Brian Mills

Don't Miss this Opportunity for Mission Belize - Teens up to Sr Adults

2012-01-27T15:12:00.000-06:00

I recently attended a trip to Belieze with Jordan Easley, Matt Lawson, Jeff Audis and some other good friends. We stayed in a place called La Estima.

While spending time in Belize I realized a few things...

1. Belize is a great place to travel too:
It is a quick and cheap plane trip and has some amazing scenery while being there. Some of the best divining in the world. It is truly a must go place in your lifetime.

2. Belize is a Safe place to go.
As a youth pastor i am always looking for safe environments where our students can go and experience a new culture. Belize is truly a place you can go and w/ the help of the managers of La Estima you will be very safe no matter your age. Weather you are a teenager or a Sr. Adult.

3. Belize is in need of the GOSPEL:
This is what pushes me to Belize the most. While being there I came to the concluding there is no dominate religion and if some of us begin to partner w/ the right people we could truly change a country. Belize is is need of the GOSPEL.

POINT:
My point is this. After leaving many of us spoken about this amazing opportunity. Jeff Audis begin to study further into it and has now created, through our friends at TEAM IMPACT, a way where we can spread the gospel all through Belize. They need OUR help though. We need to partner w/ them in watching this come true.

RECOMMENDATION:
I have attended this trip and can tell you it is very much worth the experience and the partnership. La Estima is a VERY VERY NICE place to stay w/ your group and a VERY safe place to stay w/ your group. Team Impact is VERY purposeful in their mission to reach Belize. Those two combinations shows me we stand a real chance to reach this country. Will you join w/ us as we work to spread the Gospel to Belize?

New Book Coming out for Boys / Men - Checkpoints - A Tactical Guide to Manhood

2011-11-29T20:54:00.001-06:00

Several years ago God put a real passion on my heart to write a book for young men. I noticed as a youth pastor there was very little out there for me to recommend to Dad's and Small Group leaders for there "guy" groups or there "sons."

Through a lot of prayer, God open the door for me to connect w/ Marsha Pursley with Navpress. Through several conversations she said this is a book they would love to publish.

I then contacted my friend Nathan Wagnon who I became very close to in college. I knew Nathan and I would make a good team. Nathan is the smart one of the team who can write really well and as well can spell really well which is a big help to me.

Nathan, who is active in the military, fully committed to be a part of this Journey and off we went.

Long story short Checkpoints was born. The book is now at the editor and will be released in July of 2012.

@checkpointsbook is all about challenging boys to be men. It takes boys on a 40 day journey done over 8 weeks through several topics. Each topic is picked from our experience over the past 11 years of leading groups and myself as a youth pastor.

At the end of each week there is a guide (After Action Review) in which a small group leader, Accountability group, Dad or anyone wanting to discuss the book could use. This makes the book not just a good book but a good piece of curriculum as well.

If you are in Middle School, High School, College, Dad, Small Group Leader, Youth Pastor, Accountability Group or work with guys in anyway this book is for you.

Help us by Liking our Facebook page http://www.checkpointsbook.com and then following us on twitter @checkpointsbook

We have several options to put this book in the hands of many athletes and others through donations. If you are interested in helping with that contact me.

Most of all Pray for us as we finish up this process and see how God uses this book to touch the lives of young men all over the world.

Twitter Question: What is the name of your current sermon series? Answer are -

2011-10-05T15:30:00.002-05:00

@drewdsnider Drew Snider Getting out of your comfort zone requires BEING YOU

@sammidgett Sam Midgett how to survive a zombie attack

@keithrowell Keith Rowell finishing up 'Prayers that Shook the World' next week starting 'Naked' tlking the importance of authenticity

@thepresident34 Chris Mikesell we are going through @DaveRamsey generation change

@EliasPenalo Elías Peñalo the Yoke of Sin, but I'm not done yet :)

@raysanford25 Ray Sanford part 2 of "Josiah Road" series tonight.

@raysanford25 Ray Sanford Then kicking off the iWorship series that focuses on the selfishness of making worship all about ourselves instead of Jesus

@B_Harrison Brandon Harrison dead or alive

@Robb_Hand Robb Hand We are going through a series: Radical Followers: What it means to seriously follow Jesus. Tonight is on Community.

@RevElkins Dan Elkins We are going through Ecclesiastes with our Middle Schoolers. Have a great time!

@pastorbialek Jeremy Bialek Our's is finishing up on the Fruit of the Spirit tonight. Good stuff. You can't force the fruit. It's a product of the root.

@Joshgering Josh Gering Carrier: Going Viral Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you."

Creative idea in signing up for YAPTAP

2011-09-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

We use YAPTAP as our texting service. It is an A+ product your hold check out.

To get students to sign up during our Brick by Brick series we are using yaptap to play an interactive game each week.

One week we gave a $25 gift card away by sending out a challenge through yaptap and who ever did it first won.
2nd week - we did a scavenger hunt and hints we are only given out through yaptap.
3rd and 4th week we have come up with other challenges for the students to do. (we have not done them yet since we are in the middle of the series while i am typing this)

We are having students sign up now more due to this. It is our hope to get all of our students/parents/volunteers on yaptap so we can communicate quicker and easier to Long Hollow Students.

Here is all the options for LHSm to sign up for yaptap - CLICK HERE

Hang with the Long Hollow Student Ministry Staff - Free Youth Ministry Conference

2011-09-21T10:32:00.003-05:00

Long Hollow Student Ministry loves the opportunity to meet and learn from other ministers from all over the country. We are a staff that is committed to watching students be saved, baptized and grow in their faith.

To help spread the resources God has blessed us with and to help learn from other churches we have created a FREE 24 hour conference that you or your team can attend.

We will let you pick a Wednesday Thursday you would like to come and we will host you and give you some of our staff's time.

the Schedule would look like this:

Wednesday:
2-3 Meet w/ a LHSM Staff Member
3-4 Meet w/ a LHSM Staff Member
5 Dinner on your own
6:15 Middle School Service
7:15 High School Service

This Wednesday night you can pick from 1 of 4 campuses:
1. Hendersonville Campus - Church of about 6500 in attendance with a MS and HS Wednesday night service.
2. Gallatin Campus - Church of about 500 with a powerful wednesday night
3. White House Campus - Church of about 400 with a powerful wednesday night
4. Robertson County Campus - Just getting started up.

Thursday:
9am Attend and Observe during our LHSM staff creative planning meeting.
10:30 - 11:30 Meet w/ an LHSM staff member
11:30 - 1:00 - Meet w/ LHSM Youth Pastor Brian Mills
1-2pm - Take a tour of our new youth building

Jeff Lovingood, Next Generation Pastor and Youth Ministry Legend, will be giving his time during this as well. Time to be determined depending upon his schedule. He will be meeting with all who attend this conference.

If you would like to attend this please email juanitrice.kirby@longhollow.com and she will work out the dates we are available and what you would like to accomplish while being here.

We look fwd to learning from you as we break down student ministry.

Brick by Brick Sermon Series Long Hollow Student Ministry

2011-09-15T21:32:00.001-05:00

We have started a study through the book of James on wednesday nights called brick by brick. Each week we will be adding bricks to a wall we are building on stage.

Here is the bumper and a video we showed this week of 2 of our seniors. You can podcast this series by clicking HERE

My Cell Phone History - WOW how things have changed.

2011-09-10T16:48:00.000-05:00

I got my first cell phone when I was a Junior in High school. Oh how they have changed. Check out the phones i have had in this order:

First ever flip phone -

Then i moved to the smart phone and actually started texting and sending MM messages. WOW that was not very long ago.

Then i moved on to Apple - iPhone, iPhone 3g, iPhone 3gs, iPhone 4 and more to come:

You have to add the IPAD in this blog. I had the first IPAD and now the IPAD 2:

JOIN OUR YAPTAP! Text with Long Hollow Student Ministry.

2011-09-07T16:01:00.001-05:00

If you have not joined one of our YAPTAP groups so you get text weekly then do so right now.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Text "Join #lhsmhs first name last name" to 20166

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Text "Join #lhsmms first name last name" to 20166

GALLATIN CAMPUS STUDENTS
Text "Join #lhsmgallatin first name last name" to 20166

WHITE HOUSE STUDENTS
Text "join #lhsmwh first name last name" to 20166

HENDERSONVILLE CAMPUS PARENTS
Text "join #lhsmparent first name last name" to 20166

WHITE HOUSE CAMPUS PARENTS
Text "join #lhsmwhparent first name last name" to 20166

GALLATIN CAMPUS PARENTS
Text "join #lhsmgparent first name last name" to 20166

How Teens use Technology

2011-08-12T09:29:00.003-05:00

Saw this graph here http://summify.com/story/TkIPTPk25iayAArf/mashable.com/2011/08/10/students-technology-infographic/

pretty interesting:

Creative Idea for a Sermon on Getting out of your Comfort Zone

2011-08-11T08:35:00.000-05:00

We have started a new series called “To Live a Better Story.” The first week of the series was on Getting out of your comfort zone.

