New Year, New "stuff"

What a great year it has already been! The Fall Retreat last week was epic? Many students seemed to fall in love with Jesus all over again. My prayer is that the intimacy experienced has made its way back to Rochester and will transform the halls of schools, homes, and activities.

So, new school year - what's new? Bamber Valley on Wednesday nights is the main new item you may have noticed. We meet on Wednesday nights for a bigillion reasons, but I will just name 2, 1) so families can simplify their lives by having 1 particular night of the week where someting is offered for everyone - children, youth, Women's Ministry, and Men's Ministry - encourage your teen to be a part at Bamber and then go be a part of something yourself and 2) so more students can take part because of less scheduling conflict with sports. The change has been a great addition. More students are active on Wednesday nights and they are able to all meet together at one time which allows for greater depth in relationships.

That's all I have for this update. Just wanted to get back in the swing of things for the year. I look forward to updating this sight regularly so you can see what is going on with your teen and get some ideas on how you can encourage them in your home.

Love you parents - it's an honor serving with you

Reggie

HOW I CAN INVEST IN MY STUDENT THIS WEEK?

This week, just make a point to pray with your teen every single day. Pull him or her aside everyday and simply pray! Pray for them, their friends, your relationship with them, their future spouse, their future kids, that they would be consumed by Christ and live radically for Him, etc.

 

The importance of relationships

Hey Parents

It has been a few weeks since my last update to you. Thank you all for your support recently with the passing of my Brother-in-law. Karlee and I were overwhelmed by the love you poured out to us through prayer and encouragement.

The High School ministry is presently going through a series on relationships. This series covers issues regarding building and sustaining relationships within the teenage life. So far in the series we have covered aspects surrounding non-verbal and verbal communication. Relationships for teens are extremely important. When they are at school, students need other Christian teens to depend on as they interact with a non-Christian world. If they do not have Christian friends they turn to those who do not know Christ, have non-Christ centered advice, and are more than likely not opposed to non-Christ like activities.

Students need other God-fearing, Christian friends. The church in Acts 2 knew what each other had in common and gave as each other had need. They encouraged each other and saw the church grow by the thousands. Today, it seems more and more that due to business/conflicts in schedules that students are not building healthy relationships with friends who will lift them up and encourage them when they need it. Without Christ-centered relationships within their daily acitivities (schooling experience) three natural consequences occur - 1) students are strong in their walk with Christ but feel alone and abandoned by attempting to live their life for Christ 2) students find themselves drowning while attempting to live for Christ in a school system that has no Christ-centeredness to it which leads them to question their faith or 3) students simply don't live for Christ while at school. They justify the thought "I don't want to push my friends away from Christ" by hiding who they are in Christ.

Over the last 18 years of working with students, I have come to the conclusion that a student's walk with Christ is attached tremendously to their relationships with friends (who are either walking the same walk or walking a different direction). They need to be assured that they are not alone as they attempt to live passionately and intimately for the one who gave them life and purpose.

HOW CAN I INVEST IN MY STUDENT THIS WEEK?

Ask your student about his or her friends. Ask them about what it would be like to live passionately and intimately for Christ within their school system - then listen. Hear what they have to say and offer encouragement. Simple, but possibly something your teen may be longing to discuss with you..

Love you, parents. It is an honor serving you.

Reggie

First Step of Discipleship - January 10, 2010

This week we began the first week in our new discipleship series. We discussed that discipleship is a process for a disciple of Christ and that a disciple of Christ is someone who has put his or her faith in Christ. The main emphasis of the weekend was that  it is much more affective to  proactively live for God than it is to constantly live defensively against sin. One of the 6 core values at Autumn Ridge Church is discipleship. God uses His creation to work/encourage/show love to His creation.

HOW CAN I INVEST IN MY TEEN THIS WEEK?

1) This week as your teen if he or she is a disciple of Christ? Find out his or her perception of what that means.

2) Sit down with your teen and brainstorm what a discipleship process looks like.

3) Encourage your teen by taking them through Romans 8 (you may want to use a Living Translation or New Living Translation). Each time you read something Christ has done - stop and discuss it with your teen. As disciples of Christ, we have exhibited faith and Him and all the promises given and references made within the passage refer to those who believe. Encourage your teen with the reminder that we are loved by God. 

Have a great week everyone

Reggie (John 15:13)

A year of Joy - January 7, 2010

Hey Parents

I hope you have a great new year filled with joy!!

