5 Families That Do NOT Need to Pray:

We value family prayer and we champion prayer in the home, but before we assume that all families must pray, let us consider 5 families that do not need to pray:

(1) Families that do not seek to have worship in their homes may not need to pray. When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he taught them to begin with a heart of worship, recognizing the holiness of the Father, praying, "Our Father in heaven, holy is your name" (Matthew 6:9). When families pray, they worship.

(2) Families that do not desire the guidance of the Lord for their lives may not need to pray. The Matthew 6 prayer continues with the famous line, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Families that pray together, seek the Lord's will for their homes and hearts together.

(3) Families that do not need God's provision may not need to pray. Verse 11 of this same chapter reads, "Give us this day our daily bread." Every home has needs from daily bread to jobs, rent, healing, wisdom, peace, and much more. Jesus says that "Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all" (v. 32). Prayer is when the needs of our hearts are trusted in the hands of our Father; our Provider.

(4) Families that never have to seek forgiveness may not need to pray. Jesus continues his model prayer: "...and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (v. 12). Most days find most family members needing to fogive and needing to be forgiven. These needs appropriately lead us to prayer.

(5) Families that can tackle the temptations, trials and evils of life on their own may not need to pray. For the rest of us, however, we are taught to go to the Father in prayer, asking for deliverance as we pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (v. 13). When deliverance and protection and freedom and victory are needs, prayers are vital.

Jesus Has Been Kicked Out of Church:

I’m so glad Jesus isn’t a one-dimensional flannel-graph figure with clean feet and wavy hair. I’m also glad he’s not the soft, pale, sorrowful looking man in many famous paintings I’ve seen. He’s much tougher, tender and more complex than that.

I’ve often wondered whether or not Jesus would come to our churches today. Sadly, I’m not sure he’d like them all and He just might get himself kicked out. Quite frankly, I love this about Him.

Here are five things Jesus said that would get him kicked out of the church today:

He Ticked People Off on Purpose
Jesus was kind and compassionate to the sick, hurting, down and out, and the seeking. He had his Father’s message and spoke truth. However, there was one group of people Jesus didn’t mind offending, which were the Pharisees. It was as if He had a holy vendetta to wake these sleeping souls. The Pharisees presented standoff encounters that rivaled the Sharks vs the Jets (you’re welcome theater people).

In His speech we’ve dubbed “Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees,” this is what Jesus tells them:

“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?”
Matthew 23:33
Jesus does not mince words and doesn’t seem to be too concerned about hurting someone’s feelings. He also calls the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and whitewashed tombs that are lovely on the outside, but hideous on the inside. Ouch! I would not want to be on the receiving end of those words.

How often in the church do we dance around issues afraid to hurt someone’s feelings? Clearly Jesus spoke plainly. So why do we squirm when we face conflict and sticky situations in the church?

He Told a Rich Man to Give Everything to the Poor
People are usually willing to do anything … until it comes down to precious commodities like money and time. In a conversation with the Rich Young Ruler, He didn’t just ask He told this man to give away all his possessions to the poor.

“Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Mark 10: 21

I love the line, “Jesus felt a love for him.” Jesus made His request out of love for the man. He knew this man would never be free if not for this act of sacrifice.

We like the idea of dying to ourselves. We want to pick up our cross and deny ourselves, kind of. Matthew 16:24-26 looks nice on artsy prints and tattoos, but it’s a very real and very tough request Jesus makes for our benefit to free our hearts for Him. Jesus wants us to be close to Him – take a look at what stands in the way of intimacy with Him.

He Stood Up to Church Bullies
I find this winsome and endearing about our Jesus. Jesus had a fierce love for sinners bullied by the church. He once stood between a furious crowd and a guilty woman to draw a line in the sand. In the heat of vicious religious bullying, he swooped down and drew in the dirt with his finger.

Another time, Jesus was having a fancy dinner at the Pharisee’s house when a “woman of the city” sweetly interrupted. She wept on his feet, kissed his feet, washed them with her hair and anointed him. Jesus paused and was present with her, fully receiving the gift she was offering – a sacrifice of love and vulnerability. The Pharisees missed it and criticized her, but Jesus embraced her and gave her the peace she was looking for.

“Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Luke 7:44-47

Jesus didn’t care about what these “powerful” Pharisees might think. He refused to play their faulty game. Instead, He chose love in this profound moment. Can we stand up to church bullies with grace? It’s hard when you’re outnumbered, but remember those you stand in the gap for. It’s worth the risk.

He Trashed the Place
Remember when Jesus cleansed the temple and got really angry because they turned His Father’s house into a crooked business scheme? His holy jealously sparked these words:

“And Jesus entered the temple[a] and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:12-13

This is our bold, passionate and yes, angry Savior. Oh, what I would give to flip some tables in the church (hypothetically speaking, of course).

Who decided Christians should be meek, wimpy and safe people who skirt around conflict and gently poke tough conversations with an 8-foot pole? We must be willing to right what’s wrong in the church and in our world – even if it’s not a pretty conversation with smiling people and sparkling agendas. Go ahead and flip a little.

