God has blessed the Connection Club at Pearland Junior High East with some amazing things. And some amazing obstacles.
First of all, this club has an amazing adult support team: Patti Kachel and Linda and Billy Shaw. These are Grandparents that show up each week and just help. Help pass out snacks, help set up the room and then help get it ready for the class after wards.
But it is the adult contact that they give the students that is such a blessing. Patti comments on Juan's glasses. CJ tells Linda his birthday is in 7 days. Billy cheers on the football players and pats them on the back. Linda's granddaughter grins from ear to ear and goes to hug Linda. Patti greets the speaker. The list could go on about the small acts of kindness and love this team brings to this club and the 60 to 80 students that attend.
Remember many of these kids won't get this kindness at school from their peers. And too many won't get this kind of encouragement and kind words at home either.
I will write a second blog about the student leadership team - which is wonderful, but first let me address an obstacle.
Because everything has to be "politically correct", when the on campus Christian Club writes their announcements. Let's stop here and praise God that they can make announcements.
But their announcements can't include the words: God, Jesus, Prayer, Christian, Bible, the name of any youth pastor/speaker.
"The Connections Club will be meeting on Wednesday morning in the Art room and a speaker will address good citizenship. Snacks will be served."
Gives you a new perspective on Snacks - it's the only thing that isn't in code!
There are still students who are trying to start a Christian Club. They are shocked to find out that Pearland Junior High East has one!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I found a new Club!!
I've decided that looking for on Campus Christian Clubs to support is like looking for underground Churches.
When I ask, the attitude seems to be "why do you need to know?" The School won't tell you anything - they are afraid of being sued. There is nothing on the school website regarding anything but the favored clubs: Future Problem Solvers, Cheerleaders, Drill Team, Various sports, National Honor Society.
But there is nothing on the school websites about Christian Clubs - except maybe FCA - Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This is Texas, so that great combination of God and Football works in this state!
About three weeks ago, someone gave me a lead on a Christian Club at Pearland High School. It is a prayer group - meets on Monday mornings at 6:45 am. This week I connect with them. I brought them Starbucks goodies and they were thrilled.
As I have met with various clubs and told them: I made connections with a club at Pearland High School! Everyone is so excited. I feel like Paul when he wrote letters to the various New Testament churches.
To the Club at Pearland High School: Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The club at Pearland Junior High East sends it's blessings and their great thankfulness at your perseverance. PJHE Connection Club rejoices with you in your joys and trusts that you will pray for them to persevere as well.
In the fall, the eighth graders, who will be the incoming ninth graders plan to join with you, rejoicing that there is a another club to go to. Previously, they were afraid that they - as the freshman class - were going to have to provide leadership at Pearland High School, but yeah, verily, it isn't so! The senior class of 2014 is exceedingly glad!
Rejoicing!
Dottie
When I ask, the attitude seems to be "why do you need to know?" The School won't tell you anything - they are afraid of being sued. There is nothing on the school website regarding anything but the favored clubs: Future Problem Solvers, Cheerleaders, Drill Team, Various sports, National Honor Society.
But there is nothing on the school websites about Christian Clubs - except maybe FCA - Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This is Texas, so that great combination of God and Football works in this state!
About three weeks ago, someone gave me a lead on a Christian Club at Pearland High School. It is a prayer group - meets on Monday mornings at 6:45 am. This week I connect with them. I brought them Starbucks goodies and they were thrilled.
As I have met with various clubs and told them: I made connections with a club at Pearland High School! Everyone is so excited. I feel like Paul when he wrote letters to the various New Testament churches.
To the Club at Pearland High School: Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The club at Pearland Junior High East sends it's blessings and their great thankfulness at your perseverance. PJHE Connection Club rejoices with you in your joys and trusts that you will pray for them to persevere as well.
In the fall, the eighth graders, who will be the incoming ninth graders plan to join with you, rejoicing that there is a another club to go to. Previously, they were afraid that they - as the freshman class - were going to have to provide leadership at Pearland High School, but yeah, verily, it isn't so! The senior class of 2014 is exceedingly glad!
