I was reading a blog earlier tonight and came across one discussing youth pastors and the role (good or bad) they play in a church. Four questions were asked and I decided to answer them here.
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1. Why would I want my child going to a young man telling him things that he should be telling his father and/or mother?
I have no reason to believe that the child will go to the youth pastor – but what if he does?Are we saying that it is ok for adults to go to a senior pastor (the opposite of a child going to a youth pastor) but not our children going to a youth pastor?We’ve all been kids at one time – some more recent than others.Is it possible to believe that we can be so blind and forgetful and not remember how difficult or how uninviting our parents can be with it comes to certain issues?
2. Why do most youth ministries seem to specialize in entertainment and teaching the Word seems to be minimized?
Today’s youth are moving at a much faster pace than they did when we were growing up.Do we think that reading alone will catch their attention and hold their focus?Good luck.If this was the case, VBS would not have recess or build birdhouses.What do crafts have to do with the bible?Nothing, it’s entertaining.Right or wrong, the church uses entertainment the same way the world does – to catch the attention of its audience.With that attention, the church can then spread the word.No, it should not be in that order, but reality is just that.Now, with that said, how hypocritical should the church be with it comes to other churches?If we should avoid entertainment in the church, should we remove the toys in the nursery or should and have picture bibles only and live audio feeds?This may be an extreme, but it begs the question of how much entertainment a church should offer.3. Why do we want the children/youth separated from the parents more than they already are?If (a maximum of) 3-hours a week of separation is causing a problem with the relationship between the parents and the child, then the problem stated before the family stepped out of the front door of their home.People of different ages have different needs and understand things differently.Recently, our church went over the book of Revelation.Had a child been present, the only thing that would have stuck would have been the image of a seven-headed dragon.Do we want our young children taking everything so literal without being able to comprehend the symbolism we often find in the bible?No… You as a pastor do not have the time to discuss topics in the bible and give the entire background origin of its meaning.4. What did the youth do before youth ministries existed?
Other than drawing pretty pictures on the bulletins – I’m not sure.I will admit, at one time, I was the child out with in the “big peoples church”.While I’m being honest, I’ll also say that I do not remember what I was doing other than drawing on the bulletin.As for the past, I would like to think that children were receiving the word of the Lord from their parents, but I’m not sure if they were since I wasn’t there.
I would like to call attention to a Bible story many Christians are familiar with.It can be found in John Chapter 6 verses 5-15.The story is the miracle Jesus performed feeding thousands with just 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.If you have a moment read the scriptures for yourself.Who do you pick out as a key character?Jesus is there, along with his disciples, over five thousand civilians, and in the midst of the story you will find “a young boy.”
Think about this young boy.He gave Jesus all he had, 2 fish and five loaves of bread.To the disciples and on lookers I am sure this was not very much, especially with hopes of feeding the multitudes. Jesus took all this young boy had and in turn performed a miracle, feeding over five thousand people!The young boy in the story is much like you and I.We have little to offer as humans, but when we stand yielded and still, with faith and submission to the Lord, miraculous things can and will happen!The Lord can take what we have to offer and do things far beyond our own understanding and comprehension.
Will you make the decision today to let the Lord Work miracles through you?
Let’s not underestimate the power of a ceremony and celebration such as a Wedding. Being lucky enough to attend and be actively involved in several weddings within the last 6 months I have fallen in love over and over again with the significance, grandeur, holiness, and aesthetic beauty of the occasion!
My brother, my best friend, and myself all 3 were married in the past 6 months. Now another very special friend is planning a wedding for October of 2008. My advice is be creative, this is YOUR wedding, and it is a carefully orchestrated event that promotes you and your significant other in both subjective, and objective ways. Use special details that illustrate your own interests, likes, and dreams. Be forward thinking with your wedding the love the two of you share and the dreams the two of you can build together for your future. Most importantly have fun! Don’t get overwhelmed or caught up in decisions just go with your instincts and the event will pull off better then you ever expected! Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you are lucky enough to have friends and family close by don’t over look, or reject an out reached hand! Last but not least work on the wedding together. More then likely the female will have the proactive and leading role here, but ask for your mans opinions! He may not come up with ground breaking ideas, time-lines, order of events, or menus, but he can help eliminate likes and dislikes which will in time help make your “to do” list shorter and shorter. If you keep him actively involved he may surprise you and think of ways to simplify problems you as a female may magnify!
That’s it for now, I am always open for wedding discussions, brainstorming, planning, and coordinating! Best wishes to all of you newly engaged couples out there, and warm wishes to all of you newly weds!
An expert by definition is, “a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field.” I am far from an expert in any field, as I am just merely a few months short of 25 years old. I am however able to express my opinions, experiences, and insights with the hope to encourage, motivate, or inspire who ever may come across these expositions. With these things said I am going to start my blogging adventure with what I know best… “girl stuff.”Celebrating differences with confidence and joy is the first part to this blog. Before I get started I would like to invite you to follow up weekly to discover what God’s word has to say. I pray that it may bring insight,peace, and a smile to your heart! A simple outcry of praise is what I have to offer today, ” I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” ~Psalm 139:14
Being a woman in todays society is not an easy task by any means! Self confidence is easily robbed, and difficult to recover. There are countless notions, images, and schemes in todays society that can easily warp a young girls, and even a womans mind to the point that she may forget about herself as an one of a kind unique creation! The following video clip is produced by Dove, it is a powerful image that conveys the forces of media, advertising, and marketing that can submerge women into the deep darkness of poor body image, and low self esteem.
Let me make one thing very clear I am not against beauty products, I am not against fashion trends, or makeovers! I greatly enjoy all of those things! This is not a rage of femenism, it is simply a praise of individual qualities that women obtain and should observe and give thanks to the Lord for! As a woman a great thought to remember is that, ” you are God’s specially formed workmanship, designed by a perfect Creator and loving Father. You wear a designer label embossed with God’s own fingerprint! You were created to do good works that God has prepared especially for you. You are a designer original” ~Karol Ladd
I pray that you will give thanks to the Lord for his craftsmanship in you! Give thanks to Him for special qualities and attributes you obtain. He has made you EXACTLY as He would have you to be!
I was reading a blog earlier tonight and came across one discussing youth pastors and the role (good or bad) they play in a church. Four questions were asked and I decided to answer them here.