Missional Ministry in Mound – A great memory!
February 3, 2010
Category: pastoral leadership
VIDEO: Starbucks and the Church
January 26, 2010
Well, God and coffee are not very comparable. But what do you think of this video?
The Web of Theology: Self-Assessment Tool
January 25, 2010
I cannot endorse The Web of Theology (WOT) more enthusiastically. This one-of-a-kind theological self-assessment tool is a must for every thoughtful Christian and over time should become widely used by churches and Christian colleges and seminaries. WOT architect Dan Kent has provided us with the theological equivalent of the StrengthFinders, Myers-Briggs and DISC assessments. It’s … More The Web of Theology: Self-Assessment Tool
My Article Published at SmallGroupTrader.com
January 21, 2010
One of my articles entitled “Christian Community: The Goal or Starting Point?” was recently published at the Small Group Trader.com. This website is a wonderful resource for Christians and leaders who share Small Group Trader’s passion for “Helping people trade in the pursuit of the American-Dream for a world that desperately needs Christ.” This online resource … More My Article Published at SmallGroupTrader.com
PARABLES: Sower, Seed and Soil 1
January 13, 2010
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, … More PARABLES: Sower, Seed and Soil 1
VIDEO: “Love Is An Orientation” (Andrew Marin)
December 27, 2009
YouthWorker Journal editor Steve Rabey talks with Andrew Marin about ways youth workers can reach out to gay and lesbian youth, and how in the past churches have failed to minister to those struggling with same-sex attraction in a Christ-like manner. Andrew is the director of The Marin Foundation, and the author of “Love Is an … More VIDEO: “Love Is An Orientation” (Andrew Marin)
Evangelical Dialogue on Christianity & Politics
November 27, 2009
What happens when 3 generations of Evangelical Christian leaders get together to discuss church and politics in the 21st century? These videos capture a lively and thoughtful conversation between Chuck Colson, Gregory Boyd and Shane Claiborne moderated by Krista Tippett of “Speaking of Faith” radio program. Check out some video clips below. The full program … More Evangelical Dialogue on Christianity & Politics
Jesus-Shaped Evangelism for the 21st Century
November 24, 2009
FROM THE DI ARCHIVES: Prior to my current ministry role I spent a few years living “missionally” in a smaller town community where God called me to use new and innovative means of reaching unchurched and ‘de-churched’ teens for Christ. Check out The Revolution. I wrote the following reflections while in the trenches trying to … More Jesus-Shaped Evangelism for the 21st Century
Christian Community: The Goal or Starting Point?
November 16, 2009
I can’t believe I’ve never made this observation before. We all know Christianity and church life is all about COMMUNITY. Well, at least it has become the big buzz word for the last decade or two. The Sunday worship routine that had for so long become a spectator sport with the people on stage providing … More Christian Community: The Goal or Starting Point?
Rob Bell on Youth Ministry
November 14, 2009
Rob Bell is one of the most popular pastor-teachers in America today. He is best known for his Nooma short films used by churches everywhere. He was recently interviewed by YouthWorker Journal at a national conference to give us some of his thoughts on youth ministry today. Here’s the interview originally published on October 2, 2009 … More Rob Bell on Youth Ministry
Is ‘Virtual’ Church ‘Real’ Church?
November 3, 2009
The debate over the legitimacy of virtual church vs. traditional church has heated up at Out Of Ur over the past couple weeks. (Dr. Mark Roberts has a series of posts as well.) I’ll be honest and admit that I have at times been too critical and skeptical of the “virtual church” movement. I see the … More Is ‘Virtual’ Church ‘Real’ Church?
Ben Witherington on Women in Ministry
October 27, 2009
Dr. Ben Witherington, well-respected New Testament scholar provides a nice, short critique of the common arguments against women in ministry in a post entitled “Why Arguments Against Women in Ministry are Unbiblical”. What are your thoughts on this issue? What do you think of Dr. Witherington’s treatment of the debated biblical texts?
