Disqus - Latest Comments for RalfB

Re: Local Youth Work (Part 4)

Ralf — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:52:47 -0000

Hi Jon!
Building a relationship to people does not mean to be everybody´s darling. It means to be a straight person living in this world with all their struggles. It is not neccessary to be the superhero, but most important to have a heart and an ear and a helping hand for young people. To take them as full human beings, as a full part of the society.
So authority will come by itself, because young people quickly realize, if adults are doing a show or being authentic.
God´s bless!
Ralf

Re: Processing

Ralf — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:38:54 -0000

Hi young parents!
I just found your dialogue...
May an old dad of two wonderful daughters (nearly 14 and nearly 11 years old) tell you that:
Enjoy this time with your babies - even it is hard some times...
This time of having a little creature of God in your arms is going away so fast...so Boys, be thankful for every moment.
Four years ago we had nearly lost our little daughter in an accident, so I know, what I´m talking about!
God´s bless to you and your families!
Ralf
from Germany

Re: YWN Article: Cannabis row leaves us all in a blur

Ralf — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:08:06 -0000

Hi Jon!
I find this discussion a little dangerous. I find it dangerous to say one drug is less harmful than the other. All drugs are evil, coming from the devil, with the intention to destroy God´s loved creature.
There are so many things in the world leading to addiction (everyone is addicted to something) and they all have one aim: Pulling us away from God...So, I think, the point is to figure out what is my addiction and to pray for healing. In the total we, as human beings, are helpless, that´s what we have to admit...
Take care everybody!
GBU
Ralf

Re: 3 Strikes: Discipline in Youth Groups

Ralf — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:26:20 -0000

Hi Jon!
Excellent to mention that the buildings and equipment has to be respected by their users.
We get the money that we need by donations from our community members. And they have a right that this money is used effectifely and the items purchased are used in a proper way.
We cannot take it for granted that all this is made available to us.
Living in a community of God´s creatures /human beings does not work without rules - that´s neccessary and God given and should be made clear to everyone, who joins community activities.
GBU
Ralf

Re: Farmer McCocky – The Parable of the Sower

Ralf — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:06:28 -0000

Hi Jon!
Great idea to use video...You are much further from the technical aspect than we are - not, that we didn´t have or could get all this technical stuff, but we should use it more widely. I think this is what faces young peoples (especially boys!) interest. Checking out your community activities I find a lot of excellent technical support at all and you are doing the right thing: You use it!
GBU
Ralf

Re: Recommended Resources for New Youth Ministers

Ralf — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:34:33 -0000

Hi Brothers and Sisters!
I would recommend the book "Faith at home" by Mark Holmen. I think what happens in families has an influence on youth ministry, so this book could be helpful.
GBU
Ralf

Re: ASBO’s

Ralf — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:31:39 -0000

Hi Jon!
I´ve never heard about this rude practice with these ASBO´s here in Germany.
I know that people can be banned from special places or areas, but the officers won´t move from house to house and show pictures from the banned people.
My opinion is, that the problems young people get have the reason in their families situation.
If you live in a family that is using bad words (sorry for my english again!) you won´t go out and speak Oxford English. The families are coming more and more into my focus. I´ve heard a lecture at a willow creek youth congress about faith at home. And I think there is the key to find to solve many problems.
GBU
Ralf

Re: Taking a break

Ralf — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:24:45 -0000

Sorry Jon - forgot to mention: of course we are praying for all of you brothers and sisters!!!

Re: Taking a break

Ralf — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:07:51 -0000

Hi Jon!
This is the right decision!
We cannot do different things in a proper way at the same time and we all are connected on a grade. Higher than Emails, text messages or blogs - we are connected in Jesus!
So, I wish a blessed and safe time for all the activities!
Ralf

Re: Young People Matter

Ralf — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:53:57 -0000

Looking at the picture above I realize, that the majority are girls! Even more girls are in volunteer service here in Germany. A german proverb says there are three "K's" with women/girls: Kinder, Kueche, Kirche - children, kitchen, church.
How can we reach men/boys with the best message in the world? How can church be attractive to them without denying the gospel? It is a struggle - by now we only have little success here.
God bless.
Ralf

Re: Using SMS with youth groups

Ralf — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:31:43 -0000

I find this is a great idea! We have some problems reaching the kids for our youth club "Das Luther".
I will try to find a provider here in Germany, who offers this group messaging service and telling you later how/if it was working.
Be blessed.
Ralf

Re: YWN Article: Partnerships can be a pain, but they are key

Ralf — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:20:41 -0000

Very good article Jon!
In christian ChY-Work we are not competitors or rivals. We are all serving the same loving God. And he has love in abundance for all of us, that we mustn´t hold anything back. There is enough for everybody - and it does not matter, if you are rich or poor, where you come from or whatever. God´s love is given to all of us and he want´s us to tell the people about this love, no matter what community or church you are from. It´s this "higher connection" that gives us strength and is making a difference, we realize, that we are not struggling alone - brothers and sisters are on our side.
GBU
Ralf

Re: Moving On Up

Ralf — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:41:20 -0000

Hi Jon!
What you say is absolutely true. We can watch the same phenomenon here in Germany.
There is no chance to run groups for every age, that is clear. So it is most important to have leaders who are able to create teams, if there is no leader the kids will pretty soon separate into ages. The biggest problem, in my opinion, is, that we have the young people for just some hours per week. Most of the time they are influenced by other circumstances. They have different social backgrounds, come from non-christian families etc. We can only show and offer the other way, the christian way, of behaviour and how people should treat people.
Keeping the contact and conversation with the kids will help them understand why it won´t be the best idea to move on up to soon.
GBU
Ralf

Re: Limited access to youth clubs

Ralf — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:18 -0000

Thru all our work we must not forget Psalm 127,1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."
You can run youth clubs, activities, events...
If Jesus is not in the centre, we will never succeed.

Re: YWN Article: There is a balance to effective youth work

Ralf — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:15:18 -0000

Great, Jon!
You are able to reflect yourself - very important!
Gods bless.
Ralf

Re: Simpson’s River Crossing

Ralf — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:23:28 -0000

Crossing a river can sometimes be hard, if you find no bridge.
Crossing the English Channel could be even harder...Good luck: Jesus is THE bridge ;-)
I think you know what I mean...
Ralf

Re: Ways To Help Volunteers Plug In

Ralf — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:36:46 -0000

Hi Jon!
From time to time we let our Volunteers have little gifts including a bible verse and let them know, that their service is much appreciated and just to say thank you.
We do only have volunteers, the only full time people are the pastors. In our kids service, that is Willow Creek based (Promiseland), we wear special t-shirts and basecaps. It leads to a special feeling of belonging to and works great - everyone is keen on this shirts and caps.
GBU
Ralf

Re: Funhouse!

Ralf — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:08:17 -0000

Hi Jon!
My name is Ralf, I´m writing from Germany (please forgive me my poor english). In the past I was contacting David Thatcher and Steve West and we were exchanging some emails. I think, they are very busy brothers in christ. What I´m looking for is a little partnership. I´m an elder in our church, doing kids and youth work, too, just as you do. My idea is to make friends around the (christian) world, to pray for each other, to share experiences, ideas... whatever let christians stay close together and take care of each other. If you want to check our church website: www.kirche-einberg.de
I would be glad to hear from you!
So be blessed.
Ralf