Rejoicing!
Dottie
Sunday, March 7, 2010
We wrestle not against Flesh and Blood . . .
These past couple weeks, I have been thinking about spiritual warfare. They have been some hard weeks - can you tell?
I lead some things in Pearland - The on Campus Christian Club Booster club, the Pearland Youth Ministry Alliance, See you at the Pole and Saw you at the Pole and Baccalaureate. They are all things, where people from various churches come together. I convince people to work together, in the community and out from the church walls.
I see it as simple. Necessary. Part of being the Body of Christ. An expression of Christ's Love. Just simply bringing Christians together from various churches to work together. Does that sound like a warfare strategy?
I don't always see it as an open attack on Satan's turf.
And then, stuff starts happening. In August 09, I coordinated a meeting between the on campus Christian Club sponsors and the local youth pastors. Just a way to help the sponsors meet the youth pastors and hopefully develop some connections for speakers for their clubs.
Does this sound like warfare?
3 of the 4 club sponsors had last minute conflicts and couldn't show up.
The day of the meeting, I personally walked out to a car with a flat tire.
As I walked out to the car, I was aware my home AC was not working right.
The host church got mad because the room wasn't reserved thru proper channels.
Does it sound like there was serious opposition to this meeting now?
Example number 2: Baccalaureate - another name for Spiritual warfare.
Since 1999, I have chaired the Baccalaureate Committee. Once again, convincing people from multiple churches to work together to provide a wonderful Baccalaureate Service for our graduates.
Does this sound like warfare?
Every year, there is some kind of opposition. It is unbelievable. The pastors argue. One church gets mad because I didn't audition their youth band. (I didn't know they had a youth band!) The school totally changes the rules 10 days before Baccalaureate. The school sends us a rental bill - 2 days after Baccalaureate, after they had agreed to let us use the space for free.
Last year, I was begging people to attend. I was begging people to bring cookies! It was like I was hosting the event no one cared about.
This year, unknown to me, there was a independent youth pastor group planning Baccalaureate . . . Some of them were meeting with the Baccalaureate Committee, but we didn't know about the additional meetings until we were at our second meeting.
There aren't words to describe how stressful this all was.
But there is a word that describes it: Warfare. Spiritual Warfare.
And the enemy doesn't fight fair.
I lead some things in Pearland - The on Campus Christian Club Booster club, the Pearland Youth Ministry Alliance, See you at the Pole and Saw you at the Pole and Baccalaureate. They are all things, where people from various churches come together. I convince people to work together, in the community and out from the church walls.
I see it as simple. Necessary. Part of being the Body of Christ. An expression of Christ's Love. Just simply bringing Christians together from various churches to work together. Does that sound like a warfare strategy?
I don't always see it as an open attack on Satan's turf.
And then, stuff starts happening. In August 09, I coordinated a meeting between the on campus Christian Club sponsors and the local youth pastors. Just a way to help the sponsors meet the youth pastors and hopefully develop some connections for speakers for their clubs.
Does this sound like warfare?
3 of the 4 club sponsors had last minute conflicts and couldn't show up.
The day of the meeting, I personally walked out to a car with a flat tire.
As I walked out to the car, I was aware my home AC was not working right.
The host church got mad because the room wasn't reserved thru proper channels.
Does it sound like there was serious opposition to this meeting now?
Example number 2: Baccalaureate - another name for Spiritual warfare.
Since 1999, I have chaired the Baccalaureate Committee. Once again, convincing people from multiple churches to work together to provide a wonderful Baccalaureate Service for our graduates.
Does this sound like warfare?
Every year, there is some kind of opposition. It is unbelievable. The pastors argue. One church gets mad because I didn't audition their youth band. (I didn't know they had a youth band!) The school totally changes the rules 10 days before Baccalaureate. The school sends us a rental bill - 2 days after Baccalaureate, after they had agreed to let us use the space for free.