I have been overwhelmed with the topic of joy over the last month. It seems everywhere I have turned - God has been reminding me of joy! Last weekend, Kenn Kington spoke to the students about joy. He used Philippians 4:4 to remind us that we are to REJOICE in the Lord always. This year, I pray that you and your family grasp joy.

HOW CAN I INVEST IN MY TEEN THIS WEEK?

God is the Creator of joy and it can only be found in Him. This week as you spend time with your teens I'd like to ask you to talk with them about joy. Find out what brings them true joy in their life. Help them understand how joy apart from the One who created it for His own glory is not really joy. We were created for the glory of God - that is our purpose. Outside of that purpose we will not experience what has been given solely as a consequence of living our purpose - which is joy.

52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

I love you parents and rejoice with you during this upcoming year! It is going to be a great one!

Reggie (John 15:13)

Question and Answer Update - December 22, 2009

Hey Parents

It has been a couple weeks since my last update. Karlee and I were able to get away on vacation for a few weeks in one of the more sunny parts of the world so we actually missed the first big snow, which was our hope. I honestly feel like I was able to cheat Winter a little by missing it!

November 24, 2009 - WORSHIP Part 1

November 18, 2009 - FRIEND WEEKEND

This past weekend was Friend Weekend with the students. We had 111 participants within the weekend services with the teaching being handled by Michael Urch, Worship by Kellie Besch and Blair Price, and Games by none other than the Game Ninja Tommy Weins. The lesson this weekend on how God is powerful, soverign, all knowing, and the Creator of the World - but at the same time He allows us to be called His friend. Michael gave a powerful illustration through the use of the old black and white movie with Jimmy Stewart. Within the movie Jimmy Stewart's character (Elwood P Dowd) has a friend that only he can see. The only issue is that his friend (Harvey) is a 6 foot rabbit. Elwood's is one of the nicest individuals you would ever meet and his goal in life is to go to where those who are hurting are, talk with them, and then introduce them to his friend Harvey. Ultimately, those who are hurting find relief from their issues. Michael's challenge this week was to live a life with a passionate desire to introduce those around us to our friend - the God of the Universe, the Creator of Humanity.

I am blessed to be around a group of students who love Christ as they do. This past week I asked the Jr's and Sr's who came to the weekly Jr and Sr Breakfast how they were presently in their walk with Christ. I totally expected to see that many of them were going through a spiritual funk right now in their lives (I guess that is the pessimest within me); however, over 80% of them felt strong in their present relationship with Christ and stated they felt like they are growing in Him!! I want to encourage you as parents to talk openly and seriously with your teen over the next few weeks regarding their walk with Christ.

Thank you parents for all you are doing within your homes - I pray for you often that God would give you wisdom as you are transitioning your teens into adulthood.

HOW CAN I INVEST IN MY TEEN THIS WEEK

Over the next few weeks, the students are going to go through a series on worship. My intent is not to continue to define worship for them but to give them applicable ways in which they can view their worship to their God as something fresh and new to give Him - even during times of spiritual dryness.

This week -

OPTION 1: simply ask your teen about worship. What is it? How do you do it? Have you ever done it? How important is worship in a believer's life and why?

These are 4 simple questions to prod your teen this week to think through worship. I am excited about this next series with your students. Please pray that God would renew the hearts of these teens as we jump into this together.

OPTION 2: Rent the movie Harvey and watch it as a family together. At the end of the movie ask your teen what the spiritual connections are within the movie. How is Harvey like God? What was so different about Elwood? etc.

God bless you parents - it is an honor serving with you!!

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - Last week of World Views

Hello Parent

This past week was the last week of world views with Mike Boutelle. Hats off to Mike and the effort he put forth in preparation for teaching the students over the last 7 weeks. This past week's topic was Polytheism and Pantheism. Ask your students the difference between the 2 to see if they retained this information.

THE ONE THING YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS

Next Monday night - November 16 from 6:30pm - 8pm we are having "THE PARENT NETWORK". This will be a time where you 1) can hear from me what all is going on and my perception of how everything is going 2) can offer suggestions on how we can become more effective in what God is calling us to as His church and at the same time become aware of areas of ministry in which you can become involved 3) can get to know other parents of teens. Refreshments will be provided and this will be a quarterly event for all parents - this years "THE PARENT NETWORK" dates are November 16, February 15, 2010, May 10, 2010 and July 4, 2010 (at Silver Lake Park). I hope you all can make it.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK

Encourage your teen to think for herself this week. Ask her these specific questions, "if you led a new church plant in Rochester how would you organize it? What would the worship be like? What classes would be offered to adults? How would the student ministry work?" You can divide up the previous questions into 4 different days if you like - the important part is to encourage your teen to think for herself. So often I find students frustrated with the way things are in their own spiritual journey and relationship with the church. Giving the students an opportunity to vent and at the same time allowing them to think through what they need is extremely important. Sometimes frustration is positive when a positive end result is yielded (example - Protestant Reformation).

