Yac Story

I was looking at Marko’s blog today and saw mention of Mike Yaconelli. Anyway, I have a good Yac story that I thought I would share for old times sake.

Mike Yaconelli was the kind of guy you couldn’t help but love. He never knew me, but I sure felt like I knew him. Let me explain…

In 2002 I was volunteering at the National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville. It was a pretty dark period in my life, but I was pretty good at putting up a front. Anyway, all week long Tic had been encouraging us volunteers to go check out this thing called a prayer labyrinth. Like I said before, I was there as a volunteer, but had brought my wife Jill and our (then 7-8 month old) daughter Maddy with us. I wanted to go through the Labyrinth, but wasn’t going to without Jill, and there wasn’t anyone there to watch Maddy for us. We decided to walk down and at least take a look at the place. While we were there, my wife got to talking to a very nice lady who was running the place (I later found out that it was Karla Yaconelli). She told my wife that we needed to go through the Labyrinth, and that she was pretty sure she knew a guy who could watch our daughter while we went through it.

You can guess where this is going. Yac came down and watched Maddy for about 45-50 minutes while we went through the Labyrinth. It was so suprising to me that this man, the head of YS, would come down and watch some random youth pastor’s kid while they went on a prayer walk. The coolest part was, he did it with joy. He was actually happy to watch her and play with her, and was willing to do anything to serve.

That story really makes me smile. I wish I would have had the chance to really know him, but I feel like I had a good sense of the guy’s heart. I know he wasn’t perfect, and I’m sure he had his “warts” just like the rest of us, but his willingness to admit to that just made him all the more unique and Christ-like in my book. He seemed like the kind of person who was easy to love, warts and all. In no small way, my willingness to step out and start Stuck in the Middle was inspired by him and the stories and insights he shared with us all.

God willing, I hope that I can daily be the type of gentle, humble, loving servant that he was.

First Registrations are In!!!

It’s official, Pastor Josh Hough and the crew from Blue Springs Christian Church are officially the first group to register for our March 2006 student event! I haven’t decided yet what they won for being the first group to register…but they’ve got something good coming to them.

Perhaps the new Robbie Seay Band CD, or the entire series “Firefly” on DVD (including the movie Serenity), or maybe just hugs from me on a weekly basis…

Any suggestions?

This Week’s SITM Update (#31)

(This is an excerpt from the weekly Stuck in the Middle newsletter that goes out every Monday morning. To receive the full email newsletter, just sign up in the box down on the right side of this screen!)

Dear Friends,

This past Thursday was Thanksgiving. Like many of you, I enjoyed spending the day with family, laughing and having fun, and eating way too much food. In another part of the country, my great aunt Shirley was experiencing a different type of holiday. This would mark the first holiday in 39 years that she had spent without her daughter Susan. Susan died on Friday, November 18th. She had battled for a long time with various health ailments, and Shirley was at her side, caring for her, through it all. As I think about my love for and commitment to my own kids, my throat begins to swell. How painful it must be to bury your own child. What amazing strength Shirley has to persevere. Throughout my life, Shirley has always been a source of encouragement to me. When I received my first full time job as a youth pastor, she sent me a box full of neckties and a tie rack to hang them on. When Jill and I founded Stuck in the Middle, she pledged to support us with $100 a month, and we have received her checks and letters of encouragement every month without fail.

Why do I share this story with you? Well, in all honesty and humility, I share it with you to challenge you to action. Shirley believes in the ministry of Stuck in the Middle, and has invested in it greatly. She isn’t rich, and certainly has every excuse in the world not to give money to this ministry, but she gives anyway. She gives because she knows that her money was first given to her by God, and she knows that she has been called not to horde it away, but to invest it wisely for her master.

Over the next few weeks Stuck in the Middle will have several major bills come due. We have deposits for both artists and venue, and we have our regular monthly bills as well. Most of you don’t know this, but our producers, Outside the Box Ministries, have graciously allowed us to delay their monthly payments for the past few months, as the funds have simply not been there. I share this with you, not to gain pity for the ministry or to make you question our financial security, but rather to spur you on to good works. This ministry will succeed where God has called us. In the next few months, as registrations begin to pour in and as grant and foundation monies are awarded, we will reach our financial goals. Over the course of the next few months Stuck in the Middle will find itself resting firmly on it’s own two feet. But for now, we need your help to carry us into that time.

Stuck in the Middle needs to raise $4,000.00 in the next 2 weeks to insure that things continue to move forward for this ministry. As we are nearing the end of the fiscal year, many individuals are considering charitable donations. Please remember that as a 501 (c)3 non profit charity, all donations to Stuck are tax deductible. We are not looking for only large donors, or for one person to give the entire sum (although we would gladly accept it!). We are simply asking that you examine your own finances and cares, and then consider if you will support this ministry. Even a contribution of $20 can make an impact on the future of this ministry.

I am asking for your help to continue the work that God has called me to. Please know that I am not sitting idle, but am working hard to pursue funds for this ministry. Occasionally though, we must sit back and rely on those whom God has placed around us, and that my dear friends is you. Please take some time to pray and meditate on all that God has done for you, and whether you feel this is an important and needed ministry or not. Then consider if you will support this ministry with the finances that God has entrusted to you. Not today, not tomorrow, but right now. You can support Stuck through check or cash by mail, or you can give online right now using your bank or credit card at www.stuckinthemiddle.com under the “support” column. Thank you for your encouragement, your prayers, and your support. May God bless you as you go about your week.

In His Grip, Sean

The Rest of YS is Coming!

Hey gang, just wanted to let you know that I will be posting a play by play for the rest of the YS convention as I find the time over the next few days.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled lives…

This Week’s SITM Update (#30)

This is an exerpt from this week’s Stuck in the Middle newsletter. To receive this weekly email letter, please sign up using the box on the right side of this screen!

