(Youth) Ministry in Progress

Peter Enns - The Evolution of Adam (Book Reviews)

2012-02-02T16:54:00.001-08:00

This book may be 2012's Love Wins. So get in on the conversation.

Lots of digital ink has been used this week to discuss the release of Peter Enns' The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say about Human Origins. Here are some of the reviews that I have read:

Kurt Willems at the Pangea Blog (check out his list of Christian leaders who have expressed an openness to evolution, including Billy Graham and CS Lewis)
RJS at Jesus Creed (1, 2)
Rachel Held Evans

For a whole lot more, go to The Brazos Blog. It's worth checking out Peter's response on why he wrote the book.

I agree whole-heartedly that the Bible never intended to be a scientific book. Yet, I do feel that it aspires - by the author's intent and God's direction - to be a historically and theological accurate composition. Even this is a tricky statement since it must be understood within the various genres found in the Bible. For example, how should songs, poems, and parables be determined to be historically and theologically accurate? We grade and evalulate each portion and genre of the Bible according to it's form and intent.

I'm not sympathetic to the theistic evolution view. I don't believe that God used evolutionary means to bring humanity into the world - though I believe he could if He wanted to, does that make sense? For me - whether the starting point is a cell or a hairy, dump, standing-upright mammal - it all comes down to being made in the image of God.

At what point - if evolution be true - did the soul enter the human condition? At what point did God breath into humanity, making it the pinnacle of creation, utterly unique to all that came before it?

Because I can't past this fundamental truth - that we are made in God's image - I'm unable to concede to evolution.

But this is more than just an evolution vs creation debate: it's myth vs historical fact, early composition vs post-exilic, and much more.

That all said, I really want to buy this book. I'm eager to learn, eager to engage in the conversation, to listen and to reply.

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I don’t think that there’s any conflict at all between science today and the Scriptures. I think we have misinterpreted the Scriptures many times and we’ve tried to make the Scriptures say things that they weren’t meant to say, and I think we have made a mistake by thinking the Bible is a scientific book. The Bible is not a book of science. The Bible is a book of Redemption, and of course, I accept the Creation story. I believe that God created man, and whether it came by an evolutionary process and at a certain point He took this person or being and made him a living soul or not, does not change the fact that God did create man… whichever way God did it makes no difference as to what man is and man’s relationship to God. ~ Billy Graham in “Doubt and Certainties” (1964)
(source)

G&P

- Andrew

Youth Ministry in Progress - January Update

2012-02-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Clean-up Fundraiser!

Yup, a January update in February. It's been that kind of month.

I was maintaining such a great blogging pace through the autumn, but seasonal ministry requirements have been ramped up and I've had to pull away from daily posts here at (Youth) Ministry in Progress.

There's two big things that have occupied my time this month:

January is budget-planning and vision-casting month at Arnold Community Church. As the Egg Nog buzz is wearing off and with New Years resolutions still fresh in our brain, we take time to consider what God wants to do through our ministries this year. We first look back at 2011 and see where God was at work and how we did at achieving the goals we set forth last January. Than we look ahead at what we'll need for the coming year (volunteers, resources, finances, etc) and set a plan. It's time consuming, but it's worth it.
I've been working on my Sabbatical plan. In the fall the elder team granted me a four-week Sabbatical that will begin at the end of February and I'm super grateful. I've entered my eighth year of serving at ACC and I see the need for me to take some time to address the wear and tear my soul has endured through the tragic deaths of my son and father in the last couple of years. It'll be good to take some time away to intentionally focus on me - the minister - without having the responsibility of ministering. I'm a leaking bucket these days and I need a season of filling up without pouring out. Planning includes preparing my ministry volunteers for four weeks without me, getting parents in the know, and then planning how I will be spending my time. Hopefully I will be able to blog some of my post-Sabbatical thoughts later this year.

Other things that have been going on this month:

I started the month off by meeting with my Sr Youth and Jr Youth leaders (a great way to start the year!). We reviewed the previous 3-4 months, assessed where students were at, and discussed what we want to emphasize in the months ahead.
We had a Christmas Tree Clean-up Fundraiser! Such a great event, I should really post it all here one day. After collecting trees (for a donation) we went to the home of one of our leaders and had a huge bonfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Definitely a highlight of the month.
We went skiing: nothing like filling the bus up with 45 people and heading to the mountain for a day.
The Jr Youth played a bunch of games that had to do with chocolate. It's a youth event that I've called Wholotta Chocolatta over the years. I should put the ideas on the blog some day because I think it's great.
I've been reading Church: Why Bother? by Philip Yancey. Really good. He's easily one of my top ten favourite authors.
The Sunday School class spent three weeks learning about spiritual gifts. We reflected on Bible passages, worked through an inventory, and discussed how we see these gifts reflected in our lives. Good stuff.
The Sr Youth and Jr Youth continue to work through the book of John. We looked at John 8 earlier in January.
I'm learning that I constantly have to evolve with the group. As group dynamics change, my leadership has to respond. So, in the case of the Jr Youth I'm learning that I have to make adjustments based on the size and 'rowdiness' of the group. What worked in the past with the large group isn't working now. In Sr Youth, I'm learning that it's awesome to have a smaller group and be altogether (last year we had to split up into smaller groups for Bible study). And in Young Adults I'm discovering it's a lot of fun - and rewarding - to ditch the lesson and discuss the issues that are on their hearts and minds.
We had some epic snow days. Every couple of years the Arnold / Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford gets hit with some dangerously insane winter weather. My wife and I no longer live out in Arnold, but we had to cancel youth once and got to witness some unbelievable blowing snow conditions which lead to horrible roads and huge snowdrifts. So much fun.
We're getting ready to attend RUSH this month. Going to be a smaller and younger group than in years past. It's been difficult for a number of families to set aside the $250 or so to attend, but we'll make the most of it and those who go will certainly have a blast.
I've been listening to Give Us Rest or (a requiem in c [the happiest of all keys]) by the David Crowder Band. A lot. And so should you.

While I have been writing here less, I was able to put up a few posts at my other blog, Josiah's Journey. If you're interested in my grief-related ramblings, head over there.

That'll do for now .

G&P

- Andrew

Free Music - Waterdeep (Noise Trade)

2012-01-26T16:00:00.002-08:00

Can you call Waterdeep a veteran band? I think so. I was listening to their music back in high school so ... that's a long time ago.

Waterdeep has posted a 10-song sampler on Noise Trade. The tracks span from 2007 until now. Folksie, quirky goodness. Become a fan and tell your friends.

Happy Listening!

- Andrew

Free Music - Starfield (Noise Trade)

2012-01-26T15:55:00.002-08:00

Starfield has posted two songs from their upcoming album on Noise Trade. Get The Kingdom EP for free while you can and tell your friends!

Happy Listening

- Andrew

Adam McLane - Is Preaching Over Emphasized? (blog)

2012-01-19T18:59:00.002-08:00

A powerful idea is growing from Adam's mind into his blog. Read it all here as he talks about The Economics of Preaching.

Click for full-size

In a nutshell, Adam believes that most churches put too much emphasis on preaching - within the job description of the (lead) pastor and the weekend service - to the detriment of the others characteristics outlined by Paul.

I can agree with Adam in part: 30+ minute sermons every Sunday is not the best way to disciple followers of Christ (at least that's my perspective). Yet I also see how our church community is an exception: there are weekends throughout the calendar year where we forego the sermon and just share, pray, and encourage one another instead.

But I'm all for shortening sermons Sunday morning. Let's see all our pastors become more than just preachers and give the ample opportunity (responsibility) to model all the characteristics. Let's re-discover pastors who are more than just gifted speakers with great hermeneutical skill, but who are also shepherds, care-givers and guides. Let's explore how we can at our gatherings build up the church family in ways that include creativity teaching elements, not just one-way instruction (which we all doesn't stick very well).

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Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.~ 1 Timothy 3:1-7

G&P

- Andrew

Comic - Old School Tablets (Bizarro)

2012-01-19T18:28:00.002-08:00

"Tablets" mean something completely different now in Sunday School.

[Bizzaro Comics]

G&P

- Andrew

Smoking to the Glory of God - Christians and Tobacco

2012-01-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

"When I have found intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and a calm refreshing sleep obtained by a Cigar, I have felt grateful to God and blessed His name."
~ Charles Spurgeon (source)

“I believe that many who find that "nothing happens" when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand.”
~ C.S. Lewis, On the Incarnation (source)

"Smoking is much harder to justify. I'd like to give it up but I'd find this v(ery) hard, i.e. I can abstain, but I can't concentrate on anything else while abstaining - not smoking is a whole time job."

~ C.S. Lewis (source)

"There are many things that a man feels legitimate even though they cause a fuss. Let him not lie about them to his life or lover! Cut them out--or if worth a fight: just insist. Such matters may arise frequently--the glass of beer, the pipe, the non writing of letters, the other friend, etc., etc. If the other side's claims really are unreasonable (as they are at times between the dearest lovers and most loving married folk) they are much better met by above board refusal and 'fuss' than subterfuge."
~ J.R.R. Tolkien (source)

---------------------------------

To be certain, CS Lewis and Charles Spurgeon did not commend all forms of smoking, just pipe (Lewis) and cigars (Spurgeon) specially - which have far less risk if smoked properly - and were firm on preventing such a habit from becoming addictive.

And in his own defense, Spurgeon did acknowledge that the phrase "Smoking for the glory of God" (which he coined) on its own had an ill sound to it, yet fits appropriately within it's original context in reponse to a sermon he heard one evening.

A few helpful passages to guide a discussion on cigar smoking, pipe smoking or any other matter that the Bible does not directly address:

Romans 14:1-23 (how church communities should work through 'disputable matters')
1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20 (God's Spirit dwells within us - live accordingly)
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (permissibility and the good of others)
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 (test everything - hold the good, avoid the evil)

My quick take: the use of tobacco is a open-handed / loosely held conviction. Study the Word, invite the wisdom of your Christian community, and be aware of what the Spirit stirs in your soul. Be convinced of what you believe, be clear on the why's, be humble in your practices, and be gracious with others who hold a differing opinion ... to the point of being willing to abstain from enjoying your freedom for the sake of someone else's weakness.

To read all that Spurgeon has said or written about cigar smoking, check out the letters and news articles collected here.