I love you parents - it is an honor serving with you

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

Monday November 2, 2009 - Faith without works is dead

Good morning parents

I hope you all have had a great weekend of worship together. The focus this week within the High School program was to discuss the monotheistic worldview. Emphasis was placed on the importance of living out our faith in Christ. Our works are a product of our faith - not the other way around - James 2:14-25. Another surprise this weekend was that your students were visited by none other than Martin Luther (Mike Boutelle dressed in a robe while wearing a cool brown wig). On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door and the present day reformation soon began. Here is a link to those 95 reasons that were used as a catalyst for the Protestant Reformation The Ninety-Five Theses

Also, at 2:42 on Saturday night - we had the 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff and Costume Contest. John Gisler won the overall costume contest with Kellie Besch winning the "Most Creative Costume". Yours truly (that would be me) won the chili contest - because I must quite humbly say, it was the best chili!!!!!   

LASTLY - On Monday Night, November 16 from 6:30pm until 8pm we are beginning "THE PARENT NETWORK". All parents are invited to the church facilities to hear what is going on within the High School Ministry, offer ideas and suggestions to help us become even more effective at what God called us to, and get to know other parents who have High School teens. THE PARENT NETWORK is schedule quarterly on a Monday night to coordinate with our small groups meeting time.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK?

Each day this week make a specific effort to sit down with your teen and read God's word together. You can read a few verses or a few chapters - whatever works for you. Many of you are already doing this and for those of you who already do this regulary, take your conversation a little deeper this week. Take a peek at this attached list of teenage controversial issues and discuss a few of them this week and what the Bible has to say about them.

Have a great week parents - it's an honor serving with you. I really hope to see you all on the 16th at the first "THE PARENT NETWORK"

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

October 27, 2009 - Truth verses Satan

Hey Parents

This past weekend we continued our discussion on world views. From the very beginning - satan has been out to turn hearts from God (his enemy). In the garden, satan tempted Eve through curiosity. Adam and Eve had everything they could have ever wanted - they were in want of nothing. satan didn't use tactics surrounding purpose, fulfillment, or needs because they had purpose, fulfillment, and had no needs. Conniving, deceitful satan knew exactly how to tempt to best yield negative results - he used curiosity to influence. JUST A REMINDER: HE STILL USES WHATEVER NECESSARY TO INFLUENCE US TODAY!!

Today, we are surrounded by worldly temptations - temptations that pull our hearts and minds from the things of God. In this political correct society - we call it worldly; however, to be more accurate we should call it satanesque. Our worldly temptations (anything that pulls us from a holy God) are the avenues satan uses to 1) feed his own pride as we decide that the things of him are more beautiful than the things of God 2) use us as a pawn piece in his battle against the Almighty.

We are all sinners - however, we have bought into the lie that just because we have sinned and are considered sinners that we MUST sin. 2 Cor 5:17 tells us that we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come. 1 Cor 10:13 tells us that we will not face temptations (satan's influences) beyond what we can bear.  How can we be a lover of Christ who can avoid temptations? -by being a lover of Christ who is not living defensively in their walk by waiting for temptations to battle but is living proactively in their walk by LOVING GOD WITH OUR HEART, SOUL, MIND, and STRENGTH in all they do. Too many times we as believers base our life in Christ off an understanding of "I can't" in Christ. However, freedom is found when we begin living a life of "I can" in Christ. "Because of Christ, I can smile in the midst of persecution because I know the purpose God has for me!" "Because of Christ, I can look positively at my illness because ultimately God will use it for His good and I will be forced to depend more on Him!!" - etc.