He was Homeless
From a borrowed manger to a brutal cross, Jesus had no earthly home to call his own.

“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:20

People came to Jesus and wanted to follow him. He welcomed them, but warned them they would be giving up the comforts of home to go with him. This isn’t the answer some were looking for.

Can you trade in your comfort, security, even your family and your very life to follow Jesus?

“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy… It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” – David Platt

Jesus broke stereotypes and boundaries to reach people with the Gospel. We simply can’t mold him into our image – that would be far too insulting, safe and pious.

Jesus is and was gloriously defiant, scandalous, beautiful and deeply personal. Can we take our cue from Jesus and embrace the wildness of our hearts instead of playing it safe? Can we love whole-heartedly and live free-hearted instead of letting our hearts sleep? It’s an unknown path we’re called to and it’s teeming with potential, risk, fullness and playfulness.

“We live our lives before the wild, dangerous, unfettered and free character of the living God.”

-Walter Brueggemann

An Open Letter to Former Members of IFB Churches:

A while ago, I was talking with an individual in my city and he shared with me that he hates the church. He said that when he was in high school his girlfriend and him attended an independent fundamental Baptist church and they made mistakes and his girlfriend became pregnant. The church excommunicated them and their families. They were told that they could no longer come to youth group because a pregnant teenager would set a bad example to the other teens. He said they left and vowed to never again attend any church or have anything to do with organize religion.

I think it should come as no surprise to learn that my heart broke for this man and I was filled with righteous anger (I hope it was righteous) against this particular Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. To be honest some days my heart breaks for the IFB denomination and other days just driving past an IFB church will raise my blood pressure and get me very angry. Working in an area where there are quite a number of IFB churches I have heard several horror stories and even had a front row seat to one or two IFB horror stories over the years.

For those who do not know Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFB) is a loosely-affiliated, cultish denomination of Christian fundamentalists. According to the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life, there are approximately 7.85 million IFB members in America. It’s unlikely there isn’t an IFB church within a half-hour drive from your house.

Some of the beliefs and practices characteristic of Independent Fundamental Baptists are:

→ The King James Version is the only true Word of God; all other translations of the Bible are the work of the devil. 

→ Each IFB church is wholly autonomous and free from any outside governance. Its pastor is divinely appointed and accountable to no earthly authority. He speaks for God, and God alone may judge him. To question the sovereignty of the pastor is to disturb God’s order and invite upon oneself separation from the church, and therefore from the very source of salvation and hope.

→ It is sinful for a woman to dress in any way that might cause a man to “spiritually stumble” by having a lustful thought.

→ Homosexuals are evil perverts who despise God and should be kept away from society generally and children especially. 

→ Black people bear the “mark of Cain,” and so are cursed.

→ Christians are called to remain steadfastly separate from the world and its sinful practices and temptations, such as movies, dancing, and any music with an addictive rock beat.

→ Educating children at home or in IFB K-12 schools is necessary in order to protect them from the knowledge and ways of a fallen and corrupt world.

(While part of this list is meant tongue and cheek the facts remain most IFB churches produce modern day Pharisees).

Below is a letter to all those like the individual I was talking with who have been burned by an IFB church.

To all those who grew up in an IFB church: I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. I’m sorry that the very institution which was established by Christ to protect you and teach you about God and His word turned it’s back on you and instead used fear mongering and bullying to keep you in line. I’m sorry that you have grown up with a picture of God as a hateful and spiteful old man in the sky who is looking to hurl lighting bolts down from heaven at anyone who steps out of line, questions the church, or makes a mistake looking in any way like a human. I’m sorry that individuals afraid of the world have in fear pulled you away from the world and taught you how to hate others. I’m sorry that the church hurt you. I’m sorry the church turned it’s back on you. I’m sorry you were taught nothing but law and were never exposed to God’s grace.

To those who attend an IFB church and to those who pastor IFB churches which engage in unscriptural fear mongering and bullying: You DISGUST ME & I’m willing to bet you DISGUST the very one you claim to be worshipping! You show by your actions that you do not know God nor the Bible. You are like the Pharaisees whom Jesus says, “woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill and cumin yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel! Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

(I’m sorry I realize none of those verses were from your beloved KJV, guess they don’t apply to you now). Please repent of your sinful ways while there is still time.

To all those who grew up in an IFB church: I love you. God loves you. Jesus loves you. Unlike what you have been told God is not a hateful, spiteful old man looking to attack you rather He is a Heavenly Father who loves you. He is a Father to the fatherless, hope to the hopeless, joy to the joyless, and peace to the restless. He is a Father who desires to lavish His love upon you. He is a Father who desires you to come home and will welcome you with open arms. He wants to increase your joy and pleasure both in this life and in the next. His burden is weak and His yoke is light. It’s all about grace with Him. God loves you so much. He wants you to feel it. He cares for you. All He gives you is grace. All that He gives His children is matchless, endless, infinite, marvelous grace. He didn’t save you so He could continue to beat you up and make you hang your head in disgrace. He wants you to experience freedom, joy and a life basking in His grace.