Last year, I was begging people to attend. I was begging people to bring cookies! It was like I was hosting the event no one cared about.
This year, unknown to me, there was a independent youth pastor group planning Baccalaureate . . . Some of them were meeting with the Baccalaureate Committee, but we didn't know about the additional meetings until we were at our second meeting.
There aren't words to describe how stressful this all was.
But there is a word that describes it: Warfare. Spiritual Warfare.
And the enemy doesn't fight fair.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Revial in Pearland
After I sent out an email announcing the next Pearland Youth Ministry Alliance meeting, Mike Rosas emailed me and said he couldn't wait.
I said I wanted more people like him, who couldn't wait for my meetings.
Here is his response:
Awe well you deserve it!
The day will come when everybody will. Your faithfulness will bring that day just like Simeon who was constantly praying for the Messiah and was able to see Jesus...your faithfulness and investments will bring a unity and revival to Pearland the likes of which have never been seen in these parts. Thanks for what you do!
It made my day! I'm still waiting for Revial in Pearland! woo hoo!
Thanks, Mike! mikerosas.org
I said I wanted more people like him, who couldn't wait for my meetings.
Here is his response:
Awe well you deserve it!
The day will come when everybody will. Your faithfulness will bring that day just like Simeon who was constantly praying for the Messiah and was able to see Jesus...your faithfulness and investments will bring a unity and revival to Pearland the likes of which have never been seen in these parts. Thanks for what you do!
It made my day! I'm still waiting for Revial in Pearland! woo hoo!
Thanks, Mike! mikerosas.org
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A quote on Leadership
A leader is best when people barely know he exists,
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they despise him.
Fail to honor people,
They fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, who talks little
When his work is done, his aim fullfilled,
The people will say, "We did this ourselves."
Lao - Tzu
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they despise him.
Fail to honor people,
They fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, who talks little
When his work is done, his aim fullfilled,
The people will say, "We did this ourselves."
Lao - Tzu
Thursday, February 4, 2010
What if we supported our Christian Clubs like we do the high school Football Team?
Yesterday's post started me thinking. A scary thing, I know!
I started thinking about Christian Clubs vs. Football games. I'm not really a sports fan - just asking me who is playing in the Super Bowl and when I start talking about the Souper Bowl of Caring and what a great event it is and how we should all help our local food pantries, you will get the picture. Bring your $ to church on Sunday and put it in the soup pot.
But I started thinking about high school foot ball games and how many people show up up to "support" the team and how the total number of people were far more than the team.
Just track with me for a minute: There are 11 players on a football team. And for those 11 players, a whole squad of Cheerleaders show up. And then there is the pep squad, the drill team and the marching band. At this point, we are up to about 250 people - at my rough estimate and we haven't even covered the supporting adults and teachers for all those students.
What about the concession stand people and all the food they prepare and have to buy?
What about the announcers and everyone in the booth? What about the community and the parents?
What if we supported our on campus Christian Clubs this way? Yesterday - I talked about 9 adults to support 60 students at a Christian club? What if the ratio was 10 adults and supporting students for every 1 student? What would that look like?
What if we saw the on campus Christian Club for what it is in the war between God and Satan?
What if we did everything we could to cheer those club leaders on? How would the clubs be different? How would our communities change?
I started thinking about Christian Clubs vs. Football games. I'm not really a sports fan - just asking me who is playing in the Super Bowl and when I start talking about the Souper Bowl of Caring and what a great event it is and how we should all help our local food pantries, you will get the picture. Bring your $ to church on Sunday and put it in the soup pot.
But I started thinking about high school foot ball games and how many people show up up to "support" the team and how the total number of people were far more than the team.
Just track with me for a minute: There are 11 players on a football team. And for those 11 players, a whole squad of Cheerleaders show up. And then there is the pep squad, the drill team and the marching band. At this point, we are up to about 250 people - at my rough estimate and we haven't even covered the supporting adults and teachers for all those students.
