Best of camp, best of life...

As many of you know, last week our high school ministry went to church camp where we enjoyed a truly wonderful time. We received good teaching, solid corporate worship opportunities, and excellent food at least three times a day. We laughed a lot and prayed together daily. We played volleyball; we progressed through the challenges of the ropes course; we went swimming and skateboarding; we even had impromptu “Baptist appropriate” in-cabin dance-offs. It was a fun week, a busy week, and a week that produced many great memories. Yet despite all I’ve listed above, the best part of our experience was not officially on our itinerary, nor was it found in the church camp guidebook.

Our students and leaders were divided into several smaller discussion groups. We had scheduled for our groups to be able to debrief a couple of different times throughout the day – once in the morning and again just before bedtime. But like I said, these times were planned and the best part of our camp experience was not, for it couldn’t be. It wasn’t the small groups, but the closeness that developed within the people that made up our groups. We can pray for this to happen, we can work to facilitate an environment where such intimacy can take place, but there is no way to guarantee that it will.

By God’s grace many students had a breakthrough in how they were able to relate with each other. They entered the week reserved and unsure about their peers, but by week’s end they had grown far more vulnerable and transparent with one another. But what truly made this growth so beautiful is that it overflowed into the more casual moments as well. I watched students getting together with their friends on the deck before dinner; I noticed students bending the ear of their leaders on the cabin steps; kids of different schools and grades intermingled and bonded together in ways that Sundays and Wednesdays simply cannot provide.

See there is something about time and proximity. When people take the time to be with one another, when they are able to share life’s experiences together, defenses are lowered and the walls of separation come down. With some time and effort, with some intentional focus and direction, intimacy can be formed. And it was this kind of closeness that made my heart swell with gratitude toward God. I’ve seen it before, but it especially grabbed my attention this time around. Perhaps it was because our time in the Scriptures continually highlighted our need for connection. For if we are striving to make much of Christ by putting our sin to death and pressing into Him more deeply to fulfill our call of reaching the nations with the hope of the gospel to the glory of God, then meaningful fellowship of the saints is more than some superfluous accessory for life, it is the primary vehicle used to carry us down the straight and narrow path of faithful obedience.

It was good to laugh and play last week. I think we all enjoyed the delicious food and fun times with friends. All of those things are desirable things that most people want to experience. However, the most significant part about camp was our revealed need for deeper belonging. There is something about being known, becoming vulnerable. When someone can lay their cards on the table in honest transparency and discover that they are still loved and valued, despite previous hurts and past mistakes, it is both liberating and empowering. Yet this kind of thing takes time and proximity. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it can begin to manifest itself after three or four days and nights of walking closely with one another. My prayer for you and I is the same as what I’ve asked for our students. May we make the necessary adjustments to our schedules to position ourselves for this kind of growth. Might we both commit and submit ourselves to real, gospel-driven, life-giving relationships where we can get to know and be known by others. For this best part of camp is one of the best parts of life. May we seek to make much of Him, as we do this life together.

Matt Fowler
Associate Pastor of Missions & Students
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler

My last post...

Since our blog has kind of "blown up" recently and since I've been apart of it since inception I wanted to post our official resignation letter for all to read (attached at the bottom). However, if you did not know, I'm on out annual family vacation time in Branson (that's just how the schedule was already so we kept it as is even though there were some big changes happening). And last night I was doing some talking and listening with God and He gave me a story that was really for me (in other words I wasn't looking for something to blog about just talking with Him about our new found place in life) but the goal of these posts have always been transparency... Something I know you've seen from all our family pastors (if not check them out: Matt Mondays, Sankie Tuesdays, Jweff Wednesdays, Terry Thursdays and Phil Fridays). Thus, I thought I would just share my brief experience with you since this is probably my last post... Enjoy!!

