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{Heart4Teens.com} *Lessons from the Neighborhood*
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If you enjoy this free email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of teenagers everywhere! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, you can join Heart4Teen.com readers around the world by sending a blank e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to: Heart4Teens@aol.com or visit: http://www.heart4teens.com/
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Reading Books, Changing Lives!
If you love to read inspirational stories, these books are most likely those you will eventually buy anyway. And how cool would it be to be able to buy books like those in the Chicken Soup series for your friends and family with a personalized autographed message by one of the contributing authors! How's that for a unique gift! Not only are you changing lives through supporting a youth ministry, but every book included on our website has the power to make a difference in the lives of those you give the books to. Check out this link to find out more!
http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books
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While this article was written before Mr. Rogers passed away I thought it would be a timely article for those of you who remembered watching his TV show while you were little....
From my family to yours,
Michael
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Lessons from the Neighborhood
Everything I know about ministry I learned from Mister Rogers.
by Greg Asimakoupoulos
There goes the neighborhood. Late last year, the final original episode of Mister Rogers's show aired on PBS. After 30 years of entertaining little hearts and minds, Fred Rogers put away his sneakers for the final time. The show continues in reruns, but Mister Rogers's retirement reminded me how much I miss our visits.
When my daughters were preschool age, I welcomed the cardigan-clad Presbyterian minister to our home almost every day. Or more accurately, we were invited into his house and, by a short train trip through his living room wall, into the Neighborhood of Make Believe. There I found that, thanks to puppets King Friday and Prince Tuesday, the message of Sunday was enacted all week long for a petit flock led by a serene shepherd in gym shoes.
In fact, looking back, I can say that (almost) everything I needed to know about pastoring a church, I learned in that pre-kindergarten. Mister Rogers taught me much about life in my own neighborhood -- er, congregation. Here are just a few of the nuggets I've gleaned from the Neighborhood.
1. Accentuate the positive
Mister Rogers always reminded his viewers that he likes them just the way they are. It was something his Grandfather McFeeley used to say. While other family members discussed young Fred's introverted nature, someone he loved and respected celebrated his praise-worthy qualities.
I needed that reminder in my first church. Early on, a few vocal critics challenged my adequacy as a spiritual shepherd. It was painful. I didn't feel loveable or loved. But when I heard Mister Rogers telling my daughters "I like you just the way you are," it felt good -- to them and to me. People could like me, just the way I was. Mister Rogers said so.
I began to take the power of affirmation more seriously. As hard as it was, I determined to focus on the positive qualities of my detractors.
If the puppet-residents of Make Believe could find something likeable in the wicked, self-centered, bulbous-nosed Lady Elaine Fairchild, then surely I could like the head of my church's mission society. Everyone has something worthy of appreciation, right?
When I celebrated aspects of their personalities I genuinely liked, their attitude toward me was less critical.
2. It takes a neighborhood
Even though it was called Mister Rogers's Neighborhood, Fred's program was not a one-man show. John Costa arranged the music and led the jazz ensemble, Betty Aberlin sang and interacted with the puppets, and Mr. McFeeley delivered the mail. There were many more regulars, both on camera and off. They had much fun working -- and playing -- together.
During the years I was watching children's TV with my kids, I stumbled into the basement of clinical depression. A major factor in my fall was my attempt to do most of the ministry myself. I burned out. That's when my own neighbors surrounded me.
On Sunday, I sat on the front row with my wife while Martin gave the announcements, Clyde read the Scripture, Judie led music, and Bill took the offering. During the week, church members assumed leadership of visitation, small groups, and pastoral care.
Not only did I regain my emotional health, my congregation received affirmation for use of their ministry gifts. Church became community, and neighbors became teammates and friends.
3. True leaders work beneath the castle Fred Rogers disappeared about halfway through each show, then returned just in time to change out of his sweater and sneakers and wave goodbye. While he stayed in the "real world," he sent viewers into the Neighborhood of Make Believe, where the puppets lived. Mister Rogers was never seen there.
What most kids didn't know was that Fred was under the castle supplying the hands and voices for the king and queen. Fred never seemed to care that to many kids the puppets were as much the stars as he was. He was in cramped spaces, willingly working shoulder to elbow with other puppeteers to bring fantasy to life.
As one who enjoys the limelight, I learned the lessons of behind-the-scenes service somewhat reluctantly as an unofficial custodian after late-night fellowship meetings, when no else was around to take down the chairs for the next day's activities. On Saturday mornings, when a few guys cooked breakfast for the rest of the men, I discovered that scrubbing pots and pans while others visited wasn't all that bad.
Some aspects of pastoring, like Mister Rogers's puppetry, are not about pulling strings, but instead it's about getting involved up to your elbows, whether anybody knows it or not.
4. The value of ugga-mugga
One of my favorite residents in the Neighborhood is Daniel Striped Tiger, a shy, threadbare puppet with a scratchy little voice, like a 3-year-old with a two-pack habit. There was only one person with whom insecure Daniel confessed his fears -- the lovely, human Lady Aberlin. She knew the tiger's flaws and loved him anyway. Often after he unloaded his heavy heart, Lady Aberlin would rub his nose and say "ugga-mugga." I think it meant, "I care about you and you're going to be okay."
When I was wrestling with depression, I needed someone to do that. Not the nose rubbing, but the listening and appropriate offering of assurance.
