The Ewell (B)Log - Our Lutheran Schools in Mission - Part II

This is my second blog entry in a series on the mission and ministry opportunities in our Lutheran schools in the early part of the 21st Century. My last blog entry, dated May 4, dealt with the tremendous mission opportunities that are afforded by our Lutheran schools and the three key challenges that I see facing our schools (early childhood centers through college) at this time.

The Ewell (B)Log - Our Lutheran Schools in Mission

I will soon begin my 25th year in the Lutheran teaching ministry. With each passing month and year, I become more convinced that our Lutheran schools are the best outreach ministry we have in the LCMS to reach young families that are unchurched, dechurched or nominally churched.

Over the past ten years, more than 40,000 students have been baptized as a result of attending a Lutheran school. Over 600 of these students were in the English District. To God be the glory!

The Ewell (B)Log - The Spiritual Dimension of Youth Ministry

The following suggestions are taken from the new "Lutheran Youth Fellowship Handbook: A Guide for Building Better Youth Groups"

HOW TO ENCOURAGE THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION IN YOUTH MINISTRY

1. Remember your teens and youth in your personal prayers.

2. Pray with your teens.

3. Give your teens opportunities to pray for each other, for what's going on in their lives.

4. Speak of God. Make Him a natural part of your conversation. Identify His presence in any activity.

The Ewell (B)Log - Lincoln's Secrets of Leadership

Recently while reading some articles at www.achievementdigest.com, I ran across a piece by Gene Griessman titled, "Top 7 Secrets of Communication that Abraham Lincoln Used for Effective Leadership." I believe that there can be some real applications here for leaders in our churches and schools as well.

The seven simple, timeless principles of good communication and leadership that Abraham Lincoln utilized were as follows:

1) IF YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

2) USE STORIES, ANALOGIES AND IMAGERY (not "jokes").

3) ASK QUESTIONS.

The Ewell (B)Log - New DVD Resources

The Parish Services Resource Library has grown to over 100 video and dvd resources in the areas of Bible study, adult education, family life ministry, children's and youth ministry. New resources are being added on a regular basis and a large variety of topics are available. You can check out the most current bibliography by going to the "Education" section of this website and then clicking on "Adult Education Resources".

There is no charge to use these resources. Just contact Janine to make your reservation. Feel free to contact me with questions about content or methodology.

The Ewell (B)Log - It's New Orleans!

It is now official. The 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering will be held in New Orleans, LA, July 17-21, 2010 as many of us had figured. This will mark the third time that this event has been held in New Orleans. The 2007 NYG was to be held in New Orleans but was moved to Orlando, FL in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The Ewell (B)Log - Educational Gleanings

Dear Fellow Educators Serving the Master Teacher,

If you are a member of ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) or have access to their publications, please check out the September 2007 issue of EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP titled "Teachers as Leaders." I read this issue on a plane this past Sunday afternoon and many insightful suggestions and examples are provided as to how principals can help equip and value teachers as leaders within the school. Do check it out!
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The Ewell (B)Log - Youth Ministry

It was truly a joy to participate in the 2007 National LCMS Youth Gathering, July 28 - August 1 in Orlando. 25,000 youth including over 625 English District youth from across the United States and Canada participated in this triennial gathering under the theme "Chosen". The NYG provides one of those opportunities to see the LCMS at its best. Thousands of LCMS teenagers involved in worship, Bible study, the mass events, sectionals, a variety of fellowship activities and servants is truly inspiring.