David Stippick

Why I am doing Mission Year

My name is David Stippick, I am 19 (although in case you were wondering I will turn 20 on Dec. 10th), and I am about to embark on an incredible experience called Mission Year.

I accepted Christ on August 18th 2004, so I am a fairly young Christian. I’ve taken every opportunity I can find to grow spiritually, and be closer to God, and Mission Year is one of those opportunities. I have a passion for missions, and bringing Gods word, and the Truth of Jesus Christ to people all over the world. In my short time as a believer, I have been to Brazil and New York twice, and Atlanta and Arlington once. By the time I begin my mission year I will have been back to both Arlington, and New York.

I have spent the past year and a half trying to get into the middle of Gods will for my life, and figure out what it is he wants me to do with it. I have every confidence that during this year he will show me exactly that.

About Mission Year

Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…

David Stippick's Blog

Am I in it, or am I of it? / Jul 2, 09:43 AM

I think toilet humor is funny. I like Nickelback and Jason Mraz make great music. I think Dane Cook is a silly B. But I just don’t know about all that anymore.

I’m currently reading a fascinating book called ‘Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus’ by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg. It’s all about understanding the Gospel message through the eyes and ears of a first century Jew, and I’ve already taken a lot away from it. I came across a quote the other day that sparked a conversation in my mind.

“The question is: Who or what do we want to shape our lives? Even the culture around us will try to ‘disciple’ us if we have not placed ourselves under the transforming influence of Jesus Christ.” p. 63

Several months ago, my roommates and I had a pretty intense discussion about how much of the culture we should be involved in as believers. I’m sure it’s a conversation you’ve had. Should we watch rated R movies, listen to music with questionable content, go to clubs/bars, and so on and what-not.

I think toilet humor is funny. I like Nickelback and Jason Mraz make great music. I think Dane Cook is a silly B. But I just don’t know about all that anymore.

I don’t have the answer, but it is something I struggle with. I think movies like Talladega Nights, and Superbad are hilarious. But they don’t exactly send a healthy message to a kid I might be disciplining (or friends/family members who are not believers) do they? In fact they send several messages that are in direct contradiction to what the Bible teaches, and what we claim to believe. There are bands that I love to listen to, and I think make incredible music…but I run into the same problem. For the first time ever, I found this problem with a book the other day. Within the first three chapters, I realized that I needed to throw it away if I was going be actively fighting an ongoing battle (My roommates literally threw the book in the trash.)

I know that when I watch movies like that, or listen to some of those bands, my thoughts wander where they wouldn’t have if I hadn’t done those things. And I start to sound more like a sailor than a ‘missionary’ when I’m talking. I don’t know if the laugh, or the enjoyment is worth it anymore. It desensitizes me to killing/violence, sex, language, sex, the use of drugs, killing/violence, the plight of the oppressed in the world, killing/violence, sex. I don’t want those things to be as normal to me as a cup of coffee in the morning. I don’t think Christ views them in that way.

But I also don’t want to be That Guy. The Guy Who Is Super-Ultra-Jesusy-And-Pious. Not because I’d be embarrassed if Christ was calling me not to be involved in the culture that way, but because even other believers are annoyed by That Guy, not to mention non-believers. It also would put me way out of the loop. There is something to be said for understanding the culture you are in, but being a current going the other way, it can be a powerful tool in your ministry (Acts 17). After all, we are called to be a counter-culture, not the sub culture we have become.

It’s not always great content, but I like it so I justify it saying that I’m doing strong enough in my walk that it doesn’t matter. If I’m being completely honest (If a bit cheesy) with myself, I wouldn’t watch those movies, listen to that music with, or lend that book to Christ. Although that whole ‘movement’ got kind of worn out several years ago, it holds a valid point. ‘Would you watch this, listen to this, do this, read this with Christ?’ I need to ask myself this question more often.

I’m not saying I’ll be 100% not watching movies like that anymore, or listening to bands I like because of what their content might not be 100% Jesus. But I’, considering it.

What are your opinions? Does those kinds of things bother you? Do you think that we, as believers should not watch those movies, or listen to that music? What do you think it says to the world if we don’t? If we do?

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Sometimes, / Jun 24, 02:52 PM

I read ‘spiritual’ books about Jesus, or Jesusy things. I tell myself that this is the same thing as being in the Word and spending time building my relationship with Him.

It is not.

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Who may abide? / Jun 9, 11:31 AM

There are several places in the Bible where we like to reference when we talk about how we should live our lives. Here’s one I’d never heard until a few days ago.

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works
righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
He swears to his own hurt and does no change;
He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 15 (NASB)

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Comfort one another / Jun 9, 11:31 AM

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NASB)

I don’t know how familiar you are with that passage, but I heard it the other day, and it made a really good point in my head.

The next time one of your christian brothers or sisters (or even a friend or family member who is not a believer…it could be a good intro…) is going through a rough time? Comfort them with the assurance they have (could have in Christ)

-Stippick

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