Ryan Carson - Transition from ADVANCE to Church Planting

Hello Families of ADVANCE and Friends, 

I want to start off this communication by telling you that words cannot even describe how blessed I am to have served as one of the Student Pastors at Forest Hill Church for the last 6 years.  I have done my best to be a faithful shepherd and have built countless meaningful and lifelong relationships that I will carry in my heart forever.  I haver sought to both teach and live out the Gospel to the teenagers God has given me.

Tonight, I shared some news with the students and volunteers at ADVANCE and want to use this e-mail to fill you in as well.  Bethany and I both feel that God has been nudging and is now leading us to step away from ADVANCE in order to plant a church.  This decision has come after a significant amount of prayer, many conversations with the leadership of Forest Hill, and a deep stirring inside of our hearts that this is the Lord's leading.  Although Bethany and I are very excited to chase God's next chapter for us, our hearts are also very heavy as I will no longer be overseeing the ministry of ADVANCE on the South Park Campus.  We absolutely LOVE the students of Forest Hill, the leadership and staff of Forest Hill, and the people of Forest Hill.  It is hard to imagine not being a part of this awesome church, but we are confident that we are following the leadings of a God that has our lives in His hands.  

Here is a rough timeline of the transition:

• We will begin a search for a new South Park Student Pastor immediately.
• I will help the new Student Pastor transition into his role.
• I will begin a residency at Forest Hill Church for about one year.  During this time, I will be learning about leading a church, building a core team, etc.  
• Sometime around late 2014 I will launch Mission Community Church.  The location is yet to be determined, but it is likely to be in the Charlotte or surrounding areas.

We truly regret that you may be finding out about this through an impersonal blog post.  We both wish we could have sat down face to face with each one of our students, parents, and volunteers to tell you personally so that you could see facial expressions, hear our tone and more importantly our hearts, and celebrate with us.  Unfortunately, with the number of people/relationships involved, this was just not possible.  We pray that you will try to understand the difficult position this put us in and will show us grace if you are hurt, disappointed or upset by the means of delivery.  

If you have any questions, concerns, or encouragement, please respond to this e-mail or feel free to call me directly at 704-488-0249.  

Bethany and I love you all very much.  You will never know how significantly you have impacted our lives.  We are forever grateful and will be forever touched by the love and support each of you has shown us over the years!  We look forward to watching from afar as the ministry of ADVANCE continues to thrive and the teenagers of Forest Hill grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord.

To Christ be the Glory, forever and ever,

Ryan and Bethany Carson

Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Hooked on Porn? This will help.

The first thing I want to say is that this post is intended to help.  This is not being written to make anyone feel shame, guilt, or condemnation.  We all need the grace of God and practical, Biblical advice as we walk through life.  Please receive this with that mindset.

Pornography has become more rampant in the world today, primarily because of our sinful hearts, and also because of the invention of the Internet.  Many people (males and females) are becoming enslaved to this pastime with no understanding of the negative impact it will have on their lives.  I will not go into detail here regarding the dangerous affects of porn, but I will simply say that it destroying people, marriages, families, ministries, and churches at a rapid pace.  This must stop.

In my position as a Student Pastor, I council young men who are struggling with this sin almost daily.  I wanted to make a list of some of the practical, Biblical advice I give them and make it available to anyone who might be struggling with this sin who takes the time to read this post.  There is no particular order or steps to take, but all of these tips should be put into practice in one way or another to help overcome an addiction to pornography.

If you find yourself hooked to pornography and want to be set free, read and apply these suggestions to your life.