G&P

- Andrew

Quote - Galileo Galilei (Science and the Bible)

2012-01-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

via Google Image search

The Bible shows the way to go to heaven,
not the way the heavens go.
~ Galileo Galilei

Agree or disagree?

(source)

G&P

- Andrew

Video - Fotoshop by Adobé

2012-01-11T10:20:00.000-08:00

Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Clever. And biting. Great if you want your students to think about beauty standards, self-image, etc.

When will we as society say "enough is enough" and push back against faux beauty?

[via Neatorama]

G&P

- Andrew

Comic - You're A Believer But You're a Jerk (Bizarro)

2012-01-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

I think Jesus should have included a "Don't be a jerk" reminder in his Sermon on the Mount.

G&P

- Andrew

Free Christmas Music - Sam Billen "A Word of Encouragement"

2012-01-06T16:09:00.001-08:00

Who cares if we're a week into January. It's never too late to highlight good Christmas music.

Sam Billen makes good music. Go listen and download his Christmas album A Word of Encouragement.

This album is not only free but awesome. Perfect for winding down a wintery day by the fire with loved ones.

He also was a part of a compilation Christmas album released this year, also free for download, called A Light Goes On.

[via Rethinking Youth Ministry]

Happy Listening!

- Andrew

Images - Jim Lepage Art & Design

2012-01-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Jim Lepage - Christmas 2011

Take 10 minutes today and get to know Jim Lepage and his work. If you like what you see, tell other people and maybe go buy a print.

Jim really made a name for himself last year with his Word project (see them all here) where he brilliantly illustrated each book of the Bible.

Not to content with that, Jim has started a new Bible project (which he mentions in this recent interview) and also highlights other Christian artists (Tumblr) that he has discovered.

Our church is going through a sermon series on 1st Timothy. Check it out.

I doubt we'd use this image, but it's great!

G&P

- Andrew

Video - Jesus Meets Tebow (Saturday Night Live)

2012-01-05T13:56:00.002-08:00

Pure comedy gold.

"Tim's doing his best, Dad bless him."

Great one liners, clean humor, and a great over-arching question: does the end score really change if you pray before and during the game? I doubt it ... especially if the other team is praying just as sincerely!

Anyways, great clip if you want to talk about prayer one night at youth.

[via Jesus Needs New PR]

G&P

- Andrew

Article - Seven Things Your Pastor Won't Tell You

2012-01-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

I think this Promise Keepers article does a pretty good job of communicating common thoughts and experiences pastors have as it relates to how they are perceived and treated within the church, without coming across as being whiny or self-pitying.

It isn't as if pastors experience all seven of these everyday, but if we serve in a church long enough and we will experience seasons where these issues are forefront. And yes, some days pastors do need to hear a gentle "suck it up". Every career choice has it pros and cons, but few vocations draw from the soul and thus pastors tend to be more vulnerable than say your typical blue-collar worker.

But hey, we are called to a ministry of mercy and grace: pastors should be the receivers of such just as much as they pour it out into lives of their congregation.

I've re-posted it in full below.

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1. “I’m a guy, treat me like a guy.”

Right off the bat I want you to know that I’m a dude like you, so stop treating me like a chick. I’m so sick of guys apologizing to me when they cuss, as though I might burst into tears or faint. Trust me, I’ve heard those words before...and yes, even used them. And you know what? I like guy stuff too! I don’t spend all my time sitting in my office, cross-legged with a Bible on my lap. I like cars, motorbikes, monster trucks, fishing, shooting, movies where things blow up and even the occasional malt beverage. And yes, I even struggle with all the same guy-issues you do. So, if half the reason you’re not talking to me is because you think we have nothing in common—you’re wrong.

2. “Often I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Now, there’s something I’m not supposed to tell you. A big part of me wants to keep up the image that I have it all together, have a 10-year plan and every step I make is guided by God. But that’s just not true. I say dumb things, do foolish things and sometimes I’m so confused by my job that I don’t want to do anything because I’m scared I’ll make it worse. When I stood up and boldly proclaimed that new ministry idea, half of me thought it was a great plan and the other half was certain it would blow up in my face. That’s why I need you with me. I need some courageous, godly men to stand with me, not be afraid to make me defend my ideas. And then I need you to stand beside me when I inevitably throw the fertilizer into the ventilator and it all comes flying back at us.

3. “Sometimes I’m not very spiritual.”

It’s true. There are days when I just don’t want to read the Bible, pray, meditate or do anything spiritual at all. I’d rather read the paper, watch TV, go for a walk, check my e-mail, get ready for a meeting or just sleep in. You’re not alone in your struggle to stay consistent in your daily Bible reading and prayer life. I’m right there with you. I just thought you should know that. Pray for me just as I’m praying for you.

4. “My job is not as cushy as it looks.”

I know some of you fantasize about being pastors because you think it’s such an easy job. Buddy, you have no idea. I may not have much heavy lifting to do, but things do get pretty heavy sometimes. I have a passion for this church and this city and spend more hours thinking, praying, serving and weeping over them than I can remember. I have a heart for seeing people come to Jesus, but it always feels like our ministries are going uphill with a headwind. There are so many things I want to see done, but I can’t seem to get people to come with me to do them.

You might be moved or convicted by one sermon every three months, but I am trying to let every one of them penetrate my heart, every week. On top of that, I have people call me out of the blue with every problem under the sun. They need money, a friend, a job, a place to live, protection from an abuser, freedom from an addiction or an answer from God (they think I can get it for them). And despite my efforts and prayers, I watch marriages and families break up right in front of me—and can’t do anything about it.

There are days that I want to do something else—anything else—because being a pastor hurts too much. But then I remember that I didn’t choose this job: I was chosen for it.

5. “I feel pretty insecure at times.”

I have the only job I know of where, even if you are doing your job, people who don’t like you can vote to get rid of you. Imagine walking around feeling that not only is everyone in the community and congregation watching you, but as James 3:1 says, God is going to judge you more strictly than most people! That’s a tough row to hoe. I’m not insecure about my salvation, or God’s love for me, but I get a lot of feedback and it gets to me sometimes. I don’t know what it is, but people feel free to comment about and criticize everything from how I dress to how I parent my children, and everything in between.
Everyone seems to know how to do my job better, and they’re not afraid to tell me. “Pastor, what we need is more _______ (outreach, hymns, new songs, prayer, fasting, potlucks, dieting, events, announcements, recycling, small groups, Bible studies, ...).” “Pastor, we need to do less ________ (arguing, worrying, meetings, technology, eating, hymns, new songs, preaching, new stuff, old stuff, ...).” You know when you sent me that email “to help me understand some things”? Well, I got 10 of those and four phone calls—on my day off.

6. “I don’t want to talk to you right before service.”

Listen, I love you. I really do! I want to talk to you, hear about your life, your worries, cares, concerns and what God is doing to and through you, your family, your friends and even your pet Chihuahua. I carry a cell phone and publish my home number in the directory so you can get a hold of me anytime. I have office hours at church and make myself available for meetings in the evenings. I promise that I will be thrilled to chat about anything that is on your mind during any of the other 164 hours in the week. But PLEASE, for the love of Pete, let me have the time before service without a bunch of problems, conflicts and issues that I can’t possibly fix in the half-hour before service starts.

Pray for me. Give me a pat on the shoulder say, “Love you, Pastor!” or throw out a hearty “Go get-em!” Ask me if there is anything you can do to help (or better yet, find some way to help without asking), or just give me a smile. Like an athlete before a big game, during that time, I’m trying to get in the zone and there is a lot of spiritual opposition working against me, and I need your help.

7. “I’m lonely.”

Believe it or not, I don’t have a lot of friends. Sure, I talk to a lot of people, and care for them, and go to a lot of events and even have fun. But when it comes to having a real, tried-and-true, can say anything to guy-friend, I don’t have one. And if I’m like most pastors, then I probably don’t have family around either. I get along with people, but most folks don’t understand what I do or the struggles I go through. If I get vulnerable with the wrong person, they use it against me. Trust me, it’s happened before. So I guard myself, my ministry, my family, and yes, even you, from that fallout that can happen if I get double-crossed by someone who I thought was my friend. And the cost is that I’m very lonely.

Your pastor is probably not the exception, even though he might hide it well. Pray for him. Take care of him. Cut him some slack and help him out. Being a pastor is a tough job and he needs your love, support, prayers, encouragements and willingness to stand up for him when the going gets tough. Thanks for listening.

Al Descheneau is the pastor of Nepean Baptist Church in Ottawa, Ontario.

The article above was featured in the November 2009 issue of SEVEN magazine.

G&P

- Andrew

Donald Miller - A Parable About the Church

2012-01-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

This will probably be the best story you read all week. Get on it.

Questions to reflect on:

Are you emphasizing teaching or doing in the ministries that you oversee?
How is faith evaluated and measured in your community - through the accumulation of knowledge, or by living out Jesus' teachings and example?
Are you doing? Or just teaching?
When was the last time that you took something you were taught and used it for someone outside of your church community?

Thanks Don.

G&P

- Andrew

2011 Books of the Year

2012-01-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

A lot of great books were released last year. Here are a few 'best of' lists, lots of books that I otherwise would have missed.

Jesus Creed (Scot McKnight)
Christianity Today
Books & Culture
RELEVANT
The Gospel Coalition
The Search (Brett McCracken)

It may not look like much, but I read more books last year that I had in the last three years combined. It was a good year. And that's not including the fiction and curriculum that I thumbed through. Here's what I read:

A Grace Disguised (Jerry Sittser)
Stuff Christians Like (Jon Acuff)
One.Life (Scot McKnight)
Love Wins (Rob Bell)
Real World Parenting (Mark Matlock)
Forgotten God (Francis Chan)
Erasing Hell (Francis Chan)
Double Take (Tim Geddert)
Jesus Wants to Save Christians (Rob Bell)
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven ... (David Crowder and Michael Hogan)

There are still a lot of unread books on my shelf. Here's what I'm hoping to read (finish) in 2012:

All Right Now (Tim Geddert)
Getting Fired for the Glory of God (Mike Yaconelli)
The Rabbi's Heartbeat (Brennan Manning)
Hearing God (Dallas Willard)
The Call (Os Guinness)
The Way of the Heart (Henri Nouwen)
A Grief Observed (CS Lewis)
Crazy Love (Francis Chan)
Sex God (Rob Bell)
Praise Habit (David Crowder)
Plan B (Pete Wilson)
Roaring Lions (Bob Briner)
Surprised by Hope (NT Wright)
The Prodigal God (Timothy Keller)

G&P

- Andrew

Dan Kimball - Weird Bible Verses Wednesday (blog)

2012-01-03T16:23:00.001-08:00

A great new series started by Dan Kimball at Vintage Faith - Weird Bible Verses Wednesday. This is destination reading at its finest - I can't wait for Wednesdays to come now!