What we did at the end of the message is I had some of our students stand up and pass out a sealed envelope in which had a task for that week in it.

This task is something the students must do this week. IF they accepted the challenge we asked them to go home and post on our www.longhollowstudents.com and post on our wall “I Accept the challenge to live a better story.”

I can’t wait until next week to see how they did.

Here are the 5 assignments that we divided out and passed out. Each student just received 1 of them. It was done in random order as well so we have no idea what student has what assignment.

1. Share the gospel w/ one person face to face
2. Sit w/ someone that you never thought you would sit w/ at lunch one day.
3. Pray with 5 friends this week out loud.
4. Resolve an issue you have w/ someone in your life.
5. Serve someone every day this week at school. A different person each day.
Post on our wall – “I accepted the Assignment to life a better story”

Here is how we opened up with Camp.

2011-07-05T11:06:00.001-05:00

Camp 2011 Opener from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

Long Hollow Student Ministry Camp Share Service Testimony

2011-06-30T09:44:00.000-05:00

How to Keep up with Long Hollow Student Ministry Youth Camp

2011-06-19T09:21:00.001-05:00

Each day we will show are services live - http://events.longhollow.com

Each day we will upload photo albums to http://www.longhollowstudents.com

Each day we will put our daily videos on http://www.longhollowstudents.com and http://www.vimeo.com/lhstudents

Please comment on our facebook fan page if you are praying for the ministry. Love to hear from you on our fanpage. http://www.longhollowstudents.com

Scholarship Form for Camp

2011-06-11T21:02:00.000-05:00

Scholarship form for Camp

Camp Preview Guide for Parents

2011-06-09T21:00:00.002-05:00

Camp Preview Guide

Meet Long Hollow Student Ministry Interns

2011-05-28T15:20:00.000-05:00

Footballs Boys come up with a random rap for camp

2011-05-27T15:19:00.001-05:00

Long Hollow Student Ministry Kyle Anderson shares his story

2011-05-26T15:18:00.001-05:00

Get Hype Sermon Series Starts tonight

2011-05-25T15:21:00.002-05:00

Long Hollow Student Ministry Seniors speak -

2011-05-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

Swag Fever Boys Promote Camp

2011-05-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

A Must Watch Tribute to MOM's

2011-05-09T20:52:00.002-05:00

our LH creative staff put this together. It was done in all of our services.

Check out Brandon' Story from Long Hollow Student Ministry Gallatin Campus

2011-05-07T11:55:00.000-05:00

Long Hollow Student Ministry White House Campus Dodgeball

2011-05-06T11:47:00.001-05:00

From 1 Volunteer to another on Staying Spiritually Healthy

2011-05-03T20:48:00.002-05:00

Long Hollow Student Ministry Gallatin Campus Dodgeball Tournament Highlight Video

2011-04-28T22:08:00.003-05:00

Take the 12 a year challenge

2011-04-25T09:52:00.001-05:00

I am praying for a movement to start from coast to coast for every church in the United States to baptize 12 students a year. I truly believe that if every church in America would take this challenge we could change a culture.

The church as a whole has more money and influence than anyone we just do not utilize the influence given to us.

If every student ministry in the US baptizes 12 students a year we would baptize more students than we ever have in history considering most churches baptize 0 students a year.

Here are some thoughts for you to start this journey:

1. Pray Pray Pray – Begin to pray for God to move in your ministry like never before. Get your adults, pastors and church praying!

2. Have an attractional Missional concept to ministry. I believe in doing events and programs that teens want to come too and love being a part of as long as you are clear from the beginning that the gospel will be shared. Let me say this I don’t think you should do any event or program without the gospel being a part of it. That is missional.

3. Follow up - Follow up after all events is a must. You should not go more than 48 hours without following up with students who have made decisions or visited your ministry.
Check out these links:
Baptize Students Weekly
Contact Plan for small group Leaders

4. http://brianmills247.blogspot.com/2008/05/baptism.html

The important thing is to keep the gospel the center of your ministry. When the gospel is the center students will be saved, baptized and will grow in their faith like never before.

Any way I can help you reach 12 students this year in baptism let me know. It is not about a number but about getting intentional about the gospel!!!

Dodgeball 2011 Highlight video

2011-04-21T15:42:00.002-05:00

Leadership Thoughts from Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswal Sanders

2011-04-10T10:57:00.000-05:00

One of our staff memebers, Henery Bieber, typed this up from reading Spiritual Leadership.

To lead others, I must master myself!
I must be calm in crisis and resilient in adversity
I must not ask others to do what I must do, and that is seeking the Lord for myself and this ministry to which He has called me.
I must recognize that all criticism has come my way through the hand of God, therefore I can evaluate it carefully and respond with humility.
I must take my disappointments to the One to whom I matter the most.
I must demonstrate the ability to lead with confidence, but not force. Not confidence in myself, but confidence in the One who called me and keeps me.
I must look for the “win-win”, realizing that everyone on my team is important and I want to take as many of them with me as I can.
I must not run from difficulty, for in it I can grow and mature.
I must expect that not everyone will agree with me and a humble response to it opens doors to further relationship and more opportunities to encourage change.
I must look to God for my significance and offer significance to others at every opportunity. The praise of man is fleeting, but the approval of God is eternal and life-giving.
I must be confident in the knowledge that God wants to use me for His purposes so that I can speak with power and humility to those who are in authority over me.
I must value those who follow, and my job is to develop their leadership potential.
I must put away prejudices and delight in the uniqueness of others with different opinions, cultures and backgrounds.
I must remain single focused.
I must remain optimistic in the face of adversity.
I must pray about, evaluate these principles and practice them daily to remind myself that, in and of myself, they cannot be achieved and I am desperate for God’s power in the practice of them.

How Long Hollow does Dodge Ball

2011-04-07T09:07:00.000-05:00

Dodgeball Referees-Rules Copy

Dodgeball Registration Copy

Dodgeball Schedule Copy

FieldDimensions Sheet1

4 simple steps to have Efficiency as a Multi Site Student Ministry

2011-04-04T15:14:00.000-05:00

Here is a blog I did for Jason Gastons blog and thought I would share here as well...

A student ministry that works together wins together. That is a hard statement for those who have larger student ministries where the Jr High or Middle School students are divided apart from the High School Ministry, and both are staffed with youth pastors. It even multiplies more when you take that dynamic and add to it multiple campuses.

In this blog I want to raise the question how do you stay efficient with so many moving parts?

1. We are all 1 TEAM!

I know this sounds redundant but it might be the hardest thing to remember as you get larger and multiply your campuses. It is easy for each campus and each ministry (Middle School / High School) to function on their own on those campuses. Think about it, the MS pastor has his team and the HS pastor has his team then the campuses have their teams. This creates diversity in your ministry if you do not continually teach your staff and volunteers we are 1 team!

2. Work Together!

Long Hollow Student Ministry has taken the approach that we are all on the same page with our curriculum and sermon series on all campuses. You can attend any of our campuses and have a completely different feel yet be on the same page with the whole ministry.

I believe this is very important, and I was encouraged by Jeff Borton at Christ Fellowship in Miami to think this way. When you work together the cost goes down, the unity goes up and the focus is greater. Some of our campuses are not large enough to have a budget to produce videos, “cool” graphics and other creative elements, but if we are all on the same page we can share and use the same video or creative elements and ideas.

This is also very helpful in sermon preparations. I sit down once a week with all our campus youth pastors, high school and middle school pastors and we unpack the sermons series, upcoming Wednesday night details and all creative elements in our student ministry. Each sermon is more in-depth, stronger creatively and more challenging due to us all working together.

3. Win together and lose together!

Each ministry and campus within our student ministry always set’s goals. We set weekly goals, yearly goals and event goals. Each ministry is held accountable for their goals. I believe healthy competition is good, however, the second it moves to just being competitive and not supporting each other is the second we get focused on ourselves, and our own ministry, instead of what God has called us to do. If your high school team will not sign up a middle school student for an event, you have a problem. If one of your campuses is so against the other campus you might have a problem. Never forget the main thing! We are all on the same team so win and lose together. During a good game of football the offense might play better than the defense, but at the end of the game they all get a W or an L!!! They win and lose together.

