Underground ReLOVEution

I've been thinking a lot about how to reach out to our community and see more people come to know Jesus. One thing I've noticed since I've been in youth ministry is the idea of depth. No matter how big, small, cool, lame, or interesting we've been in the youth ministry, one thing has never changed and that has been this sense of depth in the youth group. We deal with deep things, we talk about deep things, we worship deeply and we pray to a deep God. We don't stay shallow or on the surface, and we're not just about having a fun time, but about having Jesus move all of us and move us deeply.

This is AWESOME! It's something that I don't ever want to see change. I don't want to become like other youth groups where there are a lot of people and a lot of excitement but no depth. I want to be a place where Jesus is sought after deeply.

Part of the deal though, is that the church is called to "momentum". In the Gospel of Mark Jesus says:

18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

We are part of a church that was made to move. Jesus' Great Commission was to go to the end of the earths and make disciples of him. Our movement is one of momentum. While reading this book An Unstoppable Force, Erwin McManus made a comment that momentum=mass times velocity. Velocity is our goal, that we are growing deeper and moving towards Jesus. I think we have that. I've been so encouraged over the last few weeks hearing stories about different students who are following hard after Jesus and really pursuing him. That's awesome. The other part of the equation is Mass though. Mass means people. I want to clarify this because I don't want this to become about having a massive youth group with no depth. That would be horrible if we became shallow and lost what made this place beautiful, but I want to see more people invited into this place of depth. We need to be about the people around us, seeing them as desperately needing more, needing depth. When we have depth or velocity, and mass, it truly is an unstoppable force and God can begin to transform this area through you guys, the students. I believe that he has something big for you guys, here. Not a few years down the road when you graduate and go do something with your life, but now, while you are in high school or jr. high. I believe you guys can do something big NOW.

So go.