Dear Friends,

Wow, what a week! Please forgive the tardiness of this newsletter, but I flew back from Nashville late Monday night and have just found the chance to get this out to you. First of all, thank you for your continued support. I have realized this week just how blessed we are to have this ministry supported and prayed for the way that it is. Second, there have been a LOT of exciting things happening this week! So, without further ado, here we go!

Last Tuesday night was our first ever Stuck in the Middle fundraising banquet, and you could imagine our surprise when the weather in Kansas City suddenly dropped and it began snowing! Many kind people braved the cold to come hear about our ministry and to listen to my good friend Eric Venable talk about why Stuck in the Middle is so vital. We made several good contacts, and had one pledge of monthly support. It is our hope that several other financial gifts will come as a result of that evening. Please pray for me during the week following Thanksgiving, as I plan to contact many of the attendees in regards to supporting this ministry. Thank you to Eric and everyone who attended, without you (and the entire Scott family!) the evening would not have happened. While I was in KC I was also able to meet with many area youth pastors, and have several new commitments from groups who are now planning to attend. On Thursday of last week I flew to Nashville for the National Youth Workers Convention. If you’d like to know all of the fun details about the weekend, you can read about it on my blog at www.seaninthemiddle.com. Here are a few of the highlights:

• Met w/ Doug Tegner of the National Network of
  Youth Ministries to begin moving forward with the
  final stages of a nation-wide middle school network.
• Met w/ Jason Raitz, founder of Project 311.
  Jason has been where Stuck in the Middle is now and
  has a wealth of information to help us. Also, he’s
  committed to and passionate about middle school
  students!
• Handed out over 1,000 postcards for our 2006
  event to youth workers!
• Was able to connect with all but one of our
  general session speakers, and was able to talk with
  our producer, Rolly Richert, our video guru, Jay
  Delph, and our worship band, Starfield.
• Had a great time connecting with middle school
  youth pastors from around the country, including
  Kurt Johnston and a crew that connects through his
  website!
• Made LOTS of contacts that could lead to more
  financial support and partnerships with Stuck in the
  Middle.

I hope that gives you a brief insight into these past few days. Like I said, there’s a lot more info on my blog if you care to read it. Please be praying for me and for this ministry. We are definitely in the final leg of this race, and I know that I have to keep running towards the finish line!

May the God of all peace bless you and keep you as you go about your lives this week.

In His Grip,

Sean

YS Saturday Report

Well, when I finally went to bed on Friday night I had every intention of waking up early and going over to Kurt’s Middle School class, but my sleep deprivation got the better of me and I stayed in bed until about 9am. Ran downstairs in the hotel for breakfast (free meal #4) and then shot over to the General session.

Great session…really enjoyed Doug Pagitt’s message. I’d still like to head out to Solomon’s Porch sometime to see the church firsthand, but it was still a good experience. Kendall Payne was awesome. I loved her lyrics, guitar and singing style, and her sharp wit. If you haven’t heard of her before, you should really check her out. Her songs are honest and are very, very good. She was also hilarious when she talked about her very NOT funny old youth pastor…but I think that’s one of those “had to be there” moments. So, Kendall and Doug were great, but the highlight once again was David Crowder and friends. If you’ve never heard the David Crowder Band before, you really need to check them out. My first time hearing them was back in 2000 or 2001. I was looking for any good Christian groups that sounded like my favorites, the Dave Matthews Band. Someone said, “here, buy this”…and to be really honest, I didn’t care for the CD at all. But, as time went on, and my tastes changed, I have grown to love the DCB and their music. Plus you just have to love David himself, the guy just bleeds honesty and humbleness…and the music is awesome.

After the general session it was off to lunch with Jason Raitz. (Not a free meal!) Jason is the founder of a middle school ministry called Project 311. Jason is a great guy who really cares about and understands middle school ministry. He’s been through the highs and lows of doing something like Stuck in the Middle, and he has a great crew of people surrounding him and encouraging/supporting him. I think that it was really healthy for me to get together with him, and it was a great motivator for me to work as hard as I can.

After lunch I shot over to the middle school programming class with KJ and Alex Roller. I haven’t had the chance to meet Alex, but he seems like a fun guy who I think I would enjoy hanging out with. Anyway, the seminar was great. They had a lot to share, and it was a fun time. Kurt showed part of our Stuck in the Middle video at it, and after the class I had someone come up to me and ask, “You’re the Stuck in the Middle guy right?” Pretty funny stuff…then it was off to a very enjoyable dinner with Daniel, Tony, Jared and Daniel’s Aunt Pat. Oh yes, and it was Free Meal #5!

Back at General Session #4, the sheer talent and energy of the David Crowder Band once again amazed me. It amazes me how the guy can stand up there and joke and talk during worship, but never detract from it or come off as egocentric. Between him freaking out over the presence of “lasers ya’ll” and his stage dive at the end of worship, I was reminded just how fun these events can be. David Nassar was our general session speaker, and I have to say that I’m not really sure what I thought of his message. Personally, I thought there was a little too much information about his marital/sex life, and I didn’t really dig his talk about how NOT compassionate he is. Maybe someday I’ll be able to understand a bit more of what he was saying…but I think his point was lost on me.

That night I had a chance to hang out with some old friends of mine, and it was a great end to another wonderful day!

A not so Update…

Ok…so I promised on Marko’s site that I would blog this whole convention, and believe me, I intend to…but the thing is, I’m about as busy as I’ve ever been, and once again I am DOG TIRED!!! So…I am keeping a log/journal of everything, and as soon as I have the time (did someone say 2 hour layover in Chicago?) I’ll post new stuff up on here.

So, now all 3 people who actually read this can rest in peace.

=)