You are a strong person for walking away from the cult which is an IFB church and I applaud you for your strength. I applaud you for thinking for yourself and for seeing through all of the lies, false teachings, fear mongering and bullying. I applaud you for walking away. I understand why you are angry, believe me I do and I realize it will take a long time and you may never “get over” what you have been through. I want to emphasize with you and I want to feel your pain. I would love to hear more.

You must know that Jesus doesn’t just love you He also loves His church. The church is the bride of Christ. Jesus loves the church so much that He died for His church. His church is the hope for the world and His church is how He is establishing His Kingdom on this Earth. He desires you to be a part of a church. I know you have been burnt by churches in the past; however, there are good, Gospel teaching, grace abounding, warm-hearted and welcoming churches. Jesus desires you to be a part of a church for your good. He did not make us to be out on our own. He made us for community and companionship all of which you will find in a church. The church is not perfect; however, a good church knows they’re not perfect and admits their imperfections falling at the feet of Jesus. I encourage you to find a church like that; a Gospel teaching, grace abounding, warm-hearted and welcoming church. A church which admits their imperfections, preaches the Word, administers the sacraments (baptism and Lords Supper) and has a heart for people; there you will find a true church.

If you are a former member of an IFB church; I love, God loves you, Jesus loves you and we are here for you.

A fellow ragamuffin,

T Welch

5 Misconceptions About Evangelism:

I used to be terrified at the idea of evangelizing. Previous encounters—or more like “failed attempts”—at evangelizing deterred me from wanting to know any more on the topic.
In college I was required to take an evangelism class and after the class I was excited to share my faith. I learned that at its core, the word “evangelist” means a messenger of good news. This immediately gets rid of the ideas of techniques where we tell people to take certain action steps. Evangelism is about spreading good news. It should be exciting.

And I also realized that there are some misconceptions about evangelism that we need to rethink:

Misconception 1: The Goal is Just to Get People to Salvation
Many of us think that when we evangelize, our goal or task is to “save” the other person.
We can’t save people, only God can. And we need to keep a longer-term view of what happens after someone accepts Christ. While we often present people with the question: “Where would you go if you died tonight?” the real question: “what happens if you wake up tomorrow?”

Don’t get me wrong, salvation is important, but the evangelism process doesn’t just stop when people accept Christ. Our intent should be a proclamation of good news that allows us to progress along with them in a journey, not just a one-step process where we leave them once we achieved our goal of “saving them.”

Misconception 2: We Have to “Defend Jesus”
For the longest time, I thought Christianity required me to know all the answers. I have spent hours arguing with my atheist friends about all the big conceptual questions. I even remember one night “stocking up ammo,” or getting answers to questions to be able to fight back and “defend” Jesus.
While apologetics and knowing why you believe what you do is helpful, that is not what evangelism is about. “Defending your faith” will most likely just turn into an argument, because we are discussing beliefs and opinions instead of experiences. Jesus is much bigger than any of our answers we try and formulate, and He often is going to work through experiences rather than our walled-in beliefs.

Misconception 3: Beliefs Matter More Than Experiences
I had been focused on arguing the Jesus into people, and that doesn’t work, trust me. It creates an argument instead of an open conversation. It makes both parties involved less likely to listen.
While beliefs certainly matter, sometimes, the best way to truly understand what someone believes is to ask about their experiences. This often shapes the conversation in a much better way, because it allows for a personal story someone can take ownership of—and that provides them with a much more genuine feeling than just arguing theological points.

Try asking: “Have you had any big spiritual experiences in your life?” Instead of: “What do you believe about God, and why?” Beliefs access head knowledge, and will usually start arguments. We don’t want to argue Jesus; we want to show the love and hope of Jesus. To do that, experiences are key because they are emotional and from the heart. They are full of substance that isn’t about arguing, but feeling in an intimate way.

Misconception 4: Someone Must Believe Before We Can Invite Them Into Community
Often, we wait until someone accepts Christ before we really accept them into our Christian circles. But in Rick Richardson’s book Reimagining Evangelism, he argues that we should invite people into our community before they may even be a Christ-follower. He values the idea of us loving them and encouraging them, no matter what. It creates a better idea of a community rather than sides or teams.
Sometimes, belonging comes before belief. When someone feels like they belong in a community, it causes them to be much more receptive to what we believe/experience about Jesus. This is a great lens to see evangelism through because we don’t just see people as “projects” but as true friends—as another broken human being we can share our struggles and triumphs with.

Living in community with both believers and unbelievers encourages us to share our problems and brokenness, not just the facade we often present to the world. This tears down a lot of walls and allows us to just love people for who they are. Believing can come later.

Misconception 5: We Have to Simplify the Gospel
You should never truly be able to say, “Here’s the Gospel in four points.” The truth is, the Gospel is so expansive and has so much to it. It has the story of Jesus and everything that encompasses. You cannot just assume your four points to salvation will be everything someone needs to hear.
There aren’t bounds to what can be said about the Gospel. Plus, how you talk about it with someone can depend on the lens through which they see God. The main theme should be Jesus, but we shouldn’t try to cheapen or simplify the Gospel.