Tonight as Kamp was winding down and folks were headed back to their cabanas for the evening, I found a little hammock to lay in, since my crew was already down. After several minutes and nearly all people gone, I started asking God for a story... something to speak to me like He had so many times over the years at that same spot at Kanakuk... When out of no where a toddler started softly crying "Daddy...Daddy", sounding sad I turned around to see him wandering aimlessly in the dark looking for his daddy. When I saw him I realized he had found his way back to a spot I now remember he and his dad had stood maybe a half hour before. He looked confused wondering why his dad wasn't there anymore. Before I could say anything I heard a man say "Bradly" from just beyond my shoulder. In so doing the little boy looked up to find me and he began to walk over to me, but getting only a few feet before he realized I wasn't his daddy. Though startled he continued to inch in my direction all the while his dad called his name. As we stared at each other I could tell he didn't really hear his name over the noise of the running water and soft music he simply was drawn to something else the resembled his daddy though I could tell in his hesitation he knew better. Finally only a few feet from me he finally heard his name being called by his dad standing just over a bush. His dad had never moved, he simply continued to call him near and watched his son's every move as he learned and connected the dots.

For several years I feel I've been searching for my daddy... I went back to places I know I've seen Him before and even got distracted at different times by things that shared a lot of His characteristics. Tonight God reminded me that he never left but continues to call... Helping me learn new things and grow in new directions all the while watching with anticipation for the moment I see/hear through the stuff and tune in to just Him again. Tonight I was told very clearly that I've been "doing" an awful lot... Things that resemble Him and His will but right now He just wants me to "be" again. To seek His face and voice and to learn to follow only Him through all the chaos. May I have enough courage and faith to just be this week and this year!!

All that to say... Court and I are NOT in a "bad" place we are just in a "new" place (at least for us). Court has said recently that "we have been managing and/or running a hospital for some time now, maybe it's time to check ourselves in for a bit... Maybe even mosey on over to the ICU." That being said (since many of you have asked), we will probably be finding a new church home in this transition also... The first reason being what I just mentioned. We believe after seeking much counsel it would be a very difficult to transition because of the position we've held not just on staff but as a family pastor. The other reason is for the "new guy"... The first church job we accepted had a great youth guy before me and we in fact worked together for a few weeks during the transition. He chose to hang around since he was going back to school and though his intentions were great, it made for a very rough first couple of years. I can not do that to the next guy!

Thus, we reiterate... At this time, we have no intention of moving or taking a job at another church. We simply want to take a season off to rest and be. We love you and can't wait to see you around town and hear all about how things are going.

June 22nd 2014

It’s bittersweet that I stand before you today. Coming to NBC a little over three years ago was a great decision for our family. It was one taken in faith and obedience to God. Sometimes following in obedience to His plan for our lives doesn’t always make sense. However, it is stepping out in obedience and faith in the Lord that we find ourselves once again. It is with great prayer, discussion, and wise counsel that we’ve come to the decision to resign as a Family Pastor at New Beginnings.

We are currently in an integral season for our family and want to take the next year to reign in and refocus, as 12 years of full-time ministry has taken a heavy toll. We feel this year will give us the opportunity to grow, refuel, and restore our family to be used by God in ways we cannot comprehend. My wife came across a quote from Tony Evans, that reads, “You will never know where God wants to take you until you are willing to leave where you are.” I would change the ending for us, to say until you take the first step. Our first step is to resign from vocational ministry for a season. We are given many examples in Scripture where God says, “go” and doesn’t give the details until after the first step is complete. We are confident that the Lord will give us details as we need them on where to go and what to do from here, all we know right now is that we are suppose to step away. To be super clear, we support New Beginnings and had their full support to continue serving here yet still have their blessing as we depart.

Goodbyes are rarely easy and change is usually uncomfortable at first. However, I leave by saying I believe in New Beginnings, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that South Tulsa would feel the difference if this body was gone tomorrow. I believe with passion in the NBFamilies focus and direction, I believe in Reach Out Sundays, the impacts they’ve had on our community and the incredible opportunity for us to BE the Church, I believe in our students and sacrificial leaders as they continue to go deeper and really embrace the discipleship model we hold dear with our D-Groups, I believe in our church staff and can vouch for each one to not only be disciples of Jesus but serving in their unique strengths. I believe God has great things in store for the families in this congregation and look very forward to hearing about it in the future.