4. Attend each other’s campus!

This might be one of the hardiest things to do but I do believe it is important at least once or twice a semester for each pastor to visit and even preach at one of the other campuses. We do a few events a year all together and if the students have seen all the youth pastors it draws us much closer together and does not make us many different youth ministries but one youth ministry on many different campuses.

HS Mission Trip

2011-04-03T11:01:00.000-05:00

Middle School Mission Trip Highlight Video

2011-04-01T13:03:00.000-05:00

This Video LHSM posted all over Facebook - G.O.S.P.E.L

2011-03-31T13:43:00.001-05:00

I love our student ministry. They have such a heart for the gospel and I'm so honored to be there youth pastor. So many of our students have posted their personal testimonies facebook for all to see and a lot of them posted this video after watching it in our ministry this past week.

The Gospel is getting shared in so many different ways in our community and seeing the lives change is simply amazing!!!

Simple Way to Lead someone to Jesus

2011-03-30T21:46:00.001-05:00

Tonight during "Don't Ask Won't Tell" I shared a simple way to lead someone to Jesus by drawing out Rom 3:23 and Rom 6:23.

This series has been very challenge pushing Evangelism. Check it out HERE

My Story.... Creative Element from last Wednesday Night's Message

2011-03-24T16:05:00.000-05:00

Don't Ask Won't Tell from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

This past wednesday we started a new series called "Don't Ask Wont Tell." The point of the series is evangelism. We have develop this idea that if people don't ask us about our faith we will never tell them. I believe that is a a great scheme from the Devil for us to share our faith less.

Last night at the end of the message (Listen HERE) I took an idea Chris Lovell had @ Prestonwood Students and asked all of our students to go online and share their story in 2 minuets on a video and post it to there wall.

As simply as that sounds it is very challenging because this put them out their with all of their friends. It has been amazing though. So many of them have already uploaded their story and so many more are doing it today and by this weekend. You can see a lot of them on http://www.longhollowstudents.com and then others could not figure out how to post it to our fanpage so it is just on there wall.

100's of students share the gospel all over facebook last night and I encourage you to take this idea and make it your own and let's get our students, adults and ourselves share their God's story through their life all over facebook.

Here are a few tools for you to help win.

1. My staff and I lead the way and recorded our stories first so the students could see an example.
2. We handed out the card that I have attached to this blog so they see how to do it.

3. I preached on it and challenge them to become evangelist.

Campus Ministry

2011-03-22T15:14:00.000-05:00

Here a a few thoughts on Campus Ministry I shared on Matt Lawson's blog a couple of weeks ago. Thought I would post here also. I believe campus ministry is something we do poor on in student ministry but is a necessity to reaching students for Christ!

#1 . Be sure your pastor supports school ministry – Your pastor is one of your greatest allies. The more informed, the more equipped he is to support your vision for the campus.

#2. Be sure your students understand the value of school ministry. – Cast the vision to your students. They are your “in” once on the school campus.

#3. Obey all the rules. – You work for the principal when you go on that campus, so act like it. The worst thing you can do is become a renegade on the school campus. The result will be you getting all “Church organizations” kicked off campus.

#4. Obey the dress code of the school. – No hat’s, no holes in your pants, no strange shirts. I personally would not wear your student ministry gear either.

#5. Start with the top and work your way down. – Get to know the Principal and the office staff – A few ways to accomplish this: 1. Never leave a school campus without shaking the Vice Principal or the Principal’s hand. They are always in the cafeteria. 2. Get to know the coaches by stopping by their offices to say hello and offering to do things for their teams. 3. Take with you some starbucks gift cards or chick-fil-a free sandwich cards to give away as you meet teachers, coaches or administration. There are 100 ideas just be thoughtful and respectful always.

#6. Do not call the teachers or administration by there first name. - Even if you are good friends. Show respect to the students/administration so the students see you showing respect. This goes a long way with the administration.

#7. Work with teams and organizations in the school. - Be there for the school. Don’t expect the school to be there for you!!! You are there to serve the school not the school to serve you. See how you can help serve the school. Feed the teams, feed the teachers, become chaplains for the teams (Not just football but soccer, basketball, DECA, FCA, help the Marketing class, etc…).

#8. Keep going. – Even when it feels awkward still go b/c relationships are not built on a one-time visit, but over time. Ministry does not happen in the office it happens where the people are!

#9. Never use the Excuse “I can’t get on campus!” – You might get locked out of lunch but you can help organizations and teams. Show some effort and figure out the way you can help the schools. Maybe you can feed all the teachers one day. If you don’t have the budget money for this ask your church people to do a potluck for all the teachers at the school. Would be a great mission project for the church.

#10. Work Hard. – To do campus ministry you sometimes have to turn in a lot of paper work and it is hard and takes a lot of time. DO IT!!! Don’t make excuses!

#11. Have fun and have a positive attitude..

#12. NEVER SAY NO TO THE SCHOOL, COACHES, FCA or any organization that allows you the opportunity to help the school.

Dodge Ball is coming and it is FREE to play!!!

2011-03-16T20:38:00.000-05:00

This will be the largest Dodgeball tournament you have ever seen. No one will want to miss it. We will host dodgeball on all of our campuses.

No team can be smaller than 8 or larger than 10. All teams must be at registration with your whole team to enter the tournament.

Prizes:
High School Winners - $800 for the team.
Middle School Winners - $500 for the team

April 6th Hendersonville Campus - 6pm Registration will start at Beech HS Gym!!!

April 13th - Gallatin Campus

April 20th - White House Campus.

Dodgeball 2011 from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

How Do you Pray?

2011-03-11T14:20:00.000-06:00

This is a video we showed in my message this past week as we finished the sermon series called STAND. (Podcast it here).

It is simple a funny look into how we pray:

How do you pray? from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

Equip the Saints to do the work of the ministry! WHAT????????

2011-03-07T21:52:00.000-06:00

We use the phrase often that our jobs as youth pastors, pastors or leaders in the church is to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry.” I believe this is the most biblical view of ministry we can find.

But how does it break down practically for us as leaders in the church? Let me try to give you some real practical ways to “Equip the Saints.”

Find Quality people and Train them. You can have great people and if they are never trained then their quality of work is an example of your leadership, poor. Leaders always are training their team. It is an ongoing process.

Trust your people to do the job. What good is it if you get the right people and you train them well then you never release them.

Let your people do the job. – If you ask a volunteer to do something then get out of there way and let them go!!!! Yes, you should inspect what you expect but that does not mean you should do it for them. Let them go!!! It will free you up.

Communicate communicate communicate. – Just because you open your mouth does not make it effective communicator. “John Maxwell just wrote a book on all of this called– everyone communicates few connect.”

Pray over your team:

Text / Call your team often – weekly – “Shepherded your team the way you expect them to Shepherded”

Meet Often and Rally Weekly – Tell Stories of what is going on in our ministry.

The important thing is to build the team, train the team and let the team go for it. Never say you are a small staff because our staff is our volunteers and we can have as many as we go after.

Equip the saints and do ministry like you have never done it before!!!

STAND Sermon Series - Study of the Armor of God

2011-02-23T22:33:00.000-06:00

We have started a Sermon Series called STAND. This is a study of Eph 6:10-20 (Podcast it here). During this series we are handing out a prayer for the students to pray daily over their lives. It is simply praying through Eph 6:10-20.

Here is the Prayer:

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for assuring me of victory today. By faith I choose to follow Your battle plan and to prepare myself according to Your instructions.

To prepare myself for the battle ahead, by faith I put on the belt of truth. Renew my mind to what is true. Fill me with truth. Expose in my heart the lies that I am tempted to believe. The truth is that You are a sovereign God who loves me and cares for me. The truth about me is that I am Your child--bought and paid for. Nothing can separate me from Your love.

By faith I put on the breastplate of righteousness. Today I am committed to doing what is right. I pray that I would be known as one who does what is right regardless of what it costs me. Allow the righteousness of Christ to shine through me today.

By faith I put on the sandals of the gospel. I am available to You. Use me in the lives of others. I pray that in my conduct and speech I would accurately represent You. Make me a calming presence everywhere I go.

I now take up the shield of faith. My faith is in You and You alone. Apart from You I can do nothing. In You, I can do all things. Everything that comes against me must come through You for I am in You. As You walked without sin on this earth, live without sin through me today. By faith I claim victory over ___________ (then I list some of the temptations I know I will face that day). When I face these temptations, remind me that the victory has already been won.