What about the concession stand people and all the food they prepare and have to buy?
What about the announcers and everyone in the booth? What about the community and the parents?
What if we supported our on campus Christian Clubs this way? Yesterday - I talked about 9 adults to support 60 students at a Christian club? What if the ratio was 10 adults and supporting students for every 1 student? What would that look like?
What if we saw the on campus Christian Club for what it is in the war between God and Satan?
What if we did everything we could to cheer those club leaders on? How would the clubs be different? How would our communities change?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
How many Adults does it take to help support a student run an on Campus Christian Club?
This feels a little like "How many people does it take to change a light bulb?"
I have several other things to do today, but it struck me again today, just how many people it takes to help a club run well. Forgive me, but I was reminded when I saw a large trash can on wheels . . . .
Today at Pearland Junior High East, we had 60 students. And 7 adults were there at the connection club. Adults from all walks of life and all different churches. (And just in case you don't know, 1 to 10 is considered a safe student to adult ratio.)
Sue Himmel is the club sponsor and her co teacher sponsor. That's 2.
Patti Kachel picks up end of the day goods from Starbucks and came in, with her granddaughter and about 70 goodies from Starbucks.
Linda and Billy Shaw picked up about 35 sausage biscuits donated by Chick fi la, brought a tray and a knife and cut the sausage biscuits in half. Their grandchildren come to club.
George, the school maintenance man made sure we had an extra trash can. He attends a church in Pasadena.
Ms. Llope, the art teacher lets the club use her room.
I (Dottie) brought additional Starbucks and the sign in sheet and thank you cards. I picked up trash.
Jason Hess spoke - at the student leaders request and invitation.
The Joy Class from Fellowship Bible Church provided the juice boxes for today.
And Nora Dellinger, coordinated the pick up of Chick fi la.
That's Nine. Nine adults from at least 6 different churches. And that doesn't include the Sunday School class! We all did our part: Only Jason spoke, the rest of us, were behind the scenes, almost invisible support people. We were there, helping, in the background, making sure we honored the students efforts with our whole hearted support. Some of us were invisible - they weren't even there - George, Nora, the Joy Class, Ms. Llope.
So how many adults does it take to support an on Campus Christian Club? More than I ever knew!
And Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I have several other things to do today, but it struck me again today, just how many people it takes to help a club run well. Forgive me, but I was reminded when I saw a large trash can on wheels . . . .
Today at Pearland Junior High East, we had 60 students. And 7 adults were there at the connection club. Adults from all walks of life and all different churches. (And just in case you don't know, 1 to 10 is considered a safe student to adult ratio.)
Sue Himmel is the club sponsor and her co teacher sponsor. That's 2.
Patti Kachel picks up end of the day goods from Starbucks and came in, with her granddaughter and about 70 goodies from Starbucks.
Linda and Billy Shaw picked up about 35 sausage biscuits donated by Chick fi la, brought a tray and a knife and cut the sausage biscuits in half. Their grandchildren come to club.
George, the school maintenance man made sure we had an extra trash can. He attends a church in Pasadena.
Ms. Llope, the art teacher lets the club use her room.
I (Dottie) brought additional Starbucks and the sign in sheet and thank you cards. I picked up trash.
Jason Hess spoke - at the student leaders request and invitation.
The Joy Class from Fellowship Bible Church provided the juice boxes for today.
And Nora Dellinger, coordinated the pick up of Chick fi la.
That's Nine. Nine adults from at least 6 different churches. And that doesn't include the Sunday School class! We all did our part: Only Jason spoke, the rest of us, were behind the scenes, almost invisible support people. We were there, helping, in the background, making sure we honored the students efforts with our whole hearted support. Some of us were invisible - they weren't even there - George, Nora, the Joy Class, Ms. Llope.
So how many adults does it take to support an on Campus Christian Club? More than I ever knew!
And Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
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