Matt Slippy got in touch with me last week about an interesting survey he is conducting for his D.Min.

Below is some information. If you would take a few minutes to participate in the survey, that would be a huge blessing. Please also share it with others via Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Orthodoxy Vs Orthopraxy

Which is more important, what we believe or what we do in youth ministry? It would be easy to debate and discuss this Q (which we will certainly do), but when it comes down to choosing only one of two options on a given weekend for our teens to participate in, what option would we choose?  For instance, would I take my students to serve at a homeless shelter or take them to a worldview conference? I am conducting an online research project to see which direction youth pastors, parents of teens, and youth ministry students in colleges and seminaries lean on this important Q. I am hoping to survey at least 1000 people in each group. With your help, I believe this is possible.

Goto: www.youthministrysurvey.com There is a link for youth pastors, a link for parents, and a link for youth ministry majors. Once youth pastors take the survey, please give the link to parents of teens in your ministry and ask them to take the survey for parents.

Also, I need your help in getting the word out about  www.youthministrysurvey.com to other youth pastors within your network of relationships, via online communities, denominational groups, and your local networks.

Oh yeah!

I pity the foo’ who don’t love his mama right.

I read yesterday about Adam Lambert’s performance at the AMA’s. Apparently it was very sexually provocative and ended with him kissing another male on stage. And of course there is a controversy over whether he went too far.

I guess I’m not surprised. It used to shock me every time somebody pushed the line morally on TV or in the movies. I would be amazed at how far this “Christian nation” has fallen. But I’m just not surprised anymore.

Romans 1 discribes what happens when a people turn their back against God.

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened… Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1:21, 24-25)

Sadly, very sadly, that is a perfect description of what is happening in our culture today. More and more, people are openly turning their backs on the Creator God and worshiping created things. We are just seeing the signs of this over and over as man’s sinful desires are openly displayed on the airwaves for all to see.

My heart is grieved. It saddens me to see people living so far from the loving truth of the Gospel. Even though Christ’s arms are open wide, so many willfully turn their back on Him.

This also lights a fire under me. I don’t just want to protect the students in my life from this trash. I want to show them what it really is–trash–and help them see that there is so much more in knowing God that the world can never compete with!

And that starts with me, my personal walk with God, my lifestyle that I lead others with, and the prayers I am praying for students.

So no, I’m not surprised. I do, however, find myself praying even more for this generation.

Hi Friends,

I wanted you to be some of the first to know about the new resource library we just launched on the Called to Youth Ministry website.

Check it out! www.calledtoyouthministry.com/resources

Our prayer is that these resources will be one more tool in your toolbelt as we work together to disciple students.

Also, please join the discussion! What makes this library unique is that anybody can contribute resources. Several people have already contributed some great resources, and I hope you will join them.

To contribute your resource, just go here to log in and get started: www.calledtoyouthministry.com/contribute

This is just the beginning. There are a lot of improvements and upgrades we are planning to make this library even more helpful, so stay tuned.

God bless, and see you soon at the new resource library!

A lot of people say you should know what you want. The idea is that if you know your desires than you will have clearly defined goals so you can get what you want. The world tells us that it is important for us to get what we want. Have you spent time thinking about what you want?

More importantly, have you spent some time thinking about what God desires? Sometimes find myself getting caught with “doing ministry,” and I forget to spend time focusing on the One it is all for. I need to constantly remind myself to spend time in the Word to understand God’s heart and what He desires for me and for His people.

I don’t want to be caught up in my desires. I want to be caught up in His.

Here are a few scriptures about God’s desires.

Psalm 40:5-6
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Genesis 12:2-3
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

James 1:19-21
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Ecclesiastes 7:14
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Last month, on MTV’s music video awards show, Jack Black led millions of people in a supposed prayer to Satan.

I actually hadn’t even heard about it until just recently. It’s surprising that this didn’t grab more attention from conservative Christian talk show hosts and news outlets.

The prayer was definitely slapstick and playful in the way it was carried out. When he finished, Jack asked, “How’d I do?” But it is still quite freightening.

In today’s culture, it’s okay to joke about spiritual things. It’s okay to playfully pray to Satan and ask for his blessing. It’s especially okay to poke fun at Christianity along the way.

What message does this send to our children and our students? “Don’t take religion to seriously. Especially when it comes to Christianity, because you can have a lot more fun dabbling in other stuff.”

Even more important, what’s happening spiritually? “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

These are scary times my friends. Let us pray, and pray urgently for the Lord to protect and work in the hearts of this generation!

You can watch the “prayer” on YouTube here. Whoever uploaded the video added their own commentary as well.

So many times, I find myself losing track of the promises that God has already made. Here are some verses on just a few of the incredible promises God has made throughout scripture.

It amazes me, not just how wonderful and perfect God’s promises are, but how faithful He is to fulfill them.

If you are asking what God has been doing for you lately, take a look at these passages. We can rest easy knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.

Read the rest of this entry »

I was reading the Jesus’ sermon on the mount (aka the Beatitudes) this morning and feeling pretty good about myself. That is, until I got here:

“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:40-42

This is tough. It really is. I try to live this way, but usually I just… don’t want to.

And then I got here:

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48

Wow. Well, I don’t think Jesus actually expects us to be perfect–He wouldn’t have died on the cross if that were the case.

But I do think He might be pointing out just how far we’ve fallen, and just how much we need Him. Praise God for His forgiveness! And for His strength to help us look more like Him.

In the small town of Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, the high school cheerleaders had a tradition of putting scriptures on the banners that the football team would run through at the beginning of games.

But one person complained, and school officials were afraid of a big lawsuit (which is a pretty rational fear these days), so they outlawed the practice.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m so sorry I haven’t posted much lately. I’ve been thinking and praying about some new posts, and I promise that they are coming soon! But I couldn’t wait to tell you about this…

A new youth ministry networking group is starting in the Northwest Chicago area! Our first meeting will be in Crystal Lake on October 1st (details below). The goal of this group is to provide you with an encouraging atmosphere and help you build strong relationships with other youth workers.

If you’re in the area, please come for some good times. Be ready to meet other youth workers, share ideas, and pray together. We will talk about how a youth ministry network could best serve you, help you reach teens in your community, and equip you as a youth worker.

When: Next Thursday, October 1st at 4pm
Where: Panera Bread in Crystal Lake, IL
Please RSVP to Nathaniel Dame: (440) 220-5626 or nathaniel@calledtoyouthministry.com

Let me know if you’re coming, or if you’ll be late (I will be sticking around later if needed).

We’ve heard rumors of other networks already in the area. We’re looking forward to connecting with them too and hopefully joining forces.

If you know a youth worker in the area, please send this invitation. All are welcome!

Can’t wait!