• Confess your sin - The Bible says if we confess of our sins Jesus cleanses us.  He makes us clean!  This is not just something that happens once when we initially admit this sin, but every time we mess up.  The fear and shame of exposing this sin causes us not to open up with others, but if we are obedient and confess our sins to others, God does an amazing work in our hearts and we feel so much better after doing so.
• Understand that you are forgiven because of Jesus - The Gospel of Jesus Christ is rooted in the grace of God.  God loves you.  You cannot outsin God's love for you.  You don't have to earn your way back into God's love, but you need to understand the Biblical Gospel.  Don't repeat the sin of Adam and Eve and hide from God because of shame.  Come to Him with humility and receive love, grace, and forgiveness.  
• Remove and Replace - It is not enough to simply "stop" looking at porn.  It is not sufficient to just remove this from your life.  If you want to STAY free from this sin, you must replace this activity with a more Godly one.  Some God-honoring activities that could serve as replacements could be: working out, reading books/Scripture, spending time with community, household chores, hobbies, writing, sports, etc.
• Memorize Scripture - The Bible tells us that memorizing Scripture is one of the best ways to keep us from sinning.  Some great verses to help with porn are:  Job 31:1, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Matthew 5:28, 1 John 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Peter 2:11, and Galatians 6:8.
• Set Boundaries and FIGHT! - You have to set boundaries in your life if you are serious about fighting this sin.  So many people claim to be "struggling" with this sin, but the truth is, they are not "struggling," they are laying down and being walked all over by it.  If you are going to "struggle," that means you must put up a fight against it.  Some ways to set boundaries are:  charge your SmartPhone in the kitchen, don't be alone near a computer, don't bring your laptop/iPad into your room alone, sell the device that you use to look at porn, say "no" to your "friends" who try to engage you in this activity, set up times to meet with a mentor or Christian friend to give them an update on your week, and get accountability software for your computer.
• Get Accountability Software - Check out the following websites and their accountability software:  X3 Watch or Covenant Eyes
• Seek out Christian Accountability - We need accountability.  We need each other.  Allow people into your life and allow them to ask you hard questions.  It is for your best.
• Stay Busy - "Idle hands are the devil's playground."  Stay busy.
• Pray and Fast - The Bible does not say "if" you pray or "if" you fast, it says "when" you pray and "when" you fast... If you are caught up in this sin, pray for God to give you the strength to overcome it and fast, simply asking God to make you more like His Son Jesus.  
• Helpful Book - "Every Young Man's Battle" - Order it HERE

Remember, you are not alone.  You are not disgusting because of this sin. You are a precious soul that God loved enough to die for.  This sin is not best for your life.  It has the power to ruin you, but only if you allow it to.  Don't allow this to happen.  Think about your faith, your future, and your family.  Don't give into temptation.  Don't take the bait.  Don't give this sin the ability to rule your life.  You must fight.  Starve the flesh, feed the Spirit.

Remember:  Temptation is simply an opportunity.  It's an opportunity to sin or worship. I pray that this post will help you worship.

Student Volunteers @ ADVANCE

We are very excited about the newest initiative at ADVANCE this year:  Student Volunteers

We want to give students the opportunity to lead the ministry of ADVANCE and give them ownership.  We will be having a training on Sunday August 19th at 6:00 pm in the Basement to prepare students for the all the roles we are offering.

The following is a list of all the areas that students can volunteer at ADVANCE.   Please review the list, pray about where God might want to use you this year, and attend the Student Volunteer Training on August 19th.  Thanks!

Program Tech Team – Students will be involved in the creation and execution of the Sunday night Program.  This includes creating graphics and videos, Tech, AVL, stage-hands, etc.  The Tech Team should arrive 20 minutes before run-thru.  This team will be led by the ADVANCE Program Producer. 

Program Planning Team – We want our program to be relevant, engaging and Christ-centered, and we need your help to do that!  Students on this team will be asked to speak into the flow and content of the program, as well as giving critical feedback about the program after it is over.  This team will meet regularly throughout the year.  This team will be co-led by Ryan Carson and the ADVANCE Program Producer.

Event Planning Team – Community is one of the most important aspects of the Christian life!  Students on this team will be asked to create and implement different fun ideas for fellowship and community within ADVANCE.  This team will be led by the Community Director Intern.

Hospitality Volunteers:

• Greeters – First impressions are always important.  The Greeting Team will be responsible for welcoming everyone who attends ADVANCE by opening doors, smiling, giving hi-fives, and introducing themselves to students as they arrive.  Our goal is for all people to feel welcomed and loved so that they might better understand God’s unconditional love for them in Christ.  Greeters should arrive at 4:00 pm or 5:30 pm (depending on the shift).  Greeters will report to Meredith Jolly and Bethany Kortekaas.
• Check-in – As students enter the doors of ADVANCE they need to check in for the purposes of security and accountability.  This team will help other students check-in by using a scan card, computer system, and a stamp.  Any first time visitors will be sent to the Launch Pad.  The Check-in team should be welcoming, call students by name, and tell them that they are glad they are here.  Arrival time will be 30 minutes before each program (depending on the shift).  This team will report to Bethany Kortekaas and Meredith Jolly.