Every pastor needs a confidant who is also free to confront with difficult truths. I had that in a therapist for a time, but once my therapy was ended, I decided I wanted what Daniel had all the time. I needed a friend to hear me, challenge me, and sometimes console me. I sought out another pastor by the name of Doug. Over coffee he listened and urged me to stay alert to my tendencies toward discouragement and an unhealthy need for attention.
5. Every Day is special
It's such a good feeling to know you're alive. Mister Rogers wrapped up every show with this upbeat song. Every day is special, and even as one visit ended, he anticipated the next. And based on what I've read about Mister Rogers, he believed what he sang. He unwrapped each day's show as if it were a personal gift from God, because according to his faith, it was.
Although I share his belief, I haven't always shared his positive practice. But when I got ready for bed and looked in on my three healthy little girls fast asleep under their covers, I realized that in some way, every day is a good day. And like Mister Rogers, I've learned to anticipate the next one as a "snappy, new day."
I'm glad Mister Rogers lives on in reruns. I'll look in now and then. Like when I'm doubtful that I'm making a difference (how many 4-year-olds wrote him thank-you notes?). Or when I need coaching in consistency (same time, same station, same shoes, same sweater, same smile, five days-a-week for 30 years).
But especially when I need to see what ministry looks like out in the neighborhood.
Thanks, Mister Rogers.
Adapted from Leadership (Winter 2002), © 2002 Greg Asimakoupoulos. Used by permission of Christianity Today International.
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LET'S GO SURFING DUDE!
How do you handle conflict with other people? This organization is dedicated to equipping and assisting Christians to respond to conflict in a biblical way. http://www.hispeace.org/
Feeling smart? Try wrapping your brain around these questions! You have a half hour to prove just how sharp your problem-solving skills are. http://www.mensa.org/workout.html
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Thought For The Day:
"Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things."--Denis Diderot
Verse for the Day:
"...fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." --Romans 12:11
Teen's Thought for the Day:
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Parents for the sake of getting a living forget to live." --Margaret Fuller
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Pride was his life force; for us it was a live nerve that he could teach us to brush. One stroke, a good practice, and we could tingle for days...First, he found the pride in each of us, then he taught us how good it could feel. What he was ultimately after was for every one of us to learn to light our own fires and glow our brightest." --Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, on his college coach John Wooden
Writer's Thought For The Day:
"The dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." --S.J. Perelman
Deep Thought For The Day:
"If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the OTHERS here for?" --Steven Wright
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Author Michael T. Powers
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 14 other inspirational books. Check out his book: Straight From the Heart by visiting: http://www.hearttouchers.com/
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ALL-STAR Ministry
--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI
If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerene Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 4-5 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)
Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.
THIS WEEK:
All-Stars: We will continue with our True Love Video series with Joshua Harris!
The Outlet: We continue with our Prayer of Jabez for Teens series!
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Change Is Here!
All-Stars will be extending its time to 6:00 - 8:30 PM on Sunday nights. 6:00 - 6:30 will be time for the youth to chat and discuss anything they want with the youth leaders or each other. 6:30 - 7:00 PM will be for games or fun activities and then 7:00 - 8:30 PM will be for the lesson and discussion time. Students are still welcome to "hang out" after 8:30 PM if they want, as the leaders are usually at the church until at least 10:00 PM, and some nights even later. (For the past couple of months the students have continually complained that we are running out of time before we get to really discuss the topics in full and asked if we could have longer teaching times... I know, most of you are probably now getting back up off the floor from the shock. We have been most encouraged that the teens have been wanting to stay longer to be able to discuss the lessons more fully.)
The Outlet: "Get plugged into Jesus Christ!" (Teen Cell Groups)
Wednesday night community groups for teens. The groups are limited to no more than ten teens and will be originally split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.
"The Extreme Teens" (formerly the Core Group) meets from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the church. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them. (If your teen will also be attending All-Stars that night, they are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or snack to tide them over until 8:30.)
We are very excited at what God will be doing with our youth!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Embers of Hope
Don't Miss this Powerful Drama
Coming to Faith Community Church 2931 Lucerne Dr. Janesville, Wisconsin Saturday April 5th -- 6:30 PM Sunday April 6th -- 6:30 PM
-- Full length drama set in Munich and Amsterdam during the Second World War. Brought to life by a cast and crew of twenty six actors, musicians, and technicians.
-- A German Captain, a refugee who lives only for revenge, and two Jewish children complicate the lives of the Boomstras and the musical group which meets in their home.
-- A story of moral courage and our hope in Christ! Suspenseful and heart-warming.
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Generation Now Youth Service!
Sunday April 6 at Faith Community Church
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Also Coming to Faith Community Church:
Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m.
New Rocketown Recording Artist
"Alathea"
Tickets: $3 Advance $5 Door
Tickets Available at Lighthouse Books & Gifts, Janesville WI, Bible Book Center, Beloit WI and Lemstone Books, Cherryvale Mall, Rockford IL
"Alathea exhibits strong talent" if you're ready for something fresh and invigorating instead of today's all-too-usual pop fare, then Alathea is definitely a group to check out. Gospelsite.net
"Indian Creek. It's got a cool Americana vibe with its acoustic instruments and her plaintive delivery. This trio sounds like a star-in-the-making to me." "Music Row magazine (Robert K. Oermann review)
"The sound could probably best be described as folk pop, very earthy with touches of country and bluegrass. While there is a very folksy country sound to the instrumentation of this album, it is tempered with a healthy dose of pop songwriting. The results are delightful." ChristianityToday.com
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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
http://www.heart4teens.com/
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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Would you like to see your story in Heart4Teens.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here:
http://www.Heart4Teens.com/guidelines/
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm
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