This Blog...

For a while now, I've been posting on this blog. The web address - www.youthministerlane.blogspot.com, is not quite relevant anymore. I no longer serve as a youth minister. In the next few days, I plan on re-working a new blog, that will be available from this blog, but in the next few days, youthministerlane.blogspot.com will no longer be updated, in theory.

I have started a new site over at tumblr.com, which to me is more my style for now. Its sort of like "Twitter" on steroids. Everything I post there is immediately uploaded to my Facebook page, as well as my Twitter feed, and everything I post on my Twitter feed is immediately put on my Tumblr page.

However, I will be starting a new "blog" as well, just be patient (not like I have that many readers anyway). I will post the new blog on here soon, but for now, you can link to my Tumblr page on the right at "Lane's World", or you can go to lanesworld.tumblr.com and see what that is all about.

A Total Numbers Game: Membership in the Church of Christ

I've been involved with churches that were big, and involved with churches that were small. The first church I worked for averaged about 180 members on Sunday morning for their worship service. Compare that to the church I attended when I graduated from high school, and where my father currently serves as a minister, which now has about 700 members.

One of my best friends and fellow minister, Jason, works for a congregation in Alabama that has well over 2000 members. The church I attended for the longest time from about 1st grade till around 10th grade only had around 35 in attendance.

Seemingly, according to Mac Lynn's 2006 book "Churches of Christ in the United States", it seems as if the majority of the congregations in the United States have anywhere from 50 to 199 members. If you were to take an average, the churches of Christ average about 97-100 members per congregation.

I have to be honest, I hate numbers. I've hated numbers for a long time. It started with Algebra 1 in 9th grade. I had a horrible teacher who cared more about flirting with the athletes in the class instead of teaching us math. Ever since then, I gave up on numbers.

When I was in youth ministry, there was always a double standard for numbers. I needed to grow the amount of people in the youth group, but it was okay for the church to stay the same size. If we weren't bringing in more teenagers to the youth group class, then I must be a lousy minister. That equation, sadly, is the equation that so many ministers must live up to.

Now I work for a church that is "struggling" with an average attendance of 160 or so. Of course, according to the studies of the church, this is an average, or better than average size for a congregation. Since I have moved here, I finally seem to have figured something out. No matter how large the church is in numbers, if you don't have love, it means nothing.

Sure, 2000 members singing in harmony together during a worship service sounds wonderful, but so do 75 members.

You may have the best and most educated ministers in the few 1000+ member congregations, but the churches of 200 members have ministers who put a whole lot of time into their work as well.

Most importantly, I feel as if when we pressure people to become members, they run. And if they run, more than likely they are just running away completely, and not to another congregation. When we throw a membership card in their face as they walk in the door, they're naturally going to think that we're just like every other venue in their lives.

Get to know them. Talk with them. If they want to give you their contact info, they will based upon desire to get to know your church better.

Have cards for them to take that have contact info for your church, service times, activities, etc. If they give you permission to call them or email them, great! If not, let them make the next move.

If you have done all you can as a church, they will want to come back. If the church was not friendly, clean, inviting, prepared, organized, welcome...no amount of cards, visiting or free cookies will get them back into the church.

We don't want the church to sound needy. When a church sounds needy by saying things such as "We really need you to be a member" or "Our church sure could use another servant", it comes across as needy. Instead, offer to do something for them, instead of trying to sign them up for the Benevolence Committee on their first visit. See what you can do for them, or if they have any questions.

The truth of the matter is, God did wonders throughout the world with Jesus and his 12 disciples. If I'm doing the math correct, 12 < the average number of members in the Church today.

I hate numbers. I always have, and I always will. The only number that matters is that there is ONE God, ONE Savior, and ONE Hope. Let's just do our best to show everyone who comes through that door, or everyone we come in contact with, or everyone we see on a daily basis, that Jesus Christ loves them and died for them.

A Moment to Brag

A few days ago I posted some before and after pictures. Yesterday, I went back to Lifetime Fitness to have my fitness re-evaluation. Here are the results:

On May 4, my weight was at 254 pounds. Yesterday, on October 15, I weighed 265 pounds. I know, an 11 pound INCREASE. Stay tuned.

My Cardiovascular measurements went from Very Poor to Poor. Doesn't sound all that good, but it really is better.

My bicep strength went from middle of the average to middle of the good category. Good news.

My flexibility is still horrendous. On the sit and reach, my score was 6 on the first test and 6 on yesterday's test.

The good news: On May 4, my body fat percentage was at 32.2%. Yesterday, my body fat percentage was at 25.7%. That went from the Obese category down to just the overweight category.