Teenagers & Money
October 20, 2009
Many families have been blessed by the common sense, biblical approach to money management taught by Dave Ramsey. Financial Peace University is bringing hope to those drowning in financial debt and providing a way forward toward a debt-free lifestyle and wise stewardship of our money. But what if we could help young people avoid the … More Teenagers & Money
The iMonk on the Role of the Sermon
October 7, 2009
The Internet Monk had an article on the Role of the Sermon in Evangelical Worship. I have been doing a lot of thinking and having a lot of conversations about Bible teaching and sermon crafting. The role of the sermon in evangelical church life can hardly be overstated. What other human institution or organization banks everything … More The iMonk on the Role of the Sermon
Desired Outcomes for Youth Ministry
September 23, 2009
Jesus Creed recently alerted me to a post by Jen Bradbury on “Outcome Based Education” for our youth groups. She asks youth ministers what they hope their students will take away from our ministry before they graduate on to college. Read her full POST here. Otherwise, I thought she nailed all of the “biggies” I certainly … More Desired Outcomes for Youth Ministry
PHILIPPIANS 30: I Plead with You Whom I Love (4:1-3)
September 11, 2009
“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at … More PHILIPPIANS 30: I Plead with You Whom I Love (4:1-3)
PHILIPPIANS 28: Growing into Spiritual Adulthood (3:16)
September 8, 2009
“Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.” (Phil 3:16). There is a lot going on in this single verse. Paul is summing up a long, sustained … More PHILIPPIANS 28: Growing into Spiritual Adulthood (3:16)
A Plea for a Fuller Gospel Vision
June 17, 2009
Let me preface the following post by stating how important I feel it is for Christians to be open-minded and unafraid to generously engage and learn from people of differing viewpoints. I am a better person and a stronger, more committed follower and teacher of Biblical Christianity precisely because I allow my convictions to be … More A Plea for a Fuller Gospel Vision
Is Evangelism Child Abuse?
June 11, 2009
I have updated my original post (see italics) and added a direct quote from iMonk. Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, has a post this week entitled “Is Evangelism Child Abuse?” He is responding to the newest attack on religious people and leaders — the view that attempts to evangelize and convert people (especially young teenagers) is … More Is Evangelism Child Abuse?
Senior Pastors & Youth Ministry
May 10, 2009
The following thoughts come from a former youth pastor, Steve Nelson, who is now a senior pastor. He is currently reading Mark O’s Youth Ministry 3.0 book and posted the following note on Facebook answering the following question. “Why are you reading THAT? I thought you were through with the youth ministry phase of your … More Senior Pastors & Youth Ministry
Empty Pews and the Delay of Marriage
April 22, 2009
Last time we looked at the delay of marriage and its challenge for sexual purity among unmarrieds. Today I want to look at its impact on church attendance. Did you notice a demographic missing from your pews this past Sunday morning? If your church is like most in America you would find very few 20-somethings … More Empty Pews and the Delay of Marriage
RADIO INTERVIEW: “Coming Evangelical Collapse”
April 14, 2009
If you would like hear more about the so-called “End of Christian America” check out the following interview by Kevin Swanson of Generations With Vision Broadcast with The Internet Monk Michael Spencer.
SINKING (3): Patching Leaks #1 – Culture Christians
February 5, 2009
In my previous post I suggested today’s youth culture can help remind us what really distinguishes a healthy church from a sick, diseased or dying church: “Are the individuals who make up that church authentically regenerated, committed followers of Christ whose lives bear outward evidence of the inward sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit?” Teens … More SINKING (3): Patching Leaks #1 – Culture Christians
SINKING (2): A Church Health Lesson from our Teens
February 4, 2009
The Internet Monk Michael Spencer recently devoted 3 blog posts to describing the coming Evangelical collapse in America. I recently posed the same question: “Is the Evangelical Church in America sinking?” I think I want to bring my observations from the perspective of a youth pastor since that is where I’m currently ministering. The evangelical … More SINKING (2): A Church Health Lesson from our Teens
Guitar Hero & Open Heart Surgery
January 29, 2009
“I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God” (Ezek 11:19-20). Many still view youth ministry as a second-class calling, a holding tank for immature, video-playing … More Guitar Hero & Open Heart Surgery
Jeremy Berg 