Archive for Theology of Youth Ministry
Calling: Aptness to Teach
“In the second place, combined with the earnest desire to become a pastor, there must be aptness to teach and some measure of the other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor.” -Charles Spurgeon, Lectures To My Students
Hearing God’s Voice
It worked for a minute until he decided that I must be fluent in Spanish and began to speak Spanish back. Of course I had to reveal my pathetic Spanish speaking abilities by switching back to English. This guy must have been thinking, “Another stupid gringo who thinks he can speak Spanish.” I wish I could speak fluent Spanish, but the truth is I can barely order a breakfast burrito.
Called: Consider the Cost
What does it mean to be called to ministry? How do you know? Charles Spurgeon gave some help to his students regarding this very question. Over the next four to six posts I will be going over some of the criteria for understanding calling. Why should you read these? There are two reasons, first, to evaluate yourself in light of these things, and second, to help you determine who in your ministry might be called into ministry. Hear it goes.
Just a cool Story!!
I went to a wedding today that was unlike any wedding I have attended or performed. I have had the privilege of officiating for some great couples. I have attended weddings of people that will go on to have great marriages, but todays wedding was unique. The couple that got married today has been married [...]
Youth Ministry needs to Push Back
I am anticipating that this blog post may get some negative reaction. Still I think it is important. This morning I watched some commentary on the “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ television show. I have never watched the show and I am not sure what the actual circumstances are in that home. My purpose is [...]
Understanding Your Context
A lot is made of understanding our cultural context. There are magazines like Relevant and people like Walt Mueller who help us in that area. There are web sites about how to use movies, music, Facebook and other cultural phenomenons to further God’s kingdom. To all of them I am thankful, and I have learned [...]
Learning to Use Ministry Models
My Freshman year at Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji (otherwise known as Buuurrrmidji), MN I began my paid youth ministry career. I was hired (along with the woman who is now my wife) to do youth ministry in a small town. At the age of 17 I began a quest to change the world [...]
Essential Elements of the Gospel
Occasionally I try to put myself in the shoes of a non-believer who is “checking out” God and this whole “religion” thing. I wonder what goes through their mind as they drive into a parking lot full of cars at a place they at one time thought they would never go except for a wedding, [...]
What is Theological Ministry?
“Youth ministers have been on a long and frustrating quest of their own over the past two decades or so. Believing that a message wrapped in pop-culture packaging was the way to attract teens to their flocks, pastors watered down the religious content and boosted the entertainment. But in recent years churches have begun offering [...]
Theology & Youth Ministry: A match made in heaven
Theology: the study of God.Youth Ministry: the act of discipling Junior and Senior High students. These definitions may not be perfect, but I think they communicate the basic premise of both theology and youth ministry. For some in the church these two things are mutually exclusive. Youth ministry for years was viewed as a stepping [...]
