We need to pray for our teens!

(Note:  Many of these articles came from the CPYU youth culture e-update.  If you are not signed up for it, it is a must for anyone in student ministry or parent of a teenager – sign up here)

Author:  Francis Chan

This book is a response to the recent argument in theological circles that hell is not a literal place.  Many struggle with the idea of hell, and for good reason, it is not a pleasant place.  How could a loving God send someone there?  Do those sent there truly spend eternity there?  The answers to these questions should be life-changing…because if hell truly is a real place and is an eternal place of torment, wouldn’t we do everything we can do stop people from going there?!?

Disclaimer:  Francis Chan is one of my favorite speakers/authors out there.  His book “Crazy Love” literally was life-changing in my life.  That being said, I will do my best not to allow that bias or fandom to enter my evaluation.

What I liked:

1. 1.       No IMHO – These are not opinions in this book.  Each subject or question about hell uses Scriptural support.  And not just one passage, but many to support each claim made.
2. 2.       Convicting – The description of hell and its everlasting qualities convict you.  Without ruining the findings, you leave these pages convicted that the world needs to hear about Jesus.
3. 3.       Cherry on top – At the end of the book, following compelling arguments and deep Biblical study…the gospel message is given.  Very appropriate.

What I didn’t like:

1. 1.       Anybody got a pen? – With any Francis Chan book, it is such an easy read that I often forget to soak in the ideas and concepts.  I end up reading to quickly wanting to get to the next page.  I realize being a page-turner is not a weakness…but you are warned:  have your pen ready.
2. 2.       Advertisement at the end – Thought the advertisement for his previous book wasn’t needed at the end.   A page or two maybe, but to do the whole sneak peek thing…eh.

Recommendation:  A must read.  It wrestled with the aspects of hell fairly and Scripturally.  A good reminder for any preacher…for any Christian!

1. Provide more leadership for students, become more student-led
2. Find more ways for students to connect & serve within the church
3. Begin contacts & establishing a public school ministry
4. Summer Mission Trip & Training
5. Attend Teen Leadership Conference
6. Better visitor  follow-up & visitor return
7. Better orientation for 7th graders
8. Better Transition for Seniors into Young Adult & Adult Min.
9. Continue ministry training/mentorship with senior pastor
10. I had a goal a few years ago to read at least one book a month. So let’s go for 2 books a month this year.

1. Youth in Ministry – More and more I am hearing the greatest need in youth ministry is ministry involvement or connection.  As Eldred puts it, “as professional youth ministry has increases, youth in ministry has decreased.  Whether it is through intergenerational ministry or allowing youth to play a bigger role in the student ministry itself, the students need a connection and cannot be sitting on the sidelines any longer.
2. Relationships – A common thread throughout the book was relationships.  Amen!  God has really laid on my heart to get out of my office and build relationships.  And this book only confirmed what God was already telling me.  This generation is seeking real relationships, not over-the-top events.  The book makes the point that just as the armor wouldn’t work for David, “old-school” program driven youth ministries are not doing the job.
3. Practical – I have already made a sheet to keep me accountable for connections as suggested in the book.  Also, I will be working on getting each student plugged into the student ministry somehow.  This was some good motivation to get them involved and showed (although not step-by-step) how it can be done.
4. Dynamite Quotes:  Here are just a few to chew on (see #1 for one of my favorites)
   1. “If a dead bolt was placed on the youth room door and you were not allowed to have large group meetings, events, or activities for 6 months, what would your ministry look like?”  OUCH!  That hit me right between the eyes.
   2. Jesus never said “Hey Peter, get out your guitar and draw a crowd.”
   3. “Can you imagine an athletic coach inviting kids to come to the gym, the field, or the court only to sit and watch the adult mentor play the game?”  Another zinger between the ribs
   4. Talking about Jesus – “He invested in pupils.  He didn’t invent programs.  Jesus committed to change the world with youth”
   5. “Ephesians 4:12, “Prepare saints for the work of the service.” Not prepare services for saint”.  AMEN!

The Bad:

1. Is it possible? – Apparently their youth group is entirely youth driven.  Every event, meeting time, worship time…it is led by teens.  Now, could teens do these things, absolutely!  But I love to teach…what happens.  Can there be a hybrid of letting teens do majority of ministry, while allowing adults serve in ways they are called and gifted?
2. Grammar – Now I’m not a fan of the grammar police, probably because I get ticketed quite often myself, but this isn’t a blog we are talking about here.  Get the man a proof-reader up in here!  Once or twice is fine, but it was consistent throughout the book.

Summary

Listen, I read this is one day.  Now that is my type of book.  Just give it to me and tell me what to do!  And this book does a great job at doing those things.  I’ve been saying for some time now, my goal is when I am missing, that I am not missed or that I am working myself out of a job.  This book teaches and encourages that very thing.  I made the promise, “to never do anything for young people they can learn to do themselves”.  I’m fired up to go equip and let my youth ministry be characterized by youth IN ministry.

Grade:  B+

But enough about how I feel, what about the media, what about the national mindset…Well, as you probably know, recently Tim Tebow’s success has gained national attention.  In fact, Saturday Night Live even dedicated a sketch to ridicule his outspoken Christianity.

So why is Tim Tebow so polarizing?  Would there be such hatred for the man if he wasn’t a Christian?  Do people really dislike him just because he has a football style from the 50′s and has a windup throwing motion…or is it because he brings conviction, truth, and religiosity to a game where many would say those things don’t belong?  And why is Tim Tebow criticized more than a receiver kneeling down after a touchdown, or a quarterback pointing to the heavens, or a baseball player crossing himself before he gets to the plate?  My answer…I think it is because we know he is real, he represents the gospel message, and that message is offensive to the media and to an unbelieving nation.  It reminds me of what Christ said in Matthew 5…”Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Key word in this passage is “when”, which tell us that as Christians we will face this type of opposition…and that is what Tebow is facing right now.

So, Tim Tebow, rejoice and be glad in those that criticize you.  You may not play for team I love, but you play for the God I love.  And that makes me root for you more.  I hope you do keep running over linebackers, and winning ugly games in the last minute.  But in the end, I pray right now that you don’t fumble your testimony, and you keep winning hearts for Jesus Christ.  Tim Tebow may drive the media crazy, but I have to say, I’m becoming a big fan.

Funky Fresh Senior Choir

Pastor Jeff’s top 7 Ways to save money:

1. Water.  Get water at restaurants & you will save hundreds of dollars every year.
2. Weep.  Weep, because ESPN is a luxury and not a “must have”.
3. Wait.  My wife is the queen of this.  She finds something she likes, she will wait till it is on sale, and sometimes wait till it is on a better sale.
4. Walk.  Nope, not saying walk to work.  I’m saying when you go to a clothing store, walk to the back of the store where the clearance rack is and shop there.
5. Work.  The Bible commands men that you provide for your family.  So if you struggle with laziness now, get rid of it now, because you are required to work the rest of your life because retirement is now fiction for our generation.
6. Willpower.  You could buy the energy drink now or just drink water.  You could get this now, or wait for the sale.  You could buy the DVD now or wait till it is on the $5 rack.
7. Whoa.  Some of you buy things to impress people and make them go “Whoa”…stop doing that.

1. Did you know teens are making vodka gummy bear treats?  Apparently, Skittles is also an option.
2. Did you know that car crashes are now the #1 cause of death for teenagers?
3. Did you know the average age of a gamer is 37?  (Okay, maybe that’s not teen culture, but it is kinda funny)
4. Did you know 10% of babies 0-1 have used an iPad/iPod (check out this)?  What does that mean for teens in 10-15 years?
5. Did you know the minimum age requirement by law for a Facebook user is 13?
6. Did you know 5% of students have conversations about faith with their dad regularly

How did you do?  How many of these questions DID YOU KNOW?

I know…What was I thinking?  Well, let me tell you, and those that know me, it may surprise you.  You see, I’m a pretty big Ohio State fan.  I’ve gone to games since I was little, cheered with my dad during the big games (except when it got close, he usually had to go on the treadmill to burn off the excess nervous energy, not kidding), and ate chili with my family nearly every game day.  My dad was a professor at THE Ohio State University for a number of years, I grew up in Columbus, and have lived there for over 20 years.  When I bleed, there is probably a little bit of gray in the scarlet.

So no, it was not because of a lack of “fandom” on my part, and especially on my dad’s part.  There were some factors like how much I hate traffic with every fiber of my being.  But in the end, that wasn’t the main reason…here it goes, you ready?

It was because of the Lord’s Day.  At the risk of you thinking of me over-spiritualizing a decision that most of my buddies would call idiotic, ridiculous, and even irresponsible (some of you would have stolen my tickets from me if you knew I’d leave early).  But it’s true.  I was already losing my voice that I knew I would need in teaching 25 hyper, highly combustible junior church kids.  I knew that with 105,000 people leaving at once, me getting home at 3am would make me pretty tired.  I couldn’t risk being tired at a special event where I knew I would be sharing the gospel to those that didn’t know Jesus.

Do I keep kicking myself over the decision and get a sick feeling when I think of seeing that touchdown catch with 100,000 other fans around me?  Absolutely!  But when I think of those that made decisions at our event for eternity and the kids that were impacted from the Bible lesson…that feeling goes away.  You might think I’m crazy, but I believe I made the most spiritually mature decision I’ve made it quite some time.  And as the book I’m reading says, I’m NOT A FAN, I’m a follower.