By faith I put on the helmet of salvation. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to live inside me. Holy Spirit, I surrender my will to You today. I surrender my thoughts to You. I choose to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

And last, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Then I claim several specific promises from Scripture.)

So, Lord, I go now rejoicing that You have chosen me to represent You to this lost world. May others see Jesus in me. May Satan and his hosts shudder as Your power is manifest through me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Our 3rd Snow Day online Service!!!

2011-02-14T15:49:00.002-06:00

Last Crazy Love Offering THIS WEEKEND

2011-02-11T15:56:00.000-06:00

This weekend we finish up our www.crazylovecampaign.com with our 5th and last offering.

The Crazy Love Campaign is a massive challenge that we’ve taken on as a church family since 2009. It’s an intentional response to God’s goodness. It’s our reaction to a hurting world. It’s our 18-month initiative to live generously and do something crazy for God.

It has been amazing to see God work in our midst through the previous four offerings; the countless stories of generosity, sacrifice, provision and life change are constant reminder of the great God we serve.

As we move toward the 5th offering this weekend, join us every day as we take a look at the five ministry goals we plan to achieve through this offering.

Our family goal for Offering #5 is $500 (with a combined goal of $1,000,000). What is God calling you to give?

Caring for Our Current Orphans in Haiti and Uganda

A large portion of Offering #5 will go toward the care of our precious children that are already a part of our orphan villages. Your gifts will provide daily food, necessities, education, and supervision. Your generosity will also fund start-up expenses for a school.

Go HERE to see Pictures:

Crazy Love Offering 5: Overlooking PAP from Long Hollow Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Sermon Series Deadliest Catch

2011-02-09T21:42:00.000-06:00

We just did a 3 part series called Deadliest Catch with this bumper to it. Thought it was pretty good.

If you want this series send me a message on FACEBOOK and I will be happy to help you out!

Transitioning Students from HS to College - Few thoughts

2011-02-07T19:14:00.000-06:00

A youth pastor friend, Brad Smith, out of FL asked me to shoot a video with a few thoughts about transitioning students from HS into College. This is something we are ever improving on @ Long Hollow. We took some huge steps this year by getting Rachel Lovingood and Tony Turner to write Sr Curriculum and to teach it weekly. Here are a few thought on things we want to accomplish as Students go through LHSM.

Here is the video

Brian Mills from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

Excited to Annc our New White House Youth Pastor - Andrew Bolton

2011-02-01T13:31:00.000-06:00

Please join me in welcoming our new White House Youth Pastor and his wife Andrew and Jenni Bolton. They have been serving as volunteer's at the WH campus for about a year. Jenni is also on our staff as the middle school admin at our Hendersonville Campus.

I am excited to see all God is going to do in White House this year!!!

Acrodunk @ Long Hollow

2011-01-29T15:49:00.000-06:00

Check out our service last Wednesday night:

Want a good Laugh? Watch the videos we use to promote Wednesday Night!

2011-01-26T15:57:00.001-06:00

Each Wednesday Night we make a video to put as our status on facebook/twitter to invite students to Wednesday Nights. I have to say they are pretty funny!!! (facebook go HERE to see videos)

Sunday AM Creative Element - The Creation Event - You will want to watch this!

2011-01-26T09:06:00.000-06:00

Jason Dyba and our worship/Media staff are some of the most creative and talented people I have meet. This is just a small look at how we ended our service this past sunday!!!

The Creation Event from Long Hollow Creative on Vimeo.

Lesson for the Staff today - HARD GOALS - by Mark Murphy

2011-01-24T11:49:00.000-06:00

I took some of Mark Murphy's book "Hard Goals" today and share it with our staff.

Here are my notes:

Here is how Mark break's down HARD goals: My question is are you function with the HARD goals model or the SMART goals (Specific, Mesasurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Limited) model?

I made the statement today that if you function your attitude in and around HARD goals then you are wanting to set the pace for tomorrow culture today. Focusing on SMART goals is also great but you are more just doing as the culture does. I want to push myself to go from good to great and I believe moving from SMART goals to HARD goals can take you from good to great!

Heartfelt:

Passionate Goals: - You believe in them.. not just a job or an idea.. it is God given!!!

Animated

Goals can’t be just a number.. you have to see them… think of Steve Jobs w/ the IPAD… I don’t believe he said 657,000 Sold is my goal..

No he saw the faces of the people when they opend the box.. he saw the smiles, the wants on faces as people watch the commercial before it was created!!!

He saw it…

We have to see it

Required

You must reach it!!! Why b/c it is heartfielt!!!

Like the toddler who wants something off the shelf – he will try hard then throw a fit if he can’t get it!!! Not an option not to reach goals!!!

Difficult

IF you persue hards goals you pursue uncharted territory.. you do not want to be just another Youth Pastor, or make it just another sermon or another Sunday AM or Wednesday Night…

You want it to be unique.. different.. not the way we have always done it!!! You want to lead the culture not just follow what the culture has always done!!!

That means you must set difficult goals and pursue them!!!

Take Steve Jobs… He has never made a career out of doing things others said couldn’t be done, and trust me no goal he’s ever set is going to pass the achievable and realistic test for a smart goal!!!

I’d be willing to bet that the goal that drove your greatest achievement was an increadibly challenging, deeply emotional, highliy visual, and utterly necessary goal!!! Your mind would be alive and buzzing w/ the thrill of it!!!

What in your life is like that?

Deadliest Catch Bumper

2011-01-24T08:51:00.000-06:00

Here is our new series bumper for Deadliest Catch. Podcast it HERE:

THE EVENT - Jan 26th ArcoDunk is @ LHSM

2011-01-23T14:49:00.002-06:00

Excited January 26th that Acrodunk will be leading River's Edge and The Current joined together @ 6:30pm...

It will be an amazing night no one will want to miss. Invite a friend and come hang with us. Parents are very welcome and wanted to come as well!!!

What is the 5k @ Long Hollow all about this Sunday?

2011-01-20T20:55:00.000-06:00

On Facebook go HERE to watch the video

Long Hollow 5K Promo from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

Interesting Facts about Facebook

2011-01-19T08:50:00.000-06:00

Via: Online Schools

Here is our SNOW DAY Wednesday Night Service we did online

2011-01-15T15:57:00.001-06:00

Snow Day Sermon from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

LONG HOLLOW'S NEW SCHEDULE:

2011-01-13T14:13:00.001-06:00

It is so excited to add a service this Sunday @ Long Hollow.

Here are the times:

HENDERSONVILLE CAMPUS
Saturday Night 5pm

SUNDAY:
8am in the Chapel

9am - in the worship Center - THIS IS ALSO THE TIME MIDDLE SCHOOL MEETS FOR SMALL GROUP

10:30 - Worship Center - THIS IS ALSO THE TIME HIGH SCHOOL MEETS FOR SMALL GROUP

11:45 - Worship Center.

Please help making parking space by parking at the School Campus and riding the Bus!!!

Gallatin Campus

Sunday: 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00am

White House Campus

Sunday: 10:30am

ALL CAMPUSES Join our Texting Service - YapTap!!!

2011-01-06T21:34:00.001-06:00

Long Hollow Student Ministry has just become a part of www.yaptap.com . This is an App that you can use on your IPAD or through the internet. Madgravity is working hard to make Yaptap the leading texting app for all churches.

Want to be a part of LHSM Texting Service: Send a Text to: 4232993299

HVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Text "Join #lhsmhs Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

HVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Text "Join #lhsmms Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

HVILLE PARENT'S -

Text "Join #lhsmparent Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

GALLATIN STUDENTS

Text "Join #lhsmgallatin Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

GALLATIN PARENTS

Text "Join #lhsmgparent Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

WHITE HOUSE STUDENTS

Text "Join #lhsmwh Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

WHITE HOUSE PARENTS

Text "Join #lhsmwhparent Frist name Last Name" to 4232993299

Youth Pastors:

Text "Join #itstime First Name Last Name" to 4232993299

14 Simples ways to win in 2011 in your ministry

2011-01-03T09:00:00.000-06:00

A few ways that you can win in your ministry in 2011.

1. Wake up each day and spend time with God 1st!!!

2. Cast a clear vision to your people so they know the direction God has called you to take the ministry this year.

3. Evaluate last year. What worked? What did not? What needs to change?

4. Set Goals: Baptism, Attendance, Discipleship, etc...

5. Build a strong volunteer team!!! You can never train enough.

6. Be Creative in your programing!

7. Don't procrastinate! Don't wait until sunday to plan sunday or Wednesday to plan Wednesday. Work ahead on all events, sermons and programs.