Approach the Gospel with a curious and childlike mindset where you never fully “know it all.” It’s a huge feeling of relief when you can tell yourself you don’t know it all—and that’s OK. It allows room for the Holy Spirit to work among your thoughts. Don’t ever become set on your formula of how you present the Gospel message, because it will look different depending on the situation. Allow Holy Spirit to work among you in the situations that may develop.

So go! Pursue evangelism in today’s society. You will be surprised and amazed by God’s ability to work through us and other people.

Wednesday Worship

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Monday Morning Humor

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2015/2016 CREW Activities

2015/2016 Activities:

Lessons:

1.      Sundays:           The Gospel Project Chronological: All year

2.      Wednesdays

a.       August:           Back to School Series

b.      September:      Church Wide Revival

c.       October:          Stress Series

d.      November:      Thankfulness

e.       December:       Advent

f.       January:           New Year Series

g.      February:         Date Different

h.      March:             Disturbing Behavior: Topic Lesson on issues teens deal with

i.        April:               Prayer

j.        May-June:       Ephesians

k.      July-August:    Songs of the Summer

Activities:

1.      August 14^th:                Lock-In: Bowling: Cost $15

2.      September 19^th:           Slime Party: Cost $3

3.      October 7^th:                 Dixie Classic Fair Concert: Cost: FREE with donation of 5 cans

October 10:                 Corn Maize: Cost $12 plus lunch

October 31:                 Trunk or Treat/Fall Festival

4.      November 20-21:        Youth Giving: Make own pizzas and Service Scavenger Hunt Sat

5.      December 5^th:              Christmas Party: Cost $3

6.      January 16^th:                Snow Tubing: Cost $31 plus lunch

7.      February:                     Superbowl Party: Cost: Side Dish

February 13^th:              Make and hand out baskets to widows for V-Day

8.      March:                         College Trip to Liberty University

9.      April                            Camping at Pilot Mountain

10.  May:                            Thank you Car Wash

11.  June 20-24:                  Summer Camp:

12.  July:                             White Water Rafting Center

I Love My Job:

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."-Confucius

I was driving to work this morning and I was overcome with love for my job. I have been working as an Associate Pastor/Minister of Students for one year and I love it. Do I love everyday at my job? No, of course not. (Who does?) However, the majority of time I absolutely love it. Of course, as I begin this article I think of the old quote by Confucius… “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I completely agree with this quote whether you are in pastoral ministry or in business or in whatever you do, if you love it, it will not feel like work. Here 10 things I love most about being a pastor.

1.  Being used by God
It is great to be used by God in your vocation. I love the fact that by being a pastor, I can embrace the gifts and talents that God has given me and use them for His glory everyday.

2.  Using the spiritual gifts that God has given to you
This is closely related with the first reason but I wanted to give it its own category. God has given all believers at least one spiritual gift (many believers have more than one gift I believe) and He expects us to use these gifts not for our own enjoyment but for the glory of His Son as we use our gifts to encourage and build the body of Christ to take the gospel to every nation. God is gifted me in communication and the fact that I am able to make a living utilizing my gift of gab still continues to amaze me.

3.  Equipping people and helping them find their giftedness
I truly am energized when I see believers utilize their spiritual gifts. This is one reasons that really energizes me as pastor. When I get to see people use their gifts for God’s glory, it is such a blessing to me. This summer I had the privledge of watching my students use their gifts and talents at VBS serving our community and volunteering in crafts, snacks, music, and recreation.

4.  Watching others receive Christ
This is a great joy watching others receive and accept the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is nothing better than seeing a new birth (both physical birth and spiritual birth) and knowing that this new believer will be with the Lord forever and ever. Amazed that God would use a sinful worm such as myself to share the message of life with students and be the one there when he/she bows their knee and surrenders their life to Christ.

5.  Being there for life’s most important moments
There are many moments in life that are just what I will call significant or important. We often think of these moments as joyous events but in this category I say significant or important as life moments that are not always joy filled moments. Being with someone when they have lost a loved one or when they get hard news (maybe something like a cancer diagnosis) is when you often are able to be used by God and it will often create a bond with that person that will last and last. These moments can be happy moments too but when they arise, and you are there for someone, you feel like the instrument of God that He intends us to be. I am blessed to be investing my life among students and watching them grow and mature. I'm excited to walk through major life events with my students.

6.  Being able to set my own schedule
Setting your own schedule is a nice benefit of this job. It is sad that some pastors abuse this privilege and don’t always do the things that need to be done but if you are motivated and disciplined, it is nice to be able to structure your time in ways that make you the most profitable. I am an early morning person so I like to get an early start but there are some that are not that way and may want to start later. Being a pastor usually gives you this opportunity. There are weeks that you end up starting early, never leaving and staying late…this is part of being a pastor, but it is nice have flexibility to set your own working hours (typically).