APPLICATION: This week, 1) know that worldly temptation is satan's attempt at pulling us from God 2) satan uses the places in our life where we are the weakest to sling his arrows 3) we find freedom in Christ when we realize we are not a slave to sin and base our entire lives on "Loving God and Loving People"

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK:

In a relativistic / postmodern society, do some research on relativism and postmodernism and ask your student if what you find is true. Have a conversation with your student and show them you value their ideas and thoughts. Don't be critical. Passionately affirm that although the world says that truth lies within the individual and that it may be uncool to say otherwise that the Bible clearly states that IT IS OUR STANDARD. Anything else is a lie/temptation/satanesque influence that satan uses to pull us from our Creator. Recommended websites to research relativism and Post-modernism

http://www.thinkingchristian.net/category/postmodernism-relativism/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativism

http://www.christianity.co.nz/truth5.htm

Love ya parents - it's an honor serving with you

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

October 13, 2009 - World view continues - this week - Atheism

Hey Parents

Hope you all have had a great week thus far! This past weekend we continued in our series on "A Biblical Worldview". Atheism and Agnosticism was the view of the week. It is  important to learn what others believe so we can relate to those who have that particular worldview. This week we learned that Atheism views the origin of man as evolving from matter, the nature of man is considered to be like that of any animal, the destiny of man is considered to be none, and the religion of man is considering humanistic (man is essentially good and the purpose of man is to self-exist).

Next week we are going through the lie that many proponents of Atheism and Agnosticism suggest - "that the realization that there is no God is a freeing experience". IS THIS TRUE? WHY WOULD THIS BE SO? WHAT IS FREEDOM? HOW CAN LIVING FOR CHRIST BE LIVERATING?

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK?
I wonder how many students and families within the student ministry regularly participate in family times of worship and Bible study? We are now in week 5 of a series on our second core value - WORSHIP. A fews weeks ago I mentioned to you a few ways for you to worship together as a familiy through music and/or service. This week I would like to encourage you to worship together again as a family this time by delving into God's word. Here is what I propose. This week assemble your family and have an open Bible study. During this study simply open the floor for any spiritually based question and be next to a computer with a printer to print out information. Once a topic is decided upon by the family do a quick search for that particular topic and print out enough information so that each person in the family has some information to read and share what they learned through the reading to the rest of the family. Be sure the information you choose to study comes from reliable websites.

Love ya parents - it's an honor serving with you

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

October 11, 2009 - Weekly Update

Hey Parents

It has been a great week! This past Friday night we had the 5th Quarter following the many local High School home football games. We had approximately 120 students attend the evening and Lauren Vaughan clearly gave a gospel presentation at the end of the event. Decisions were made to follow Christ for the first time on that evening. Please begin praying for those who made life changing decisions that night.

We are still in the Biblical Worldview series and will continue this study through the end of October. The first few weeks of November will be devoted to a series on worship and we will close out the year by discussing relationships - with both the same and opposite gender.

HOW CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK?

Sometimes a change of scenery is a good thing. Do something random with your child this week. For example, at 9:30 on Wednesday night tell your teen that you'd like to take him or her to get some ice cream or that you'd like to take them to Wendy's or even better - that you'd like to take them to Wendy's to get some ice cream (Wendy's french fries dipped in a chocolate shake is a delicacy where I come from). While you are out with your teen, ask them how they are doing in their spiritual walk with Christ. Don't be condemning, be encouraging and show them that you care enough about their relationship with Christ to question them about it. Be sure to pray with them!

Love ya parents - it is an honor serving with you!!

Reggie

October 5, 2009 - Biblical View of Man

This past weekend URCH'S NIGHT OF FUN took place at Joel and Jamie Urch's home in Byron. Approximately 25 students hung out playing Capture the Flag and board games throughout the evening. A HUGE thanks to the Urch's for all their hard work and willingness to open their home to the High Schoolers!!!

What do we believe and why do we believe it? Are there assumptions in our lives we consider as true without ever consciously thinking about it? What do we expect within the spiritual that may not align with or maybe even add to what the Bible states as what our expectations should be? (am I entertained by this sermon, do I like the volume of the music, should I reach out to the weird guy in the corner who wears nose rings and smells a little funny?) There are struggles between what the world says is necessary/the norm verses what the Bible says is necessary/the norm. Over the last 3 weeks and continuing through the end of this month the High School ministry is covering world views and seeing God’s creation from a biblical perspective. Mike Boutelle is doing a fantastic job of teaching the students! This past weekend we covered the biblical view of man – he was created in the image of God; he was corrupted at the fall and now has a sinful nature; and he has a destiny to be determined by faith in Christ. Next weekend, we will continue with the history of mankind from a biblical perspective.WE ABSOLUTELY MUST GRASP WHO AND WHY GOD HAS CREATED US SO WE ARE NOT TAKEN CAPTIVE THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEPTION, ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION OF MEN, ACCORDING TO THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD… - Colossians 2:8

HOW CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK?Have an open discussion with your student by asking a question regarding the biblical view of man. Some of your questions could be:

Tuesday: “Who has God created you to be?”

