Don't Tiptoe

"All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life just to arrive at death safely.  But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or  dance- just don't tiptoe."  ~ Shane Claiborne

"I'm Sorry, Facebook"

Let's start with this admission- I don't do Facebook.  I have never had an account and I am not likely to anytime soon.  Marilyn (my wife) has had one for almost 4 years now and I keep up with most anyone I care to keep up with on her account.  She loves it, especially seeing the pictures of all the babies being born to our former youth group members all over the country and keeping up with her hometown friends from Elkin, NC.  But for the most part, when I check out her page, it just aggravates me.  I love my Twitter, and often find myself in agreement with those who say, "Facebook is where you "like" people you know and wish you didn't. Twitter is where you follow people you don't know but wish you did."

Then this past weekend Facebook threw me a curve.  Mike Newsome, an old friend that I worked with at Quaker Lake Camp back in the late 1980s, discovered this blog. As he read some of the Quaker Lake stories here he began to search for old friends on Facebook. In the process he discovered some old QLC pics that had been on Marilyn's page for a couple of years now and began tagging people and making comments.  For the rest of the week, there was an explosion of activity from people I had not seen or heard from in many years on my wife's page.  These old friends, many of whom were instrumental in the path my life took both as a person of faith and as a youth pastor, were suddenly back!  It was incredible.  There were even people I didn't even know commenting on 35 year old pictures and talking about all the memories they brought back.  This ancient 1978 QLC summer staff picture got the most attention:

Staffers, relatives of staffers and people who had barely met these staffers stopped by with "likes" and comments on this and other pics.  It didn't take long for talk of a reunion to pop up.  Seeing that folks like Mike (back left), Lynn Farlow Ossman (striped shirt) and Alice Carroll (front row, third from left) had stopped by was just so exciting.  And Susan McBane Tuggle (front right) kept the conversation going with comments all over the place. It was simply wonderful. This blurry staff pic from 1980 (which apparently I took, since I am not in it) also got lots of attention, and had many of us asking the "Whatever happened to ?" questions about so many.  It also made me miss so many other NCYM Quakers who I have not seen in years in a big way.

And then this great pic of Martha Ratledge Farlow taking part in an old school QLC tradition- being stuffed in the pot sink (by Carl Semmler among others)- was visited and commented on by her sons Carl and Jacob and her sister Nan.  The fun just kept on coming!

So I am left with the realization that perhaps Facebook can make a positive contribution to society after all. Maybe it is not just endless memes, outlandish drama and uninformed political commentary.  Perhaps there can be more to Facebook than meets the eye.  I always try to admit when I am wrong, so I want to issue an apology. "I'm sorry, Facebook, for all of the mean things I have said about you. Thanks for a wonderful weekend with old friends."  But I am still not opening an account...

Because of Jesus,

30 Years of EPCOT Center

EPCOT Center turns 30 years old today.  The Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow opened October 1st, 1982 with a promise that it would look to the future and bring the world together in new ways.  There have been many changes over the years; in fact, it is no longer called EPCOT Center. It is now simply Epcot.  

I first visited EPCOT Center as part of our honeymoon in 1986.  In 1987, 1990 and 1993 I brought youth groups from Springfield Friends Meeting to Walt Disney World.  Trying to explain Epcot was tricky.  The adults all joked about not using the E word.  The truth is, Epcot was and is a very educational place. That is NOT what you tell teenagers on summer vacation.  But the park was also great fun.  I have had many great experiences and adventures there over the years, and I thought today I would share a few of my favorite memories and places at Epcot.