We are blessed to have been a part of some really great years at NBC. My hope is that you will continue to grow in your spiritual maturity and use the family model to create an amazing and unique Faith Map full of adventures. Until God calls us elsewhere, we don’t have plans to leave the area, but to make a faith map of our own milestones and adventures for the Berg clan. Thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside you and to help lead you and your families to Jesus. We hope to see you around town and hug your necks.

Radically HIS-
Jeff Berg
Family Pastor of High School

The Bergs
**Follow Jeff, also known as "surgeberg" on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

NBHighSchool Summer Camp 2014

We are having a great week...
To prove it here is a quick 'Top 10 events from #NBHS14 so far':

10) Pastor Matt kicking off our first day!!

9) First Tribal Competition (Dodgeball)!!

8) Mrs. Carol Sallee leading our morning tabernacle!!

7) Food (Steve and his posse are the best)!!

6) Tribal 2 & 3: Kickball & Whiffleball Tournament!!

5) Worship (Evening Tabernacle)!!

4) Fellas Small Groups!!

3) Ladies Small Groups!!

2) Bottomless Snowcones!!

1) Quiet Times!!

This list was probably not in any specific order... But as you can see we are having a blast and we're barely halfway!!  Hope to see some of our parents tonight at Family Worship Night at Camp Big Cedar, come hangout with us (Map attached below... See you between 6:30-7p)!!

It's right at a 2 hour drive, so we suggest leaving New Beginnings parking lot no later than 5p.
(South on US-75, West on I-40, South US-177 and then West on Hwy 39... You'll see the Camp Big Cedars sign right on Hwy 39, across the street from a small gas station)

Silly Parent Video Games are for Kids

Since recent polls state that "99% of boys and 94% of girls play video games" it makes more sense to me to blog about ways to help parents get involved then to tell you to throw them away!  In my experience I would say video games are probably the most common activity that teens do that parents ignore (often just because of how fast the games, platforms, etc. change... it's hard to keep up).  Though I'm not encouraging you to jump in and become a full on "gamer", I do think if your son or daughter loves playing video games you should read this blog and see if you can find another connecting point with your teen.

I know for some video games are a sore subject but sometimes they lead to good things too... For example this week some online gamers witnessed a robbery and were able to call for help for their friend (read more here) OR that fact that many platforms are trying to develop games to stretch and grow students learning capacities since the future is in computers (here's a list of "5 games that won't rot your brain").

This blog has taken information from all over to give you a quick overview to "get you in the game" or at least educate you on enough to help you stay in the conversation with your son or daughter...

The Basics… Genres of Games 
- Action-Adventure
- First Person Shooter (FPS)
- Roll Playing Game (RPG)
- Simulation (Sim)
- Strategy
- Sports

The rating system...

	EARLY CHILDHOOD Content is intended for young children.
	EVERYONE Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
	EVERYONE 10+ Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
	TEEN Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.
	MATURE Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
	ADULTS ONLY Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real currency.
	RATING PENDING Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating. Appears only in advertising, marketing and promotional materials related to a game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game's rating once it has been assigned.

Top PC (Computer) Games:
- World of Warcraft ($10.5 billion)
- Minecraft (over 5 billion hours)
- League of Legends
- The Sims
- Diablo
 
Top Console Games:
- Tetris (143 million copies)
- Wii Sports (81.9 million copies)
- Super Mario Bros. (1985)
- Call of Duty (10 games currently)
- Grand Theft Auto (15 games)

Connect with your Teen through Video Games (by Eric Rogers): 

1. Talk 
• What are you playing and what do you enjoy most about that game? 
• Are you playing with any of your friends? If so, who?
• Are there any games coming out soon you are excited about?
2. Play
• Watch your son or daughter play for awhile
• Find a good starter game 
• Portal 2 (FPS)
• New Super Mario Bros. (Strategy)
• Burnout Paradise (Sport)
• World of Warcraft (RPG)
• Ask your son or daughter to teach you!
3. Watch
• When you watch the professionals, you are watching the best (yes, I said professionals)
• When we watch we learn
• When we watch, we share in the experience