Wednesday: “What is your purpose of existence?”

Thursday: “What does the world say about who you should be?”

Friday: “What is an individual’s purpose according to the world?”

Be sure to search the scriptures for biblical answers to your questions. Sola Scriptura (scripture alone) is our standard for truth.

Hope you all have a great week! It is an honor serving with you and your children.

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

September 30, 2009 - Character of God

Hey Parents

I just wanted to give you an update of what has happened over the last week and a half:

See You at the Pole and See You at the Party occurred on Wednesday, September 23. There was a great turnout within the city of Rochester and outlying communities. During the See You at the Party that evening there were over 300 students worshiping and praying together for their campuses. It was a great day.

I would like to encourage you to be sure your teen attends next year's See You at the Pole and See You at the Party. As the body of Christ we are more than just Autumn Ridge Church. It is extremely important for students to make a stand together surrounding their Jesus centered convictions and beliefs. See You at the Pole and See You at the Party are more than just events, they are places where students from all over the city can be united for the cause of Christ. These events are meant to spark Jesus based excitement that become contagious and transforms the campuses throughout the city.

On Saturday and Sunday we have been talking about Worldviews. This past weekend we discussed the characteristics of God. At the end of the service the students were challenged to think through the characteristics of God and determine which one is the most significant for them and why.

HOW CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK?

The entire church body is going through a series on the second core value of Autumn Ridge Church - worship. Ask your student this week about one of the characteristics of God covered this past weekend. Ask them why that particular character trait is significant for them. Then take the time as a family and make a list of reasons we as the body of Christ should worship Him based on that specific character trait (ex. God does not change - why should we worship - because He is our standard that we can know. We do not have to guess what His response will be to our sacrifice of worship because He never changes and we can see through His Word his response to genuine worship from a sincere repentent heart, etc.). As you worship as a family, you do not need music, you do not need to sing a song. Worship is any sacrifice you give to God that is focused specifically on Him and intentionally done to bring Him glory/make Him famous. Some ideas could be as a family to simply do an act of service (while focusing on Him and done with intentionality), picking up trash alongside the road (while focusing on Him and done with intentionality), etc.

Have a great week everyone! See you this weekend

Reggie

September 21, 2009 - Senior Retreat and Worldview Update

Hey Parents

Hope you guys had a fantastic weekend! I spent the last 3 days on a Mississippi River Houseboat with a good number of our High School Seniors discussing issues they will face in college within the next year. This retreat is a yearly retreat for our Seniors and will be annually on one of the first weekends of September. If you have an upcoming Senior, you DON'T WANT THEM TO MISS THIS TRIP - please go ahead and reserve the first couple of weekends on your family calendar. For those seniors who were not able to be with us this weekend, we will have a day long get away on a Saturday in April to go back over the information covered this weekend. - the retreat is a blast!!

This past weekend was the kickoff of 2:42 (Saturday night youth service). From all indications everything went extremely well! We had 40 High School students attend the Saturday night service and another 40 who attended the Sunday morning services (15 and 25 respectively during the 9 and 10:30 hours).

Over the next few weeks we are going through a series on World Views. Mike Boutelle is carrying the students through this series as we learn about 1) our own world view and 2) the world views of others and how to interact / respond to them with a Christ-like focus. Application is HUGE as we learn about different worldviews and how to effectively interact with those who have them.

HOW CAN YOU SPIRITUALLY ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK:

1) Follow up with Romans 1:16 - have they learned it? Have you as a family memorized it?   2) Ask your student about the information covered this weekend regarding worldviews and have a genuine healthy discussion regarding what you believe as a lover of Christ and how that various from what others who do not know Christ would believe - example: moral issues and priorities

I love you parents and hope you have a great week!!

Reggie (John 15:13

  

September 16, 21009 - Are we ashamed of the gospel??

Hey Parents

Fall Retreat is done! This past weekend around 90 individuals went through lessons and training on evangelism. They learned what evangelism isn't and also learned some tools for reaching out to others. On Sunday I gave the students an opportunity to share what they learned throughout the weekend. As they shared I was both surprised and excited to see that their responses were almost verbatim to what we desired for them to take with them from the retreat. It was a great weekend!