* The San Angel Inn-  This restaurant inside the Mexico Pavilion has more memories for me than almost anyplace in all of WDW.  I went there with my wife, my parents, my youth groups and many old friends.  I am not much of a drinker, but I have had a margarita or two at the Inn.  I have introduced people to an amazing appetizer (queso fundido) and one of my favorite desserts ever- Chocolate Moose Kahlua Pie.  I also once ran from the restaurant with a stomach bug and threw up all over the bushes just outside the entrance.  I love this place.
* The Candlelight Processional- Every year since the mid 1990s The American Gardens Pavilion has hosted this Christmas spectacular, and we have attended many times.  A 400 voice choir, a full orchestra and a celebrity narrator reading the birth story of Jesus straight from scripture are the highlights of this incredible event.  And they do it from Thanksgiving to New Years, 3 shows a night- and all of them are full. It's free, but you'd better get there early. Last year Marilyn and Will stood in line for 2 hours to see guest narrator Neil Patrick Harris...
* Last Ones Out- Click this link to read this great story of the night in 1987 when we closed EPCOT.

* The Norway Conundrum- On our 1990 youth group trip, the Norway Pavilion was new to most all of our participants, having just opened in 1988.  I notice a large numbers of our students seemed to be spending a lot of time there. I assumed it was because the ride, The Maelstrom, was a lot of fun. It turns out it was that the Norwegians working the pavilion- both male and female- were just really attractive.  Go figure...
* Dining Reservations- In 1993 we had a large group staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We had dining tickets (this was way before any dining plans) and were going to use them one night at Epcot.  There was one problem. In those days, Epcot dining reservations could be made only at the park and only on the day you intended to eat there.  So at 8 AM one morning I went to the computers outside of Spaceship Earth and made reservations for nearly 50 people, split between 6 different restaurants.  The cast member who helped thought I was insane. And I probably was. But we got it done.  And the students all had amazing meals and an amazing night.

* Will's Playpen-  For the first 4+ years of my son's life we lived in Kissimmee.  During that time, my parent's would pick Will up around once a week and they would go to EPCOT Center.  They didn't do a whole lot- they were just there.  Will took naps in the countries, learned about the many characters and just generally grew up a Disney kid. When we moved to Chicago in 2000 we were nervous about how we were going to explain to him that a park was going to be something completely different now...
* The International Gateway- During the years that we lived in Kissimmee we would often park at the Yacht Club Resort and walk to Epcot, entering through the "back door"- the International Gateway.  There as never a line to get in, and we could walk into World Showcase early in the mornings and wander at our leisure, often eating breakfast at the bakery in France.  In those days the entire park opened at the same time, so we could often make our way through the countries while the masses stood in line in Future World.  We felt so smart.  Parking restrictions at the hotels and later opening hours for World Showcase has since ruined this wonderful little secret...

* Things I Miss- This list of things no longer there could go on and on, so I will just hit the high notes.  Horizons is still my single favorite pavilion that ever existed at the park. I miss Buzzy and Cranium Command.  I miss the Kitchen Kabaret at the Land Pavilion. I miss the majesty of Walter Cronkite's narration in Spaceship Earth. I miss the marching band. And I miss being able to watch Illuminations from the landing behind the Rose & Crown Pub at the UK Pavilion.  Best spot ever, but now reserved for the VIP crowd most nights.  Sigh...

* My Dad- Right up until his passing in 2006, no one loved EPCOT Center any more than my father. He loved having a beer at the pub. He loved the restaurants. He loved listening to live music and seeing the street performers anywhere he could find them. He loved The American Adventure, the movie in Canada and everything about Germany.  He took the picture you see at right of Marilyn and I with a Scottish-clad Goofy (dad's favorite character) at the park during WDW's 20th anniversary celebration.My dad loved Epcot.  And a part of him is still there, hanging out behind the pub.  Literally.  Just one more reason to love the place!

Those are a few of my memories of EPCOT Center. I'd love to hear some of yours!