·       Launch Pad

• Check-in - When first time visitors come to ADVANCE they check-in by filling out the Info Card and then receive a green wristband. If a friend brought them, their friend gets a pink wristband.  They can use this wristband to get free pizza and a drink in the café, but more importantly, for our First Touch Launch Pad volunteers to be aware of their presence.  This team should be welcoming, call students by name, and tell them that they are glad they are here.  Arrival time will be 30 minutes before each program (depending on the shift).  This team will report to Bethany Kortekaas and Meredith Jolly.
• First Touch – This branch of our Launch Pad Team will be responsible for looking out for any students with green wristbands and welcoming them to ADVANCE.  Asking questions about who they are, where they go to school, what sports they play, etc. are always helpful.  This team should also give tours of the Basement, point them toward the café for free food, engage in a fun Basement activity with them, and offer to sit with them during the worship service.  Arrival time will be 30 minutes before each program (depending on the shift).  This team will report to Bethany Kortekaas and Meredith Jolly.
• Follow-Up – Being intentional to follow-up with first time visitors is an important part of welcoming people into our Gospel community at ADVANCE.  The goal of this team is to reach out with a personal touch to thank visitors for coming, ask them about their experience, and invite them back.  The best way to do this is through a phone call, and text messages and Facebook are also helpful.  This team will be led by Ryan Carson.

Program Teams

• Announcements – Students who will be on the Announcements Team will be responsible for communicating any important information about ADVANCE as well as upcoming events.  Students on this team will receive information prior to Sunday and the delivery of this information should be well thought through and prepared before Sunday.  Arrival time will be 10 minutes before program run-thru.  This team will report to the ADVANCE Program Producer.
• Emcee – Students who are on the Emcee team will take part in the flow of the program and could be responsible for running games, making announcements, reading Scripture, and anything else that might be included in the program.  Emcees should attempt to get the group involved, excited and engaged.  Emcees should arrive 15 minutes prior to program run-thru and will report to the ADVANCE Program Producer.
• Scripture Readers – This group of students will be asked to read Scripture during the program.  The exact Scripture and version will be communicated prior to Sunday and the delivery of the Scripture should be practiced so it is clear to everyone who hears!  Scripture Readers should arrive 10 minutes prior to run-thru and will report to the ADVANCE Program Producer.
• Band Member – The worship of Christ through music is an important tradition in the church and is commanded of Christians in Scripture.  Each Band Member should arrive on time for rehearsal and be prepared by practicing all songs before Sunday.  This team will be led by the ADVANCE Worship Leader and the Program Producer.

Prayer Team – Scripture tells us that if we want to see the hand of God move, we should pray and ask Him for the desires of our hearts.  This team gets the privilege of praying for the needs of the ADVANCE community.  This team will be led by Meredith Jolly and she will communicate the prayer requests through an organized system on a regular basis.

Preaching Team – In Romans 10:17, the Bible says that, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The job of the preacher is of utmost importance.  Those who preach at ADVANCE will be expected to prepare, organize, and deliver Christ-centered teaching with accessible application.  Readiness for this task is up to the discretion of the Student Pastor and could involved certain assignments to help prepare a student for this task. 

LifeGroup Champions – LifeGroup Champions serve alongside their LifeGroup Leader(s) to help the group partake in Care (relationships), Growth (Biblical Understanding), and Impact (service).  Champions should encourage group participation and health as well as setting an example for the rest of the group, as all good leaders should.  Each Champion will report to their LifeGroup Leader as well as Jay Wells.

Middle School Mentors (High School Students Only) – Because we all look up to those who are older than us, it is important that the ADVANCE community shows a great deal of love and respect to the generations who are younger as well.  Middle School mentors are asked to befriend and build a relationship with one middle school student for an entire year.  This should include at least 5 minutes of hangout on Sunday nights and some type of communication during the week (phone call, text, Facebook, etc.)  This relationship could literally change the life of a middle school student forever.  1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”  Middle School Mentors will report to Ryan Carson.

Internships – There could be a wide variety of unpaid internships offered through the ADVANCE Student Ministry.  The goal of the intern program is to expose students to the realities of ministry and allow them to take responsibility for certain aspects of our ministry.  The intern process will begin with Ryan Carson but could be passed off to any of the ADVANCE staff members.

ADVANCE Baptisms - 4.29.12

"Project X" Movie Review

Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Luke 11:34 - "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness."

The movie "Project X" is another case of Hollywood glorifying the sin of this world and making it seem like teenage "fun." My advice, to anyone who cares what I think, is to NOT watch this movie. Period. This movie has nothing to offer except lies and temptation.