On Sunday I talked with the students about what it means to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ and how to not be ashamed. I opened up the morning by sharing with the students about my friend names George King Jr. George is a lover of Jesus and everyone around him knows it. He wears Jesus on his sleeve and there is no question about his relationship with Christ and his stand for Godly principles in his life.  George is definitely not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Romans 1:16-23 is the passage I used and we learned that those who are ashamed actually received the wrath of God. We saw that they suppressed the truth (vs 18) - which would indicate that they knew of the truth if they were able to suppress it. This does not mean they had actually received the truth but that they were at least familiar enough with it to be able to suppress it. I encouraged the students to "know the truth" and encouraged them to continue in their discipline of reading God's word.  We discussed that to suppress something is to hold something in or hold something back - something that is purposefully withheld. When God tells us to do something - we do it. It doesn't matter if it fits within our schedule or not. If God says jump, we jump. Secondly (and lastly) we discussed how to not be ashamed of the gospel by giving God honor and thanks (vs 21). The word honor in the original text means to give glory to another. In other words we are to honor God by giving Him glory instead of taking glory for ourselves. Example: I do not play soccer simply so I can try extremely hard and make the winning goal. I play soccer so that God can be glorified through soccer. I play extremely hard because God has given me the ability to do so and if I play hard enough to score the winning goal then when the local television station interviews me I get to give all the glory to God. I get to attempt to make Him famous simply through the awesome sport of soccer (by the way God created for Himself to receive glory).

HOW CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK:

Homework for Sunday was to memorize Romans 1:16. One way you can encourage your students is to ask them if they have memorized Romans 1:16. If they haven't then sit down and memorize it with them - make it a family affair!

Hope you all have a great week. This upcoming weekend is the Senior Retreat and I will be out of pocket for all 3 services. Mike Boutelle is teaching and Jeremy Groff is leading worship for the students. It should be a great weekend.

Love you parents - we're in this thing together

Reggie (John 15:13)

 

September 7, 2009 - Service with intentionality

Hey Parents

I hope you are all having a great Labor Day!!

I wanted to give you a head's up on what we covered over the last 2 weeks during our Sunday morning teaching times. Last week I was on vacation attempting to finish up some work on our house before the snow comes so I didn't send you guys an update.

2 weeks ago we covered a broad view of spiritual gifts. The main emphasis of the morning was for all students to understand that if they have received Christ as their Savior that they have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit and have been imparted with a spiritual gift(s). I gave the students information to go online to fill out a spiritual gift assessment and encouraged them to begin considering what their gift(s) may be.

Yesterday was our yearly ministry fair. The students were exposed to 20 various areas of service in which they could be involved over the next year. Karen Foster spent the first 20 minutes sharing with the students the same information that members receive when they desire to serve Christ through Autumn Ridge ministries.

How can you encourage your student this week?  ---God has really been laying on my heart lately the link between heart overflowing, worship centered,  intentional service to our Creator. If our purpose in life is to glorify God through our existence (which it is) and we have been given a specific gift with which to glorify Him through, it only makes sense that we should strive to figure out that gift so God can receive the most glory!! This week ask your student what he or she believes is his or her spiritual gift and how he or she can use that gift to glorify God. If they still have no clue, there are 2 handouts available in the Upper Room listing all the spiritual gifts and ideas of where they may fit into a person's life.

I love you parents and am honored to serve with your students - have a great week

Reggie (John 15:13) 

 

August 24, 2009 - Yesterday's "FOCUS"

Hey Parents

Over the past few months God has really been leading me to think through where I am in my intimacy with Him. I shared with the students yesterday a time in my life when I was in my early 20's and was driving home from a ministry event in which I was involved. During my drive home from this event, I ran across a radio station that was playing nothing but music. I began praying and singing to my Creator at the same time (basically I was singing my prayers). Toward the end of my journey home, which was about a 40 minute drive, I became so encompassed by the things of God. I became so overwhelmed by His presence that I literally pulled over to the side of the road, turned on the interior light, and looked in my passenger seat to see if Jesus was sitting there. I told the students I wasn't sure what I would have done if I would have physically seen Him there; however, He was there - in Spirit. I long for that intimacy.

Yesterday, we looked at passages of Scripture that dealt with focus. As I think through where I am in my walk with Christ, I find that the times in my life when I am more intimate with God are the times when I am more focused on Him. The students were challenged to take a two hour stint out of their schedule this week and do nothing but focus on the things of God. I closed yesterday by sharing with the students times in my life when I find myself more unfocused and more focused. I'll close by sharing with you what I shared with them regarding this. Please encourage your teen to be focused this week!! I love you guys and it is a joy serving with you.

