Don't Grow. Bill Tenny Brittain does a good job with some basic things that need to be addressed to get churches back on track. I plan to incorporate some of this learning into the next Academy of Christian Witness! I remain:

Consumed by the Call,
Marty

Consulting, Coaching & Chatter � The Top Five Reasons Churches Don’t Grow

A Look at The United Methodist Way

A primer on Methodism and a call get back to basics! Loving God and loving others!


The United Methodist Way

How People Want to Recieve Info about Your Church

For years I have been saying that sharing your faith and information about your church is caught, like a cold. That you have to be close enough to share your excitement and literally help them catch the bug. Ed Setzer's research seems to confirm this idea! Now we have to help our folks be contagious!

Receptive People? - EdStetzer.com

Town Hall For Hope with Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey's strategies have really helped my family! This will be well worth your time!
April 23, 2009 8 pm eastern time!

Town Hall For Hope with Dave Ramsey

ReThink Church

Time to seize who the church is called to be!

Creative Genius

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love on a different way to think about creative genius.

Church 2.0...Back to Basics

As I prepare to re-enter the life of a local church pastor, I have been spending a lot of my study time reflecting on what is absolutely essential for a church to thrive in today’s culture. Having spent nearly five years going to church instead of leading one, I have noticed that a lot of time the calendars are full, but there still seems to be something missing. Churches are programmed but don’t seem to be engaging the people in their pews, much less the people in their communities. I have spent time reading books like Simple Church and Planting Missional Churches to get a handle on what churches are called to do. I have also been looking at the book of Acts and the early church to try to understand why they were so effective in reaching a culture that was hostile to their message of life. In the end it seems that churches are really about connection. They are about helping people connect in three ways. Church should assist people in connecting to Christ; in connecting to community; and in connecting to their divine calling.

You would think that it is obvious that churches should help people connect to Christ. This obvious statement seems to be missed by many of the churches I have visited over the last five years. While there are offerings to become involved in various programs, most of which seem very worthwhile, there never seems to be the opportunity given to begin or restore people’s relationship with Christ. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a “every head bowed, every eye closed,” play Just as I Am fifty times until somebody comes to the altar kind of guy, but providing some sacred space for people to consider their relationship with God should not be too much to ask of a worship service. I have been to services where the name of Jesus was never mentioned and hardly any scripture was read, much less addressed in the sermon. The church’s primary mission is to assist people to move forward on their spiritual journey, and that journey begins with their embracing the crucified one, Jesus.

Equally obvious and often neglected is the church’s responsibility to assist people in connecting to community. A community provides two essential functions in our lives. First it holds us up. When life is too much to bear, when grief overtakes us or the burdens of life cause us to struggle, a real community will rally around us and keep us from being crushed beneath the load. When the challenges of life seem to cause us to abandon what we believe, a community believes for us until we can believe again. A community holds us up.

Not only does a community hold us up, but it also holds us accountable. This is the less popular task of a community. We don’t really like to be held accountable, but a real community will call us out when we are being stupid, it will help shape us into become the disciples God wants us to be. A real church will provide ways for people to become connected to community. There must be clear processes and an active plan to move people from casual acquaintance to community. From simply worshipping together to being actively engaged in groups that fellowship, grow, and engage each other in authentic and transparent relationships.

The last responsibility of the church is to assist people in discovering their divine calling. God has a plan for every believer. God continually calls us to do ministry and to serve. Some, like those servants in Acts, are called to wait tables and serve widows. Others are called to dig wells in Africa, to serve the poor, and to feed the hungry in their neighborhood. The church must not only help connect people to community, but must also connect them with their calling. It is while participating in that divine calling where people get a taste of the life of abundance that Jesus spoke about.

Connecting people to Christ, to community, and to their divine calling is the back to basics challenge for the church. Everything else must be evaluated to determine if it helps in one of these three tasks or if it detracts. The church must determine if busyness is keeping it from fulfilling its mission. It may be time for the church calendar to be wiped clean and to begin again with a clear understanding of its mission of connection.

Gracious God whose calling is clear, help us be servants who help connect people to Christ, to community, and to their divine calling, in the name of the One who lived a life connecting us to You, we pray. Amen.

Great Small Groups

I was asked by a friend to help his church understand the components of great small groups. Due to scheduling conflicts and other complications I haven't been able to arrange the consultation with them yet but I wanted to share with them the foundations of what makes a great small group! Here are three basics about great small groups:

1. Great Small groups grow together, they study material that pushes them.
2. Great Small groups give together, they serve on some mission effort once a month or so to give them shared narrative and ministry time together.
3. Great Small Groups gather together, they spend time just in fellowship, often over a meal, regularly, with no agenda except to build relationships.

Each of these components is absolutely essential for a healthy and solid small group. For more great stuff on small groups visit: http://www.smallgrouphelp.com/

I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Marty Cauley

Why Blog?

I have done the basic Simpleology course and found it very helpful on organizing your work and getting things done. Now they are doing a course on blogging...looks interesting! More later. To check it out keep reading!

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Your Divine Calling...

Your Divine Calling…Is Revealed:

It seems that everyone I have encountered recently, from middle school students to middle aged adults, are in the midst of existential crisis. Perhaps it is the instability of our economy that has everyone re-evaluating their lives, or maybe it is the dawning of the realization that we are facing a seismic cultural shift. Whenever I have mentored those in the middle of struggle I try to frame the discussion in the context of their divine calling.

I believe that God has a divine calling for each of us. I believe there is a life of significance that we are called to and that, no matter what your age, it is continually being revealed. I believe that our life is one continuous spiritual journey and not a single decision or destination. Even when we go astray, God is calling us back to re-make us and re-shape. I believe you have a divine calling. I believe that the divine calling is revealed through careful study of scripture and yourself, it is revealed in the context of Christian community, and that it is revealed over time.

You divine calling is revealed through careful study of scripture and yourself. Spending time in scripture allows you to be open to the very voice of God. Whenever I teach young people about their divine calling I am careful to explain that whatever God calls you to it will be consistent with the text. That God will not call us to a life that is incompatible with Christian teaching. I know that reading the Bible seems so obvious, but that does not mean that it isn’t essential to revealing your divine calling. If you really want to discover your calling, make a habit to spend a few moments in dedicated and focuses scripture study each day.

In addition to studying the scripture, I also believe that to understand your calling you have to do a realistic self-study. Now, I’m not talking about narcissistic navel gazing, I’m talking about a real discover of what your strengths and weaknesses are. Maybe pick up a copy of Strength Finder, read the book and take the online assessment. I agree with Malcolm Gladwell that our culture focuses far too much time on our weaknesses when we should spend more time building on our strengths. Your strengths are part of your God-given gift mix as well as part of your divine calling. Scripture is full of people who understood themselves (and quite a few who didn’t but that’s a different lesson), like Paul who in 2 Corinthians admitted that he had a “thorn in the flesh” but that God provided the strength to move beyond it and use his strengths to serve the kingdom.

Your divine calling is revealed in the context of Christian community. There is no such thing as a solo-Christian. Christians are formed by community, Christians are called by community. Often people will see in you gifts and strengths (not to mention weaknesses) that you will not be able to see. You divine calling will emerge as you are in fellowship and study with a body of believers. This should include three types of community. It should include corporate worship, being with the whole body of believers. It should include a small group of believers who will hold you accountable to be faithful to your spiritual journey, and it should include a group of believers that you serve with. By serving I mean using whatever part of your divine calling and gifts you have already discovered and use them to serve God. Whether it is feeding the hungry, greeting at the door of worship or making a joyful noise through music, use what you already to have to discover where God wants you to go next!

Your divine calling is revealed over time…it’s not instant. Our culture values instant gratification, often at the cost of quality. Your divine calling is not Easy Mac! It will probably not come in one shining moment of inspiration but slowly over time. The biblical writer admitted that often we “see through a glass darkly,” we cannot see nor can we conceive what God has next for us. Often that is because we would be unable to bear the divine calling that God has for us, there must be a time of preparation before there is a time of seizing. Once again, your divine calling is a spiritual journey, not a single destination. You will never have arrived; God always has more for you if you will continue to heed the calling. A look again at the scripture reveals that most of the leaders in the text spent years, often forty or more, before they realized even part of what God had for them. Seizing your divine calling always requires a season of maturation prior to it becoming integrated into who God has called you to be.

Your divine calling is more about significance than success. Your divine calling will not be measured by your 401K, your investment accounts, or your checkbook balance. There are a lot of people who measured their lives by these things and put all of their faith in earthly vessels, only to watch them disappear overnight. History teaches us that some of the most significant people, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus, had very little by earthly standards but led lives of incredible significance. It is reminiscent of Mark 8 where Jesus asks, “What is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?” Your divine calling may never be your vocation, it may not be your job, but it can be your calling.

Lastly, I believe that one of the greatest sins is to deny your divine calling. Even if it is costly, even if it demands something of you, even if it calls you to a place where you are not comfortable, do not deny your calling. It is God’s best and highest for your life. It is where God wants to bless you more than you can ever ask or think, pressed down and running over. You have a divine call, the question is, will you answer?