8. Create a new level of excellence in your ministry. Don't be satisfied with the status quo.

9. Network with other great leaders in your area of ministry. Pick up the phone and call or shoot someone an email or facebook message. If they don't contact you back you don't need to learn from them anyways!

10. Set a goal to baptize no less than 12 students this year. 1 a month! Cast this vision to your people and work hard. If every Baptist church in the country baptized 12 students we would begin to change the culture in today's teenagers!!! Go for it

11. Read books: Theology, Leadership, Inspiration, biographies and others. Just read!!!

12. Do Events on Purpose - Do not just do an event to do it. Make all events and programs purposeful and be sure your people understand the vision of the event!!!

13. Have FUN!!! Laugh more this year!!!

14. Pray Pray Pray - Last thing I will write on this is you must PRAY!!! Get on your knees more this year. Encourage your people to get on their knees more this year!!! LET'S PRAY FOR A TRUE MOVEMENT OF GOD TO HAPPEN ALL ACROSS THE WORLD!!!

Welcome Nathan Dooley & his family to the Long Hollow Student Ministry Staff

2011-01-02T14:30:00.001-06:00

I am excited to post that Nathan Dooley has accepted the job to join the student ministry team @ Long Hollow. Nathan will lead the student ministry at our Gallatin Campus with his wife and 2 kids.

His first sunday will be January 16th. You will want to be there that day to meet Nathan and his family.

They are coming from an A+ church out of Naples FL - FBC Naples. You can find out more about Nate on his facebook http://www.facebook.com/natedooley?sk=info

Send him a message and let him know you are excited to have him @ Long Hollow!!!

What is The Event?

2011-01-01T16:49:00.000-06:00

Every August and January we are going to do 1 Wednesday Night built around momentum. Just getting everyone back engaged in coming and bringing their friends. We are going to call this momentum builder THE EVENT!!!

Jan 26th we are going to have www.acrodunk.com here to perform, worship and the gospel will be shared that night. We will bring The Current (MS) and River's Edge (HS) together for this night. Normally for the event we will not bring both groups together but due to the nature of this event we will.

We are also working on pulling off THE EVENT on our Gallatin Campus and White House campus as well.

Very excited about the future of this event to see all God does with it on all of our campuses!!!

Things to Check out from LHSM

2010-12-23T13:14:00.000-06:00

Order of Service for the Crusade

Sunday AM Coordinator Job Description

Wednesday Job Description

Dodge Ball

Youtube Challenge

The Today Show's News events of 2010!! What a year!

2010-12-23T08:24:00.003-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Don't Spend a Penny! Don't Even Ask! Be Creative!

2010-12-22T13:33:00.001-06:00

At times all churches come to a point in the year when they might say "Budget Freeze." "Don't spend a penny - don't even ask - Be Creative."

When you are told this a few things can happen, with one being discouragement. I thought I would write on ways to keep your head up when there is no money to spend in your ministry.

1. Money does not keep people- Relationships Do:
The key to ministry is not how much money can you spend to draw in people, but are you spending your time in the community working relationships. People respond to those they have a relationship with. Whether you have money or not, the #1 key to your ministry should be relationships and a "Budget Freeze" can not stop that!!!

2. Be Creative
Creativity does not necessarily mean spend a lot of money. It means dream big and figure out how it can happen with the resources you have. We sometimes never dream creatively simply because we don't have money!!! Shame on us! Thing Big, Dream Big, and Plan Big!!! I believe you can pull off almost anything on a shoe string budget!!! Go for it!

3. Don't let Discouragement set in
Normally when you hear "Budget Freeze" you get discouraged or think the church is going under. I believe the devil puts those thoughts in our head! A "Budget Freeze" is being a good steward of the money God's entrusted to us and it keeps you getting paid at times so you should be blessed at the end of the day. Don't let discouragement set into your life and keep you from doing what God has called you to do.

4. Don't analyze the organization to the point where you are just mad.
"If they would not have done that... then we would have money." That might be true but you are to follow the leadership of your pastor as long as he does not force you to do something outside of God's character. Don't sit there and whine and cry and blame those on the staff you serve with. Work hard and do what God called you to do and let God take care of the rest! Always look at the positive side of things and never the negative!

5. Obey the "Budget Freeze"
Do not use the phrase during a freeze, "I will just ask for forgiveness later." That could be seen as a lack of loyalty!!!

At the end of the day, we are called to the "people business" so don't get lost in money. Do what you are called to do and let God take care of the rest.

Remain faithful in sharing the gospel, disciple students, watching kids be baptized and getting students plugged into small groups and let God take care of the finances!!!

Ink'd Sermon Series - 3 part series on leaving a Legacy

2010-12-20T10:46:00.000-06:00

Inked Sermon Series (3 Part Series)

A Little Entertainment with all of our staff

2010-12-18T14:17:00.000-06:00

Canceled Service - No Problem - Let's do it online

2010-12-16T07:51:00.000-06:00

That was out thought this past wednesday when we had to cancel our MS and HS service because of snow!!! To be honest we had no idea what we were getting into we just did not want to miss a week connect with our students. We love being a part of this student ministry and coming together every wednesday night so we though we could do it online!!!

We decided on our first try at this not to do worship/music but just to do some teaching with videos. Next time look out we might go crazy with it.

Here is what we did this past wednesday night in our service all online. 426 computer logged in and i'm guessing with an average of 2 people per computer (probably more than that) so a total of around 850+ in attendance!!!

Here is the service:

Online Youth Service: Dec. 16, 2010 from Long Hollow Baptist Church on Vimeo.

4 Sermon Series you can preach in 2011 (3/4 week series)

2010-12-15T07:26:00.000-06:00

Here are 4 sermon series I uploaded this past year:

Become Legendary - 3 week series to challenge your students to step away from the ordinary and become Legendary for Jesus Christ!!!

Itunes - 4 week series on challenge students to be a part of God's story and not there own!!!

Youtube - We did this series along with a small group youtube challenge. 4 weeks to challenge your students to Broadcast their Life!!!

Josiah Road - 5 week series on a King who defied the odds in life and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord!!!

All documents, sermons, helps we created I try to upload here so you can download them!!!

Check out Long Hollow Christmas - AMAZING!!!

2010-12-14T13:25:00.001-06:00

Worship from December 12, 2010 (Long Hollow Christmas) from Long Hollow Baptist Church on Vimeo.

What Makes a Strong Leader? by Dan Cathy

2010-12-13T08:39:00.001-06:00

Dan Cathy http://www.dantcathy.com has written several articles entitled "What makes a great leader."

These would be great articles to take and share w/ your staff, student leadership team, Deacon body, adult volunteer leadership, etc... You can take them from his blog and share them with your team. Give him the credit though, don't act like you came up with them just to impress your people. They will be more impressed that you are reading and learning from others. Honesty is a huge treat of a leader!!!

You can go to his blog and read the details. Here are some main points:

THE 5 WELLS:
Well-Read
Well-Spoken
Well-Traveled
Well-Dressed
Well-balanced

FEW OTHER THOUGHTS:
Be Strong and Courageous
Be a Servant
Be Yourself
Take People to places they have never been
Give more Get more

4 CORE STRENGTHS:
Mental Strength
Emotional Strength
Physical Strength
Spiritual Strength

Come to Long Hollow Christmas Tonight or Sunday AM

2010-12-11T08:16:00.003-06:00

Watch this video: it is awesome - on facebook go to http://www.brianmills247.com

More details about LH Christmas - http://www.longhollow.com

Christmas Hot Mess from Long Hollow Creative on Vimeo.

What it takes to Lead a Team

2010-12-09T13:39:00.000-06:00

Daily time w/ God

Character / Integrity in your own life

Loyalty to the team

The work of follow up - Inspect what you expect

Working hard for your team – (Responding to them asap / going to get stuff for them / etc…) Go above and beyond so they know your will work hard for them.

Organization – if you are a mess your team will be a mess

Never Procrastinate – When procrastination steps in frustration on the team steps in and you are inable to lead.

When Leading a Meeting:

2010-12-06T13:39:00.000-06:00

Have a purpose. Don’t just meet to meet

Have a Plan – What do you want to accomplish in the meeting? The meeting starts before the start time for you!!! You must prepare.

Have Handouts – always put an agenda in front of everyone you are leading so they can take notes and see where the meeting is going.

