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
Every fall youth pastors must decide which direction we’re going to take our students in our Bible teaching. And, in my experience, this is not always a clear-cut decision and there are a thousand different topics I’d love to tackle. So, we all must go through some discernment process, prayerful consideration and preparation. Here are … More Youth Pastors & Message Topic Selection
As I prepare my Romans “The God Report” messages for our senior high group each week I will be posting some reflections and insights along the way. Let’s begin with the way Paul introduces himself to the Roman church. One of the small group “mixer” activities we like to do is called “Myself in 10 … More ROMANS: Meet Paul (1:1-7)
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
Everyday we are inundated with messages that shape and influence our view of the world. The Information Age provides us with many sources of information and news, cultural commentary and political spin. We are taught what to think but not how. We are given much to chew on but little advice on what we should and should not … More New Romans Series: “The God Report”
“All things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col 1:17). Have you seen Louie’s message about the human molecule called “Laminin” that holds the human body together? Check this video out and let me know what you think? “For you created my … More Louie Giglio: Laminin
Here’s a relevant topic for youth pastors. How do you address the topic of “cursing” with teens without sounding stuffy and pharasaic, old-fashioned and legalistic? I believe Brett McCracken comes at it from the right angle and with the right message. It’s not so much about the rightness or wrongness of actual words, but rather … More “Christian Cussing” (Brett McCracken)
“Above all things guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Prov. 4:23) Her hands shook and her eyes roamed restlessly about the bus. I could tell she was agitated about something. I walked up the aisle of the bus and met the eager eyes of many teens as we turned the corner just … More Guard Your Treasure: Teens, Sex & Cellphones
During the summer months our high school ministry drops regular weekly programming and moves to an event-driven schedule. We have a calendar jam packed with exciting events we don’t want anyone to miss out on. Yet, recently, I have beenpulling out my hair and trying every possible mode of communication to get the word out … More Hearing God: A Modern Parable (for Frustrated Youth Pastors)
Every scholar-teacher has their favorite topic — those aspects of their field of study they are most passionate about. When a student raises a question related to one of your favorite topics, you get instantly energized, your voice gains added force and you launch into lecture mode. In my Bible Studies and discussions with people … More My Top 3: Theological “Hobbyhorses”
From the DI archives. A while back I was researching the ways our brain processes messages in preparation for a series of messages I gave at a weekend youth retreat based on “The Matrix” movies. Here’s some of my reflections on our image-based culture. -JB “What we’ve introduced at MTV is nonnarrative form…We rely on … More A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Words (& Millions of Dollars)
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?
Another graphic courtesy of Jesus Creed. This graphically illustrated some of my previous posts on the dangers of social media technology. What do you think of this graphic? Which concerns you most?
Reposted from 2009 when I was a youth pastor. -JB If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my … More Sand Castles: A Summer Challenge to Teens
Here’s a glimpse into Fusion–the senior high youth group I have the privilege of leading and serving. I love you guys!
Lindsay Swiggum, an 18-year old senior at Apple Valley High, is part of the youth group I pastor. She recently took 1st place honors in the state speech competition in the category of “Original Oratory.” The following is her original work that won her state. I am very impressed with Lindsay’s writing talent — and … More “To Quit or Not To Quit?” (Lindsay Swiggum)
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
They’re going to school longer, delaying marriage and children, job-hopping and apartment-swapping. They’re also moving back home after college to save money, traveling to faraway places to work and generally taking “me” time to decide what they want their futures to be. While their baby boomer parents lament that they’ve somehow gone wrong, experts studying why … More Teenage Sex Drive & the Delay of Marriage
I love my life! God is so good! Enjoy!
Brian McCracken from Relevant Magazine article called “The Problem of Pride in the Age of Twitter” tackles the quiet, subtle, unseen trend related to a culture of micro-communication: “We’ve become addicted to a strange sort of connectivity – a connectivity that maintains a comfortable balance between distance and proximity, anonymity and overexposure. We’ve become … More TWITTER BUG – A Disturbing Trend?
“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 L. Berg 