Gracious God who calls us, give us the courage and the strength to answer. In the name of the One who answered a call, suffered a cross, and paid the price for our calling, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Carrying a Cross Costs Something

Mark 8

There is a phrase in the text today that is normally skimmed over but is absolutely essential to the reading. V. 34 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples…” Up to this point most of the instruction had been private tutoring to the disciples. This is where Jesus takes it up a notch and makes it clear that this is not a kum by yah camp meeting, but being a follower of Christ is gonna cost something. The cost is a cross. Now for us who wear them around our necks and use the cross as a piece of jewelry, the idea of it is completely lost. For this generation it would have been stunning to say such a ting. Crosses were signs of the oppression they were suffering at the hands of the Roman’s. They were reserved for the worst criminals.

When Jesus was making this announcement he wanted everyone to know what they were getting into, no bait and switch here. See up to this point, even just the beginning of chapter 8, it had been all healings, hero worship and fish and chips…you know, when he healed the blind man, talked smack about the Pharisses, and when he fed 4,000 with a few loaves of bread. I mean, if you have your pew Bible, look at the beginning of the chapter. He was doing the kind of thing that draws a crowd. Peter was already planning on moving into the castle and taking over the kingdom. Suddenly he begans talking about dying and being raised from the dead, about crucifixion and suffering. Peter was quick to let him know that this was not good PR material…lets play down the whole “D-Y-I-N-G” stuff…course that’s when Jesus said, “Get them behind me Satan.” Kind of a Jesus version of a WWF smack down (that phrase is for my friend Chuck who used to be a professional wrestler and still reads my blogs).

Then he hits them with this line: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Carrying a cross requires a choice…daily.
Here is the funny thing about choice, we say we want more choice but usually we want fewer choices. We say we like complex, but most of the time we prefer simple, not easy, but simple. See, simple is uncomplicated and uncluttered, easy is without effort.
Best selling ice cream flavor: vanilla…see simple.
Most used internet search engine: google…see simple, there are only 70 words on the page.
The average home has 100+ channels and usually watch about 3 of them…simple.

Think about it, a lot of life’s decisions are simple, but not easy… “Will you marry me?” Simple four word question, answer is yes or no. Very simple, definitely not easy. Get the picture?

Following Jesus is one of those life questions. Will you take up a cross? Very simple, not easy.

Carrying a cross requires a challenge…daily.
The reason it’s not easy, is that carrying a cross requires accepting a sacrificial challenge. I mostly don’t like sacrificial challenge, that’s because real sacrificial challenge costs something, and its usually something big… Something has to be released so that something else can be obtained. Maybe you have hard the ancient saying, “you cannot reach for the future if you are holding so tightly to the past.”

I have been working out on my elliptical machine almost every day since the first of the year, and I still hate it. I hate the getting ready, the putting on the running shoes, the drinking the water beforehand, and the first 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, I’m good. The challenge for me is the getting started. I know its good for me, I know it, but it’s a choice every day.

I have been reading Malcolm Gladwells’ book, Outliers. It is both the most exciting and most depressing book he has written. The exciting thing is that when it comes to major accomplishments, the ability to obtain a major goal or succeed at a task, studies have shown more than talent, genetics, or social status, what it really takes is directed effort. How much directed effort, 10,000 hours. When you study musicians, good musicians have 8,000 hours of practice and performance; great musicians have at least 10,000. It holds true for hockey players, baseball players, writers, computer programmers, and the list goes on. What happens at that 10,000-hour mark, they believe that somewhere along the line the challenge becomes part of who you are. You quit writing and become a writer. You quit singing and become a singer (don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen American Idol, some of those folks are way behind on their hours). What has been sacrificed? The only commodity everyone has an equal portion of, time.

That is why the book is depressing, because it takes 10,000 hours! That is 40 hours a week for 250 weeks, almost 5 years, of effort doing the same thing in order to break that barrier.

We don’t like challenged that requires that kind of sacrifice in our faith life either. We flock to hear about living our “best life now” as long as it does not require anything from us. We prefer fluffy, formulaic faith, faith that says if you pray this prayer three times, gives this amount and forward this email you will be happy and wealthy today. You see, carrying a cross requires a choice, it requires a sacrificial challenge, and then it requires a change. It requires a radical redirection of what’s important in your life. It is a re-ordering of priorities, a restructuring of your date book, a reconsideration of your checkbook. It requires change.

Carrying a cross requires a change…daily.
The culture in which we live encourages the practice an artificial separation between our faith and our life. We live like there is our Christian self and our work self; our religious self and our secular self. Part of carrying a cross is making a change in how we understand ourselves. We have to realize that we aren’t two different people, we are just one. Body, mind and soul, one being created to worship The One.

See what happens then, once we make the change, we begin to live. That is what Jesus meant when he said I came to give you a life of abundance. It is a life where every day we choose the way of the cross, it is a way of a sacrificial challenge but it is also a way of life that is God shaped and God inspired. It is the life of this cross that gives us real life!