My overall fitness went from 29.2% up to 41.7%, which is a positive increase. This puts me from the fair up to the average category.

Earlier, 82 pounds of my body was fat. Yesterday, only 68 pounds of my body was fat. My body age according to my physical data went from 41 down to 37. All in all, a positive day.

And that, is my moment to brag.

What Would He Do?

The Parable of the Sea

So true.

So sad.

And yet, most of us do nothing to change this.

Yet we all proclaim to serve the same mighty God.

Getting Fit: 2 Months Later

On July 13, I took my "Before" pictures for the "Before and After Pictures". This is actually a journey I started way back on May 4.

I am somewhat disappointed in my weight. I started out at 254 pounds. Now, I am at 256 pounds. However, I have added a lot of muscle. This week Kristen and I have drastically changed our eating habits. I'm sure that will help a whole lot.

Here are my before and after shots as of October 8, 2009.

I feel my posture has improved greatly. Kristen says that is the best improvement so far.


My gut looks a lot better in this picture.

Latest Update on Claire Lane ** Prayer Request **

Here are the latest two entries from the Lane family:

Posted Oct 5, 2009 3:03pm

Great work, Claire!!! The techs have taken her off of the EEG (monitoring her brain wave activity) because she is showing signs of alertness when her sedation starts wearing off. She has responded to the command: "open your eyes" and "move your finger"... although her response is slow, we have never been so thrilled to see Claire follow directions! We are still very aware that she has likely sustained some degree of brain damage, but we will not know the extent for quite some time. For now, we are just thrilled that she can hear us and respond at all. Her vitals remain stable (with heavy medication regulating them) and she has all but bored the nurses to death, today... which is just the way we want it.

Claire remains in very critical condition and although we are thrilled with every tiny bit of good news we receive, we have to stay "cautiously optimistic" about her condition. Her lungs remain covered with infection (although today's x-ray did show a tiny smudge of darkness at the top!) and she remains on the blood-thinner/life-support/bypass which are keeping her tiny little body alive. She is still fighting for her life...but what a fight she is putting up.

We are looking forward to another day of holding her warm, pudgy hand and reading to her. The fact that we are still here with her, one full week after her heart attack and crisis makes us the luckiest parents alive.

Here's one that had some humor in it:

Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:13am

All stable over night. Vitals remain in good shape. She got a bath and looks nice and smooth. (The hair is another issue, and will require its own rehab therapist). She was suctioned again overnight and they were able to remove more gunk (I think that's the technical term); so we are hoping (cautiously, as always) for a good X-Ray report.

Followed by a very encouraging note:

Posted 23 hours ago

Way to go, Monkey!! Another stable night for Claire, so we got a sweet, warm, soft hand to hold this morning. She is starting to give the doctors and staff a run for their money... she keeps coming off the sedative and tries to move her hands and legs, opens her eyes and attempts to breathe on her own (all good signs to Mom and Dad, but considered misbehaving to the docs since they want her completely still and inactive). They have added medications to keep her mellow (she has become a drug-addict's dream!). Today she opened her eyes on command, and when I asked she moved her little fingers while I was holding her hand, which of course had me in tears...but I'll take tears of joy any moment of the day!
Claire just finished having her lungs cleaned by the respiratory team. They used a video scope to find trouble spots of "gunk" (Scott's technical term), loosen them and then suck them out (I hope you are not eating while you read this!). She handled the treatment very well and will have a follow up x-ray at 1pm. Hopefully, I'll be back on with a good x-ray update this afternoon. We've heard "talk" by her medical team about weaning her off of the life-support machine and onto the ventilator over the course of the week and weekend. Nothing definite, but it seems they are encouraged about her stability and progress this week. The "weaning" process poses a whole new array of obstacles for Claire, but that little fighter has made it this far, so we are confident she is going to forge through this "Claire-style" and make those docs earn their paychecks this week.

We are so proud of our little girl and how strong she has been this week. She continues to amaze us each day.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us through this. All of your thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes are helping us make it through each day and they are helping Claire as she continues to fight for her life.

And finally the most encouraging note so far:

Posted 18 hours ago

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...Look out, swine flu, here comes Claire Lane! Scott and I got to meet with the docs following Claire's x-ray and we are starting to see visible progress in her right lung. There are now two small sized pockets of air in her right lung, indicating a lack of GUNK in those two areas. This means that her lung has some "vacancy" for volume. Her left lung is still quite full, but there is one small area that is starting to darken - indicating a lack of gunk. She is definitely headed in the right direction, even though she is certainly not out of the woods. We continue to stay "cautiously optimistic" (that's our mantra for right now), but that little monkey is giving us so much hope. She has become our little Super Hero. When she gets out of here, I'm going to add a little red cape to her school uniform! We are so proud of you, Little Claire!!!

