Monthly Review: August 2022
Each month this summer, 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
5 Critical Changes in Post-pandemic Youth Ministry by Brad M. Griffin (Fuller Youth Institute)
The world has changed, and teenagers have changed along with it. Although leaders are dealing with complex challenges facing youth ministry, The good news is that youth ministry can change too. Now more than ever, young people need us to be with them and for them in new ways to help them develop faith for today, and faith that sticks and grows with them into the future.
Don’t Leave Youth Ministry to the Youth Minister by Leia Joseph (The Gospel Coalition)
Whatever the reasons, too often, in my experience, relational intentionality doesn’t extend to the youth in our churches. Here are two reasons that engaging youth is important and two practical tips for doing so.
Should You Use Incentives in Youth Ministry? by Will Standridge (The Gospel Coalition)
The incentive is Jesus, and he’s better than any prize. Let’s teach our youth Jesus is worth it. This may not be the fastest way to fill up a room, but it’s the only way to cultivate lifelong discipleship.
Truth for Back to School: Ministering to Anxious Students in an Age of School Shootings by Bradley Blaylock (Rooted)
These ways of ministering to students provide them with hope and soothe their anxious minds... As they head back to school in an age of school shootings, may their eyes be fixed on Jesus and his promises for them.
Biblical & Theological Studies
The Lord’s Prayer: Antidote to Expressive Individualism by Brian Rosner (The Gospel Coalition)
Praying the Lord’s Prayer affirms our identity is found in Jesus Christ and his coming kingdom. It reminds us who we belong to, what we’re committed to, what we need, and where we’re headed.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
The Transgender Fantasy by Andrew T. Walker (Desiring God)
Most pastors need fewer burdens, not more. But when issues of what it means to be human surface — and this is at the center of the debate over transgenderism — it’s important that pastors seek to bring the full counsel of God’s word to bear on the issue at hand.
What’s the Deal with BeReal? by Chris Martin (Terms of Service)
Given the personal messages I’ve received and the popularity of this new social media platform, I figured it would be good if I wrote up a quick explainer for you, whether you’re a parent, a ministry leader, or someone else who may be wondering, “What is this app and should I let my teen/students/etc. use it?” So let’s get into it.
Pastoral Ministry
6 Times to Be a Parent, Not a Pastor by Barnabas Piper (BarnabasPiper.com)
But the reality is our children want a parent, not a pastor. They need a parent at home, and that’s what God called us to first. So, here are six times we often forget to parent instead of pastor.
Preacher, Don’t Forget to Speak to the Children by Ray Van Neste (9Marks)
Preacher, you should speak to the children in your sermons... This helps them to perk up and listen. It helps them to know that their pastor cares about them. But most importantly, it communicates that the preached Word is for them, too.
Stopping Abuse Is Sexual Ethics 101 by Andrea Palpant Dilley (Christianity Today)
As stories like hers proliferate, we should listen to the calls for integrity coming from both inside and outside the church and feel sobered by our failed witness to the world. More importantly, we need to submit to God’s righteous judgment, which calls wicked leaders to account and calls us to account for what we’ve done to sanction or dismiss their behavior.
Family & Parents
How to Help Teens Who Are Anxious and Depressed by Jared Kennedy (The Gospel Coalition)
The stats and stories raise questions for parents and youth ministry leaders. Why has teen depression risen so sharply over the past decade and a half? What can we do to prevent kids from hiding depression? What should I do if I discover my child is cutting?
On School Choices: How to Make the Best Decision for Your Child by Katie Polski (Rooted)
We may only be able to see the rocks on the path in which we currently stand, but Jesus knows the whole path. Trust his hand to lead, his wisdom to guide, and his strength to uphold as you parent through educational decisions for your child.
44 Resources for Parents by Griffin Gulledge
As a pastor, I am constantly asked about practical resources for parents. Over time, I’ve collected the best resources I have found into a small list, and I thought it would be helpful to share them here. These resources were also compiled with the recommendations of my wife, who has years of experience in children’s ministry.
From YPT this month
Leading Students to Develop Discernment by Nick Hartman
Here are some general principles that help us lead students to develop Christian discernment.
Training Students to Pray: CAST by Mike McGarry
Youth workers know we should train students how to pray… but how do we actually do that? CAST is a helpful pattern to teach your students.
Organizational Leadership for Gospel Centered Youth Ministry: Mission Statements and Ministry Values by Mike McGarry
How do youth pastor theologians write a good missions statement for their student ministry? How do you identify your ministry values? Here’s some practical counsel on organizational leadership as the school year resumes.
Teaching Students About Sanctification by Joseph Bradley
It is easy for youth workers to drift into an overemphasis on “getting students saved” that we neglect understanding salvation as lifelong transformation.