Reggie

TIMES WHEN I FIND MYSELF UNFOCUSED: when I aimlessly listen to the radio in my car as my mind wanders into never, never land; when I am not noticing God's creation around me; when I am not asking myself if my waitress has a relationship with Jesus the Christ her Creator; when I find myself dwelling on the negative things that may be going on in my life; when I am not actively resisting sin in my life through prayer.

TIME WHEN I FIND MYSELF FOCUSED: when I am in the mood to genuinely love people - forsaking my own needs of being known and totally focusing on their needs to be heard and loved; when I have read God's Word and have been consumed by it on a particular day; when I feel I have achieved something significant for Christ - success breeds success; when I am in an encouraging environment with other Christians who ARE focused on the things of Christ.

 

Rock the Ridge and Friend Day - August 17, 2009

Hey Parents

Yesterday was a great day in the life of our student ministry. 90 students and 8 adults attended the Rock the River (Franklin Graham) Event in St Paul. 56 students and adults from other churches (Calvary E Free, Christ Community, Hope Summit) within Rochester also attended this event with us as we coordinated a community-wdie effort of getting students involved with this event.

The event was great and a clear presentation of the gospel was given 3 times throughout the evening for the 23,000 attenders at Harriet Island Regional Park. The students also experienced the music of Flyleaf, Kirk Franklin, DecembeRadio, Lecrae, Superchick, FLAME, and Canton Jones.

Other than the 3 hour wait for food at the concession stands, this event came off without a hitch and I believe it was a GREAT beginning to our new year's focus on evangelism within the High School department.

Also, yesterday was Friend Day and the morning was student led - announcements, games, worship, and teaching. The students did a fantastic job of providing focused games, worship and teaching! Dana Davis taught on the subject of addictions and shared how anything we find ourselves attracted to to the point it consumes us or distracts us from the things of God are not only called "addictions" but also called "idols". Dana then challenged the students to assess where they are in their walk with Christ and determine the "idols" they may have looming in their lives. Her teaching was done with clarity of communication and an onslaught of scripture was used to share with us powerfully how God should be FIRST in our lives.

WEEKLY FOCUS WITH YOUR STUDENT: If you would like to follow up with this weekend's teaching with your student you could focus some of your discussion this week around the topic of addictions and idols. In all of our walks with Christ, constant assessment of where we are with Christ and where we need to be is a necessity. As you talk with your student this week encourage him or her to think deeply about his or her personal walk with Christ. Does he or she read God's word daily - or is his or her time too occupied by other "things / addictions / idols" to spend quality time with the Creator. Does he or she bear fruit that absolutely, unapologetically shouts that he or she is a lover of Jesus - or is he or she consumed by the "things of this world / addictions / idols" that allows him or her to keep their relationship with Jesus a secret? 

I love you guys - have a great week

Reggie

 

Summer Update 2009 - August 10, 2009

Hey Parents

I have just gotten back into the office after being gone the last 2 weeks with vacation and Family Camp. It was great to get away; however, I'm extremely excited about how this summer has gone and what the fall is going to bring for us. Let me take a moment and update you on what all has happened this summer during our teaching and small group times.

SUNDAY MORNINGS: Throughout the summer I have had a "Meet Your Leaders" summer emphasis. During those 4 Sunday mornings 5 separate adult leaders were involved in sharing "From the heart of a leader". My intention for these Sundays was to allow the students to see some of the adult leaders within another setting while giving our leaders a platform from which to share their heart with the students surrounding 1) what they see as Godly leadership from Godly leaders within the Bible 2) how the students can exhibit leadership within their group of friends and at school 3) how important it is to share Christ with their friends (while emphasizing the upcoming year on evangelism and FRIEND DAY on August 16th).

Also during this summer we discussed 6 of the main views surround the destiny of the unevangelized. The 6 views we covered were: Restrictivism, Universal Opportunity before death, Inclusivism, Postmortem Evangelism, Universalism, and Pluralism - click any of the views to go to the POWERPOINT PRESENTATION used for the teaching.

Lastly, yesterday, August 9th, we discussed some of our motivations behind sharing our faith. We also looke at 6 examples within the New Testament of people sharing their faith and attempted to find ways we could apply certain principles from the examples.

