PiñaBlog Bits and Pieces of Piña

not your most upbeat message, but I like your insight about youth being an unsupported ministry.

when are you going to come to Vegas again? I know of an excellent cigar shop we can sit and smoke in.

PS I’ll be back in January.

Posted by Dustin on 21 November 2005 @ 4am

It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. In fact, it was a great weekend. The students responded well and Lyndsay and I also had a good time.

Vegas: don’t know. Hope things are well in the C-land.

Posted by Cory on 21 November 2005 @ 9am

1) sometimes even though things are hard and sometimes screwed up by people, we may still be called to those things; and we shouldn’t discredit that as a possibility. God is so much bigger.

2) That doesn’t mean you’re called to youth ministry.

3) I love roller coasters.

Posted by Matt on 21 November 2005 @ 2pm

I don’t think we should attack Cory for not being called to be a youth pastor, it’s long hard work that requires someone crazed; who only requires four to five hours of sleep a night.

As far as youth being an unsupported ministry…

You hit the nail really, really hard with a sledgehammer. The problem with most churches is that they don’t understand how important youth really is, ninety-five percent of Christians are saved before the age of twenty, I think of it like this, this weeks bulletin says… “Jr. High will be going to a Christian punk concert and the High school will be spending a weekend at Six Flags Magic Mountain, cost 95.00$” Not to say that concerts and trips to Six Flags Magic Mountain should stop or be reduced but the image in the mind of a lot of adults is that the youth ministry is just for fun and you don’t actually learn about the bible, “I mean, kids learning about Gods love and grace? Never! Im fifty-five and I can hardly grasp Arminianism let alone predestination!” I believe that the pride and ignorance of adults can and in some cases is used as a foot hole for the enemy to cause turmoil and keep the youth of today from Christ. The lack of prayer, manpower, money, and encouragement is part of the reason that our society is (excuse the term) going to crap.

So Cory your right, being a Youth minister I can imagine would be operose, (At least for you and myself.) Matt your also right people are still called to youth ministry and God still blesses the lives of pastors and works in spite of people and the rest of other struggles.

Youth Ministry can work… Maybe.

Posted by Cameron on 21 November 2005 @ 8pm

Just to clear that up - I didn’t really feel attacked. But thanks, Cameron.

Posted by Cory on 21 November 2005 @ 8pm

Cory.

I said, “Cigars” and “Las Vegas” It is the perfect substitute for the tired old trips to magic mountain when planning your next youth group outing. Its an idea that might even attract more youth leaders into the ministry. The church would be wrong to fight it. it is a trend.

Posted by Dustin on 22 November 2005 @ 4am

I don’t think we should attack Cory because of cigars and roller coasters… Oh wait, I was just, oh wait, maybe I came in on the middle of a conversations… uhmmm… I wanted to say I like Cory and Lyndsay Piña. I would ride a roller coaster with them. No greater love…

Posted by TonyB on 22 November 2005 @ 8am

I also like Cory. He’d be a great youth pastor. But he doesn’t want to be. No big deal. I’m a youth pastor (err…director). It’s good times. I also love Cory though he doesn’t like roller coasters. I don’t like roller coasters either, but for different reasons - mainly because they bore me. Now cigars and talking theology and the ups and downs of camp and youth ministry….that’s exciting. Cory, i love you….in Christ.

Posted by Travis on 22 November 2005 @ 11am

I didn’t mean to sound like I was attacking Cory. I wasn’t, in fact I love Cory, he’s awesome. I was just commenting on what I thought on doing things we aren’t necessarily found of. I totally support Cory not wanting to be a youth pastor. just commenting that’s all.

Posted by matt on 23 November 2005 @ 6am

X was your first roller coaster??? i thought i was going to die when i went on that ride. maybe becuase before we took off, my friend who was with me managed to slip out of the harnas seat belt thing and declair that six flags safety devices arent up to par.

Posted by april on 23 November 2005 @ 11am

I remember sitting down in that chair and putting my arms through the very light-weight-feeling plastic staps. I thought, “This is all I get?”

Posted by Cory on 23 November 2005 @ 11am