Coach your team – when meeting w/ students or a large group of people be sure you have “something worth hearing” so that they are challenged.. all great coaches coach their team not just show up and make calls!!!

Have a take away – What are “the people” suppose to do?

Follow up – is the team doing what you asked them to do? Inspect what you expect. Expect little and you will get little. Expect a lot and you will get a lot.

Be thorough in the meeting. When it is general no one leaves with a take away..

Youth Pastors I follow and Learn from:

2010-12-03T07:26:00.001-06:00

I have been asked lately who I learn from and follow: Here are some of the guys that speak into my life and ministry some in person and some by a distance but all are some of the finest I know in there field!

These are all guys I try to talk to often to see what they are doing.

There are really a lot of others I speak to often. I believe you can learn from everyone but here area few guys I try to keep up with:

Jeff Lovingood - Long Hollow Baptist Church Next Generation Pastor
Sean Mills - Beech Street Baptist Church Youth Pastor/Teaching Pastor
Matt Lawson - FBC Woodstock HS Pastor
Jeff Borton - Christ Fellowship Miami Youth Pastor
Kevin Moor - 180 in Tulsa Youth Pastor
Brent Crow - SLU
Shaun Blakeney - Christ Fellowship West Palm Youth Pastor
Jordan Easley - Second Baptist Houston Youth Pastor
Spencer Barnard - East Side Baptist Church Youth Pastor
Darel Jones - Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Youth Pastor
Randy Hall / Roger Davis - Student Life Camps
John Mark Harrison - Biltmore Baptist Church
Bruce Ashford - Southeastern Seminary
Alvin Reid - Southeastern Seminary
Kelly Knous - Idewild Baptist Church Youth Pastor
Jason Gastons - Summit Church Youth Pastor
Keith Harmon - Cross Church Youth Pastor

Who do you follow and who should i start following to better my leadership in student ministry?

A Look @ Long Hollow Student Ministry 2010

2010-12-01T12:43:00.001-06:00

See all we have done @ www.longhollowstudents.com
Podcast all we have done http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/long-hollow-student-podcast/id328210953

IF YOU SEE THIS ON FACEBOOK GO TO WWW.BRIANMILLS247.COM

SMALL GROUP FOLLOW UP PLAN:

Small Group Training Vdieo #1 from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

CAMP REFLECTION VIDEO

All Access 2010 Reflection Video from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

HOW NOT TO LEAD A SMALL GROUP

Untitled from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

BECOME LEGENDARY:

Become Legendary: Stephen from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

COFFEY ANDERSON NIGHT

TRAPPED SERMON SERIES

187 SERMON SERIES

CRUSADE:

GIRLS RETREAT

PUNK'D SERMON SERIES

DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT

QUEST

SEXOLOGY SERMON SERIES

YOUTUBE CHALLENGE
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/LONGHOLLOWSTUDENTS

CAMP TOP 10:

2010 INTERNS

Youtube - Broadcast your life sermon series

2010-11-29T07:53:00.001-06:00

Youtube Sermon Series

Girls Retreat Videos - Advice for Girls

2010-11-26T09:11:00.000-06:00

Powerful Drama @ the end of David Landriths Message - you will be challenged

2010-11-24T09:05:00.001-06:00

on facebook go to http://www.brianmills247.com

Who's Counting On You? from Long Hollow Creative on Vimeo.

Creative Element @ Long Hollow - Card Board Boxes - beware you might cry

2010-11-22T16:04:00.002-06:00

on facebook go to http://www.brianmills247.com

Compelled: Cardboard Testimonies from Long Hollow Creative on Vimeo.

Spring Calendar

2010-11-17T15:29:00.000-06:00

What does LHSM Spring Calendar look like:

Kick of Wednesday - one of the 1st wednesday in January we will do a targeted wednesday night to get students back engaged.

Quest Weekend - This is our Disciple Now.

Spring Break Mission Trips

Dodge Ball Tournament.

Simple yet targeted approach to our spring semester to reach the students of our community.

ITUNES Sermon Series - unedited.

2010-11-13T08:04:00.003-06:00

Itunes Sermon Series

Josiah Road Material

2010-11-11T08:13:00.001-06:00

I have been teaching through a series called Josiah Road. Luke and Harold Harper wrote curriculum around this guy named Josiah.

This material would be great disciple now curriculum, Sunday AM, Wednesday Night sermon series (Hear our HERE).

Check it out @ http://josiahroad.com/

Josiah Road Promo from The Resonate Group on Vimeo.

The Challenge to be a MAN!!! - By Alvin Reid (Long but worth the read)

2010-11-07T07:33:00.000-06:00

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows thegreat enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

When Apache leader Sitting Bull turned 12 years of age he had to spend a week in the wilderness to survive. Today we have a show on television with supposed adults who turn “survival” into a glorified, “reality” game show.

Until recent animal protection laws came into play, Maasai warriors in Africa had to kill a lion with a spear at an age American youth watch Disney’s Lion King on DVD.

As youth David killed a lion and a bear; we go to the mall and build a bear.

As a youth Daniel was taken to pagan land. Today students whine like mules if their free time is held hostage to books.

Spurgeon at 21 preached to 1000s in London. George Whitefield preached to 1000s in the new world at age 25. Luther at 34 nailed 95 theses to a door and led a Reformation, while in the US the average age of a video game buyer is 37.

It is hard to lead a Reformation when you are playing Halo.

What has happened that we are more obsessed w pop culture more than the Scriptures?

Why do young men cherish leisure time more than time with God and His mission?

What has made us love hanging out with people our age more than seeking mentors?

A little historical context:

1. 1951– Catcher in the Rye Salinger. One of the founding documents of American adolescence, Holden Caulfield demonstrates a troubled youth who never really grows up.

2. 1954– Lord of the Flies by Nobel Laureate William Golding (1954). This allegorical novel uses a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island to show the disastrous impact of youth left to themselves.

3. 1955– Rebel Without a Cause hit the big screen with actor James Dean. It told the story of a rebellious teenager who came to a town, met a girl, disobeyed his parents, etc.

4. From the 60s to now, the rise of Rock and Roll and an entire subculture has arisen glorifying youth who act like youth even when they are too old to be youth. I am not a hater of all pop culture and all pop music, nor am I a defender of much of the stale, subcultural Christian music and perspective of our time. But MTV and other factors have contributed to a world in which men today prolong their adolescence to embarrassing lengths.

In our time we have seen a president of the United States have oral sex with a young intern (that would be juvenile delinquent behavior) and a pop star who died thinking he was Peter Pan and who lived on a ranch called Never Land, where you never have to grow up. Michael Jackson did not understand why he in his 40s should not be sleeping with boys eight years of age.

Darrin Patrick in his fantastic new book Church Planter talks about BAN—a half boy half man, a man in chronology but a boy in maturity. These are males reflected in movies like Wedding Crashers, Failure to Launch, or pretty much every Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell movie. These movies are pretty funny (I have enjoyed watching my share of them), but they are not a standard for life for men.

You might be a BAN if you are male and:

-Your favorite show is Glee

-You smell like almonds or peaches

-You wax anything except your car

-You use guyliner or use terms like bromance, mandate, or mancrush.

-You feel like you are a true musician if you only wear skinny jeans

-You cant teach the Bible on Sunday because of how your team did on Saturday

-You NEED A MAN CARD. I don’t need a man card to prove I am a man. I do not need an imaginary card made popular by a stupid beer commercial. I do not have to be a juvenile in a grown up’s body.

My point is not to challenge you to stop watching sports or these movies or playing fantasy football. But take a few minutes to read I Timothy and ask yourself, how much of my time is given to the areas Paul is addressing in I Timothy 6 versus time spent wasted in trivial, often juvenile pursuits?

In I Timothy 6:11-16, Paul is talking about another kind of man. Not a phony macho guy. He is talking about a man of God. And he does not command us to be men of God, for that is what we are if we know Jesus. “You, oh man of God,” he says. Indicative. If you follow Jesus, you ARE a man of God. Be what you are. Then he tells us what that man looks like.

1. Men of God Are RUNNERS (11) Paul says “flee” (see 1-10 for what to flee) and “pursue.”

We have to decide what we will FLEE and what we will PURSUE. The word “flee” has the idea of SEPARATION more than actual running. Run FROM some things: from materialism and consumerism. From divisiveness and stupid arguments. Run false doctrine. In another place “flee immorality,” we are told.