7.  Stimulating your own mind
Being a pastor, I am constantly preparing to speak often…usually a couple times a week at a minimum. I count it a privilege to study God’s word and be able to tell students about it. Amazed that I am paid to read, study and prepare. Amazed that I am paid to follow the news, blogs, periodicals, educational journals and other resources to stimulate my mind and better communicate the Word of God to students.

8.  Talking and hanging out with people every day
I am paid to talk and hang out with students. I have a big mouth and I'm not afraid to use it. ;) I love getting to know people and learning all I can from them. I'm amazed at how God has directed so many people's lives and I love hearing their stories and learning what God is doing in their lives. What do my students want and need? Encouragement. I am blessed to be God’s messenger of the good news. And, oh yeah… by the way I remember that God’s message of the good news applies to me too! And when I see the trials and hard times that others are going through, it makes me regain perspective and be thankful to God for His goodness.

9.  Going to work is actually going to God’s house daily
Every day I get to go to the house of the Lord. I know that some days I probably think of my job as just that…a job. But I get to “go to church" every day. That is awesome. I get to talk about God and pray with people and have an office where I have about 20 Bibles and just that many software versions and actually get to do this every day!!! I am blessed.

10.  I have a job where I have the privilege to remind myself and others of the truth
One of my college professors often told our class that we need to speak the gospel message to ourselves every day. I think he is so right. We need to be reminded daily that Jesus came and died on a cross for me. That He was buried and rose again to overcome sin and death. I get to be reminded of that every day when I walk in and see the cross in the sanctuary. When I open the Bible and read about it. This truly is a great blessing.

I love my job and I look forward to being a Pastor for many many more years.

Tough Questions: Do We Still Need Youth Ministry?

Youth Ministry has fallen under a lot of criticism in recent years and a lot of the criticism is warranted. Youth ministries in the past have been nothing more than a four year holding tank with pizza. Youth ministries in the past have failed to develop disciples and have attempted to usurp the role of parents in raising their children. Finally, youth ministries in the past have pulled teenagers away from the larger church, fostering stagnant growth among teenagers and an inability to assimilate into the church once he/she has become too old for the youth department.

While there are a lot of criticisms regarding youth ministry I feel we do not need to throw the baby out with the bath water. Youth Ministry is still needed today. Before I unpack the reasons why youth ministry is needed all me to explain that youth ministry has always existed; though, not in the same form as we practice today.

History:

Two thousand years ago, Jewish children had a clear path to adulthood that included youth ministry. The local synagogue would hire a rabbi whose primary role was educating children. Starting at age 4 or 5 (Beth Sefer) children would learn, read, write, and memorize the Torah. At age 10, having memorized the Torah, children would either spend more time at home learning the family trade or move towards the path of the rabbi. Either path led to an eventual acknowledgment of adulthood at age 30 for men. Culture considered the time in between the period in preparation for adulthood, and the synagogue was invested in that stage of life.

It's doubtful that ancient rabbis ate live fish to encourage their students. It's possible, though unlikely, that they stuffed as many honey-coated wafers in their mouths as possible to prove their rabbinic mastery. What seems clear is that youth ministry existed long before Young Life. Understanding this paradigm adds a bit of depth to the popular thinking that parents should be the only (not primary) spiritual directors for children. +

Into the Present

Present-day youth ministry hardly resembles its ancient roots. Much of the discipleship we see modeled by Jesus in the Bible has been forsaken in the modern church. Consumeristic, attractional models of the church have flourished in Western culture. Youth ministry is also at least partly responsible for the most biblically illiterate, unchurched generation of Americans. Fewer and fewer young adults return to the church after they leave home. Caught in that paradigm, very few of us would belabor the end of youth ministry as we know it.

Just as it was in Jesus' day, young adults (and their parents) need help. The church would be suicidal to abandon a generation based on the failing, outdated model of youth ministry.  I see several necessities for youth ministry in the church today.

1. Youth ministry exists because it is needed.

The needs of adolescents are not contested by many of the best minds in the church and psychology. Robert Epstein in Teen 2.0 makes a strong case for cultivating this generation. “Young people should be extended full adult rights and responsibilities in each of a number of different areas as soon as they can demonstrate appropriate competence in each area.” The church, if it wants spiritual depth, must reach out to teenagers and help them mature in their faith.

In addition, teenagers have many of the same spiritual needs as adults. These include the need to know Christ personally by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), to grow in understanding of God's truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17), to serve others, to enjoy friendships with other believers (Acts 2:42), and to learn how to share their faith with others.

The overall goal of youth ministry should resemble that of the church—a focus on honoring God through making disciples, or fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and living out the Great Commandment, loving God and loving people (Matthew 22:37-40).

Another biblical principle relevant to youth ministry can be found in 1 Corinthians 12. In this chapter, Paul compares believers in the church to different parts of a human body. Every part is important, and there is no part that is more important than another part. When teenagers are cared for and given ministry opportunities in the local church, they can grow as "part of the body" and feel like an essential part of God's work in the local church.