*Go to YouTube and type in "Let's Play _____" (insert whatever game you are looking for) Disclaimer that many will have foul language 
**Want to blow your mind... Here's the full documentary on some professional gamers playing free online games, click here to watch "Free to Play" (You can also find it on iTunes)

Picking out a game for my son or daughter...
- What game would my teenager be interested in? (Ask & start keeping a list!!)
- What content is in this game? (See Rating system above)
- Is this game any good? (PluggedIN & Metacritic)

Parental Controls (Set passwords, manage time, block users, etc.):
- WiiU: http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu/parents/
- Xbox One: support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/security/xbox-live-parental-control
- PS4: support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/5097/~/ps4-parental-controls

Did you know!?!?!?!?
- There are “Glasses that eliminate eye fatigue for gamers”
- Carpal Tunnel or “Trigger Finger Surgery” for excessive gamers
- “Predators Targeting Online Gaming”

The Bergs

**Follow Jeff (Family Pastor of High School), also known as "surgeberg" on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Are you a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

"People are either Thermometers or Thermostats. They will merely reflect the climate around them, or they will set it. Leaders develop values and principles to live by and set the tone for others."

This quote is taken from a book called "Habitudes" written by Tim Elmore. I'm going to be teaching some of this today, to a group of high school students, who have chosen to spend a month this summer learning about ministry here at New Beginnings. Their group is called "The Next Level". They will get to hear from all of the pastors on staff through the month of June.They are all doing this on their own time.I find it inspiring that they are so willing to come and not only learn from us, but also that they are required to serve at the church in some capacity on Sundays during the duration of the program and they are so willing to do so.

Here are some additional quotes from Elmore: "Most people are like thermometers. They tend to reflect the culture around them. They buy things that others buy, say things others say, wear things others wear, and value things that others value. Oh, there are slight variations. But most people don't set the "climate" for the world they live in; they just mirror back the climate."

"Leaders, on the other hand, are people who decide to take life to the next level. They become thermostats, and set the social climate in which they are placed"

Did you catch that? I was talking about a group of high school students who are called "The Next Level". They are spending a portion of their summer, getting up early and coming to church to learn and to serve. How many high school students do you think are doing something like that for the month of June this summer? Are these students in "The Next Level" thermometers or thermostats? I believe they are thermostats. According to Elmore, "they're pace setters. They influence, rather than merely allowing others to influence them."

Elmore says "Leaders who are "thermostats" have developed values and principles they live by. God calls us to be authentic.The word "authentic" comes from the root word "to author". It means to write your own story, not copy someone else's. When someone owns a set of values, it's like they have a moral compass on the inside that guides them in their decisions."

"It's like they have a moral compass on the inside that guides them in their decisions."

Parents, are you thermostats or thermometers? Are your children growing up to become thermostats or thermometers? What's their "moral compass like inside"? What does this story below in Luke 6:46-49 say about our values?  What's the connection between living like a thermostat and living like a thermometer?

  ⁴⁶ “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? ⁴⁷ I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great!”
Luke 6:46-49






Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg

You're watching that!?

I have a little secret.  Some know it but most probably don't know how deep it goes.  It's something I have been involved in for sometime.  I've read about it, study it and have spent countless hours participating in it... I love movies!  And not like, "Hey, I enjoy a good flick every now and then" but like I have watched all 100 of the AFI's top movies (both lists), have seen every Academy award winning Best Picture and most of the 'Best Picture' nominees from each year.  Though many like going to movies to be entertained I go to experience the art... the emotion, the story telling, the dialogue and the cinematography.  I love it anytime someone can tell you a story and draw you so far in you cry, are angry or laugh so hard you can't breath when they are finished.  But I also love critically thinking about what the director was trying to convey and seeing if that "truth" is applicable to my life.  It's been my experience that most folks don't know why movies receive ratings they have or process the intent of movies very often.  For most individuals movies are just fun or about a plot they were drawn to.  I'm not saying it's wrong to go to a movie for purely entertainment reasons... that's why we have Marvel!  I just thought I would explain the ratings, show you a couple resources so you can be ahead of the curve and tell you about our 'Reel Time' event happening this summer at NBHighSchool.

