The FLU hits the Servello house
To everyone who has wondered where I have been- On Friday night I thought I was staring to get a cold or something. Little did I know I was coming down with the flu. By Saturday morning I knew I had a fever and was out of it. In spite of this, I preached three weekend services…Applause, Applause. But seriously, tonight is the first night that I have gotten out of bed for more than an hour and have actually ate something. I should also let you know that on Monday my wife and two children got the flu as well. My wife went to the emergency room and they gave her antibiodics so she is doing better than me at this point and the girls seem to be doing better as well. I’d like to thank Steve and his wife Nicole for being so gracious. After months of planning to come to Utica, New York they arrived only to have their host get ill. We’ll have to plan another get together soon. Please pray for me and my family that this flu will just be done…
When & How and Where
Today, I was just going over my thoughts for this weekends message. As I was praying the Lord brought to mind a scripture I had forgotten about, but in light of where are church is going I am using it in my message this weekend. A couple weeks ago in my post on COnversations with a new visitor I talked about he church’s need to not only know what to do but when and how. I found it interesting in light of harvest, the Message translation uses the same words and language. Here’s the scripture in the NLT first:
Is. 28:23-29 Listen to me; listen as I plead! Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting it? Does he not finally plant his seeds for dill, cumin, wheat, barley, and spelt, each in its own section of his land? The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding. He doesn’t thresh all his crops the same way. A heavy sledge is never used on dill; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. He threshes it under the wheels of a cart, but he doesn’t pulverize it. The LORD Almighty is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom.
Here’s the Message Translation:
Isaiah 28:23-29: Listen to me now. Give me your closest attention. Do farmers plow and plow and do nothing but plow? Or harrow and harrow and do nothing but harrow? After they’ve prepared the ground, don’t they plant? Don’t they scatter dill and spread cumin, Plant wheat and barley in the fields and raspberries along the borders? They know exactly what to do and when to do it. Their God is their teacher.And at the harvest, the delicate herbs and spices, the dill and cumin, are treated delicately. On the other hand, wheat is threshed and milled, but still not endlessly. The farmer knows how to treat each kind of grain. He’s learned it all from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who knows everything about when and how and where.
Interesting Stuff… Jesus used the analogy of Harvest to illustrate reaching people far from him. We should learn from the way the Bible says farmers harvest their crops.
Life Changing Moments: Benny Perez Marrysville, Wa 1998
I can’t even begin to tell you my reluctance to the thought of being a youth pastor. As a matter of fact, I was introduced as the interim youth pastor in May of 1996 because I was only to do it for a short period until we could find someone “qualified”.. 10 years later I resigned my post to one of my top leaders in the ministry. One of the reasons I never wanted to be in youth ministry was the stereotype that had been ingrained in my mind as to what a youth pastor should be. Well, when I took the post I knew I couldn’t be something that I wasn’t so I was just myself. I would tell my kids often in speech form, “Im not a professional fundraiser, Im not a comedian, and I’m not a game show host.” What I did know is God touched me in a powerful, life changing way when I was 14 and I was convinced God could do the same for the teenagers in my church. I would boldly proclaim to the response of the young people…”we are not a youth group, we are a youth church” or “Im not here to suck jello through stockings, go bobbing for apples or build the worlds largest sundae, Im here to go after God and see him make a difference in my Generation.” I thought I was the only one doing youth ministry this way until I cam across two people: Jude Fouquier & Benny Perez. Benny Perez had a Revival in Marrysville that blew me away. In a town of 14,000, benny had 1000 youth attending services….no plasma TVS, no Fireworks, Just pure power. Recently I came across some video’s of the local news covering his church. Going to Marrysville shaped so much of who I am today I thought I would share this with you so you can get a taste of what God was doing back then:
2007 Highlights: What a year!
When I think of 2007, I actually have to pinch myself and wonder if it was real. I noticed some of my friends listed the highlights of their 2007 on their blog - I thought I’d do the same. Here are mine:
- Walking into the 6000 seat Utica Memorial Auditorium for the 11th year of the Generation Conference. It was a dream I waited patiently for and wondered if i’d be part of it. By God’s grace I was. Great Story behind it… In 1998 I had been doing a regional summer camp for three years. God’s favor was on the camp. The last year we did it we were packed beyond capacity and I actually had to turn churches away. In the hight of the success God spoke clearly to me to stop doing the camp and to do a camp just for the kids from our church. The next year, stepping out in faith I had 55 kids sign up….btw thats just a little less than the 350 that were there before (that’s saracastic by the way, do you know what its like to walk into an auditorium with 55 kids after they were used to experiencing 350 packed into a room). However despite the appearance, I knew God wanted to focus on my group and build something in my church. God blessed that camp and God did amazing things. 10 years later I walked into the regional Generation Conference that was held almost to the day of the last camp I did. When I walked into the prepared auditorium I was overwhelmed with emotion as to see how far God has brought us and to see with my eyes and experience the benefits of listening to God no matter what the cost.
- Meeting Oral Roberts. I was one of 6 pastors who met with Oral Roberts in his home for a two hour meeting. Just sitting and listening to this man of God was something to tell the grandkids about. At the end, I can’t tell you what an honor it was to have him lay his hands on me and pray for an impartation of miracles and signs and wonders. Just meeting with a guy who is already in the church history books throws chills up my spine.
- Meeting Bill Hybels. I was one of 20 other pastors who went to a meeting in South Haven to meet personally with Bill for 24 hours. While I only got limited personal interaction with him. I can honestly tell you it was unforgettable to meet and talk to a guy who will be part of church history. Another story to tell the grandkids.
- Meeting Joyce Meyer, Ed Young, & Steven Baldwin. Talk about a dream. I still go to youtube just to remind myself that, yes, that actually did happen. Meeting Joyce was unbelievable. Sitting and chatting with Ed Young Jr. about church over chicken parmigana at Delmonico’s —that was really unbelievable. Ed Young & Joyce Meyer in Utica, NY? WOW! Then Steven Baldwin. What can I say about this guy? It is literally unbelievable to be not only sitting and having lunch with a guy that I have seen on the big screen, but also to hear him telling me of how the Holy Spirit has rocked his life. The guy, while admittedly not perfect, is sold out to Jesus.
- My Family Vacation in Paris. My wife and I planned for two years to go to Paris. Because of airline miles not only did my wife and I go we brought the kids as well. The Lord blessed me with 4* hotel rooms that I paid less than what you could get a 2* for. One actually had a view of the Eiffel Tower. This was in the middle of early summer. Hanging out at the eiffel tower and riding the carousel across the street with my daughters is an experience I will never forget.
- My whole family at Disney World. My Mom decided to take all of her kids and grandkids for what we have dubbed “the Servello Grand Gathering.” Getting to go to Disney with my kids, my mom and dad, brother and sister, and their kids was a highlight. Im not saying everything was perfect (ever been to Disney with 2 kids under 3?) but it was definitely a blessing. Besides as i always say you can beat free99. It’s the best price to pay.
North East Youth Conferences that have impressed Me…
I believe in the ministry of the Generation Conference. To use a popular ministry/church leadership buzzword: I love our DNA. DNA is an interesting concept. I’ve had people callme and talk to me about the Generation Conference and as ask for advice on doing a conference. I believe outside of the UNDESERVED favor of God (I cannot underscore that enough), the single greatest influence on the Generation Conference was the youth church at Mount Zion. Let me explain: I’ve seen people try to pull off conferences and their youth groups are floundering. Even worse, they try to do in a conference setting what isn’t being done week to week in their youth ministry. They’re missing a secret. See, God doesn’t want to build conference, he wants to build churches. If a conference can be used as a means to that end it is wonderful. If not, in my opinion it’s a waist of time. One thing you would hear regularly from people who attended the Generation Conference is: “Wow! we feel like we can do this in our church. We have a revelation of what a youth church can be!” Some of those ministries, by the way, only had a hand full of kids. When I was the youth pastor of Generation Chruch here are some of the things you would see on any give week:
- Over 90 kids in the prayer room intensely seeking God 45-30 minutes before the service
- Passionate worship that at times no one wanted to stop (this wasn’t every week, but definitely a hallmark of Generation church)
- Solid, didactic, practical teaching
- Holy Ghost ministry at the alters
I believe in building God’s kingdom. I understand the Generation Conference is not the only show in the North East, and I also believe in Networking, (networking with the right people is crucial.) Which brings me to my point in my blog after meeting 100’s of youth pastors and being to many conferences, sometimes speaking at them myself Here are two of the Hottest Youth Conferences in the Northeast and ones that I would bring my own youth group to.