Finally, 1 Timothy 5 offers instructions for various groups of people in the local church. Verses 1-2 state, "Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity." Church leaders are to treat younger men as brothers and younger women as sisters. The youth of our church are our family members. They are not just another ministry, but are an essential part of our church family.

2. What worked in the past can work today.

Jesus modeled one of the best practices for the church. His discipleship did not depend on the latest book, the newest game, or the best icebreaker. Instead, his model relied on the spiritual health of the leader, and his willingness to spend time investing himself, his love, and his truth in them.

For teenagers, mentoring can also play a large role in this process. The apostle Paul provided and taught this type of training with Timothy: "What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). Youth Pastors must recommit themselves to the lost art of discipleship. We must open up our lives (marriage, parenting, etc) to teenagers and tell them follow me as I follow Christ. Discipleship should take place in life on life interaction, not just within the four walls of a church on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights but rather out in the community as youth ministers come alongside teenagers and train them to walk with the Lord. Every teenager who attends the youth department is allowed unlimited access to Julia and I to ask questions, come by our house and hang out and do life with us.

3. Youth Ministry can reach teens in a city which the church can not reach.

Many teens don’t go to church because it’s unhealthy. To quote one teenager I recently talked with, "I don't go to church because everyone there is full of bs." Youth ministry gives us a chance to reach teens in our city and lead them to Christ. Youth Ministry provides an avenue for youth ministers to contextualize the Gospel in a way and through a form which teenagers can understand.

4. Youth Ministry provides a safe environment for teens to show up and be themselves.

As a youth minister one of my commitments is to seek to foster an open youth group where teenagers have a safe place to attend, express their feelings, share their questions and be themselves. We have a motto in CREW which is (the youth room is like Vegas. What happens there stays there). Teenagers have to deal with a lot more today than when I was a teenager and a youth ministry department creates a safe environment where teens can share without the judgmental eyes of mom and dad or the rest of the churches. Teenagers need mentors whom they can confide in and ask questions. In a perfect world those mentors would be there parents; however, we do not live in a perfect; therefore, youth ministry provides a safe environment for teens to show up and be themselves

In conclusion, youth ministry has fallen on hard times. Youth pastors and youth departments do have to make changes; however, we do not need to throw the baby out with the bath water and get rid of youth ministry all together. Rather youth ministry is needed because it worked in the past and can work today, it reaches teens in a city which the church is not reaching, and it provides a safe environment for teens to show up and be themselves.


+Gospel Coalition.org

Should Christians Be Involved In Politics?

Last night was the first televised debate for the Republican party & what a debate it was. Thanks to a new app known as Periscope (if you don't have this app don't waste another minute & go download) I was able to watch the debate. For the next year and a half our Nation will be in a political frenzy. Politics will dominate television as well as discussion around the proverbial water cooler at work. As Christians who seek to be in the world but not of the world we should be asking the question as to whether or not we should be involved in politics.

I believe Christians should and must be involved in politics. Below are several reasons why I feel this way.

1) Christians, when rightly informed and motivated, change the character of political debate. They bring the moral standards of God’s kingdom into the civic realm and thereby become agents of His common grace — of His provision for those who believe as well as those who don’t. “Forgiveness of sins is the central message of the gospel" says theologian Wayne Grudem. “That’s the only way people’s hearts are truly transformed.” But that’s the opening of a fuller gospel story. The whole gospel, includes a transformation. God’s grace changes people, and as a result they change everything around them. Families are renewed. Schools are rejuvenated. Businesses reorient their mission and purpose. What’s more, the gospel of Christ, because it changes hearts, changes the course of civil government.

2) God cares about our spiritual lives, but He also cares about food, water, jobs, and housing. When God commands us to love our neighbors, He means to love them holistically. That means we’ll care about laws that protect preborn children. We’ll care about policies that defend marriages and families. If we love our neighbors, we’ll naturally be concerned about the corrupting moral influences that creep into public schools.

3) By expressing concern for political issues Christians reflect the love, justice, and righteousness of God’s kingdom. The Church becomes a compelling presence when Christians — in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces — exhibit a vision that “holds the world accountable to something beyond itself.” Christians understand human nature for what it really is, and that perspective affects the civic conversation. Human politics is based on the premise that society must be changed in order to change people, but Christians understand that it’s the other way around: People must be changed in order to change society. As they enter the public square, God’s people recognize the authority of Christ’s kingdom, they bring its ethical standards into the stream of history, and — through them — Christ’s kingdom breaks the vicious and otherwise irreversible cycles of violence, injustice, and self-interest. As God’s people engage in debate — as they create, shape, and lead public policy — it’s evident that Christ’s kingdom has, in Augustine’s words, equipped them to be the best citizens in the kingdoms of man.

