I’ve talked to lots of people through the years about websites. I spoken to many people who have never even thought of the idea of having a website for their church, let alone any specific ministry. However, statistics show that when someone who is new to town is looking for a church, they will 95% of the time turn to the internet.

That being said, your website says everything about your church to a potential visitor. You could have the best programs in the state, a 3500-member congregation, the top performing musical groups in existence, and the most dynamic staff available, but if your website looks bad, the perception of your church will be also. Think of it this way: the amount of effort you put toward your web presence is a direct reflection of your church to a potential visitor. I’ve heard people say, “Well, if this church was really concerned about seeking new people, it would at least have put some time into this website.”

We have to realize that there was certainly a time that churches and ministries didn’t need websites – but that time is long gone. No longer is having a website an option, it’s a requirement. If we plan to reach this generation for Christ in a culture that is so fast-paced that choosing a place of worship is as easy as a point and a click, a good website is crucial. I truly believe that the churches that realize this will be more effective at fulfilling the Great Commission.

For more info on how NOT to build a website, check out this great article from Collide magazine.

As always, if you’d like to talk more with me about website design for your church, hit me up.

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” – Jeremiah 1:4-10

This has always been one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. I think I like it because I can really identify with Jeremiah’s hesitance. This year, the theme for our youth ministry is “Destinations,” and it’s based on this text. Jeremiah was a youth, and felt as though he wasn’t ready to do God’s work in the world. Perhaps he felt as though his work wouldn’t really make a difference.

God, however, knew Jeremiah. He had a plan for Jeremiah’s life even before Jeremiah was in the womb. God knew Jeremiah’s destination. I’ve found that so often the youth of the Church feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things – but the promise of God is sure through Jeremiah: God knows us now, God has always known us, and God knows where we’re headed.

Think of it like this: if bought a GPS that would only take you to one location, and the voice giving you the turn-by-turn directions was God’s voice, what do you think would be your destination? Where would you be going? Even if you knew, what paths would you take to get there? Would you take the roads less traveled, or a super-highway? Would you take the road that conforms to culture, or the road that’s so radical that few will brave it? This year, I pray that God will use me to challenge our youth to seek out God’s plan for their lives, the plan that’s been around since before they were around.

So… where are you headed?

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching the message at both of our services at FPC. The title of the message was “The Best-Laid Plans.” After thinking about how my own plans for my life had changed drastically over the years, I prayerfully considered how my situations might relate to others in our society. The result of my prayer and contemplation was this message. You can listen to it below. A transcript is also available underneath the audio version. I’d certainly love to hear your feedback!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Best Laid Plans – Transcript

Today, I spent an hour in our local mall (if you’d call it that), sitting quietly, observing the teenagers that walked by. Sort of like “people-watching.” I did it for a Cultural Observation Project I’m doing for a class, but it became much more of a required assignment.

I didn’t know where any of these kids came from. I didn’t know anything about their family lives. I didn’t know their struggles, their joys, their passions, or their hardships. But I saw pain. I saw apathy. I saw a lack of care for who they were and what they stood for. I could see by the way they dressed, the way they talked, the company they kept, and the focus on themselves they kept. I did, however, keep the constant thought that God is there somewhere. God is in the suffering. God is in the turmoil. I didn’t know exactly where to find Christ when I looked at these teenagers, but I knew He was there somewhere.

Our society is telling our teenagers the complete opposite of what Christ is telling them through ministry leaders. Society tells them to be happy at whatever cost. Their parents tell them to be happy as long as they’re being good, at whatever cost. Jesus tells them to be the Church at whatever cost. With these three messages hitting them from every different angle, teenagers are justifiably confused.

Through this project, I realized that youth ministry is needed now more than ever. We have an entire generation of people that are blinded to the Light by what they see in magazines, on television, and out in our society. The hierarchy of importance is skewed greatly by their perception of the world. In their world, self-acclamation is greater than the worship of their Savior. Material possessions are more important than the blessings that are unattainable through financial means. Outward appearance is more vital to their existence than the inner self that is known by God. Physically intimate relationships are more important than spiritually intimate relationships.

To go and sit in pews, sing songs, listen to a sermon, and give an offering is one thing. Youth ministry is completely different. Whereas we have this lost generation of sheep, we have a vital generation of shepherds.
Overall, I learned that it is very tempting to give up on youth ministry because the odds seem completely unable to be overcome. However, I hold fast to the truth that while we were sinners, Christ never gave up on us.