Fall Ministry Opportunities

This fall God has opened up some great ministry opportunities for me, Jennifer, and for Maple Trail Ministry Consultants, our little consulting firm.  If you want to check in on what we are up to go to www.mapletrail.org.

My Student’s Dad – Tommy Lee

One of my students is David Lee (known as DLee).  He is a sports ministry major in the School of Theology.  He is a great young man, fully of life, charisma and southern charm.

His father, Tommy Lee of Monroesville, AL, was recently featured in a Western Recorder article for his ministry with Pilots for Christ.  Here is the link.

DLee comes from a great family and we are proud of what God is doing in his life and in his dad’s.

Last Super Saturday Event

I will be leading 2 workshops tomorrow for the KBC Super Saturday in Somerset.  This is my last Super Saturday for 2009.

I have been humbled by the faithfulness and integrity of these men (and a few women).  Having never been a deacon, it is hard for me to related directly to their position.  But I will tell you, the deacons at Main Street really are the ones that should be giving these talks.  Their life and ministry is the standard by which I train these conference participants.

What I learned there is what I am teaching now.  There was a little article in the Western Recorder (Sept. 1) about the Peacemaking session I led.

Teaching Sin to Millennials

CNE – This is for you.

My role as a college prof put me in direct contact with Millennials.  Millennials are the generation that falls between the ages 12-26.  I am from Generation X (Nirvana & Saved By the Bell rules).  We all know of the Baby Boomers.  My grandparents are the remaining Builders.

Millennials are tech-savvy, postmodern-thinkers who find themselves to be socially liberal, anti-demoninational, and somewhat skeptical of the church, organized religion or people who claim to be “Christian.”

Therefore teaching the Bible and the Christian faith to Millennials can be a challenge.  No topic is more difficult than sin.  Millennials do not like to be referred to as sinners.  They don’t want anyone calling them sinful and they will not judge others for their sin.  What is right/wrong for me has NOTHING to do with what is right/wrong for you.

This is postmodernity at it heights: fully tolerant, non-judgment, anti-absolute truth, and accepting of all moral codes (or lack thereof).

So how do you teach Genesis 3, the fall of Adam, and the beginning of sin in all humankind?  How do I tell them they are sinners stained by the curse of sin without telling them they are sinners stained by the curse of sin?

Here is my attempt (taken from class – Sept. 3, 2009)

Friends, I will never call you a sinner…but you can call me one.  Because I am a sinner.

I will never point my finger at the sin in your life, but you can point out my sin.  You can all me a low-down, dirty rotten sinner and you would be right… because that is what I am.

If you knew the thoughts in my head or the things in my heart, you would think they should never let me teach in a Christian school or preach a sermon in a church.  If you knew the battles I fight against the sin in my life, you might be shocked.

But I will never, ever call you a sinner…but you can call me one.  And you would be exactly right.

Parkway Bapt. Sermon

Watch or listen to the sermon “The 18 Fallen” preached August 30, 2009 – Dr. Shane Garrison from Parkway Baptist Church on Vimeo.

2nd Annual State Fair Trip

Now officially a Garrison family tradition.  We took our boys to the KY state fair two weekends ago.  They love the excitement, the rides, and the animals.

Faster. Faster. Faster.

Daddy can I pleeezzze have more popcorn?

More Pics

Isaac and Ethan had visitors for a couple days last week.  We named the two kittens Cookie and Cinnamon Toast.  Cookie was Isaac’s toy for a day.  We are glad to announce they went back to their home.

Cinnamon Toast was too quick to photo.  Cookie liked the camera.

Robbed a Robe

Got the doctoral regalia last week.  Expensive, but rewarding.

Sorry I couldn’t get the pic to turn around.