But Paul says men of God run TO some things as well. Men have a natural aggressiveness that must be channeled. Growing from boyhood to manhood means increasingly using PHYSICAL STRENGTH more passively and EMOTIONAL and SPIRITUAL strength more aggressively. It does not mean to be less aggressive. It means to channel that aggression toward the things of God. The church has too often told men to squelch their passion rather than helping them to channel it into godliness. I have met manly men, tough guys, who wouldn’t share Christ to save their life. They may love God, but their manliness suffered a wimp injection at the point of the gospel. Paul gives some things men should pursue with all the passion of their lives:

1) RIGHTEOUSNESS—Do you seek to have integrity more than you seek influence? Do you seek to be holy more than you seek to be known?

2) GODLINESS—How do you spot a great leader? Get to know a man who leads and you will say to yourself, “I will follow him.” How do you spot a man of God? Spend time with a man, then you will say to yourself, “I want to know Jesus more.”

3) FAITH—What are you trusting God for that He must do? What is happening in your life that can only be explained by the fact that Jesus rose from the dead?

4) LOVE—Boys love themselves and care what others think of them, men love others first. If you do notintentionally treat women with respect, if you do not confront men who disrespect ladies, even in jest in the dorm, you may be helping to create a culture that could be dangerous to women and children in the future. Be careful in the pulpit to show respect to women, to show love to others, to show compassion to the broken.

5) PERSEVERANCE – I meet lots of young men who say, “I want to change the world for the gospel.” But then they realize it is HARD. I asked a group of young men how many of them did the harsh workout known as P90X. About 25 raised their hands. I then asked, “how many of you actually completed the entire 90 days?” About 5 raised their hands. Perserverance is a value of a man of God.

6) GENTLENESS—Men of God are gentle. If you are still trying to bully people (by the way, either physically OR intellectually), you are a BAN. We live in a sad day when the only time you see the word “gentleman” is on a strip club sign or a bathroom door.

African Proverb:

“Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up.

It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a Lion wakes up.

It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle.

When the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

Men, we need to pursue godliness.

“A holy man of God is an awesome weapon in His hand.” McCheyne

In Part One I wrote about the need for men, not BANs. Looking at I Timothy 6 I noted first that men of God are runners, who flee certain things and pursue others. But there is more:

2. Men Are FIGHTERS “Fight the good fight of faith,” Paul says (v. 12). The Greek term is to “agonize.” Men of God are those who fight for things that matter. In II Timothy Paul would later say, “I have fought the good fight.”

Our SEX is determined by our bodies. Our GENDER is less tangible but is not any less distinct. Men love movies like Gladiator and the Patriot and Braveheart and Jason Bourne. Not that women don’t like these, but men like them more. And many women like Glee, the Batchelor, and chick flicks. Not that men don’t, but women do more. Men need a challenge. Men give up their seats in a crowded room for ladies and men gave up their seats on lifeboats on the Titanic.

Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, in his blog introduced me to the article “Wimps and Barbarians” by Terrence Moore. Moore offers a diagnosis of contemporary boyhood and the challenge our new “boy problem” presents to the nation.

Moore argues that young men are now divided between “barbarians” who represent crude, antisocial, and uncivilized character; and “wimps,” who are described as “whiny and incapable of making decisions.” Manhood, Moore explains, “Is not simply a matter of being male and reaching a certain age. These are acts of nature; manhood is a sustained act of character.” The prescription for what ails our young males might be reduced to two simple instructions: “Don’t be a barbarian, Don’t be a wimp. What is left…will be a man.”

You can see barbarians at the local shopping mall, wandering about in packs, recognizable by their sloppy dress, their lack of linguistic ability, their crudeness of manners, and their treatment of women. Barbarians do not need words nor use them, they communicate to each other through grunts, shrugs, and various noises. Evangelical barbarians obsess themselves with constantly pushing the edge of civility and biblical integrity in the name of freedom, and they are far too common.

Wimps on the other hand lack manly conviction and character. The wimp is incapable of living up to his responsibilities as a man, and shows no valor in his public or private life. “Many of today’s young men seem to have no fight in them at all. Not for them to rescue damsels in distress from the barbarians,” Moore sadly reflects. The wimp seeks the easiest way out of a problem. With respect to women, barbarians demonstrate a crudeness, profanity, and violence that treats women merely as sex objects for male pleasure. Barbarians show women no respect, and are completely lacking in the manly virtues of protection and respect for the well being of women. Wimps, on the other hand, look to women for emotional support, consider girlfriends to be conversation partners, and look to women for pity. They are shameless. NOTE: If you are a young man with more girl friends than guy friends, you are a wimp. I have said this publically and received some grief from a few young men, all of whom fit the stereotype above. Get some guy friends who will give you more than sympathy.

For what will you fight? For what will you stand no matter whether any one stands with you? Men of God fight the fight of faith, for things that matter. Seth Godin commented on the new laziness, a kind of laziness that is not physical, like avoiding cutting the yard to watch video games instead. This new laziness, Godin writes, “has nothing to do with physical labor and everything to do with fear.” The new laziness hides because you are afraid of “expending emotional labor.” So young men will not ask a girl on a date for fear of rejection. Emotional laziness at best and cowardice at worst. The sun will rise if you get rejected, boys. I know, the girls can be weird today too. That is another entire article. So young men who say they love Jesus hide in their books so they do not have to expend the emotional energy involved in sharing Christ. But I think Godin is too kind. I think he is referring to another form of wimp.

3. Men Are WRESTLERS: “Take hold of eternal life.” This term is used to mean to ARREST in Acts 16:19.

What do you grasp with tenacity? What is a conviction you will not release? What do you value more dearly than anything else? This speaks of priority, that NOTHING matters more to a man of God than matters of eternity. Men of God in history understood this:

Hudson Taylor: “IF I had 1000 lives, Id give them all for China.”

Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives that he cannot keep in order to gain that he cannot lose.”

CT Studd “some want to live within the sound of chapel bell, I want to run a rescue mission a yard from the gates of hell.”

Carey: “To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” (This by the way is for young men who need to be reminded that in the SBC young ladies going to the hard places on the globe far outnumber young men. BANs are everywhere it seems).

Zinzendorf: “That land is my home that most needs the gospel.”

Young man—how do you know you are striving to be a man of God? Not by how many men your age are drawn to you. Ask yourself this question: how many older men are drawn to me?

4. Men are GUARDIANS: “Keep the commandment” (v. 14). This can be used of keeping someone in custody, or of preserving of value.

Men are protectors, guardians. Look at example Paul gave: Jesus made good confession before Pilate. He did not wimp out. The quota for wimps in the church HAS BEEN MET. If a man eating tiger came to many of our churches he would die of starvation.

Men stand for and guard their convictions. They do not write anonymously on the internet. They stand by their convictions and their opinions. Men have confidence in the truth of Scripture and find their security in Christ. Paul ends this section as he often does, with a lengthy statement of praise to Jesus. Men of God are not opportunists; they are servants. They do not have to exaggerate on the one hand or spend their lives in useless controversies on the other (see v. 4).

For a man of God, Jesus is enough. The gospel will do. We need men. Men of God. We need men of God to mentor younger men. We need younger men to admit they have been a BAN and to commit to be better men. We need men of all ages to stop behaving like middle schoolers and represent Christ well.

When my son Josh turned 12 I took him on a trip, a rite of passage for a dad and son. On that trip I gave him this poem by Rudyard Kipling. I commend it to you as well.

If you can keep your head when all about you  Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;  If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,  But make allowance for their doubting too;  If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,  Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,  Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,  And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;  If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;  If you can meet with triumph and disaster  And treat those two imposters just the same;  If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken  Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,  Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,  And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings  And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,  And lose, and start again at your beginnings  And never breath a word about your loss;  If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew  To serve your turn long after they are gone,  And so hold on when there is nothing in you  Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,  Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;  If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;  If all men count with you, but none too much;  If you can fill the unforgiving minute  With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run –  Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,  And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!

What is one word that would describe LHSM

2010-11-04T10:47:00.000-05:00

Key to Seeing Students Baptized weekly!!!

2010-11-01T05:42:00.000-05:00

As you know in student ministry we are watching the numbers of baptism fall yearly. Each year we see more full time youth pastors, more professionals, more students, more youth workers and more money but we are seeing fewer and fewer students being baptize.

This does not make sense!!!

I believe EVERY CHURCH SHOULD HAVE NO LESS OF A GOAL than 12 students a year. Yes 1 teenager a month should be baptize in every church no matter the size!!!

