Friday Review (3/18/22)
Each week we compile a list of helpful articles from other sites, in a variety of categories, for youth workers to read, reflect on, and/or discuss with parents and volunteers. If you have any articles you’d like to suggest, we’d love for you to share those in the Youth Pastor Theologian Facebook group. That’s a great way to bring them to our attention and to discuss them with like-minded youth workers! (Inclusion in this list does not imply complete agreement with the publishing source, but we have found these articles to be beneficial.)
Youth Ministry
How to Train Students for Sunday Worship by Will Standridge (ERLC)
But trying to escape “big church” is a problem. Instead, I’d like to suggest that your student ministry worship service should train students to participate in worship on Sundays.
Caring for Teenagers in the Midst of War in Ukraine (Rooted)
It is also normal for a burdened teenager to feel like he or she “can’t deal” with news of the war. This too is an opportunity for conversation. After a full day of school, anticipating a long night of conjugating Spanish verbs, your youth student or teenager may not want to talk about the latest atrocities filling up their newsfeed, but they might be open to talking about those hurts that are closer to home.
Biblical & Theological Studies
Revenge of the Black-Letter Christians by Russell Moore (Christianity Today)
If every passage of Scripture—whether proverb or psalm or parable—must be turned into an epistle with a point by subpoint by sub-subpoint structure in order to be preached, then we are not actually teaching the Bible but something else: a systematic theology or an ethics manual. We are not saved by Christology; we are saved by Christ.
56% of Christians Feel Their Spiritual Life Is Entirely Private by Veronica Thames (Barna)
Privacy might seem like the natural habitat for faith formation in our increasingly individualized culture. Indeed, 56 percent of Christians feel their spiritual life is entirely private.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
‘The’ Batman and Our Desire for Rebooted Worlds by Brett McCracken (The Gospel Coalition)
Every reboot and relaunched thing (whether a replanted church or a rebuilt nation after war) will be a short-lived source of hope for “better.” Inevitably, though, it won’t live up to our longing for “best.” Only God’s final renewal will satisfy that longing—when all tears are gone and “the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4, NIV).
Looking for Wisdom Among the 'Christian' Gurus by Samuel D. James (Insights)
For good or ill, Hollis, Peterson, and Ramsey are resonating with millions of people, many of whom are Christian, with messages of taking responsibility for life, letting go of shame and excuses, and believing that a better future is possible. Gurus exist to fill gaps—intellectual gaps, emotional gaps, spiritual gaps, etc. How they fill those gaps matters, but the gaps themselves matter too.
Bleacher Theology... Some Thoughts on Kids, Parents, and Sports... by Walt Mueller (CPYU)
Our identity can only be found in Christ alone. Not in our talents or play, or in the talents or play of others. We should enjoy those things, but only as we ultimately find our identity in Christ. Anything else is idolatry.
Pastoral Ministry
Gen Z Enters the Ministry: 3 Big Challenges by Trevin Wax (The Gospel Coalition)
Every generation faces challenges and opportunities, and the next one will be no exception. These ministry leaders will need us to encourage and celebrate what’s good in what they bring to the church and to share our wisdom and experience in avoiding potential pitfalls.
An Ecclesiological Take on “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” by Jonathan Leeman (9Marks)
My goal here is not to review the series—what I liked, what I didn’t like—but to offer four lessons that I think are a little more timeless, and lessons that point to the worst inevitabilities of bad ecclesiology.
Family & Parents
Parents, You Don’t Need to Be Cool by Christina Fox (The Gospel Coalition)
When we parent our children as God parents us, we introduce them to who God is. What a glorious privilege! Parents, we get to be the first to introduce our children to the God who loves them. Consider four ways to do this.
From YPT this week
Theological Words Every Youth Worker Should Know: Trinity Edition by Will Standridge
There are some important theological words every youth pastor would benefit from learning. In this “Theological Words” edition, we’ll look at six words that will help you teach the Trinity in your ministry.
Relationship Building Questions for Youth Ministry by Mike McGarry
What are some good questions to ask teenagers to establish healthy relationships and build trust? Use this acronym to escape those awkward silences. We also share some good questions to transition into spiritual conversations in youth ministry.