WEDNESDAY SMALL GROUPS: Girls have gone through curriculum that the Younger Board girls wrote surrounding glorifying God with their physical body. The girls wrote curriculum containing various body parts (such as eyes, nose, belly button, etc) and how each of those parts are unique are were given to glorify God. The Guys went through curriculum developed by Michael Conte for the first 4 weeks surrounding the story of David and how to be a man after God's own heart. After the first 4 weeks of learning, the Younger Board guy student leaders have continued to lead the guys over the same curriculum again with a heavy emphasis on application. - OVERALL, it has been a great summer containing alot of healthy discussion.

WHAT'S TO COME: Over the course of the next year your students will experience a heavy emphasis on evangelism. They will hear it on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings and the small group curriculum (Evangelism Explosion) is specifically geared toward evangelism. There will be MANY times when your student will be encouraged to  and have the opportunity to share his or her faith with others within the student ministry as training for other activities and events that will be scheduled throughout the year for them to apply what they are learning on the streets (or with their friends).

That's all that is on my heart right now! I hope this update helps a little in understanding what we are learning and are attempting to accomplish within the student ministry this year. Please check back regularly for updates to you guys on what all is going on. ALSO - if you have a heart to work with teens and would like to help within this year's programming in any way, please contact me. The Student Ministry has a meeting scheduled with you guys on Wednesday, August 26th to discuss the upcoming Saturday night changes and I have scheduled a training day for all the incoming leaders for the year on Saturday, August 29th.  

I love you guys - it is a joy serving you and your students

In Christ

Reggie - John 15:13

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE MISSION BLOG

To see the Mission 2009 updates click here

 

PARENT UPDATE - December 9, 2008

Thank you parents for your involvement with your teens during yesterday's Insight. I hope you were able to rest (as God intended) after the services yesterday and were refreshed after taking advantage of the gift God has given us with rest and sleep!

Update on events: Please be sure to check out the upcoming events page on a regular basis. This weekend, December 13 - December 15 is friend weekend. Students have been challenged to invite their friends to hang out with them on Saturday night (6:45pm - 8:30pm) at ARC in the Upper Room for Game Night and then for at least 1 hour on Sunday morning during an Insight Class and Small Groups on Monday Night. Please encourage your teen to think outwardly in regards to what God may be doing in the lives of their friends - encourage them to invite their friends to be a part.

Thank you so much for your involvement within the Student Ministry. My desire is to assist you in what you are already doing within your home.

Reggie (John 15:13)

INTERESTING FACTS ON SLEEP AND REST FOR ARC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
1st Hour Statistics

62% of all High School students have fallen asleep during class at school
54% of all High School students have fallen asleep during a sermon
Average sleep for Saturday night, December 7 - 7.9 hours
Average sleep for Friday night, December 6 - 7.5 hours
How long does it take you to fall to sleep?

• 0-15min - 60%

• 15-30min - 0%

• 30-60min - 28%

• longer than 1 hour - 12%

Average nightly sleep time - 7.3 hours
45% of students say that naps are beneficial to them

2nd Hour Statistics

50% of all High School students have fallen asleep during class at school
45% of all High School students have fallen asleep during a sermon
Average sleep for Saturday night, December 7 - 7.5 hours
Average sleep for Friday night, December 6 - 7.5 hours
How long does it take you to fall to sleep?

• 0-15min - 47%

• 15-30min - 15%

• 30-60min - 26%

• longer than 1 hour - 12%

Average nightly sleep time - 7.25 hours
60% of students say that naps are beneficial to them

==studies indicate that 7.5 - 8.5 hours of sleep is necessary for proper rest==

PARENT UPDATE - November 2, 2008

Today was a great day spending time with you in our Insight Classes. We had a little over 100 students participate in the two hours this morning. Parents, I appreciate your willingness to be involved with your students. Your involvement creates a positive environment for our teens. Here at Autumn Ridge, we desire to assist you in what you are already doing within your home. God bless you this week as you serve Christ with you whole heart!

Today's reminder:

1- Just as Noah was a spiritual leader, so too, God has called us as parents to lead. Dad, God has called us to be the spiritual leaders - Mom, God has called you to create a Godly environment within your home.

2- God protected Noah's family. Be encouraged in knowing that God will give our families what is best - our job is to listen to His voice, His calling (even if that means we have to let little Johnnie say "yes" to God's calling on his life through the work of Missions that takes him to Antarctica) and say yes to His direction in our lives.

3- God was able to use Noah's entire family - they were used to restore humanity. Just as God used Noah and his family, He is looking for families to use today. Consider how you can be involved in ministry as a family over this coming year - missions (local, foreign), monthly family ministry within an area of Rochester Network for Reentry, etc.

It is an honor to serve as your student's pastor.

Reggie Nichols