4) We desire to transmit the best America to the next generation. In Seminary I was exposed to the writings of Richard John Neuhaus. Author and theologian Richard John Neuhaus pointed out that atheists obey laws; they vote, pay taxes, and lend a hand to needy neighbors. But good citizenship, Neuhaus says, requires more. Good citizens feel compelled to give a moral account of their country. Good citizens want to recommend their country’s virtues “to citizens of the next generation,” and they want to “transmit that regime to citizens yet unborn.” It is, Neuhaus contends, “those who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus that turn out to be the best citizens.” That’s because their loyalty to the political order is qualified by a loyalty to a higher order. Their ultimate allegiance is not to the regime or its founding documents, “but to the City of God and the sacred texts that guide our path toward that end for which we were created.” Such citizens, in Neuhaus’ view, were specifically designed for “dual citizenship.”

5) Christians, as citizens, have a duty to work through civil authority for the advancement of justice and human good. It’s a pervasive responsibility. After all, politics determines whether we’re at war or peace. It affects the nation’s job supply, wealth creation and distribution, and property rights. It determines our freedom to speak, write, and worship. Even the circumstances of family life, often depend on government policy, including the quality and content of public education. As Christians we do good deeds including commending and criticizing policies that affect the poor and powerless. We teach church members to do “good works” in hospitals, schools, and inner-city neighborhoods, so why would we exclude government? Our good works there, as in other spheres, give glory to our Father.

In conclusion, Christians should be involved in politics for five reasons. We should be involved because when properly informed and motivated we change the nature and tone of the debate, God cares about our spiritual lives but He also cares about politics, by caring about politics Christians reflect and show the love and justice of God's kingdom, we desire to transmit the best America to the next generation and finally, we have a duty to work through civil authority for the advancement of justice and human good.

Monday Morning Humor

If you are watching from a phone here is the link... Monday Morning Humor

A Prayer for Students Starting School:

On September 24th, school will start for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools as well as Stokes County Schools, below is my prayer for all students beginning school.

Dear God,

I pray you every student will feel your presence in a real way this year.

I pray if they don’t feel your presence, they will seek you and discover you’re right there with them.

I pray you will surround them with peace and comfort in every new situation.

I pray when they are pressured, you will help them stand.

I pray they find one good friend, a brother or sister in Christ because it’s hard to stand alone.

I pray that 6 AM won’t come as early this year.

I pray when they fail, they will forgive themselves and try again.

I pray you will give their teachers wisdom and patience as they deal with situations.

I pray students will befriend those that are new, lonely or both.

I pray they will be a blessing to their teacher and not a curse.

I pray you will bless them with Godly teachers as you have in the past.

I pray they will have fun. But not too much, if you know what I mean.

I pray they will let their light shine, quietly or loudly, but in their own way.

I pray homework will be light and not become Home. Work.

I pray that you will help me to Pastor them throughout the year and be there for them whenever they need me.

I pray above all, God,  that you would use their challenges, disappointments and victories to draw them closer to you this school year.

Amen

Is Someone You Love Going to College?:

By Jeff Beals

It’s that time of year – college students are making their way back to campus. Soon picturesque quads across the nation will be filled with backpack-toting collegians walking under perfectly azure skies crunching fallen leaves underfoot.

Thinking about the annual return of students to campus reminded me of a note I received from a reader several months ago. He asked me to write an article about college success. He wanted me to offer advice to students about to enter college. I told him I would be happy to do that but wanted to wait until the article would be timely. Well, that time is now.

If you have a son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew or anyone else you care about who will be starting college this fall, please read on. If YOU are going to college, it’s especially important to read on…

By the way, I’m actually quite comfortable addressing this question and fairly well credentialed in doing so. Before entering the for-profit business sector 14 years ago, I was dean of student affairs at a private college.

The keys to college success are quite similar to those of the professional world.

Three Words

Responsibility. Authority. Accountability. Success ultimately comes down to three words. I used to harp on those three words when I would meet with new students and upperclassmen. In order to succeed, each individual must take total responsibility for his or her own life. You must graciously accept credit when it is due, and more importantly, you must be the first to stand up and take the blame when you have made a mistake.

If you get an “A+” on a term paper, it’s because you did the necessary work, not because you got lucky. If you’re late for class, it’s your fault, not because you got stuck waiting at a railroad crossing (you should have left earlier). People who adopt this belief are almost always more successful than those who make excuses.

Every individual has responsibility for himself or herself. Nobody else can or should make decisions for you. Fortunately, each of us has the authority to carry out that responsibility. Nobody has the right to take away the power you have over your own life. Finally, we are accountable for the decisions we make – good or bad. You live with the consequences of your decision-making and actions.

While responsibility, authority and accountability come with a burden, they are also liberating. Success begins and ends with you. People who abide by these three words enjoy more success and lead richer lives.

No Passivity Allowed

Students must take the initiative to make things happen. Successful people live active rather than passive lives. To persist in college, you must deliberately make things happen. Those students who sit in their residence hall rooms waiting for something to happen tend to turn into professionals who sit in their offices wondering why other people are so much more successful.

Get Involved

It may sound counter intuitive, but one of the best ways to succeed academically is to get involved outside the classroom. I saw it all the time when I worked as a college administrator – students who dropped out of school during their freshman or sophomore years tended to be isolated and not interwoven into the campus fabric.