Some great conversation - starter material here. A fun way to break the ice and get conversations going at small groups if your group can handle it.

You can read the rationale behind this series here.

G&P

- Andrew

Top Christian Albums of 2011

2012-01-03T15:31:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again, when critics and fans rate their favourite Christian album releases of 2011. Here's a few good places to go to see how your favourite albums ranked and maybe to find an album you missed:

Christian Music Zine
Jesus Freak Hideout
Christianity Today

I only buy music that like - it's cheaper that way! - and thus I picked up only 9 albums last year.

I listed them below, not according to artistic merit, originality, or how much I like it. For me, a good album is one that I continue to play months after it releases. Thus, I have ranked the albums according to it's listenable-longevity based on my experience; that is, do I continue to listen to the album well after the sheen of it's release wears off?

Switchfoot - Vice Verses
Gungor - Ghosts Upon the Earth
The Civil Wars - Barton Hallow
Mutemath - Odd Soul
Downhere- On the Altar of Love
Josh Garrels - Love & War & the Sea Between
Thrice - Major / Minor
The Hawk in Paris - His & Hers
* David Crowder Band - Oh For Joy

And for what it's worth, here are my top ten tracks of the year:

Where I Belong (Switchfoot)
The War Inside (Switchfoot)
When Death Dies (Gungor)
Afterlife (Switchfoot)
This Is Not the End (Gungor)
Blood Pressure (Mutemath)
Odd Soul (Mutemath)
A Far Off Hope (Josh Garrels)
Rest (Downhere)
Let Me Rediscover You (Downhere)

Happy Listening

- Andrew

Leadership - Guard Your Calling, Frodo (article)

2011-12-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

The release of the first full trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey coincidences nicely with a recent article from the Leadership Journal.

John Orteberg examines the nature of being called and uses characters and events from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to illustrate his points.

He had me at Frodo :)

It's a short two-pager to read, I invite you to reflect on it. Here are a few standout quotes that I've been meditating on:

... on the last part of the journey through Mordor, Frodo turns to Sam and tells him how badly he wishes he did not have to be the one to carry the Ring. Being the Ring-Bearer was a difficult and dangerous role. He took it up voluntarily; he knew it was a worthy task; he understood in some dim way that he was suited for it—even his weakness was part of his gifting, and yet the cost of it wore him down.

All ministry involves slogging through Mordor.

Calling matters because the Caller matters.

People with the strongest and healthiest sense of calling are not obsessed with their calling. They are preoccupied with the Caller. With a clear vision of a good and competent and loving God before me, the significance of my own tiny part in his world is safely and manageably held.

Elrond tells the Fellowship: "The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."

If we were to take Frodo's journey as a template for our calling, how many days were spent in difficulty compared to ease? Is this a true reflection of what a calling to serve God's people is like? Has this been your experience? Is this an encouragement to you, or does such a perspective add to your despair?

I hope the words and insight John provides can be an inspiration and a comfort today wherever you are serving.

[Thanks Jean for the link]

G&P

- Andrew

Donald Miller - Our Crap Can Grown a Garden (blog)

2011-12-23T13:31:00.001-08:00

Great words from Donald Miller.

Makes me think of the Gungor song, "Beautiful Things."

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

If you want to work this into a future youth talk idea - how God can make good things come from our mistakes - consider these words from Scripture.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
~ Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.
~ Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

Further, how about the lives of David (adultery leads to a son who makes Israel a powerful nation), Moses (exile because of murder leads to the exodus of God's people), and Peter (denial of Christ leads to reconciliation and leadership of the early church)?

A good reminder there for all us, especially us leaders who are quick to be our own harshest critic.

G&P

- Andrew

Video - Santa Doesn't "Do Poor Countries"

2011-12-23T00:53:00.001-08:00

Absolutely brilliant. Well played Unicef.

What are you giving this year to friends and family? Something that matters or something that will be lost / forgotten / returned?

You could always change a life.

World Vision
Compassion Canada
BC Children's Hospital
Christmas Bureau
Samaritan's Purse
Angel Tree

... and there are so many more.

[via Neatorama]

G&P

- Andrew

Youth Ministry in Progress - December Update

2011-12-22T09:53:00.005-08:00

For any regular visitors to this blog, I want to acknowledge that the frequency of my posts have tailed off in the last couple of weeks. I apologize for not providing fresh material as often as I would like. The busyness of the season plus the personal grief that I'm carrying this Christmas has chewed up the time that I would otherwise devote to posting here.

A couple of Sundays ago I had the privilege of preaching from Luke 1:57-2:20 (the births of John and Jesus). I learned lots as I reflected on the text, and the sermon provided a couple of firsts: it was the first time I preached in two parts (it just worked well with the service structure) and it was the first time I preached with bronchitis - my throat and voice were awful!

Hopefully in the next while I will be able to post some of my sermons notes here for public use.

Last week I led the youth through the Follow the Star prayer journey, a prayer stations experiences provided by Sacred Space. This is a wonderful resource if you are looking for some outside-of-the-box worship opportunities for your students.

This week has been much more low-key. I'm mostly well,enjoying a week of fewer ministry commitments which include a games afternoon with students (yesterday), delivering flyers today for our Christmas Tree Removal Fundraiser (coming in the New Year), and our Christmas Eve Service (for which I'm only responsible for the welcome). Also in the desk is planning for our upcoming youth conference (RUSH in February) and looking at our local ski-day options for the end of January.

This month has been filled with many happy moments, but also much sorrow as we anticipate another Christmas without our son Josiah and our first Christmas without our dad. Whether you're feeling joyful or downtrodden this Christmas season, may you discover the hope and peace of Jesus in each day.

G&P

- Andrew

Saddleback Cancels Services for Good Neighbor Wknd

2011-12-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

This weekend there are no worships services being held at Saddleback Church (CA). Instead, Rick Warren and his staff have instructed the church family to minister to their communities. In an effort to be a Good Neighbor, people are invited to sign up with their small groups to serve within one of many needs or people groups highlighted within their neighborhood.

Intriguing idea.

Should a church family ever cancel gathering together?

Of course, we're not following the 'biblical' example by meeting on Sundays. The early church gathered everyday to worship AND meet the needs of their community.

Of course, meeting everyday isn't very convenient for most Christ worshipers in the western world. But it makes me wonder what we're missing out on because we're unwilling to make that adjustment.

That said, I'm all about serving and loving your neighbour. Yes there are the 'optics' of 'cancelling church', but it's not so much cancelling church as it is changing the venue!

Jesus didn't say that we were supposed to gather once a week to worship God. He said we're supposed to love God and love our neighbor. Sometimes - most of the time - the only way we can do both simultaneously is by leaving the pew and exiting the church.

G&P

- Andrew

Christmas Youth Game - Chilly Chocolate Challenge

2011-12-08T23:31:00.001-08:00

via Google Image search

I've played this game when it wasn't Christmas - great whenever you need a high-energy and competitive table-based game! While I've played this game for years, I noticed that it's called the Santa Dash as well.

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Supplies: for each table group (suggested 4-6 people) you need 1 chocolate bar (something like a Cadbury Dairy Milk which has individual squares ... chilled in the freezer!), 1 dice, and 1 fork and knife (not super-serrated) . You will also need 1 set of toques (Santa hats!) and mittens (the ones without individual fingers) for every 2 table groups.

Description: place the chocolate bar, knife and fork at the center of each table. Don't unwrap the chocolate bar - that will be a part of the game. One person at each table starts with a dice, while the sets of toques and mittens are accessible in the middle of the room to start.

At no time can fingers touch the chocolate. It can only be cut by the knife and fork, and only one square at a time. Freezing the chocolate bar will make it harder to cut through (thus making the game last longer).

The dice will travel around the table, each player getting one turn to roll it. If anyone rolls a "6" they immediately track down a toque and pair of mittens and put them on. Now they can cut at their chocolate bar and eat it as fast as they can!

While they are cutting, the rest of the team at the table will be taking turns trying to roll a "6". As soon as another is rolled, they grab the mittens, toque, and cutlery and start cutting at the chocolate.

I suggest having one toque and pair of mittens for every two table groups. That way the students will be interacting beyond their table and across the room. Yes, it's a little psychotic, but it's tons of fun - and it's chocolate!

Before we start the game we remind the students to be careful, to not 'attack' anyone with the cutlery (even if its just jokingly) and that they can't 'fight off' someone who rolled a "6" and is claiming their toque and mitts.

G&P

- Andrew

Christmas Youth Game - Christmas Carol Charades

2011-12-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

via Google Image search

We played this game tonight with our Jr Youth. We capped it at about 8 carols (ran out of time) but we could have easily played longer!

---------------------------------------------------

Supplies: create a list of Christmas carols before hand (see below for suggestions) - either write them individual on pieces of paper (like flash cards) or scribble them down one at a time with each new group of actors.

Description: break the group into teams of 4-6. The basic rules of Charades apply - gestures and actions only, no speaking / singing / humming / whistling. One person is selected from each team to act out the Christmas carol title, racing the others teams to get to their teammates to figure it out first.

Easy:

Frosty the Snowman

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Deck the Halls

Little Drummer Boy

Silent Night

Jingle Bell (Rock)

We Three Kings

Away in a Manger

12 Days of Christmas

Go Tell It on the Mountain

The First Noel

Angels We Have Heard on High

What Child is This?

Oh Christmas Tree

Moderate:

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

Joy to the World

All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two-Front Teeth)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Carol of the Bells

(I'm Dreaming of a) White Christmas

Blue Christmas

O Come All Ye Faithful

Difficult:

Good King Wenceslas

I Saw Three Ships

Feliz Navidad

You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch

What other songs would you suggest?

G&P

- Andrew

Christmas Youth Game - No Hands Orange Peeling

2011-12-08T15:25:00.001-08:00

Supplies: a box of mandarin oranges

Description: Get your students into groups of 3-4 and give each group a couple of oranges (place them on a table or countertop to start). On "GO" the teams race to peel and eat the oranges ... but their hands have to be behind their backs the entire time.

