What am I missing? On one page or less, what reminders should we give high school and college graduates? I have been working on the below document for the last 20 years. It has been revised many times. But I…
Youth Ministry Road Ditches to Avoid (What did I miss?)
Balance is the temporary moment when one swings from one extreme to the other. Having thought about youth ministry for almost 25 years, it is my impression that balance is needed in the below areas. Both ditches must be avoided.…
Youth Ministry In Crisis
Churches are losing their youth at an alarming rate. Michael Horton and the White Horse Inn have started a new audio series that is highly recommended for parents and church leaders. Horton encourages catechetical teaching – – that is teaching…
The “Gosple” and Other Terms Everyone Should Know
One of our goals as churches and families must be to equip our people to know important theological terms. A little girl in our church (see the above pic) recently took the time to make me a list of key…
Answering a Little Girl’s Questions
An eight year old in our church had some questions for me in an email. She asks better questions than many adults. So you all might be interested in her questions and my answers. The picture to the right is…
Kevin DeYoung: The Scandal of the Semi-Church
Kevin DeYoung encourages those who are “semi” committed to church. I want to talk about church members who attend their home church with great irregularity. These aren’t unchurched folks, or de-churched, or under-churched. They are semi-churched. . . Read the…
Kissing Our Communities
I sent the below email to our church family – – I pray many are reminded to reach out to their communities during the upcoming holiday season. Dear Church Family, You know we do a pretty good job kissing on…
Don’t Miss Opportunities to Tell Teens In Your Church You Care
I sent the below email out to our church family today. One of our teens is hurting and I know they will communicate love to her. We must always remember, we only get a few chances to be there for…
Three Challenges That Shouldn’t Surprise Churches and Christians
Beloved, do not be surprised . . . (1 Peter 4:12) This October, someone may jump out from behind a tree and scare the daylights out of you. That’s not your fault. Hooligans have no business taking advantage of jumpy…
Meaningful Membership as an Antidote to Declining Attendance
Thom Rainer interacts with the reality that church attendance in America is declining. He suggests several ways to respond including making membership meaningful. He concludes: Unfortunately, in many churches membership has become less and less meaningful. Until we get our…