Getting involved in a campus club, organization, Greek organization or athletic team helps you develop relationships with fellow students. These relationships consequently bind you emotionally to the school. If you are having a good time and benefiting from meaningful experiences and relationships, you’re more likely to work hard and do what it takes to stay there.

Collegiate involvement also makes the campus seem “smaller.” This is important, because going to college can feel intimidating to freshmen especially at large universities.

Time Management

While earning good grades takes hard work, you don’t want to be studying 24-7. Your undergraduate experience should be one of the most fun and memorable times of your life. You can enjoy the best of your academic and social lives if you are a good time manager.

As in the professional world, time management habits are one of the single most significant factors that separate the successful from the not-so-successful. If a student is lacking in time management, there are several on-line resources that provide tips, advice and exercises.

Find a Mentor

Mentorship has been proven over the years to be a highly effective path to success. New students should seek out mentors on campus. They could be professors, staff members, and most likely, an upperclassman who leading a successful college career. Having a role model and a source for advice makes it easier for a freshman to live a life of responsibility, authority and accountability.

Mentor-mentee relationships tend to be informal, developed over time as people get to know each other and build friendships. That said, many colleges have formal mentoring programs in which incoming students are matched with upperclassmen who have agreed to serve as mentors and follow a designed program.

Be On Campus

Finally, there’s no substitute for just being on campus. I’m a big believer of on-campus living. By being on campus around the clock, you fully immerse yourself in the experience.

However, I understand that on-campus living is not logistically or financially possible for all students. In those cases, students should spend their free time on campus. Instead of going home right after class, stick around. Do your studying in the student center, the library or the quad. Eat your meals on campus. Just being there makes it more likely that you will succeed.

Like so many things in life, college requires that you throw your whole self into the experience. Make it your passion. Be a college student with all your heart. There are some things in life that you can do half-heartedly. College is not one of them. You need to give it your all and be fully committed.

August Parent Newsletter:

Parents on the Go:

1. Lock-In: Friday, August 14th. 8:00 pm-8:00 am. Meet at church & bring $15 for neon bowling.
2. Pool Party: Sunday, August 16th. 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. Katlynn & Haley Cockerham's house. 
3. Youth Service: Sunday Night, August 30th
4. Slime Party: Saturday, September 19th. 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. At Church. FREE
5. Back to School Series on Sunday Mornings & Wednesday Nights.

This month I put myself in the shoes of a teenager and wrote this letter to all parents who are raising teenagers. This letter represents what your teenager wishes he or she could say to you.

Dear Parent:

This is the letter that I wish I could write.

This fight we are in right now. I need it. I need this fight. I can’t tell you this because I don’t have the language for it and it wouldn’t make sense anyway. But I need this fight. Badly. I need to hate you right now and I need you to survive it. I need you to survive my hating you and you hating me. I need this fight even though I hate it too. It doesn’t matter what this fight is even about: curfew, homework, laundry, my messy room, going out, staying in, leaving, not leaving, boyfriend, girlfriend, no friends, bad friends. It doesn’t matter. I need to fight you on it and I need you to fight me back.

I desperately need you to hold the other end of the rope. To hang on tightly while I thrash on the other end—while I find the handholds and footholds in this new world I feel like I am in. I used to know who I was, who you were, who we were. But right now I don’t. Right now I am looking for my edges and I can sometimes only find them when I am pulling on you. When I push everything I used to know to its edge. Then I feel like I exist and for a minute I can breathe. I know you long for the sweeter kid that I was. I know this because I long for that kid too, and some of that longing is what is so painful for me right now.

I need this fight and I need to see that no matter how bad or big my feelings are—they won’t destroy you or me. I need you to love me even at my worst, even when it looks like I don’t love you. I need you to love yourself and me for the both of us right now. I know it sucks to be disliked and labeled the bad guy. I feel the same way on the inside, but I need you to tolerate it and get other grownups to help you. Because I can’t right now. If you want to get all of your grown up friends together and have a ‘surviving-your-teenager-support-group-rage-fest’ that’s fine with me. Or talk about me behind my back--I don’t care. Just don’t give up on me. Don’t give up on this fight. I need it.

This is the fight that will teach me that my shadow is not bigger than my light. This is the fight that will teach me that bad feelings don’t mean the end of a relationship. This is the fight that will teach me how to listen to myself, even when it might disappoint others.

And this particular fight will end. Like any storm, it will blow over. And I will forget and you will forget. And then it will come back. And I will need you to hang on to the rope again. I will need this over and over for years.

I know there is nothing inherently satisfying in this job for you. I know I will likely never thank you for it or even acknowledge your side of it. In fact I will probably criticize you for all this hard work. It will seem like nothing you do will be enough. And yet, I am relying entirely on your ability to stay in this fight. No matter how much I argue. No matter how much I sulk. No matter how silent I get.

Please hang on to the other end of the rope. And know that you are doing the most important job that anyone could possibly be doing for me right now.

Your Teenager.

Parents, as always please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything.