Category: Youth Ministry

Have you ever noticed the most misused word in prayer among evangelical beleivers? I was sitting with a group of folks praying this week and was reminded of it. Seems odd and even ridiculous to notice it but the word gets uttered a gazillion times as people pray and almost never used properly. It is…

In looking up a resource I have long wanted to use here, I discovered a website of a church that is really thinking outside the box in terms of method without compromising a solid commitment to the gospel. I heard the founding pastor preach some years ago and was deeply impressed by his clarity and…

Recently I had a conversation with a very impressive woman and as she was sharing, she mentioned that she is in a Bible study with some friends. “Right now”, she said, “we are studying John Piper”. I had such a mixed reaction to her statement. First off, I was impressed that she was reading a…

My reading pile has gotten out of control. If I were to organize it, categories would include books I am eager to read; books I feel compelled to read for professional reasons; and books I have to read for the course I am doing. Interestingly, top of my eager to read list is a book…

Spending some time recently with Graham Stanton who teaches youth ministry at Youthworks College http://www.youthworks.asn.au/index.php?s=&c=473&d=474&e=&f=&g=&w=7002&r=Y where a reformed perspective dominates the Anglican scene and reading Alistair McGrath’s text “Reformation Thought” for a church history course, I recalled this article http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/september/42.32.html that Jonathan pointed out from Christianity Today which makes some very exciting comments about youth…

Joey Philips was youth minister for several years at Church of the Cross, Bluffton and now serves at Christ Church Savannah. Pray for Joey and his church as they face a tough situation. The outcome of a mess such as this could have staffing implications. See http://savannahnow.com/node/204680 to read about it.

Mr Libbon sent this link out which I recieved just in time to use to introduce a seminar on building community in youth groups. It is rather stunning to read the thoughts of a 17 year old looking for substance in youth group but not finding it. What do you think? http://firecracker8489.blogs.com/blog/2006/08/why_ive_given_u.html

This past weekend was spent with 50 students and leaders from about 15 diocese in our province. It was a good weekend but also a tiring weekend mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I took two of students from our amazing youth commission (Drew and Liz). Some of you may wonder why we bothered to attend…

Holly directed me to this article which says what I think a lot of the youth ministry mags are afraid to directly admit. Check it out! http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552027-1,00.html

Not sure how many of you saw this article from Christianity Today [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/october/20.74.html#related] but the juicy bits (if one can call them that) and challenges are… “There are a lot of people who’ve had this nagging sense that we’re missing the mark somehow,” said Mark Oestreicher, president of Youth Specialties. “That kids seem happy and…