10 Songs You Might Be Surprised To Find On My I-Pod

I freely admit that when it comes to music, I am, for the most part, an Old Geezer.  Much of what is on my I-Pod (and yes, mine looks exactly like the one pictured!) would not surprise those of you who know me.  There is lots of classic rock, lots of 1985-2007 Contemporary Christian Music, lots of 1970's folk/rock (think James Taylor, Jim Croce, America and Dan Fogelberg), some modern worship music and plenty of Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett and Beatles.  However, one of the leftover habits from all my years as a youth pastor is trying to keep up with new music.  Artists like P!nk, Safety Suit, Of Monsters and Men and 30 Seconds to Mars pop up anytime I hit shuffle.  There are a few songs and artists on my playlist that might make you do an audio double take, and so as a service to you- my faithful readers- today I offer up 10 tunes that you might be surprised to know that I love.  There is even a country song! There is NO hip hop or rap. I do have standards.  In no particular order, here we go...

1. Everybody Talks- Neon Trees
2. Runaways-  The Killers  (In fact, I have a ton of The Killers on my play list right now.)
3. She's So Mean-  Matchbox Twenty  (I LOVE this song!)
4. Some Nights- Fun. 
5. Keep Me In Mind- Zac Brown Band  (I know it is country. But I have my reasons...)
6. Bulletproof Heart-  My Chemical Romance  (My son Will has me hooked on My Chem.)
7. I Will Wait- Mumford & Sons  (Probably not a surprise that I love these guys, but this new single blows me away!)
8. Kicks- Paul Revere and the Raiders  (One old school surprise. Very old school...)
9. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To- Weezer
10. California- Delta Spirit (You may not know this one, but it is one seriously amazing song.)

So there it is.  Maybe later I will list the least surprising songs on my playlist,  But until then, let me know which of these messes with your mind the most. And I 'd love to know what you listen to that might surprise me.  Have a blessed day!

Be the Change

I first read this story a very long time ago and used it in a sermon in 1992 at Springfield Friends Meeting.  I wanted to share it with you today as an encouragement to us all. Too often in today's world we like to complain about the way things are, but we seldom seem to do anything to make things better. This is often especially true in the church.  Jesus doesn't want us to sit around and complain.  He wants us to get out into the world and do something GREAT in His name.  I have no idea if this is true, But it is a great story...

A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring to him. They were too far behind the times, with boring tunes and meaningless words.  His father put an end to the discussion when he said, "If you think you can write better hymns, then why don't you?"  The boy went to his room and wrote his first hymn.  The year was 1690; the boy's name was Issac Watts.  Among the almost 750 hymns he penned in his lifetime are When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, O God Our Help In Ages Past and Joy To the World.  Feeling bored?  Do something great to serve God.  Wouldn't it be amazing if we were still remembered for our faithfulness 320 years from now?

Do you love the church of Jesus Christ too much to leave it the way it is?

Because of Jesus,

Friday Flashback: Old School Youth Ministry

I read a blog post this week that stressed the idea that using youth ministry as a stepping stone to "real ministry" was a dangerous idea.  I couldn't help but laugh a little bit, because I remember well having discussions about that same issue with friends- in 1978!  It is tempting to say that student ministry never changes.  But as you can read below in this vintage post, that is is just not true...

Most of you know (because it says so right at the top of this blog) that I spent 28 years in youth ministry. For the vast majority of the years from 1978-2007 I worked for churches and church organizations. I witnessed a lot of growth and a lot of changes during those years. I was a part of one of the first generations of career youth pastors. Up until the late 1970's, youth work was something you did on your way to something else.  Can you believe that once upon a time people thought the only difference between being a youth pastor and being a senior pastor was age?  Most full-time youth leaders were hired as Associate Pastors or Directors of Christian Education and then thrown to the wolves, regardless of their gifts.  I was around when pretty much the only resources for youth leaders were the Ideas Books.  I was there when youth groups were after-thoughts for most churches, with no budgets and no staff.  I witnessed youth ministry become a priority in many churches, with all kinds of money thrown at the ministry. With one move in 1994 I went from a $800 budget to a $12,000 budget- for almost the same number of youth!  I worked at one church for $50 per month and did not get paid during the summer, because in those early days most student ministries shut down for those months. During those years I worked at a summer camp.  I served as the regional youth ministry resource person and event planner for Quakers in New England in 1985-86, serving over 80 churches, and was paid $14,000 for the year. In 2000 I took a position at a church in Illinois that paid me over $70,000 for doing less work than any other position I have ever held.  And now I am seeing churches cut staff and budgets as the economy impacts ministry.  At least 2 of the positions I once held no longer exist.  We have come full circle.