Christians, we are called to be IN this world, but not OF this world. Jesus prayed for His disciples in this way in John 17:15-17, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

If you are a Christian, use this as an opportunity to witness to your friends about why you are not going to go see this movie. Use it as a chance to share the Gospel. Use it as an opportunity to talk about the value of purity. Use it as an opportunity to be a LIGHT in a dark place!

Here is a movie review from Common Sense Media:

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Project X -- a very raunchy comedy about three high school seniors who throw a huge party that spins wildly out of control -- is packed with constant strong language ("f--k," "s--t," and much more), topless teens, sexual situations, graphic sexual innuendo, and excessive teen drinking and drug use (Ecstasy and pot). Punches are thrown, and though there's no actual fighting, the party has an increasing air of danger and violence (a flamethrower appears in the final act). The movie is funny in a shocking way, but parents will be appalled at its message: that a shy teen "needs" a huge party to break out of his shell and become a social success, regardless of the fact that the cost is thousands of dollars in damage.

Positive messages: The movie's central theme seems to be that the shy main character "needed" a party to help him out of his shell -- and that the rampant destruction of property and thousands of dollars in repairs were worth it. (In the epilogue, the father, though upset, even seems proud of his son.)

Positive role models: Teens disregard their parents' wishes and cause thousands of dollars' worth of destruction for a party.

Violence: Most of the violence consists of quick, drunken outbursts at the party. Some punches are thrown, and there's a shoving match, but very little actual fighting. A little person punches several partygoers in the groin. A Taser is used. A bully shows up in a couple of scenes, but nothing much happens with him. A flamethrower is used, and the user eventually catches on fire himself.

Sex: Many teen girls go topless in the swimming pool. One girl flirts heavily with the birthday boy, kissing and licking his neck. They begin to undress for sex (their tops are removed) and climb onto a bed, but they're interrupted. The main character kisses two women. Minor characters are seen sporadically making out or engaging in foreplay. Also heavy, graphic sexual innuendo.

Language: Constant, no-holds-barred swearing, including hundreds of uses of "f--k" and "s--t" (in every permutation), as well as "d--k," "c--k," "p---y," "t-ts," "faggot," "goddamn," "bitch," "penis," "vagina," "balls," "ass," "ho," "a--hole," "damn," "hell," "oh my God," and the "N" word, as well as heavy sexual innuendo.

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Teens drink alcohol of all types excessively throughout the movie. Ecstasy is passed out at the party, and most teens take some. The three main characters buy and smoke pot.

Admitting vs. Confessing

We have all sinned. No one is perfect. The question is, what do you do when you know you have sinned? Do you cover it up and hope no one finds out? Do you admit only when you get caught? Or do you take responsibility for your actions and confess your sin(s) to God and others without being caught? The difference between confessing your sin and admitting your sin is huge in the life of a Christian, because it reveals something about our hearts...

Christianity, at its core, is about the heart. When you receive the grace and mercy of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God invades your HEART, your life is changed and will continue to change for the rest of your life as you strive to be more like Jesus. When the Gospel becomes real to you, you begin to live differently. Your desires change. Your motives change. Your words and actions change. And, your attitude toward sin changes.

Sin is the very thing that kept us out of a loving relationship with God and it is also the thing that causes people to go to hell if it is not dealt with and forgiven by Jesus. As Christians, we should hate our sin and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us and to help us kill it, whatever it may be. Sin breaks the heart of God, and it should break our hearts as well.

So... what do you do when you know you have sinned? Does it bother you? Does it break your heart?

There is a huge difference in admitting a sin when you have been caught (by other people) and confessing your sin.

Admitting sin only when you have been caught reveals:

• a lack of obedience to the Scripture - See 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16
• a desire to simply not get in any more trouble by lying about the sin
• a comfort level with sin as long as it is unknown by others
• a desire to appear holy on the outside

Confession of sin without being caught reveals:

• a heart that truly hates sin and loves Jesus
• a desire to kill the sin(s) in your life
• a true working of the Holy Spirit in someone
• a desire for holiness and Christ-likeness

As Christians, we should desire to be like Christ SO MUCH and hate sin SO MUCH that we don't have to wait to get caught in order to confess and repent. We should confess sin out of obedience to Scripture and a desire for God to change our hearts and make us more like Christ.

The video below helps us understand the difference between having a relationship with God and fellowship with God. This teaching has proven to be very helpful in my life.

One last thought: If you have been living a life where you only confess sin when you are caught, change it today. There is grace for you and you can start RIGHT NOW by confessing your sin(s) to God and knowing that He loves and forgives you because of Jesus.

The Eight Greats : The Great Faith