Work as a team and figure it out!

G&P

- Andrew

Free Christmas Music - Christian Artists List (TFCMB)

2011-12-08T09:33:00.001-08:00

A list of free Christmas music has been growing over at The Free Christian Music Blog. Commentators have been contributing their own finds and the list has become quite extensive and fresh. Check it out to discover a new favourite album!

A lot of well-known artists are represented, such as Jars of Clay, David Crowder*Band, and Toby Mac. One recommendation: go listen to David Barnes. It's a great album; fresh, yet it still retains that "classic Christmas" feel.

Happy Listening!

- Andrew

Christmas Devotional - Highs & Lows (Matthew 2:1-18)

2011-12-07T23:36:00.000-08:00

via Google Image search

Tonight at young adults I read shared this passage and gave these thoughts.

--------------------------

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Often the fallout of the Magi's visit goes unmentioned. We sometimes acknowledge the death of the sons, but rarely do we reflect on the other devastating consequences of that visit: the hasty flight to Egypt, to leave behind all that is familiar and to live as foreigners in a strange land.

Main Idea: So often in our lives an amazing highlight is followed by the lowest experience possible.

If you have had this experience yet, you probably will some day. We encounter God in an incredible way, we receive a great blessing, etc. And then, a great disaster, an unpredictable challenge, a life-altering change. The most incredible positive and uplifting experience suddenly gives way to something tragic and debilitating.

Two Things to Remember:

(1) God is the one who has lead you into the desert and He will not abandon you (He remained with Joseph & Mary in same way He was with them leading up to this season). He is God of the tough deserts, the dark valleys, the high mountains, and the fair meadows of life.

(2) God will provide for you in the desert in the same He provided for you before (the Magi's gifts made it possible for Joseph & Mary to start a new life in Egypt), whether that be finances, the comfort of friends, wisdom, etc.

G&P

- Andrew

Quote - Martin Luther & Beer

2011-12-07T14:40:00.001-08:00

Oh my.

We old folks have to find our cushions and pillows in our tankards.
Strong beer is the milk of the old.
~ Martin Luther

I would really like to discover the context of this quote.

I get it. I like it. But I hate it on a t-shirt. It's just asking for trouble.

Find this and other t-shirt designs at Missional Wear.

[via Jesus Needs New PR]

G&P

- Andrew

Video - The Story of Stuff (YouTube)

2011-12-07T14:34:00.001-08:00

As you rev up the Christmas-shopping machine this month, take 20 minutes to watch this clip.

This Christmas, choose to give less. Give experiences. Give sustainability. Give thoughtfully. Give something that matters, something that will last.

Consider: will the receiver of this gift still care about - and remember! - this gift in 12 months?

And give our planet a chance.

[via Kurt Willems @ the Pangea Blog]

G&P

- Andrew

Free Christmas Music from FreeCCM

2011-12-07T14:31:00.001-08:00

Go "Like" FREE CCM on Facebook and you can download ten songs for free, five of them being Christmas tunes.

Merry Christmas :)

- Andrew

Free Music - Thousand Foot Krutch "War of Change"

2011-12-01T23:15:00.001-08:00

For a limited time pick up Thousand Foot Krutch's "War of Change" for free over Noise Trade. You have until Dec 5th so scoop it up now!

This. Song. Rocks. Just like TFK of old. Very impressive.

TFK recently left Tooth & Nail Records and released this single based on them reaching their Kickstarter goal for their upcoming album, The End is Where We Begin.

Happy Listening

- Andrew

Know This - Photoshop Images with Warning Labels?

2011-11-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

So far this is only gaining traction in European countries, but I can see this having a lot of buy-in on this side of the ocean.

Imagine this: every time a published image has been digital altered, a warning label must accompany it.

There's a few good reason for this:

(1) Our digital capabilities have nearly completely blurred the line between reality and fiction. This trend will only continue in the future and it would be good to know what's real or not. Just saying.

(2) With the previous point in mind, think of how already digital alterations are affecting our understanding our current events. When news images are regularly being tweaked to tell 'a better story', we're heading towards a society that values sensationalism over truth ... ... oh wait, we might already be there.

(3) Last, we have become a culture that values and esteems unrealistic body images. Why? Is this innocent pleasures or creating significant psychological damage? What will this infatuation with fantasy lead to?

As a father and a youth worker, digital alterations is something comes up on my radar often and lays heavy on my heart. Portraying men and women as better-than-real-life-perfect is messing up our society, our expectations, our values, and our relationships. Of course, photoshop is just one piece of the greater problem that includes plastic surgery, cosmetics, fashion, celebrity worship, and alike.

We need to fix this before all this 'fixing' does us completely in.

Thoughts to chip in?

G&P

- Andrew

What the Tolerant Must Tolerate (National Post Article)

2011-11-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

Brilliant piece written by Rex Murphy this week addressing the repeated mockery, intolerance, and blatant hatred against Christianity that is prevalent across Western culture. This comes on the heels of announcement that Pamela Andersen is set to play the Mary in Russell Peters' Christmas special.

Oiy.

Rex doesn't paint Christians as perfect, but he does call out the inequity in how Christianity is treated in society and portrayed in the media in comparison to other faith traditions. It's a breath of fresh air - most (mainstream) media personalities don't have the courage / permission to write such a damning, unpopular, and potentially divisive piece.

Here's a portion of what he has to say:

But for believers to object [to Andersen portraying Mary], well that would be irksome and stuffy and high-handed and parochial — it being another of this age’s curious predisposition that Christians are supposed, if not to like the jeers hurled at them, to at least be good enough to suffer the insults, blasphemies and mockeries in silence, if not secret approval. To actually object to Russell Peters going for a cheap, unintelligent and vulgar laugh would probably get categorized as “intolerance” or “censorship.”
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Of episodes of this kind there is no end, and it will surely be accounted a kind of prudery or humourlessness to make objection to them. Let it be so. However, there is a radical inconsistency to the treatment afforded to Christian believers and that of most other religious groups and it is not idle to insist on this point. It would be rather nice if so many people, the Christians of the West, who offer respect, tolerance and regard for beliefs other than their own, could be treated with equal civility and courtesy.

G&P
- Andrew

Marc Martel - Queen Auditions Finalist (Update)

2011-11-29T13:23:00.001-08:00

You may recall a few months back when Marc Martel (leader singer and guitarist of Downhere) surprised the world with his uncanny Freddie Mercury impression.

The contest is onto the next round and Marc is one of six vocalists still in it for the potential fill-in spot.

Interestingly ... so is his brother.

This could make for a very curious Christmas family gathering. Queen duets by the Christmas tree anyone?

G&P

- Andrew

Video - The Gospel According to Charlie Brown

2011-11-29T13:10:00.001-08:00

A classic Christmas clip.

Whenever you feel the speed, sense, or significance of Christmas is slipping away from you, take two minutes to watch this.

This scene. This Christmas special - this annual tradition! - almost didn't happen. Read the behind the scenes account of his this Christmas special came to be.

[article via Twitter]

G&P

- Andrew

Music - Free vs Stream vs Individal Purchases (blog)

2011-11-29T12:39:00.001-08:00

Derek Webb, the creator of Noise Trade, explains why he makes more money giving away music than selling individual tracks at iTunes or by streaming his music on Spotify. Well-written, encouraging, and convincing. The music business model is changing and artists like Derek have found a way to make a respectable living through new means.

Building from one of the points that Derek brings up, band loyalty is huge. This is why initiatives such as Kickstarter are here to stay. Just look what Five Iron Frenzy did with Kickstarter. Unbelievable!

Band loyalty means more than just album sales. Take my infatuation / obsession with the David Crowder Band. I have every album that I can get my hands on, but it hasn't stopped there. I have paid to see them in concert four times and I have bought merch as well (most recently their Church Music vinyl - so sweet!) If you can get a fan hooked and interested with free music (which is cheaper to produce these days) musicians will reap more dividends in the long-haul.

Take five minutes today to read the post today and see if it challenges / changes your music purchasing / listening habits.

G&P

- Andrew

Free Music - Christmas Music & More (CCM Magazine)

2011-11-29T12:27:00.001-08:00

For the month of December, CCM Magazine is offering 7 tracks for free including The City Harmonic, Leigh Nash, Rend Collective Experiment and Plumb. A few are of them are Christmas tunes!

Happy Listening!

- Andrew

A Few Youth Ministry Illustrations (Real Life Stories)

2011-11-28T16:14:00.000-08:00

Let's start with some heartwarming good ol' fashion good news kind of stories.

The Candy Bomber: a WWII bomber who dropped candies for German children. Read the whole incredible story! (topics: kindness, loving your enemy, hope, war)

Eateries Providing "Pay As You Can" Meals: this is awesome. This story tells us there is still hope for humanity. Show up to eat and don't worry if you can afford it today. WOW. (topics: compassion, hunger, hope, justice, food, love your neighbour)

Home Intruder Changes His Mind: after the kids offered their piggy bank to protect their babysitter, the would-be thief goes away taking nothing with him (topics: theft, doing the right thing, courage, protecting someone)

US Mom Forgoes Chemotherapy to Save Unborn Child: stories of the ultimate sacrifice like this are unfortunately all too common. (topics: sacrifice, death, love)

Here are some bizarre but true stories that will definitely catch your students' attention:

The Boy Who Can't Be Hugged: blisters are formed at the slightest touch. What a horrible thing for this child to live with. (topics: hard times, suffering, pain, body of Christ)

Blind Man Uses Ears to See: built in sonar! (topics: working together, body of Christ, super powers, not by sight)

Pregnant Woman Craves Roadkill: disgusting. Just because you want it doesn't mean it's good for you. (topic: food, gross stuff, weird stuff, craving and desires)

Man Lives on a Roadkill Diet: yeah, this is taking this roadkill thing to far. (topic: food, gross stuff, weird stuff, craving and desires)

How about two unbelievably sad and revolting stories?