When I started there were no cell phones,  VCRs,  PCs, cable TV and no copiers (remember mimeograph machines and making newsletters with clip art and rub on letters?).  We did have overhead projectors, CB radios, reel-to-reel movies and film strips.  The only CCM artists I had ever heard of were Amy Grant, Keith Green, Larry Norman and some lady named Evie.  Kids had yet to "want their MTV."  A Praise Band was called a guitar.  I watched as the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention went from a once a year conference with about 600 in attendance to a multiple city event with many thousands of participants.  In those days Doug Fields was just a guy in Jim Burns' youth group, and quite frankly none of us really knew what we were doing.  Later on, we would elevate some of our peers to celebrity status and look to them for methods and models.  When I started, GROUP was a magazine for the students in your youth group- and that was all.  There were no work camps and no magazine for leaders- just a long-since extinct event for students called the National Christian Youth Congress.  I know you are rolling your eyes and thinking this is all ancient history and that everything has changed since those days.  You probably think we had the first SHO-Time at the Brontosaurus Burger with Fred and Barney. There is no truth to the rumor that Moses was in my first youth group- although Duffy Robbins once told a seminar I had been his youth pastor- way back when Duffy had hair!  He also told them I had been his mother's youth pastor.  You get the point- I have seen a lot.  And sometimes I think we have been too quick to discount our own history.

Lots of the changes have made student ministry much better and helped us have a greater impact in the lives of the youth we serve.  There are under-graduate and post-graduate degrees in youth ministry.  Far more women are serving as youth pastors.  We have learned to use technology in many brilliant ways.  We have created new and better resources and become more focused on ministry, mission and worship.  There are now more conferences for youth pastors than there are youth pastors with soul patches. We have involved more adults in the lives of students.  But sometimes I think we have been guilty of changing simply for the sake of change.  As I wrote here yesterday, new is not always better.  We have bought into new ideas without prayerfully considering their full impact; we have been guilty of being trendy. Let's face it; when we decided it was a good idea to sell youth ministry franchises to churches we may have jumped the shark (or to use the more modern  phrase, "nuked the fridge").  In my humble opinion we have too often chosen program and style over relationships.  By choosing theology over Jesus, we have often paid too much attention to teaching students the answers and not enough to helping them ask the questions.  We have tried to model everything after mega-groups, when in fact the average church youth group reaches about 10 students. And we have, on occasion, sacrificed what is best for teenagers to appease their parents.  I realize in some ways I have no right to say these things. I am no longer a youth pastor; I lost that great privilege in 2007.  But I still have a heart for it and a calling to it.  I have a 17 year old son, and seeing how he and his friends are being ministered to (or in many cases, not) gives me cause for prayer and reflection.  If this post sounds like I am preaching, it is because I am!  Nothing brings out the passion in me more than talking about Jesus and student ministry.  And part of that is remembering the past- both the mistakes (of which there were many) and the lessons learned that can help us be more effective today.  A very wise man (although I don't know who) once said, "History wouldn't have to repeat itself so often if someone would just listen the first time."  Youth ministry, like most other things, has a history that can and should influence the way we do things today.  Ignore it at your own peril.

Because of Jesus,

Less-Words Wednesday

Many bloggers use pictures on their blogs to have a Wordless Wednesday.  Many of you know that I am not capable of being wordless. So let's try a Less-Words Wednesday. :) Enjoy!

My  17 year old son came home from the local Flea Market on Sunday having paid $4 for the vinyl version of one of the greatest albums of all time- U2's The Joshua Tree.  Above is the inside of the album jacket.  I am so proud on so many levels. It's vinyl. It's U2. It's their greatest album. And he paid $4.  That's my boy...