How can this happen? Good question. You can not see students baptize unless you share the gospel. Stop playing all the games and get to the gospel!!! Believe it or not that is not the "Key to seeing students baptize weekly" though!!!

THE KEY FOR WEEKLY BAPTISM'S WITH ALL AGES?

FOLLOW UP!!!

If you are doing as God's word calls you to do and discipline your people then your people are winning people to Jesus. Not only that, but they should be bringing un-church people to your church and you should be giving an invitation for them to respond. If not shame on you!!!

Once someone is saved many never call them or follow up with them. So here is a follow up plan for you to do:

All of this should happen in the 1st 48 hours:

1. Don't let the individual leave your church without a pastor speaking to them about the next step in there walk with Christ which is Baptism!

2. Have a Pastor do a follow up phone call within 48 hours to check in with them and be sure they are set up for baptism.

3. Send a letter the next day talking about baptism and giving them times where they can be baptize and the times where they can get plugged into a small group.

4. Baptize weekly on Sunday and Wednesday's.

5. Never ask do you want to be baptized but when do you want to be baptized then list some times with in the next 7 days.

All of this takes work and time. But with todays technology of facebook, texting, cell phones and the ability to get in touch with people "now" you can follow up today easier than ever!!!

Question to ask:

1. Do you have a follow up plan?

2. What kind of accountability do you have for your self and your staff to be sure everyone is accomplishing the plan.

3. Are you baptizing weekly/monthly? If not why?

4. Are people bring lost friends with them to church? if not why?

I am in the trenches with you and we are doing this and working hard at it. Let's go for it and watch lives be changed weekly and watch people rise up to be warriors for our God!!!

QB Challenge and Lineman Weigh-off.

2010-10-31T08:02:00.002-05:00

Principal Night - Watch this Intro -

2010-10-30T08:00:00.005-05:00

Band played the intro live and Clint Lamberth did the announcing. We wanted the principals to look like heros. This was an amazing night

Girls Retreat Video

2010-10-29T03:57:00.000-05:00

Girls Retreat from Long Hollow Student Ministry on Vimeo.

How to pull off a Principal Night

2010-10-28T10:28:00.000-05:00

To pull off a principal night you must first be in good standings with the school. Do not expect principals to come to you if you never go to them.

Steps to take:

1. Build Relationships

2. Make a face to face invite

3. Send an email blast to all principals.

4. If the principal can not come invite the VP

5. Do not down grade them if they can not come.

6. Make them a hero on stage

7. Give them a nice gift like provided meals for their teachers.

8. Do not make them look stupid on stage.

9. Provide a meal for them and their family.

10. Send them a thank you note for coming.

11. Before you send an email/walk into there office send a nice invitation through the mail.

Here is an email I sent to all the Principals leading up to the event:

I wanted to send a follow up to our invitation we sent out for you to attend Long Hollow's Student Crusade,Tuesday, the 19th of October.

We would like for you to arrive at 6:00pm for a meal for you and your spouse sponsored by Mom's in Touch.

The program will start at 7:00 pm where we want to make you the hero in front of all the students. We will play the game Corn Hole, which is a really simple game. The principal that wins the game will win lunch for all their teachers and staff. Lunch will be delivered to your campus by the Long Hollow Student Ministry staff.

This will be a fun night and the students will love it. I know most of you have already committed to attend this event, so if you have not, a quick reply would be sufficient for your reservation. Child care is available, please include your child's ages in the rsvp.

If for some reason you are unable to attend, would you please send someone in your place. We want all the students to see their school represented on stage.

We will have a great crowd of close to 2000 students that night so it will be a lot of fun. We would love for you to come!For more information, visit
http://www.longhollow.com/events/details/237.

Thank you for considering attending this event. Let me know if you have questions!

Thank you,

Brian Mills
Pastor of Students
Long Hollow Baptist Church
http://www.longhollow.com
http://brianmills247.blogspot.com
http://www.longhollowstudents.com

Thank you to Chick Fil A @ River Gate Commercial LHSM made

2010-10-27T10:07:00.001-05:00

Drumline Night @ The Cursade - This is a great night

2010-10-26T07:58:00.003-05:00

Watch LHSM Cheer Night - www.longhollowstudents.com

2010-10-25T15:42:00.002-05:00

Cheer Schedule

2010-10-25T13:25:00.000-05:00

Each cheer squad that arrived for the cheer competition received this so they would be clear on where to be when...

To pull this night off perfection in your timing has to happen or you will be there all night!!! We did 21 teams in 1 hour.

Individual Cheer Team Schedule

Email to Cheer Coaches for our Annual Cheer Competition

2010-10-25T08:54:00.000-05:00

We have started to do an annual cheer competition as an outreach during our Fall Crusade. Here is an example of an email we send to the coaches several months in advance

ATTENTION: ALL MS AND HS CHEER COACHES!
“Fall Crusade Cheer Competition” OCTOBER 17th

Hi! My name is Jenni Bolton. I am the ministry assistant to John Steen, Middle School Pastor, at Long Hollow Baptist Church.

This October 17-21st, we are having our annual Fall Crusade event for our Student Ministry. This is a four-night event with awesome speakers, worship, games, and food. This year’s theme again is “Football Season.” Each night we will spotlight a different aspect of the football season. Again on Sunday, we will be kicking off the first night of the event with a Cheer Competition. We had many cheer squads around the area participate in this event last year, and we are excited and hopeful that many will participate again this year!

Competition Details:

There will be a Middle School and High School separate competition. All squads will compete with a one-minute routine on center stage during the event for a chance to win a prize of $500 for their team and a free pre-game meal. Note: The stage will not be a full competition layout, there will only be 4 cheer mats on the stage. We will bring in outside judges to pick the top routine of the night! Bring your music (a cd labeled by team name), poms, signs, mascots, and anything to show school spirit! This will be a fun event for the girls to perform in front of their peers!

Guidelines
Please make sure the Music and Dance during your performance is appropriate. No cussing in lyrics, and no inappropriate dance moves. Thanks so much!

How do I sign my squad up?

Reply to this email, or contact me at 615.824.4006, ext.130 (work number) or 615.405.8097 (cell phone).
All cheerleaders on your squad need to fill out a Long Hollow Medical Form (attached), and your team can turn these forms in at check-in on the day of the event.

Details of the Event Night:

Time: MS cheer squads arrive for check-in and warm-ups at 4:30pm, and HS cheer squads arrive at 5pm for check-in and warms-ups. This event starts at 6pm and will end around 8pm.
Location: Main Worship Center at Long Hollow Baptist Church, 3031 Long Hollow Pike Hendersonville, TN 37075
There is NO cost for this event! We will provide refreshments for your team during the event!

Also, Brittany Stephens, our Minister to Girls at Long Hollow, and myself would like to bring Gatorade to one of your upcoming practices. Let me know when and where you practice, and we would love to drop some Gatorade bottles off for your team.

We are very excited about the opportunity to bring all the surrounding area cheerleading squads together!
Thanks so much for taking time to read this email, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Become Legendary Series Part 1-3 (Un-edited)

2010-10-22T15:51:00.000-05:00

Become Legendary Series Part 1-3

Order of Service for the Crusade

2010-10-21T09:34:00.002-05:00

Order of Service for The Crusade

Tonight at the Crusade - QB Challenge/Lineman Weigh off and one of the TITANS - Damian Williams!!! 7pm

2010-10-20T03:24:00.001-05:00

Don't miss the chance to cheer on your QB and lineman and then meet one of the Titans - Damian Williams

Tonight at the Crusade - Principal Night - Starts @ 7pm

2010-10-19T03:22:00.000-05:00

Tonight we will have over 20+ school principals represented on our stage. They will go under a fun competition and the winner will win lunch for all of the teachers at there school.

This is a night we need everyone hear to cheer loud for your school.

Clayton King will be speaking

Long Hollow Student Ministry Geico Commercials:

2010-10-18T10:05:00.000-05:00

Tonight at the Crusade - Drum Line's - Starts @ 7pm

2010-10-18T03:19:00.000-05:00

You will not want to miss the amazing ability of the drum line's performance tonight at the Crusade. We will have several schools represented. The energy will be very high.

Clayton King will be speaking to us tonight.

Tonight at the Crusade - Cheer Night - STARTS @6PM Tonight

2010-10-17T13:15:00.000-05:00

Tonight we will have over 25 cheer teams, over 2000 students in attendance, for our 2nd annual cheer competition.

We will hear a powerful message by Tony Nolan and pray many come to know Christ.

Don't miss TONIGHT @ LONG HOLLOW STUDENT MINISTRY