The Man Who Lived Caged in a Zoo: to be made an exhibit for people's curiosity and entertainment, to be labeled the 'missing link' because of your size and colour - this is despicable. (topics: oppression, slave, freedom, respect, equality, rights)

Shoppers Step Over Dying Man: UNBELIEVABLE. A man, visibly suffering from a heart attack is ignored by shoppers looking for Black Friday deals, eventually dies in hospital. It's a modern day twisted 'Good Samaritan' parable. (topics: priorities, death, choices, selfishness, good Samaritan)

And lets finish this list with a few that are funny, asinine or a combination of both:

Wife Attempts to Sell Husband on Craigslist: the good news is that no one wanted him and they are still together. (topics: honoring your spouse, priorities, video games, distractions)

Family Gets Lost in a Corn Maze and Calls 911: we do a maze every year. I'm so using this one next autumn. (topics: getting lost, needing help, being scared, desperation, the stupid things we do)

Taiwan City Wants to Turn Dog Poo Into Gold: pick up dog poo, enter your chance to win gold. Would you?! (topics: money, work, lottery)

G&P

- Andrew

Free Christmas Music - Sleeping at Last (NoiseTrade)

2011-11-26T21:26:00.001-08:00

It's not too early to listen to Christmas music. Deal with it.

Sleeping at Last just rocks. If it bothers you, just pretend that they don't have a song on the Breaking Dawn soundtrack.

So head over to Noise Trade and pick up their 2011 Christmas Collection for free (which includes two new songs not previously released, "White Christmas" and "Snow").

And if you like what you hear, tell your friends, leave a tip, purchase an album, or sign up for Yearbook.

Happy Listening!

- Andrew

Sermon + Discussion Outline - The Holy Spirit (blog)

2011-11-26T14:35:00.001-08:00

via Google Image search

Great 'forum outline' on the Holy Spirit over at Jesus Creed compliments of Patrick Mitchel. Definitely a lot to mull on and discuss. Next time I get to speak about the Holy Spirit I'm going to turn to this.

I have copied the outline below.

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CONTENTION 1; The blessing of the Spirit is the eschatological fulfillment of God’s promises and includes both Jews and Gentiles

CONTENTION 2: The Christian life begins and continues in and through the Spirit

1. It is the Spirit who reveals the gospel

2. The Spirit brings the believer into an objectively new position before God

3. The Spirit brings the believer into an ongoing relational experience of God

CONTENTION 3 :The church is essentially a fellowship of the Spirit

CONTENTION 4. Christians belong to the new age of the Spirit as opposed to the old age of the flesh (which is not some sort of inner existential struggle between two natures within the believer)

CONTENTION 5: sanctification has past, present and future aspects

i. A Finished Reality (‘This is who you are’)

ii. Ongoing spiritual and ethical transformation by the Spirit (‘Be who you are’)

iii. Future Glory (‘This is who you will be’)

CONTENTION 6: Perhaps the biggest differences among Christians is how much spiritual progress Christians should make through the empowering presence of the Spirit

And I have to bring in Gordon Fee here [note his wee dig at Luther's 'justified sinner' ( simil iustus et peccator)]

‘Paul expected people to exhibit changed behaviour … because the Spirit empowers this new life, Paul has little patience for the point of view that allows for people to be “justified sinners” without appropriate changes in attitudes and conduct … Nor would Paul understand an appeal to helplessness on the part of those who live in and walk by the Spirit … in which the “flesh” continually proves to be the greater power.’ Fee, Empowering Presence, 879-80

But the last word to Paul

‘And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.’ (Colossians 1:10)

G&P

- Andrew

What To Do - Youth Ministry, The Bible, and Tattoos

2011-11-26T11:34:00.001-08:00

via Google Image search

Timothy Dalrymple over at Philosophical Fragments wrote a response to Matthew Lee Anderson's Earthen Vessels chapter devoted to Christians and tattoos. The combined insights of these two men provide some good fodder to reflect on as it relates to youth ministry, the wisdom we are to dispense to youth's questions, and how we should respond to followers who choose to tattoo themselves.

A tattoo is something that I have never desired for myself, more because I'm not interested in willfully inflicting that pain on me (plus the permanence of it - I'm afraid my skin and body won't age well!) and less because of the theological matters that are related to it.

On the other hand, my wife still plans to get a tattoo in honour of our son who passed away a couple of years ago. For her, it would be a permanent reminder of him though he is no longer present with us.

In our youth ministry, tattoos have rarely come up. Within our church family, I'm only aware of three people who gotten tattoos, and all three are expressions of their faith. It's just not something that is popular within our context, but with the current trend in society (as witnessed in our young adults group) I'm certain tattoos will become more common place in our community.

Here's a wonderful snippet from the blog:

Anderson suggests that young American evangelicals are attempting to define themselves and thus establish a kind of fixed point of identity amidst the flux and instability of a deteriorating world. ”The decay of the family, the emptiness of our church experiences, our geographical transience, the inability to find employment–these are the sorts of pressures that have left many young people with a lingering sense of emptiness and instability.” The practice of tattooing “treats the body…as an object for our self-construction,” and functions as an assertion of individuality. The tattoo is a constitution and a declaration of independence all at once.

The real gold of this post comes at the very end when Timothy offers some thoughts about tattoos as the flesh made word. Let's end with this:

More common in general is the practice of tattooing Chinese characters, and more common in Christian circles is the practice of tattooing Bible verses or biblical or theological phrases. This is especially interesting in the light of the theology of the LOGOS and the incarnation. In the incarnation, the LOGOS, the eternal Word, became flesh. The LOGOS transcended the world and its changefulness, representing the eternal truth and the power by which all things were called into Creation. But when a Christian tattoos a Bible verse or a faith-phrase upon her body, she makes her body into a text. She reverses the incarnation of Christ; in her de-incarnation she is making the body, what is prone to messiness and effluvia and decay, into a true and eternal Word. They are turning themselves into the Bible, or a part thereof.

There’s something laudable in this: stating that these truths are the ultimate and unchanging truths of who I am. Yet I also wonder if they represent a running away from our carnality, a running away from the things that Christ affirmed in the incarnation. I wonder too whether tattoos like these — and all tattoos — might sometimes work like frosting upon a store window — presenting a surface that seeks not to externalize but to conceal what lies within. Does the person who stamps “God’s Son” upon his skin really believe it?

G&P

- Andrew

Video - Ryan Walter (Faith & Hockey)

2011-11-26T10:40:00.001-08:00

Northview Church has been doing a series of videos interviewing local (well-known) individuals on how faith is a part of what they do.

Ryan Walter, former NHL player and coach, is currently the president of the Abbotsford Heat (AHL). Here's what he has to say as he reflects on how he came to Christ and the ups and downs of living out his faith as a hockey player and now a member of the front office staff.

PULSE, Episode 4: The Ryan Walter Story from Northview Church on Vimeo.

He said, "I'm not gonna tell ya." Now that's a tact for a pastor! ~ Ryan Walter

G&P

- Andrew

Images - Youth Ministry Illustrations

2011-11-25T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a few images that have caught my eye recently. Enjoy!

via Faith Palm

(Galatians 5:22-23; Spirit-filled life)

And speaking of religious nuts, how about those who try to be God and predict his return ...


via Faith Palm

(Matthew 24:36; Rapture)

We need more books like this! Thank you Charles Schultz.

via Faith Palm

(theology; belief; faith)

Careful what you ask for from God. He's sassy. And witty!

via Faith Palm

(Matthew 12:39; testing God; asking for signs; faith)

This book is real. I checked. AWESOME. It's put together by an agnostic who lives right here in BC.

via Faith Palm

(Bible; stories; God; Sunday School; teaching; tough stuff)

Do you treat Jesus / Faith / God like a pill? Take some and feel better in the morning?

Would love to know the context of this photo, if it was satire or being passed along as a real product. Totally makes me think of those Testamints.

via Jesus Needs New PR

(Jesus; cure; salvation; drugs)

There's always someone claiming to be Jesus. Just usually not a teen. Yikes!

via Faith Palm

(teenagers; truth; Jesus; trouble; anti-Christ)

G&P

- Andrew

Video - Thanksgiving with Jesus (YouTube)

2011-11-25T12:53:00.001-08:00

In honor (not 'honour') of American Thanksgiving, we have another 'Coffee Time with Jesus' skit.

Just beautiful.

Our thanksgiving sound pretty trite sometimes, doesn't it? We can do better Christ-followers.

And if you can't remember the original skit that was referred to, here goes.

Coffee with Jesus from Church Fuel on Vimeo.

[via Jesus Needs New PR]

G&P

- Andrew

BC Lions Quarterback Travis Lulay - Football and Faith

2011-11-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

via Google Image search

The Light Magazine (a BC Christian publication) has Travis Lulay on the cover it's most recent issue.Travis is the second-year quarterback for the BC Lions and will play this weekend for the Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Great timing on the article. Last night he won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award.

via Google Image search

I've post the entire article written by Terry Mahoney below for reading.

I t became clear early on in my conversation with BC Lions quarterback Travis Lulay that God is central to his life. Lulay is the starting quarterback of the BC Lions football team. His growing maturity in that role has coincided with a remarkable turnaround for the team. After a disastrous one-and-six start this year, the team went on an eight-game winning streak that has made it a serious contender to be in the Grey Cup game, which will be played November 27 in Vancouver.

Lulay’s chosen sport – his job, as he calls it – is intensely competitive and physical. He says, “My career could be ended tomorrow by injury or any other myriad causes, but I just don’t worry about it. The Bible says to cast all your fears upon the Lord … I do that, and I trust Him to be true to His word.”

Lulay’s faith in Christ is evident in many ways, including the now-familiar image of him kneeling in prayer on the field, in the locker room or on the sidelines prior to a game. “I absolutely believe God helps me in every aspect of my life,” he says. “I just want to acknowledge Him and thank Him beforehand – and have Him give me a little courage.”

Always there

Lulay was born on September 27, 1983 in the small town of Aumsville Oregon. He was the first child of a devout Roman Catholic family and was, as he says, surrounded by the love of God from the start. “I honestly cannot recall a time I was not a Christian,” he says. “It was always just a part of me, of who I am. I feel like my faith was always there.”

Lulay’s Christian faith was augmented by his elementary and high school years at the local Catholic school. By all accounts, he was happy there and excelled at both sports and academics.

One special subject of his attention early on was a pretty girl named Kim. She attended the same school through all those years – and Kim became his “sweetheart,” as he terms it.

The years following graduation, however, found Travis and Kim enrolled in different colleges in distant states. Lulay did not like the separation, but felt the need to follow his growing passion for football through a scholarship.

Though separated by distance, their relationship endured and even grew stronger. “A year or two into our college experience, I knew for sure she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” he says, “so we made that happen.”

