People vs. Product

We all live in a fast pace society today where productivity is the number 1 priority. We live to complete tasks, cross off the to do list, meet deadlines, and to climb up the corporate ladder. These are all good, but my goal in writing this blog is to encourage our viewers to keep the main thing the main thing. That is, the people!

Let’s be honest… It’s really easy to write people off and stay task focused, especially in the business that life brings. However, what can happen over time is that the people we are surrounded by day in and day out will begin to distance themselves from us because they feel as though we don’t truly care about them as a person, when in all reality, we really do. But we can get so consumed in our agenda that we overlook what is really going on in the lives of the people around us.

It has been a really tough journey for me personally because I am so task driven, but I have made it a point to give people my full attention when they come to my desk to talk or ask a question, when they stop me in the atrium, or when they stop by our table at dinner to say hi. This is not always easy, but in the end it is extremely fulfilling.

I know of a national minister who, when confronted or approached, no matter the issue or the person, she gives that person her undivided attention and makes them feel as though they are the most important person in the world to her. That is the life that we should try to model because in the end, people are the only thing on this earth that are eternal. Everything else is temporary.


In conclusion, I want to give you a one liner that I live by when entering into a conversation with anybody. “Remember, they are a real person, with a real soul, going to a real Heaven or a real hell.” It’s our job to best emulate the ultimate ‘people person,’ Jesus!

-Hayden

DNA of a VOX Volunteer

The Student Ministries staff is honored to work side by side with an incredible team of volunteers here at Valley Family Church. Each week, our faithful volunteers give up their time, energy, and sleep to show the love of Jesus Christ to each and every student that attends VOX Student Ministries. The DNA of a VOX Student Ministries volunteer will always include the following traits:


Determined to make each student feel like family
Here at VOX Student Ministries, we have a saying that we use often – “We are family.” This statement is a simple reminder that every student is welcome and belongs here at VOX Student Ministries. VOX is a place where students come together as one to connect with God in a deeper way, and VOX volunteers are at the forefront of the movement actively engaging each student that walks through our doors. 

Never afraid to leave their comfort zone
VOX volunteers are always ready to step out to assist with elements of the weekend service as needed. VOX volunteers may be asked to help facilitate a messy game during the service, participate in a video as part of a service element, or pray with a student in need after service. Working with Middle School and High School, our volunteers know that they need to be ready to step up to the plate and assist at any moment.

Always serve with excellence
VOX volunteers get that a spirit of excellence glorifies God, and we strive to pay attention to the details.  A familiar story at Valley Family Church is the story of Queen Sheba and how she was amazed and breathless at the excellence displayed in King Solomon’s kingdom! From neatly re-stocking the Water Bar products to straightening the chairs after service, our volunteers service with excellence each and every weekend.


-Ruth

Life is Short, Church Should be Fun!

Back in grade school, I had friend whose dad owned a boat marina, and on their t-shirts read the marina’s tagline: “Life Is Short” on the front and “Boats are Cool” on the back.  My buddies and I would wear those t-shirts to school every week. I saw that slogan so much that I really did think boats were cool and I still want one someday. This story has a parallel that we can transfer to the youth.

Although we don’t have anything about boats in our code at VFC, we do live by the code: “Life is Short; Church Should be Fun!” In VOX Student Ministries, we endeavor to walk this code out every Sunday with our 6^th-12^th grade students.

When I was growing up, whenever I heard the term “church” the first word that would come to mind was “boring.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking any particular denomination, but the services that I remember were long, ritualistic, serious, and very dry at times. I never remember having much fun in church, except when my younger brother and I would use the bulletin as a doodle pad. My motto would have been: “Life Is Short; Church is Boring.” This is sad, but it is the present day stereotype that many of our youth have. 

This is where we come in!  As youth pastors, volunteers, parents and alike, we must step up and show students in this next generation that God is fun, church is fun, and living a godly lifestyle is fun! So many students think that a life surrendered to Christ will “take away all the fun” in their life and that a relationship with God is just a bunch of “Don’ts” and “Cant’s”.  Life goes by too fast and many of us in ministry work too hard for our students to think that church and God are boring and lame.  Just like those T-shirts at the marina I mentioned earlier, we need to radiate the message “Church Should Be Fun” every opportunity we get.

The truth is this: If church is not fun, students won’t come! If we take away the “fun factor” then we introduce the “run factor,” which implies that if students aren’t having fun, then they will run.  More specifically, if our services are not high energy, engaging, or do not have an element of fun, then students will turn and run to the things of the world that present those opportunities instead. That is why we must constantly be seeking the Lord for creative and innovative ways to add the “fun factor” to our youth services, events, retreats, and outreaches.

So, God is giving us a license to have a little fun at church and loosen up a bit. There’s nothing wrong with a confetti gun, students chugging a can of pop through their friend’s dirty sock, or even a random flash mob in the middle of a service. As long as it doesn’t compromise the Word and Spirit of God and it enhances the fun factor of the worship experience… go for it! If it helps, you can remember it this way: Life Is Short, Boats Are Cool, and Church Should Be Fun!

-Eric

Let the Games Begin!

Twenty years ago, Pastors Jeff and Beth Jones were given a vision to plant a church that would impact Southwest Michigan and beyond. Today, that vision has become a reality through the ministries of Valley Family Church and can be summarized by our mission: "We exist so people get it." 

As a student ministries team, everything that we do reflects that mission. We want to see people get saved, get helped, get free, get faith and so much more! From the behind-the-scenes stuff to our weekend services, our goal is to help students "get it!" Our hope is that through this blog, you are encouraged, motivated, equipped and challenged to help the people in your sphere of influence "get it too!"

Let the games begin!

Richard