Response to Joel’s #1

1. RE: Passionate Grant: Hey man, I know that you and I talked a little bit about this outside of this blog, but I'll just write it out so that Drury can enjoy it too. As we both know, we were just like that kid when we were in jr. high. Its almost too hard not to be the kid that makes everyone laugh by joking around with the material. I was thinking about some of the advice I could give you by putting myself in Grant's shoes again. Back in jr. high, the one thing that made me respect the material and the person teaching the material is if it seemed he genuinely cared about me. But then the question becomes, "How do I show Grant that I care for him without encouraging his behavior?" And that's a tough question. I think one of the ways is to not publically tell him to "stop" being immature, but instead talk to him after class in private and say something like, "Man that was really funny what you did….but could you maybe let me know what you seriously think a symbol for Christ would be?" The key about this is the fact that you are not letting him be funny in public. In jr. high and high school, I was hilarious in public (and learned nothing) but when I was talking with the pastor privately I actually matured and learned something. So maybe try that?
   

   
    

2. RE: Relating To Them: One of the hardest things that I noticed on Sunday was relating to the students in high school. What I tried to do was pull myself back to high school and pretend I was there again. When I did that, it brought back horrible memories and I was tempted to say things that weren't "pastor like" so I decided against that idea. But really, think like a jr. high student. What is cool to them? Talk about it. What is funny? Do it. Just make them think you are one of them, but a little different. The difference is you are a Christian example. You are supposed to be like them, but a Christian one of them. I don't know, I know it sounds perfect in theory. But in practice, it doesn't normally work that well. Hopefully it works for us!