Andy's Blog - Latest Comments

Re: Laughter And God’s Faithfulness

andyblanks — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:32:11 -0000

Amen to that . . .

Re: Laughter And God’s Faithfulness

seventy8Productions — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:06:10 -0000

A refreshing post! Thanks for that glimpse into your life, family, and heart. It's these moments that allow us to breath.

Re: Behind The Scenes Look At “NEW: First Steps For New Christ-Followers”

andyblanks — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:33:10 -0000

Benjer, The first step in dealing with a problem is realizing you have one . . . :)

Re: Behind The Scenes Look At “NEW: First Steps For New Christ-Followers”

Benjer McVeigh — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:02:56 -0000

Looks really cool. Convicting quote: "If the man had loved bacon more than Jesus, Jesus would have told him to GIVE AWAY ALL HIS BACON." I think I need to spend some time in prayer and repent.

Re: Discipleship Question: What Is The Gospel For Millennials?

Sharon Hoover — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:30:02 -0000

Your paragraph of "Generation Me" description is spot-on, Andy. We adults have created this extreme pendulum swing to the point that it must (I hope!) begin toward correction. Starting with the "True You" may help begin the conversation with our students, but we do need to help take the focus off ourselves.

I completely agree that humble servanthood is becoming the key to discipleship with this generation. Most truly desire to serve...although many do so to "feel good about themselves" or their parents encourage them so "they'll better appreciate all that they have." Our challenge is to help students (and their parents) view servanthood as a natural outflow of gratitude for the grace we have received from God. Jesus' sacrifice holds new understanding and a grip for students learning how to relate to the world.

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

andyblanks — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:04:05 -0000

Well said, Duff. It's too important to pass over. Thanks for stopping by and for sounding off!

Re: When Our Behavior Derails Our Discipleship Process

andyblanks — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:02:31 -0000

Yes, absolutely. We've probably all been guilty of it. I think in this day and age we can't say that we don't have the tools or processes. It really does boil down to behavior, for me. Ugh . . . Need saving from myself every day! Thanks for stopping by, friend. Talk to you soon.

Re: When Our Behavior Derails Our Discipleship Process

Benjer McVeigh — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:52:10 -0000

Great post. What's interesting is that when we feel that nudge to be more committed disciples, we often assume that our problem is process, not behavior. So, going to a conference, ascribing to the steps laid out in a new book becomes the answer, not simply changing our priorities.

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

Duff — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:55:12 -0000

after 16 years of youth ministry I must humbly admit I missed the boat on this one. I did very little to try and disciple parents of the students that attended my student ministry and in doing this ignored the bridge that could have taken me deeper into the lives of those students.
I am trying now to minister to the parents by partnering with them to achieve the goal of discipleship and in the process reaching more parents and having a chance to minister and disciple them.
I say if at all possible try and minister and disciple the entire family; if we can can disciple the parents then they can do what they were created and called to do...Disciple their children.
If God has placed them into our lives I believe He would have us get to work on them.

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

Hazael Dorantes Liberato — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:58:16 -0000

Hi. It's great, I want to get it. Just a question, do you plan to translate it to spanish?
Thanks for all you do for helping us and blessings!

Re: Discipleship Truth: Real Influence Can’t Be Rushed

andyblanks — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:32:13 -0000

Thanks Adam! A good lesson for all of us, for sure. God bless you, bro!

Re: Discipleship Truth: Real Influence Can’t Be Rushed

Adam Reed — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:29:08 -0000

Great reminder about the importance of being somewhere for the long haul and being faithful in that ministry!

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

andyblanks — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:23:12 -0000

Stephen, it's a real privilege to serve you. I mean it. We're as excited about this book as we've been about any resource in a while. It's really, really solid. AND, the cool thing is that we've developed a free leader's guide that allows the book to function as the out-of-class piece for a 4 week small group Bible study. Just trying to give you some options as a leader to really shepherd your students as they lay the foundations for their faith. Thanks for stopping by the blog!

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

Stephen Cox — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:18:32 -0000

Like Mike...I have though of at least 5 students I would give this to today to work through with them! I'll probably get at least a dozen of these DAY ONE!!! Thanks for your heart for students and life-transformation!!!

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

andyblanks — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:15:46 -0000

Thanks Phil! I'll make sure we get you a copy.

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

andyblanks — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:13:35 -0000

Mike, thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to get it out.

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

Phil Bell — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:11:47 -0000

Brilliant! I can't wait to read it!

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

Mike Hammer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:08:10 -0000

Dude, this looks pretty solid! Looking forward to getting copies into the hands of some students!

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

andyblanks — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:46:59 -0000

You know me that well, huh? Of course you'll get one. Can't wait to ship it to you. Hope you are well!

Re: A Sneak Peek Of My NEW Book

Christopher Wesley — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:17:32 -0000

Can't wait for it's release and for my copy ha ha.

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

andyblanks — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:31 -0000

Sharon, I was really pleased to discover that most of the interaction we had on this post over at ym360blog.com echoed your comments. I think the way you said it is well put: "Work together from different angles." Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Have a great day!

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

Sharon Hoover — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:02:14 -0000

I agree that encouraging and equipping parents is the ministry of the entire church...as is discipling the children of the church. All ages caring and ministering to each other is the picture of a healthy community. I believe that we as youth leaders can help to inform the conversation because we have an ear into the teen culture. Our presence with students opens valuable opportunities for them to share concerns that may not be expressed to parents. Putting all of the comments from students together allows us to share critical info with parents (and other church leaders). We also understand the adult world (sorta!). Our trusted presence with students also allows us to shed light on parents' and teachers' motives. (I exclude abusive behaviors, of course!)

Parents truly love their children more than we ever could. I may not understand some of the parenting I observe, but I do recognize that parents want the best for their children. As a youth leader, I keep parents informed of our lessons, discussions, retreat topics etc to help them continue the faith conversations at home. While meeting with parents about retreats, etc I am also sharing the gospel and teaching them... it's a beautiful thing!

So... who's job is it? We work together from different angles.

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

andyblanks — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:52:32 -0000

Well said, Emily! Thanks for stopping by.

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

andyblanks — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:50:07 -0000

Josh, love the way you're thinking. That's a picture of a really healthy church all working toward the same goal. Wish more were like it!

Re: Youth Worker Sound Off: Equipping Parents To Disciple: Yes Or No?

Josh Knierim — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:21:07 -0000

One way I think about it is that each minister (student minister, pastor, small groups minister, etc.) can speak to different facets of the parent's ministry to their children. The pastor disciples the parents. The student minister then helps the parents translate their discipleship into the context of the student's life. The parents cannot give what they don't have so they need someone to help them grow in faith, but even when they have a vibrant faith, because we are more likely to speak the student's language, we as student ministers can help the parents discover ways to disciple in their own home that will be as effective as possible. In this way we are all a team.