Latest Update on Claire Lane**Prayer Request

Many of you have been asking about Claire Lane, the little girl who suffered a heart attack, along with Pneumonia, and has been in the hospital for a while now. I just got word this morning that at some point during all of this pain and suffering, that she has also had a stroke.

The doctors have put her on an ECMO machine, which basically breathes for her by bypassing her lungs. Lali, Claire's mother, is in the best spirits as possible, understanding now that even if she does get to take her child home, that she won't be the same little girl due to the stroke.

The family is asking for prayers of comfort at this time. Pray that Claire will have the comfort and peace that only God can provide.

The BEST Concert I've Ever Been to....

About 4 years ago, when I was living in Memphis, Kristen and I went to see a Third Day concert. My good friend Jason Bybee and his wife Sunny happened to be visiting that weekend, so we all went together.

My wife and I were stoked about seeing Third Day, and as usual, we were prepared to sit through an opening act to get to the main show. The opening act was an up and coming worship band known as the David Crowder Band. I have to admit, I wasn't really looking forward to it, but Jason had heard them, and burned me a cd of some of their tunes to listen to ahead of time.

When David Crowder and his band walked out on the stage and began to play, I was blown away. Not only were they very obviously talented in their musical abilities, but their lyrics were so powerful.

When they were done, I wanted more. All through the Third Day concert, I kept on thinking about how awesome David Crowder had been. About two years ago, while living in Alabama, Jason and I drove down to Samford University in Birmingham to hear them perform again, in a small venue, and just them. They weren't opening up for anyone, they just did their own little show.

On Saturday night, Kristen and I went to hear David Crowder on the third stop of their "Church Music" tour. After sitting through two decent opening acts (Seabird and Danyew), out came the David Crowder Band. The first thing I noticed was the attire in which they appeared. Since it was the "Church Music" tour, they were decked out in Sunday best. David Crowder was wearing a full suit, including a vest. All the band members were wearing a suit, except the drummer, who was minus the suit coat.

They've come a long way, from opening act, to small venue, to a 12,000 seat auditorium on their own tour. Its been fun watching them grow. This concert featured the best of their new album, and great classics that they are known for. Their drummer even built a robotic drum set. It was actual drum set, with sticks connected to various electronic components, to add extra depth to the rhythm. This newest album of theirs features a whole lot more "hard" rock, mixed in with a slight bit of disco/techno as well.

Here are some pictures, not very good, but the best I could get since it was rather dark:

*UPDATE* Urgent prayer request *UPDATE*

Many of you have asked about an update on Claire Lane, the little girl who is in the hospital from Pneumonia. The outpouring of support for a total stranger amongst Christian friends has been wonderful! Here is the latest, and how you can help (non-monetary help):

October 2, 2009

Dear Friends:

We give thanks to God that Claire continues to be stable in her condition. However, she is still a very sick little girl, and we ask for your continued prayers.

Some of you have been asking how to show your support to the Lane family. There are three ways:

1.) Visit www.carepages.com, create an account that you can sign onto, search to her webpage, and send a message to her and her family. At that site you will also be able to read updates from Scott and Lali about Claire's condition and progress. After you visit the site and set up your account, cut and paste this link into your browser: CLAIRE LANE

2.) Visit the Texas Children's hospital website at www.texaschildrens.org. Under the "Quicklinks" menu you'll find a link to "Send a patient greeting." Follow the direction and you'll produce a postcard that the TCH staff will deliver to Lali and Scott who will read it to Claire.

3.) Visitors to the PICU Waiting Room (Texas Children's Hospital, Floor Three) are now welcome. Of course, no one will be permitted to visit Claire, but Scott or Lali would be happy to see you. However, it is critical that all visitors to the PICU be completely symptom-free of any illness. If you are sneezing, coughing, have a headache, or even think you might be sick, please do not come. It would be very disappointing for someone to get Scott or Lali sick and, in so doing, prevent them from seeing their little girl.

Finally, please keep Claire, Olivia, Lali, and Scott in your prayers. We will be remembering them all at the altar this Sunday morning, and all are welcome to join us in prayer for them. But no matter where you are, whether in a church or elsewhere, please keep the Lane family in your prayers. The family appreciates this support, and it is doing more good for everyone concerned than we can imagine.