Snow here we come. Getting ready to head to Colorado this weekend with my son Soren. Speaking for a winter retreat for First Presbyterian Church of Midland Texas. Pretty stoked to be with them. A little bummed to fly for an hour and then drive in a bus for 12. But it'll be a good chance to get to know leaders and students.
Archive - December, 2009
More about Lars
This is always the page on any blog that is the least exciting to write but often the most clicked link.
Who am I is a great questions. I’m a guy who grew up on Whidbey Island, Washington. I had a boat before I had a car. I’ve got two sisters on either side of me which makes me a middle child and three other younger brothers and sisters who were adopted later so I’m the middle of the upper 3.
I like coffee a lot. I value quality time with people and I love a good book. One of my favorite places to hang out in the whole world is this place. I also wish that I was a surfer but really I am just a friend of surfers. I love to travel and especially like spending time in Mexico with my family.
I’m also a husband and a dad. Danielle and I have been married almost 13 years and we have three amazing kids. Soren is 10, Kaije is 8 and Anneliese is 5.
After college I moved to Southern California where I taught High School and worked at an amazing camp called Forest Home. After many years of that I became a youth pastor and that’s all I’ve known for many years.
For a lot of years I didn’t really like my name but then I found out that no one else had it and I started liking it more. My parents flipped a coin between Lars and Thor and I think it’s a toss up between what name I would like more. I think if my name was Thor I’d probably have to spend too much time in the gym so I like Lars a little bit better.
Here’s a mini resume:
Education:
I went to South Whidbey High School and graduated in 1988
I went to Seattle Pacific University and should have graduated in 1992 but finished in 1994 after deciding late to become a teacher. While I was there I was a cheerleader for 4 years. (Yes I know that’s weird)
I have a Masters Degree in Divinity degree with an emphasis in Youth and Family Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. I finished that degree in 2004
I also have a Doctorate of Ministry degree from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in Portland Oregon. That one is called “Leadership to Emerging Cultures” I focused my research and writing on “The connection with and retainment of the 20-something generation” I finished that degree in 2008.
Work:
I currently work at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas Texas. I am the Lead Youth Minister and I work with an amazing staff team.
I’m also involved in speaking and teaching at a number of camps and conferences. I primarily teach students and families as well as consult with other youth workers.
Merry Christmas I’m tired
We're hosting our volunteers for a dinner tonight at our youth facility. We've got a bunch of new amazing folks who have been leading small groups this year. Love getting to know new amazing people and seeing how they love Jesus and students. Tonight should be a lot of fun.
I'm also thinking about doing some Christmas shopping at some point. I'm fully an Amazon guy so if I can do Christmas without ever entering a mall I will have been successful for another year.
Christmas Season has a lot of things to it and I always worry that I will lose focus in the midst of business. I tend to want to fight against the consumerism of the Holiday which could make me come across like the Grinch. I want to enjoy the whole season. So I'm committing as of right now to be thankful for all parts of it. The parts that I love like the birth of Jesus and the Hallelujah Chorus and football and the parts I don't like which are all about the consumerism side of it.
Speaking Events
Bridging the Gap: That’s the best way I know how to describe what it is I am able to do. I can operate well in many different worlds. I’m comfortable speaking to Christians as well as non Christians. I interact well with the Academic world yet also am able to talk sports, tv and pop culture.
Recently I’ve been doing some really fun interactions with Parents and have a great seminar that I do called “Understanding the world of your Teenager”
Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to see any talk outlines or to get any references from schools or camps that I have spoke at. Contact me here.
For a sample of Lars speaking you can click on the link below. I can’t always vouch for the quality when I am being recorded. This link is from a recorded sermon at my church so picture me in front of hundreds of people in suits hanging on my every word. :)
Lars’ 2010-2011 Speaking/Participating Schedule:
March 10-11 Orange Student Pastor Forum Atlanta
March 19-22 Future Church Think Tank with Len Sweet (Orcas island Washington)
April 26-29 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry (Mentor Meeting)
June 30-July 1 PCUSA Big Tent Pathways event in Indianapolis. ”Transitioning to College”
Sept 29-Oct 2 National Youth Workers Convention San Diego
Nov 17-20 National Youth Workers Convention Atlanta
The Nativity Story in a whole new light
Our Youth Staff decided to show the Nativity Story to our students in a whole new way. Amazing team of people that I get to work with. Hope you like it. This is the Stream Youth Staff at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
California Here I come Right back where I started from.
I'm heading out for my last trip of 2009 tomorrow. I've been invited to speak to a group of High School students at Mt. Hermon Christian Conference Center in Santa Cruz, California. I'm pretty stoked (yes Cali lingo) to be heading out there because I had a great time with their team last summer and I absolutely love to speak in the camp setting. Mt. Hermon is a beautiful place too and the opportunity to be around the
giant redwood trees on a mountain near the beach just makes my heart feel good.
I love Texas and living in the Park Cities has been a great thing the last three years. I'm not planning on leaving here any time soon but I'll be honest and say that I miss the West Coast. The only bummer this weekend is that it's supposed to rain every day while I'm there. On a positive note though In N Out tastes just as good in the rain.
So to all my Texas friends. Enjoy Starbucks in the Village and the Cowboys getting stomped by San Diego this weekend. I'll see you on Monday.
Thanksgiving break took two weeks
A long time ago I vowed that if I didn't feel like writing or had nothing worth saying that I'd keep my mouth shut. Several weeks ago I took a Thanksgiving break that has lasted for quite a while. I have not felt guilty for not writing although I know that there are a few people that have missed me. (Sorry mom)
Anyways I'm back to writing and will be posting a few things in the next few days.
This month is a busy speaking month for me. I'm speaking at two different weekend retreats and am also preaching at my home church the Sunday after Christmas. I'll put together some posts about what I'm sharing at those events.
Peace out,
Lars
