Kenny Hibbard

Last weekend my wife finally convinced me that I needed to add new jeans to my wardrobe. She said my current jeans were “out of style” and that I could no longer wear them on Sunday mornings up in front of people.  So, on Saturday, we set out on an adventure of trying to find a new pair of jeans from various stores. Moreover, I aspired to find a pair of jeans that were “in style” but were socially acceptable for a 41 year-old to wear. There is nothing worse than seeing men over a certain age trying to dress like they were young, cool and in their twenties. (I think these guys forgot that when we were in our twenties we made fun of such men…..and people still do!)

The last time I got a new pair of jeans…..my wife just bought them. (Of course, these are now the jeans she says are “out of style” ) So, last time, I did not venture into the jungle that is the “jean department” at these stores.  I was way unprepared for the variety of jeans for men that are now offered at stores.  Of course, I did not even look at the area marked “skinny jeans”. That recent phenomenon in male clothing  still has my head spinning.  There were jeans of all kinds of colors and styles. Even the Levis area had way to many to choose from and each style had it’s own number. (I remember 501 jeans and that is about it. )

My wife finally found a few different styles that she said would be “perfect”.  However, while trying them on I noticed that every pair of “in-style” jeans were basically hip-hugers for men.  This trend looks nice on women and fits well with their God given design….but I felt like the pants were about to fall off as I walked around the fitting room.  Not to mention that when I bent over to put on my shoe I felt the sliding of the pants in the wrong direction and realized that I also am not a plumber.

We went from one store to another. Finally……I agreed on a pair of jeans that would allow me to be “in-style” but also not cost me my man-card. Basically, they are not comfortable at all…..but my sweet wife says they look nice.

For the most part…… I don’t think style of clothes are right or wrong. They are just different. However, I do believe  that the style of clothes we choose to wear actually does identify us with certain people groups. Like it or not….what you wear will identify you with a certain sub-culture.  From cowboys, business people, country folks, stay at home moms, musicians, athletes, urban, metro and the like…..people can tell a lot about you by the way you dress. We choose to identify ourselves with certain groups of people by the way we dress and even wear our hair. You don’t have to like this social fact…but it is true.

Did you know that the same is true in the spiritual realm? The Bible tells us that Christians have certain character traits and outward social actions that identify us as followers of Christ.  The Bible says in John 13:35 that people who do not know us very well…..can identify us as Christians because of our Christ-like love that we show others.

The Bible says that people who do not know us can look at the way we live our lives and also make some on target assumptions about what we believe about God and our desire to live lives that honor him. There are things we do that associate us with people who are not Christians.  Also, there are definitive things we can do as a part of our everyday lives that associate us as Christ followers. The Bible calls these Christian identification marks the Fruit Of The Spirit. These are outward signs of a life that has been changed on the inside.

What does your outward life say about what you believe on the inside about God?

Galatians 5: 16-25

¹⁶ So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷ For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

¹⁹ The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

As a teenager…….I grew up in church and was an active member in our little “youth group“.

As a college kid and while in seminary…..I was a Youth Pastor and created my own “student ministry“.

As a married young adult……I was a full-time Student Pastor and created my own “student worship service” and “discipleship ministry for teenagers“.

As a Pastor and now Parent of a teenager …..I LOVE the fact that my son gets to enjoy and experience student services and a discipleship group… better than I ever was in, created or was pastor over.

• I love the fact that my 8th grader cannot wait for Wednesday night PURSUIT to start back for the new 2012 season.
• I love the fact that the worship he experiences each Wednesday night is designed for teenagers and is actually played and sung by teenagers.
• I love the fact that the teaching he gets each week is high caliber as Brad Saab is a great practical bible teacher who communicates so teenagers can understand what he is saying.
• I love the fact that PURSUIT is a place that my son can hang with his Christian friends and also bring his friends that don’t come to our church.
• I love the fact that PURSUIT is led by Brad Saab and has many adult volunteers who help make it an incredible service just for teenagers!
• I love the fact that PURSUIT is actually run by teenagers.  They do the sound, lights, band, video and even clean up. Nothing is better for teenagers who have those gifts and passions than to be apart of something they own and participate in each week.
• I love the fact that PURSUIT is fun but also meaningful! Tough topics are taught on and our teenagers are challenged to live a God honoring life at all times.

PURSUIT starts back this Wednesday! I know my son is looking forward to it! I am looking forward to him being a part of it and watching him continue to grow in his relationship with God in the great student service that is PURSUIT.  Brad Saab and his team of  adults and teenagers are ready……I hope you will once again make plans to have your teenagers there!

I also love the fact that my son gets to be in a Home Team discipleship group with a group of guys all in the same grade. Moreover, he is led by two male volunteers who desire to help him be all that God wants him to be now and in the future.  Student Home Teams start this Sunday! A place where teenagers can have an age appropriate bible study, ask questions, be challenged spiritually, serve together and have fun. All with a small group of friends led by a faithful volunteer.   Kristine Wood is doing a wonderful job developing and training adult leaders to lead each group! Soon we are hoping to have an admin person helping Kristine and this person would focus on just Student Home Teams!

Times have changed a little since I was a teenager. They have also changed a little since I was a youth pastor. I am glad that Team Church has been faithful to change, create and continue to offer such a wonderful ministry for my son and all the other teenagers who come here.

As a parent will you make a courageous commitment to making sure your teenagers are here on Wednesday night for PURSUIT and to join a Home Team in 2012.  Two commitments……huge lifetime impact!

Also….Parents mark down February 24th / 25th.  We are having a special weekend for your teenager called:

10:13 Weekend!

• It will be Friday 6pm through Saturday at 9pm!  They will meet here and be sleeping overnight in our building and enjoying the campus here at Team Church!

• They will be coming home with details this Wednesday night!

On Sunday I shared with you that I was there…..but felt very sick. Truth is….I felt horrible! Come to find out I have pneumonia. I can’t remember how long it has been since I have been to sick to move. I think I have been “sick-free” for at least five years. Sick meaning…..you don’t  want to get out of bed and just sit still all day.

I don’t like sitting around and usually get too bored to stay in the same place for more than a day or two.  However, this bout with pneumonia has knocked me out for the count.  The high-powered antibiotic is starting to help……

Anyway, while laying here feeling like I may cough up my lung I have been able to watch the unfolding saga of the cruise ship that rammed a rock of the Italian Coast. That is a crazy tale of cowardice and unbelievable poor choices.  The whole thing is a screaming sermon illustration.  The head of the Cruise line said that the route was preset and that the captain deliberately “went of course” and that is when they got into trouble.

I also watched a DVD movie from Redbox. I would like to encourage all parents to watch the movie 5th Quarter.  If you can get your middle school or High School kids to watch it with you that would be better. It is a true story and one that puts many things into perspective as parents and teenagers.

It would be worth the $1.20 you have to pay at Redbox.  The first 15 minutes of the movie should spark all kinds of conversations with you and your spouse.  You and your teenagers. You and your God.

I look forward to feeling better and seeing you on Sunday.   Please remember that a new year has started. I pray you are committed to tithing this year so that we can have a vibrant ministry each week and each month all year long. We are committed over the first three months of the year to not make any “fixed cost” cuts and to operate with very low ministry money. We are trusting that our general budget giving will increase steadily through March so that we are able to keep all “fixed cost” in our budget while flourishing in ministry.