Friday Review (5/26/23)

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

What Youth Workers Need to Know About Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, by Danny Kwon (Rooted) 

As churches and youth ministries, we want to be able to serve our teenagers and families of the AAPI community all 12 months of the year. This can mean anything from serving in AAPI ethnic churches and youth ministries, to church contexts where you might serve just a few AAPI teenagers, to ministering to a teenager who is an adoptee from an AAPI country. Perhaps your church is serving refugee families from an AAPI community… So, what do we need to know about AAPI communities and how can this help us as we serve AAPI teenagers and families?

God Can Handle Your Questions, by Kendra Dahl (Core Christianity) 

As you navigate life after high school, you’re going to do a lot of figuring yourself out. Maybe you’re learning for the first time who the independent version of you is. For some people, that’s enough to want to shed a faith that has felt pressed upon them. Maybe you’re not sure those beliefs were ever yours in the first place.

Biblical & Theological Studies

4 Realities in Jakarta That Expose Western Judgments of Christianity, by N. Gray Sutanto (The Gospel Coalition) 

Several realities I experienced in Indonesia can speak to the objections Western people raise about the faith. Learning from the global church helps believers in the West zoom out, put aside their assumptions, and see afresh the relevance and power of truths that may no longer seem relevant and powerful. Consider these four realities from Jakarta.

The Spider-Man Fallacy Fallacy, by Chris B. (Homeward Bound) 

In fairness to the skeptics who bring up the Spider-Man fallacy, some people do claim that the existence of the Pool of Bethesda proves that Jesus healed someone there. Let’s be more thoughtful than that. We must not overstate our case so we don't commit the Spider-Man fallacy.

Cultural Reflection & Contextualization

Two Global Religious Divides: Geographic and Generational, from Ipsis

Across the 26 countries surveyed by Ipsos, the proportion of respondents who say they have a religion ranges from nearly 100% in India and Thailand to less than half in Japan, South Korea, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. The survey brings to light major generational shifts when it comes to religious affiliation.

Openness to Jesus Isn’t the Problem—the Church Is, from Barna

With the general population indicating a warm and positive perception of Jesus, how is it possible that the U.S. is increasingly and swiftly becoming more post-Christian? The answer appears to lie in the dichotomy between how people perceive Jesus versus how they view his followers and the institutional Church.

Pastoral Ministry

Things I Wish I Heard in a Funeral Sermon, by Renee Zou (The Gospel Coalition Australia)

Preaching a funeral sermon is not an easy gig, and I want to acknowledge the preacher’s efforts. However, I really wish he had bolstered the sermon with the real, good hope of Christ. I wished I had heard the following:

Five Reasons Why Pastors Should Share Their Pulpit, by Brandon Sutton (For the Church)

Pastor, don’t be afraid to share your pulpit. It’s your job to train the next generation of preachers and shepherds. In doing so, you will not only be blessed yourself, but you will also encourage your church, show you aren’t afraid and raise up more preachers for the ministry.

Family & Parents

Most Parents Effective at Passing Down Faith and Politics, by Aaron Earls (Lifeway Research)

A Pew Research survey of parents and their children found around 4 in 5 teenagers share their parent’s religious views. And a similar number agree with their parents’ politics. The similar rates in transmitting faith and politics come despite parents being twice as likely to say passing down their faith (35%) is at least very important compared to passing down their political beliefs (16%).

Attention, Affection, Authority: Primer for Parenting Young Children, by Bob Kauflin (Desiring God)

A wiser way to avoid provoking our children is to consider what kind of father God is to us. In these years far removed from the daily pressures of raising little ones, Julie and I have identified at least three ways God calls us to reflect his fatherly heart in the way we raise our children.

From Elementary to High School, by Nick Judd (Knowing Jesus)

During these years, elements of their identity and worldview can really take root and become their own. As those whom God has placed in their lives to steer and support them, how do we approach this with intentionality? How do we help “kids” make that step to becoming “students” in the church and home?

From YPT this week

Where Does Age-Segmented Ministry and Consumerism Come From?, by Gareth Crispin

Where does age-segmented ministry come from and how does consumerism come into play? Understanding the origins of modern youth ministry will help us chart a better path forward.

Tim Keller’s Influence on Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry, by Mike McGarry

Tim Keller’s influence on gospel-centered youth ministry is hard to capture. Here are three recommended Keller resources for youth workers and some words of gratitude for his influence.

YPT Podcast Episode 39: Gospel-Centered Pedagogy and Church Membership as Discipleship with Justin Wong

What does it mean to develop a gospel-centered pedagogy, and how can church membership become a meaningful element of the way you disciple students into Christian maturity?