In addition to pursuing the “love of his life,” Lulay began to seriously contemplate a career in professional football. His college record as a quarterback at Montana State University was stellar by any standard, and he set several records. His academic record was equally impressive: despite his heavy practice and playing schedule, and his long-distance relationship with Kim, he graduated with a GPA of 3.91.

Tested faith

The next few years were tumultuous: marriage, travel, the vagaries of professional sports, tryouts, signings, releases, starts, finishes, wonderings. After graduating from university in 2006, over the next three years he was signed and released three times by the Seattle Seahawks and once by the New Orleans Saints. He signed with the BC Lions in 2009, but only became the starting quarterback late in the 2010 season.

All of it combined to test Lulay. But he affirms that his faith has grown stronger over the years, partly due to ongoing Bible studies and prayer gatherings with his teammates and friends.

There is also the added blessing of having Kim constantly at his side to encourage him. “It is no longer me,” he says. “It is we, and we are very happy. My wife is with me 100 percent. She sees the passion I have for the game and how hard I have worked for it. The travel, the uncertainty, the days on the road – she never complains, she is always supportive.”

With his talent, intelligence and education, there are many roads open to Travis Lulay which he could pursue and attain any measure of fame and fortune. But he is quick to point out the priority must always be growing in the love of Christ.

“Regular Bible study and prayer,” he says, “help to keep us level and aware of what is really important. I want my life to glorify God.”

Lulay and many of his teammates attend weekly Bible studies together. Several denominations are represented, ranging from evangelical to Catholic, with different expressions of faith and worship. “None of that,” he says, “is a true barrier to being a child of God and helping each other work out our faith life as followers of Jesus.”

That common faith is evident when, at the end of each CFL game, players from both teams gather at the centre of the field to honour God in prayer. That powerful scene seldom garners much media attention in Canada and can easily be missed. However, it is a reminder that there are followers of God who let the light of Christ shine through them in their lives and in their jobs, whether that job is on the football field or in any other line of work.

Terry Mahoney is a writer from Delta, BC, who recently retired from the broadcasting and publishing industries. He is also pastor of West Coast Bikers Church.

via Google Image search

G&P

- Andrew

Blog - What To Do With Extended Adolescence (Marko)

2011-11-24T15:13:00.001-08:00

via Google Image search

I've read what Mark Oestreicher wrote here about extended adolescence three times this week. You should read it too.

Yes, adolescence is stretching in the mid-20's and *gasp* into the early-30's. It's bizarre, it's messing with our family structures and society values, and the local church needs to respond in a way that fits their context.

Here's where I have a conundrum. If creating a "youth group for young adults" isn't the answer, than what is?

It may not be the best response, but it's a good response and it's better than doing nothing.

This is my story.

I have been leading our church family's young adults group for three years. This ministry started because we were having students graduate from high school and then stick around.

Yes, you read that right. Even though there was nothing provided mid-week for our young graduates, our students didn't want to leave the church. This was new for us. Previous to this most of our students were leaving our church, some leaving church altogether. But this trend started to change and we had a group of young adults who wanted to remain connected, remain to serve, remain to learn.

So we created a young adults ministry. Some of my most fun nights in ministry have been within this community. We eat together, pray, get into God's Word, laugh, and serve together. It's that simple, and it is its simplicity that makes it beautiful and effective. These are students that I have ministered to who have become my friends. What a privilege to walk life with them for so many years!

I haven't observed that our approach has stymied their faith development. Quite the opposite actually, for now these young adults have the confidence to pray aloud as a group, ask daring (risky!) questions, speak up when they disagree with something, and are wrestling with their faith (in a good way). They are not spiritually stunted by any means, instead they are actively serving within the church and community.

Most of the young adults who come out to our mid-week Bible study would remain committed to the church family whether or not there was something for them. This has more to do with their parents and the church family's intentional approach to disciple children and youth then it has to do with providing an attractive young adults ministry. Further, as these young adults grow up and enter new life stages (ie. engaged, married, and so on) they tend to 'graduate' from our group into other care groups within our church family that are more alike their life stage.

And I think this is a good thing. I love it when an 18 year-old is friends with a married 28 year-old. But when it comes to small groups ministry, this is tricky. The 18 year-old doesn't want to be a part of a group that is filled with married people, and the married person usually isn't interested in staying up late to talk sports and dating. These are just facts of life.

Mentor relationships are great and necessary, but not everything the church does mid-week and weekend has to be a blend of generations and life stages. There is value in affinity groups, whether it is based on life stage, interests, or something else.

Anyways, just my thoughts. Not rant or a slam against what Mark has observed. There are many churches that are struggling to find a way of discipling their (young) adults that works for them. Ours just happens to be a young adults "youth group".

G&P

- Andrew

New Music - Five Iron Frenzy is the Undead Band

2011-11-24T14:57:00.001-08:00

Five Iron Frenzy is back.

New single. For free.

Upcoming album. Already paid for and more.

It's like I died and went back to high school! OH HAPPY DAY!
... 2013 is a long ways away though. Hope it all works out.

Let's sign off with a music video.

Happy Listening!

- Andrew

Video - Johnny Cash "God's Gonna Cut You Down"

2011-11-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's a few years old, but it's a great song. Just love how the music community gathered together to honour Johnny Cash (the video was released after his death).

"Sinners make the best saints." ~ Bono

Dare I say that it's interesting how the lyrics are juxtaposed against the lifestyle choices of some of these celebrities? This is a great conversation piece. Quite simply one of the best videos and songs ever.

Happy Listening

- Andrew

"Love Wins" Discussion Guide & Other Resources

2011-11-22T08:50:00.001-08:00

Rob Bell has released a companion guide for his book Love Wins.

The topics of heaven, hell, and salvation keep coming up in my conversations. Last night was another example: what started as a look at Jesus and Nicodemus with the Sr Youth turned into a full-blown "is-everything-we-think-we-know-about-heaven-and-salvation-correct?" discussion. Lots of fun! It was wonderful to see the youth think through things, asking good questions and turning to the Scriptures to provide answers.

Here are some more helpful reads that I have discovered.

To Hell or Not to Hell (RELEVANT): three views of hell plus one, with Scripture for and against each perspective.

Giving Text Priority (Jesus Creed): in a similar vein, all the verses that support the main three perspectives as compiled by Scot McKnight. Very helpful.

Shane Hipps on Rob Bell on Hell: Shane, co-pastor of Rob Bell, talks about theology and speculation. Good perspective.

Clark Pinnock & Annihilism (Jesus Creed): Pinnock is an annihilist, as well as was John Stott. Good thoughts here.

And three books that can contribute to the discussion.

Hell - The Logic of Damnation: according to Scot McKnight, this is the best book he's ever read on hell.

The Message of Heaven & Hell: authored by Bruce Milne.

The Last Things: authored by Paul Helm.

And to wrap it up, everyone's favourite prime-time theologian, Steve Colbert talking about teaching his kids about God and hell. The interview is four years old, but it's great straight forward stuff from a guy who's known for his satire.

G&P

- Andrew

Image - Christian Prayer Rick Roll'd

2011-11-21T18:16:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's true but ...

*sigh*

Side note: a few grammar errors are there. Rookie rick roll.

[via Faith Palm]

G&P

- Andrew

Youth Event Idea - Christmas Food & Gift Hampers

2011-11-21T14:10:00.000-08:00

For the last three years, our youth group has sponsored two local families through the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau.

The premise is simple: there are many families that are assisted by the Food Bank who will not be able to have a Merry Christmas. These families put together a bit of a wishlist of food and gifts and then are partnered with a family / organization who will then put together this hamper for them.

Our Jr Youth (grades 7-9) and Sr Youth (grades 10-12) each sponsor one family. And it's super easy to organize. If your community offers a program like this I encourage you to check it out. It's the best way I have found to encourage generousity, selflessness, and compassion among our students.

Setting Up the Shopping Event:

I encourage the students (and their families) to participate in this event in three different ways: (1) donate cash for gifts, (2) donate food items, and (3) create a card for the family that they will receive with their hamper.

With the size of our group, often suggesting $10 / youth will be enough to buy nice gifts as well as provide the family with a grocery gift card (for the perishable food items that we will let them purchase on their own time).

I emphasize the students to give according to what they feel God is telling them to give. We encourage them to be generous and sacrificial, but recognize that not everyone has the income or means to give financially. This is why we stress that demonstrating compassion by giving food items, a sincere Christmas card, and prayer is an equally meaningful way to live out your faith.

We start the night with instructions and a passage of Scripture that connects to what we're doing (Mark 12:41-44; Phil 2:1-4; James2:14-17). We then go to the mall one night during youth to purchase the gifts, breaking into small groups and armed with money and Christmas wishlist. We then finish the night back at the church praying for the family, wrapping the gifts, and creating Christmas cards to give them. Lots of fun to have hot chocolate and mini candy canes available with some Christmas music playing in the background.

The hamper is not delivered the night of the youth event. We usually wait 1-2 weeks so that we can compile all the food donations that are coming in. When the hampers are ready, I invite students to join me in delivering them (which often can mean they skip out of school!). Just seeing the family's appreciation makes this event worth it every year.

FYI, this event has a budget of $30 or less for the gift-wrapping and card-making supplies.

Event Planning Steps:

Apply and get connected to a family. For Abbotsford, it's as easy as an online form.
Once you have been partnered with a family, contact them to see if there are any changes / new needs, directions to their house, set a delivery date, etc.
Communicate at least 4 weeks in advance with the youth and parents about this upcoming event. Two weeks prior to the event, send out a list of the food items that are needed. I include this in our Sunday bulletin so that the entire church family can get involved if they want to.
Check the mall to see when evening Christmas hours begin (the group needs at least 75-90 minutes to shop)
Gather up supplies needed to wrap gifts and make cards (wrapping paper, tape, scissors, gift labels, card stock, Christmas foam and stickers, felts, pens, Christmas stamps and ink pads, ready-to-go-cards for those who aren't creative, etc)
Print off copies of the family gift wishlist and have extra cash in your pocket in case the group doesn't provide enough.
Have fun shopping (but not too much fun- mall security will probably be keeping an eye on you!)

G&P

- Andrew

Free Music - Jars of Clay's "Gather and Build" Album

2011-11-21T11:25:00.001-08:00

For one more week Jar of Clay is offering their digital sampler Gather & Build for free at Noise Trade. Get it!

Check out the track list:

1. This Land Is Your Land

2. Closer [The Long Fall Back to Earth or Closer EP]

3. We Will Follow (featuring Gungor) [The Shelter]

4. Oh My God [Good Monsters]

5. Stay (Forgive Me re-imagined by Stephen Mason)

6. Safe to Land [The Long Fall Back to Earth or Closer EP]

7. Save My Soul [The Long Fall Back to Earth - Limited Edition EP]

8. Body & Wine [a Good Monsters EP?]

9. Run in the Night (featuring Thad Cockrell) [The Shelter]

10. Water Under the Bridge [Good Monsters]

11. Flood (New Rain Mix) [Closer EP]

I'm definitely a Jars of Clay fan, so there were only three new songs here for me. But a great mix none the less.

Happy Listening!

[via Twitter]

- Andrew

Image - Christians, the Bible, and their Denominations

2011-11-19T15:47:00.001-08:00

Thankfully this doesn't describe all Christian denominations, but it's true enough to be both funny and cringe-worthy.

[via Reddit]

G&P

- Andrew

Image - Christian Logic

2011-11-18T14:25:00.001-08:00

* Sigh *

Really?

[via Faith Palm]

G&P

- Andrew

Image - Hide and Seek Jesus (comic)

2011-11-18T14:23:00.001-08:00

Thank you Faith Palm!

G&P

- Andrew

The Art and Grace of Leaving and Finding Church

2011-11-16T15:16:00.001-08:00

via Google Image search

Rachel Held Evans , a blogger I visit often, had a guest contributor write an article today called "On Leaving - and Finding - Church". The author's candor and humility as he describes his family's transition and journey is very welcoming and beckons kind dialogue.

The topic reminded me of a RELEVANT article that was written about a year ago called "Breaking Up ... with Church". Also an excellent read.

If you stay, stay with grace, but if you leave, leave with grace.

I haven't had much experience with 'church-shopping'. But what I do recall is how my parents involved my siblings and I when choosing which church to attend when we moved into a new community. After a few church visits, it was decided that we would belong to and serve with a church in the local community that had a great youth program even if its music and preaching was inferior to another church in the next (close) town. And that went well with us.

There is always the tension within me about what reasons are valid for seeking a new church family (of course, as a pastor, when I reflect on this I try to imagine myself as one who is not paid to serve a church community).

I would find it hard to leave the friends I have made in that church community. But I guess that would make the decision easier if you haven't gotten close to anyone in your church family. But then is that your fault for not trying and committing or is the church family cliche and not welcoming?

I wrestle with what would be my responsibility and what would be the church's. If I sense that I'm not 'being fed enough', do I have to own up to that? Is it the church's primary responsibility to feed me or as a mature follower of Christ should my own private habits be what sustains my soul?

And what if you feel the church family needs to adjust its mission and focus? Do you stick around to voice and guide and participate in the change, or do you leave them to their chosen mission and seek a church community who's heart echos your own?

And when are you just getting fickle? Abbotsford is the Baskin Robbins of churches - 101 flavours and counting. And if you really want to, it wouldn't take much to travel into Aldergrove or Chilliwack to find more church family options.

This smorgasbord of church communities is a problem. In smaller communities with fewer churches you just have to work with what you got .. and thank God for it! But in communities like Abbotsford you can follow trends and crowds from one church community to another.

When are you just a careless greedy consumer of spiritual things? And when do you have valid and sincere cravings that need to be met?

Tough questions. Good stuff to think about.

G&P

- Andrew

Video - 29 Ways to Be Creative

2011-11-16T09:27:00.001-08:00

My top three to work on:

#4 - get away from the computer

#5 - quit beating yourself up

#19 - get lots of rest

... I'm already pretty good at #8 (drinking coffee)

[ht to Adam McLane]

G&P

- Andrew

Jon Acuff - Coming Home from a Prodigal Son Moment

2011-11-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

Good reminder from Jon Acuff.

Find out more about this cool guy over here.

G&P

- Andrew

Video - How Not to Pack Christmas Shoe Boxes

2011-11-15T12:38:00.001-08:00

Thank you MTD. I think I'll use this for next year's promo ;)

G&P

- Andrew

Funny Youth Ministry Quotes

2011-11-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

Last night we had Ron Friesen speak to a few our youth parents about parents. Great stuff.

Within his notes he had some hilarious quotes about adolescents that I just had to share.

"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for
authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place
of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their
households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They
contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties
at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers." 
(Plato or Hesiod)

"The world is passing through troublous times. The young people of
today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for
parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as
if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is
foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest
and unladylike in speech, behavior and dress." 
(Peter the Hermit, 1274 AD)

"When a child turns 12 you should put him in a barrel, nail the lid down and 
feed him through a knot hole. When he turns 16, plug the hole." 
(Mark Twain)

Breathe easy. And laugh. Frustration with teenagers is nothing new.

G&P

- Andrew

Quote - Steve Furtick "Audacious Faith" (GLS)

2011-11-04T12:58:00.001-07:00

Flickr - Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit

Steve Furtick was the last speaker at the Global Leadership Summit which we took in at the end of September.

Between memorable soundbites like "awesome-sauce" and the unexpected use of "hide your kids, hide your wife" he had some great things to say.

Two one-liners really stood out that I'm continuing to reflect on:

If your vision is not intimidating to you, it is probably insulting to God

We tend to compare our behind the scenes faith and life to
everyone else's highlight reel.

We are not asked to have the faith to complete the task or vision that God
has given us, but the faith to start it."

\Steve shared a great perspective and faith lesson from the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 3:9-20.

If you can get your hand on sermon titled "Audacious Faith" you would be better off for it.

This guy posted his notes. Sweet!

And yes, the harpist part was hilarious.

G&P

- Andrew

Halloween, Chocolate, Fair Trade & Child Slavery

2011-10-28T13:09:00.001-07:00

Chocolate.

It's delicious. It's healthy. It's a billion dollar global business.

It also enslaves over 280,000 children.

That's something to think about.

That makes me a little uncomfortable.

That's a high price to pay to satisfy our cravings.

The horrendous realities of child slavery in Africa on the cocoa farms is nothing new, but recently Good.is brought attention to it again.

The biggest names in chocolate production - Hershey, Mars, Nestle and Cadbury - are all guilty of exploiting children to feed our chocolate fix.

These kids are taken unwilling, aren't able to leave, aren't paid, and live in hazardous conditions.

Sorry, but my chocolate bar isn't worth that much.

Thankfully, change is possible and is happening slowly. Families and communities are benefiting from their cocoa crop, not being exploited by western companies but partnering in ways that improve their lives and pay a decent wage.

I shared this with our Jr Youth last night. And I then I read from Luke 4:18-19. The way I see it, to follow Jesus means to free the oppressed and the enslaved, just as he did. And that should be evident even in the way we shop.

In Canada, Cadbury has made changes so that all its products under the Dairy Milk line will be fair trade. This is GREAT news, but this is only one company. We can do better.

To find out more about Fair Trade in Canada, check out the website.

When you shop, look for these logos. Yes, you'll pay more. But in doing so, you are promoting safe and prosperous communities around the world.

G&P

- Andrew

"Flickering Pixels" by Shane Hipps (Review - Jeff Cook)

2011-10-24T15:09:00.001-07:00

Recently, Jeff Cook offered this review of Shane Hipps' Flickering Pixels. While the book is a couple years old, it's message is terribly important for any of us who aim to engage culture and be used by God to lead people to Christ.

Here are a couple of observations made by Jeff that really stood out to me and have HUGE implications for those of us who minister to youth and families:

"...images and icons are fast displacing words as the dominant communication system of our culture."

"... for younger generations, the vital question “who are you following” is replacing that of “what do you believe.” This results from their transformed brains, and the influence of the image based communication culture all around us.

Hipps work is of the epistemic shift taking place in common folks. If our culture continues down this path, right thinking will increasingly be judged not according to its logic, it will be judged pragmatically. The question that will be primary will no longer be “Is this true?” but “Does this belief produce good in our world?” and if it does, then we will consider it valuable. We see this now. We are naturally drawn to the teachings of Gandhi, MLK, and the Dalai Lama–not because we know them to be brilliant, but because we know them to be good. The same of course is true of the sayings of Jesus, which continue to have power over even the most secular mind, not because of their potency but because of his example."

While I'm excited at the trend and possibility of young people who are marked by following Jesus, not just by what they believe, this new era we are entering will dramatically alter our current means of ministry and discipleship.

What implications are there for evaluating value through goodness instead of truthfulness?
What does this shift in society mean for sermons and preaching?
How does this change the typical youth night?
How is genuine faith in Jesus measured?

Great stuff. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.

G&P
- Andrew

Is Hockey the Least-Christian Pro Sport?

2011-10-24T14:43:00.003-07:00

As I was looking for information on David Booth, I found this article from a couple of years ago. Great discussion as the author (sincerely, I believe) reflects on the few outspoken stars that have played in the NHL.

The NHL is very different than the MLB and the NFL - not to mention NASCAR! - where religion is commonly discussed and makes it way into many interviews. And the CFL ... well ... some people have commented that the acronym actually stands for the "Christian Football League" ;)

Any-who ... I'm all for pro athletes following Jesus in the way that they feel God is leading them, whether that means speaking up in interviews, taking the time to interact with students, our just to live out their faith with their teammates. I'm just not a fan of athletes - or anyone for that matter - who pay lip service to Jesus yet who are far from devoted to Him. We need less Christians dropping Jesus' name in their 'thank you speeches' and more Christian following Him day in / day out.

PS - Looks like Jesus is left handed. Sweet.

G&P

- Andrew

Dusten Kensrue - Rock Star & Worship Director

2011-10-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of touring Christian artists who remain linked to their home church. I'm even more encouraged when they continue to participate in their home church in a serving capacity.

And when it's a Christian who leads a band that is more well-known by those outside of the church than by those who purchase 'Christian music' ... well ... that blesses my soul to no end.

For the last thirteen years, Dustin Kensrue's has been a part of a band called Thrice. While that's not about to change, just recently he has accepted a position at Mars Hill Church in California to be one of their worship directors.

Here's one of fav Thrice tracks from a previous album.

G&P

- Andrew

David Booth - Faith & Hockey

2011-10-24T14:03:00.001-07:00

The Vancouver Canucks this week received David Booth in a trade with the Florida Panthers for Marco Sturm and Michael Samuelsson.

Stats and on-ice achievements aside, David integrates his faith in Christ with his hockey day job.

Side note: reviewing the Hockey Ministries International instructors page, the Florida Panthers are the most represented NHL team. Huh.

Today he talked with local reports for the first time and through the conversation shares that he believes that coming to Vancouver was all a part of God's plan (around the 6:30 mark).

In the past, David has instructed at Christian hockey camps and he had this share in an interview a couple of years ago:

"My faith is a big part of my life," Booth said. "I grew up in a Christian home, and those values were instilled in me. It's something I take seriously. I go to church whenever I'm home. God's given me a great ability to play hockey and whatever I can give back to him is something I want to do."

Here is a video clip from the first meeting with media.

Looks like the Canucks have acquired a quality guy.

G&P

- Andrew

Scot McKnight - Gospel, Story, Salvation, & the Prayer

2011-10-20T09:31:00.001-07:00

I really gotta read this book. It's starting to light up my Twitter feed.

In light of Scot McKnight's presentation of the gospel in his latest book, The King Jesus Gospel, he was recently asked the following question:

"Do people have to pray a prayer when to respond to the gospel?"

Great question. Huge ramifications for youth ministry - all ministry - obviously.

Scot invited his readers to comment to the original question and then posted his reply. Take the time to absorb it all and reflect on how you present the gospel.

Shortcut answer: according to Jesus (and the Apostles) the appropriate response to the gospel is Believe, Repent, and be Baptized.

Prayer is good - and will indubitably be a part of the believers lifestyle - but it's the 'prayerful' orientation of the convert's being that is the true response.

No formula. No "pray and you're in".

For a quick overview of how Scot's presentation of the gospel compares to most contemporary understandings, check out of his post on the Soterians.

BONUS ROUND: Scot posted a link to four lectures he gave recently - evangelicalism, universalism, grace, and atonement. Give 'em a listen - free to download - and I guarantee you'll become a huge fan of his work.

G&P

- Andrew

Reflecting on Canada's First Thanksgiving Feast (Blog)

2011-10-19T15:00:00.001-07:00

Image via Stock.xchng

A little late, but worth mentioning anyways. Adele Konyndyk over at ThinkChristian wrote a wonderful piece on the origins of Canada's Thanksgiving celebration, how it was borne out of a failure and the crucial element of grace.

Definitely worth reading.

Grace. Is there nothing sweeter in this world?

G&P

- Andrew

Image - How Deep Is God's Love?

2011-10-17T11:41:00.002-07:00

Last night I finished reading Rob Bell's Love Wins.

Hence, this photo is ironic.

Perhaps this is the conundrum that Rob Bell's critics find themselves in!

FYI, I immediately started reading Francis Chan's and Preston Sprinkle's Erasing Hell. Reviews to follow.

[image via Jesus Needs New PR]

G&P

- Andrew

Video - The Simpsons Take on the Rapture

2011-10-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Just a friendly reminder that the Rapture was rescheduled for this coming weekend. Enjoy your last days.

Don't be LEFT BELOW!

[via The Pangea Blog - which has some great thoughts on the dangers of 'escapist theology']

G&P

- Andrew

Comics - What Jesus Said (The Naked Pastor)

2011-10-14T13:04:00.001-07:00

A couple of stingers compliments of the Naked Pastor. Don't worry, he's fully dressed. Read the 'About' section if you're concerned.

Ah! He's Canadian. That's why I get his humor!

Click the images to be directed to the original posts.

More than just drawings, the author often accompanies his illustrations with some thoughts. Great stuff in the comments sections too.

[via Marko]

G&P

- Andrew

Quote - Are We A Christian Nation? (Stephen Colbert)

2011-10-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

For a satirist (although a quiet Catholic) Stephen Colbert nails it.

Only two questions matter:

#1 - Did Jesus really mean what he said?

#2 - Are we going to obey Jesus or not?

[Faith Palm]

G&P

- Andrew

More Thoughts About Francis Chan & Erasing Hell

2011-10-03T10:36:00.001-07:00

I - for one - have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the debate that Rob Bell's Love Wins started earlier this year.

I think it revealed the best and worst of our Christianity. I think it has revealed our illuminated minds, our grace-filled hearts, and - unfortunately at times - our fallen nature.

Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle continued the conversation with his Erasing Hell. Some liked it, some didn't. Here are the responses that caught my eye:

Erasing Hell Review (by Jeff Cook on Scot McKnight's blog - great analysis on how the audience and approach is vastly different than how Rob Bell wrote Love Wins. Jeff concludes that their answers come up short evangelically and apologetically)

Erasing Hell: On Desire (by Jeff Cook on Scot McKnight's blog - great question about what made hell so compelling to God that He felt it was the best plan out of a infinity amount of options He could have gone with. Jeff concludes with his thoughts about Annihilation. BONUS: Preston Sprinkle replies in the comments!)

Q&A with Francis Chan on 'Erasing Hell' (hear from Francis Chan himself. Good stuff.)

G&P
- Andrew

The Last of Rob Bell, Heaven, and Love Wins?

2011-10-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

So Rob Bell has started his exit as pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church. Will he take with him the heaven and hell debate that he stirred up earlier this year, or will it continue?

My hopes is that it will. It's too vital of a conversation to be dependant on one man.

I never highlighted the litany of posts that Kurt Willems over at The Pangea Blog wrote regarding his thoughts of Rob Bell, Love Wins, and the resulting controversy.

If you still searching for responses and answers - and wouldn't mind seeing what an Anabaptist has to say - I suggest you check out the following:

If Rob Bell is an Universalist, Maybe I Am (initial response to the Justin Taylor review with lots of external links to check out; don't forget to read his direct follow up to this post)

Initial Thoughts on Rob Bell Interview (Kurt doesn't provide any links, but I'm assuming he's referring to a TV interview that Rob did)

NT Wright Rightly Reflects on Rob Bell & Hell (video to watch here with interesting points from a voice from the 'other side of the ocean'; honestly, his response kicks me in the butt)

A few other Rob Bell and Love Wins related posts:

Rob Bell, Cocoa Puffs and the Mega-Pulpit (Jeff Cook scathes the church leaders who have been criticizing Rob Bell for transitioning out of church leadership into the speaking circuit and TV industry. Funny, I didn't hear these critics say the same about Francis Chan when he stopped 'being a pastor' last year).

Why 99% of Pastors are Universalists ... at Funerals (thoughts from a funeral director)

What it Means to Live in Community - Eugene Peterson on Rob Bell (Guest post by Stephen Lamp who passes along why Eugene endorsed Rob Bells' Love Wins - great thoughts from a wise man; of all the links in this post, Eugene's response is the one you have to read the most)

in fact, I liked Eugene Peterson's response so much I included in below before signing off

What are your thoughts regarding Rob Bell’s book and the controversy it ignited? What inspired you to endorse the book?

Rob Bell and anyone else who is baptized is my brother or my sister. We have different ways of looking at things, but we are all a part of the kingdom of God. And I don’t think that brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God should fight. I think that’s bad family manners.

I don’t agree with everything Rob Bell says. But I think they’re worth saying. I think he puts a voice into the whole evangelical world which, if people will listen to it, will put you on your guard against judging people too quickly, making rapid dogmatic judgments on people. I don’t like it when people use hell and the wrath of God as weaponry against one another.

I knew that people would jump on me for writing the endorsement. I wrote the endorsement because I would like people to listen to him. He may not be right. But he’s doing something worth doing. There’s so much polarization in the evangelical church that it’s a true scandal. We’ve got to learn how to talk to each other and listen to each other in a civil way.

Do evangelicals need to reexamine our doctrines of hell and damnation?

Yes, I guess I do think they ought to reexamine. They ought to be a good bit more biblical, not taking things out of context.

But the people who are against Rob Bell are not going to reexamine anything. They have a litmus test for who is a Christian and who is not. But that’s not what it means to live in community.

Luther said that we should read the entire Bible in terms of what drives toward Christ. Everything has to be interpreted through Christ. Well, if you do that, you’re going to end up with this religion of grace and forgiveness. The only people Jesus threatens are the Pharisees. But everybody else gets pretty generous treatment. There’s very little Christ, very little Jesus, in these people who are fighting Rob Bell.

G&P
- Andrew

Rob Bell Creates TV Spritual Drama with Carlton Cuse

2011-09-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

It seems that Rob Bell has already figured out what his next career is.

Deadline and Vulture are reporting that Rob Bell has partnered with LOST co-creator Carlton Cruse for a new drama series Stronger which has been picked up by ABC.

Plot details are slim, but the title character is a musician and teacher who goes on a spiritual journey.

An undisclosed 'narrative twist' is expected; after all, this is one of the men who was behind LOST after all.

Just last week Rob Bell resigned from his pastoral position at Mars Hill Bible Church.

G&P
- Andrew

Yet Another Hollywood Co. is Making Christian Movies

2011-09-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yet another Hollywood production company is getting on the 'faith-based' wagon. Image Entertainment is creating a 'faith-based' label called Slingshot Productions, aimed at producing films for the large - and mostly untapped - Christian market.

*sigh*

We need less Christian films, and more Christians making films.

G&P

- Andrew

Youth Event Ideas - Board Games for Large Groups

2011-09-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Some of the most fun we have at youth is when we take a board game and use it on a large scale. If you're looking for game ideas that are high-involvement -- low-activity yet are competitive and made for indoors, grab a board game and make it youth-group friendly. When you find the right board game, it doesn't matter if you have 8 people or 30 - it works!

Board games are easy to come by: if you don't have families that have games that can work, you can often find games for cheap at your local thrift stores.

Some clear winners from the past have been Pictionary, Scattergories, Apples to Apples and Things.

With Scattergories and Pictionary, we allow the students to make their own teams and compete together. With Pictionary, every team draws every time (so that there is always full participation) and everyone takes turns drawing. Instead of timing the event, the first team that runs up to the leader with the correct answer wins and gets to roll the dice.

Apples to Apples is very simple to play and allows for people to easily 'drop in / drop out' as they feel like it.

With Things, rather than always going with what the game provides, we allow the students to suggest 'things'. If the group is too large for Things (takes forever to go around the circle, to remember everything) you can break up into smaller groups and find separate rooms to play in. And if you know how Things is played, you don't really to buy the game: just come up with a list of suggestions and grab some paper and pens.

What board games have worked for your youth group?

G&P
- Andrew