- The Awakening Conference. Held in Smithfiled, RI. Last year was there first year and I can honestly say that it was evident God was raising them up to be the leader for youth ministry in New England. The conference was outstanding. I am humbled that they asked me to come back this year and am excited to see what God is going to do. I love their out of the box thinking in having Aaron Gillespie speak at the conference.
- Altitude Conference. Outside Toronto in the middle of the cornfields is a church that is tearing up. My friend Paul Dunk does this conference in September. If you are in the Toronto/Buffalo area I wouldn’t miss it. Its done with excellence and Im sure you’ll love it.
- Me and my youth pastor will be speaking at another conference in the Toronto area at Oshawa Community Church in April. I haven’t been to the conference, but have met the youth pastors and youth team. Excellent! is all I have to say. If the conference is anything like the pastor and the youth team this should be another hidden gem.
Emmanuel Cannistraci @ Generation Conference 2008
It’s our privilege to have a father in the faith come and speak and minister at the Generation Conference. “Apostle C” as we call him is as unpredictable as they come, and thats how he likes it. Here’s a guy that has ministered with William Branham and many of the old time healing guys. He has been a spiritual father to countless ministries. Recently he spoke in front of 1,000,000 people in the Philippines. The president herself attended that meeting. He carries a powerful anointing and is probably one of thee greatest prophetic ministries we have ever had come through our church. I noticed New Life Worship Center put together a video of Apostle C. Here’s a little taste of what you can expect…
Moving Forward, the Generation Conference, The Right People
Back in 1997 when I started the Generation Conference, I brought a handful of virtually unknown speakers for a weekend to experience God. Little did I know that those speakers would be some of the most sought after youth speakers in the world. Why? I believe it was more than their natural giftedness. They were part of something larger God wanted to do in youth ministries all over the world. The choice of speakers and environment was based on a keen prophetic sense of what God wanted to do at the moment. The only problem was most people couldn’t see it. Humbly speaking, I did. It took time but eventually momentum shifted and a lot of people jumped on board. Which brings me to my point. I believe God is doing something new. Just like in 97, some may not see it but I do. I believe the realms in which God wants to take youth ministries to in the next few years will boggle our mind. Here’s the key: Being open to God and exposing yourself to the RIGHT people. Our greatest enemy: Familiarity and our natural propensity to stay where we have experienced God already. God is doing something new. I believe the Generation Conference is going to be part of that. The danger in or personal faith, in Leadership, and churches is to stay where we are comfortable, but God doesn’t necessarily want to make us uncomfortable as much as he wants to stretch us so he can enlargen our capacity to receive all he wants to give us. My prayer is we will be open and moldable because there is so much more at stake than us….there are people who need an encounter with the powerful, living God that are dependent on us being in the center of what God is doing.
Some drawings of the hallway of our new children’s wing
I have been getting a lot of hits about the children’s wing we are doing with a lot of people clicking on the Jonathan Martin Creative site. I thought I’d post some pictures so you can get a rough idea of what the hallway will look like. These are rough sketches, but imagine this in full color with a bunch of 3D elements. Remember this is just the walls of the hallway, not the kids auditorium nor the other interactive components. It should be done by the end of April. I’m pumped…
Henry Cloud and John Townsend: Brilliant!
Im not a professional counselor nor a doctor of psychology. However, I have been in the people business for 12 years now. If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know I met Henry Cloud back in December. I went to this event with 2o other pastors featuring Henry and Bill Hybels. I went for Bill Hybels. However, God had other plans. My exposure to Henry Cloud has been a divine appointment. Probably one of the most significant of my life. I have never had so may aha moments EVER! They have connected so many dots, I am speechless. Right now Im reading “12 Christian beliefs that can drive you crazy” and “9 things you simply must do.” Simply incredible. I regret, as a pastor and helper of people, I was not exposed to Cloud-Townsend sooner. By the way, lest people think i’m falling in a Psychology trap, when you read them you have to admire their deep understanding of scripture. They are simply outstanding! My new mantra: TRUTH and GRACE over TIME in the context of GOOD RELATIONSHIPS. That is the way God has set us up to GROW! EXCELLENT!