So where do they get those ratings?

MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) is a group that pushes movies and technology forward through many different avenues but is most well known by the MPAA Rating System.  The rating system is voluntary for every film (though most theaters will not show a movie that hasn't received a rating) and decided by a group of 13 members from different backgrounds all with parenting experience to give a parent's perspective, crucial for the rating system.

Each movie is submitted by the production company, then reviewed by the MPAA board and issued a rating.  The production company then decides to release their film with the given rating or appeal the decision seeking a different rating (we have seen a rise in the winning of appeals in the past couple of years).

Current rating scales and reasons:

G — General Audiences. All Ages Admitted. A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture. The G rating is not a "certificate of approval," nor does it signify a "children’s" motion picture. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present in G-rated motion pictures. Depictions of violence are minimal. No nudity, sex scenes or drug use are present in the motion picture.

PG — Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children. A PG-rated motion picture should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. The PG rating indicates, in the view of the Rating Board, that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision. The more mature themes in some PG-rated motion pictures may call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated motion picture.

PG-13 — Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion picture’s single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context. The Rating Board nevertheless may rate such a motion picture PG-13 if, based on a special vote by a two-thirds majority, the Raters feel that most American parents would believe that a PG-13 rating is appropriate because of the context or manner in which the words are used or because the use of those words in the motion picture is inconspicuous.

R — Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

NC-17 — No One 17 and Under Admitted. An NC-17 rated motion picture is one that, in the view of the Rating Board, most parents would consider patently too adult for their children 17 and under. No children will be admitted. NC-17 does not mean "obscene" or "pornographic" in the common or legal meaning of those words, and should not be construed as a negative judgment in any sense. The rating simply signals that the content is appropriate only for an adult audience. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children.

Great resources for parents and others to research each movie before going:

- IMDb (See: "Parents Guide" midway down on any specific movie selected)

- Plugged In (See: "Movie Nights" in the top right corner)

- Screen It (Unfortunately not free anymore but far more detailed than Plugged In)

- The Source for Parents (Great free spot for lots of resources including movie reviews)

Beginning next week (June 4^th) our annual summer program (Reel Time) is back!!  Every Wednesday night we will watch a great movie in its entirety, starting at our normal time of 6:30p but extending our evening by thirty minutes to accommodate the post-movie discussion for the summer (9:00p).  Statistics say, “90% of teenagers spend 20-40 hours a week in front of a screen…” That is a lot of time watching movies, television and videos!  While most kids simply ‘check their brains at the door,’ Reel Time wants to help teens think through movies.  We are proud to announce that this summer we have selected a batch of “old” movies, our hope is to create some excitement for great films and probably movies most of our students have never seen.

Details I want everyone to be aware of:

-   The Goal: Help teens develop skills to watch movies with a filter (helping them spot the lies Hollywood is trying to sell them as well as find redeeming qualities to share their faith with others)

-      Every Wednesday this summer (June 4^th – Aug. 13^th), in the Loft (the 4^th floor of New Beginnings: 4104 East 151^st Street South) starting at 6:30pm-9:00p (Doors open at 6p)!!

-       Please feel welcome to attend any or all of the movies with us this summer (We have couches J)!!

-       Here’s this summer’s movies and their main discussion points:

o   12 Angry Men (Judgment)

o   A Place in the Sun (Image)

o   Chariots of Fire (Commitment)

o   Dead Poets Society (Pressure)

o   Elephant Man (Acceptance)

o   Going My Way (Calling)

o   Patch Adams (Passion)

o   Pleasantville (Youth Culture)

o   Shane (Sacrifice)

o   Simon Birch (Purpose)

o   Quiz Show (Integrity)

*These films will be viewed through our ClearPlay unit (www.clearplay.com)

**There will be a weekly sheet covering the plot of the film & follow-up quetsions

We understand that movies are possibly a major issue in your home.  Please pray that our time would be effective in supporting what you are already teaching at home and that God would use this as another way to train students in finding real Truth. 

The Bergs

**Follow Jeff (Family Pastor of High School), also known as "surgeberg" on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram