Friday Review (4/29/22)
Each week we compile a list of helpful articles from other sites, in a variety of categories, for youth workers to read, reflect on, and/or discuss with parents and volunteers. If you have any articles you’d like to suggest, we’d love for you to share those in the Youth Pastor Theologian Facebook group. That’s a great way to bring them to our attention and to discuss them with like-minded youth workers! (Inclusion in this list does not imply complete agreement with the publishing source, but we have found these articles to be beneficial.)
Youth Ministry
That One Thing Young Men Need by Barry York (Gentle Reformation)
Paul knew young men - they traveled with him constantly in his ministry! Men like Aristarchus, Barnabas, Epaphras, Gaius, Jason, John Mark, Lucius, Luke, Onesimus, Silas, Sosipater, Timothy, Titus himself, Trophimus, Tychicus...the list could go on. There was one thing Paul had learned in dealing with young men that he wanted to make sure Titus did not forget. If you can get young men to exercise self-control, you have won a great victory!
Biblical & Theological Studies
The Theology We Claim versus the Theology We Live by Graham A. Cole (Crossway)
Only a glorified you and me can meet the glorified Christ. That is our hope. The question is whether we live as though that were true.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Confessions of a Past Culture Warrior by Hannah Anderson (Christianity Today)
And too many of us love the battle. We delight in the pillaging and destruction of our ideological enemies. We love the war because of the rush of righteousness that accompanies it.
Elon Musk Bought Twitter: So What? by Chris Martin (Terms of Service)
Practical reflections, a "free speech" caution, and an encouragement to not care so much.
Pastoral Ministry
Shepherds Please Think, “Protect Well.” Please Stop Saying, “Suffer Well.” by Bob Kellemen (RPM Ministries)
Jesus confronts the abuser by protecting well. We tend to confront the abuse victim by shaming them into “suffering well.” And what does Jesus have to say to pastors-counselors-shepherds who don’t protect His sheep?
Jesus Versus the Trade-In Society: Finding Happiness in an Upgrade Age by Samuel James (Desiring God)
We create the trade-in society through our spiritual thirst. Like the woman at the well, we rifle through life, looking for the next thing that will finally close the gaping cavern in our hearts. We see everything and everyone around us as replaceable because we are desperate to find that one thing that will never disappoint us, and despite all that we’ve been taught by marketing departments, we know deep down that whatever new thing, or place, or even person in our lives will not do for us what we desperately want it to.
As Pastoral Credibility Erodes, How Can We Respond? by Glenn Packiam (Christianity Today)
The declining credibility of pastors is bad news for the church. If we are going to invite anyone to follow us as we follow Christ, we have to work to regain the trust of reluctant followers. It will mean doing the right thing for the right reasons for a really long time.
Family & Parents
I Am Proud Of You by Craig Thompson (CraigThompson.com)
Find a young person today, look them in the eye, and pronounce your life-giving blessing: I am proud of you. You’ll be glad you did. And so will that kid!
The Gospel is For Parents, Too by Taylor Cain (Rooted)
A decade later, I am a youth pastor, and well-meaning parents are still dropping their kids off at church to do the same thing their parents did with them. These parents hand off their responsibility to disciple their children in the gospel to the student pastor, who is expected to raise their children with a Christian worldview. These parents want the student ministry to serve as an incubator, so that when these students hatch, they will be ready to face the world.
5 Ways to Help Kids Engage Politically by Melanie Rainer (The Gospel Coalition)
Pause and take every opportunity to remind them that while we live under earthly rulers, Christians are ultimately citizens of God’s kingdom. We can engage politics with love and confidence, because from the United Nations to our local school board, Jesus reigns as king.
From YPT this week
The Blessing of Low Attendance Nights by Will Standridge
A night where most chairs are empty can feel debilitating. How do we respond and make the best of these low-attendance seasons in youth group?
3 Truths to Emphasize When Teaching the Trinity by Joseph Bradley
As faithful discipleship-oriented youth leaders, we should learn how to communicate this crucial attribute of our God. Here are several key truths about who God is and how He works.