Around The Web-January 5, 2018

Some Pastors and Teachers Bundle until January 11

Three Critical Truths About Propitiation by Chris Poblete

When We Understand The Text on 1 Timothy 2:12

How Obsession with Youth Hurts the Church (and the Youth) by Jaquelle Crowe

The 100 Most Influential Evangelicals in America by Tim Challies

When Is My Child Mature Enough to Leave Home? by Bob Kauflin

Albert Mohler on Mormons being considered a Christian denomination and other topics

What if Herod Succeeded in Killing Baby Jesus? by Erik Raymond

Matt Chandler on if seminary is necessary

Podcast Wednesday: Creeds & Confessions, Reading of Systematic Theology, Call to Ministry, and more

Two episodes from Doctrine and Devotion:

Elder Training

Creeds and Confessions

Dr. Jason Allen– Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It from Equipping You In Grace

Check out Calvinist Batman Reads Systematic Theology on iTunes

Three episodes from the Worse Youth Ministry Podcast:

Sanctification in Student Ministry

How to Grow Your Youth Group

Sunday School versus Youth Group

On Pastoring in the Age of Social Media from 9 Marks

Builing a Church Brand from the Est. Church Podcast

Podcast Wednesday: Journaling, Debates, G3, and more

One Nation Under God: A Christian Hope for American Politics with Equipping You In Grace

Doctrine and Devotion on Scripture and Journaling

Popcorn Theology talk about Spotlight

Albert Mohler on President Trump's inaugural address and the Women's March

Josh Buice and G3 from the Regular Reformed Guys

The B.A.R. (Biblical and Reformed) podcast shares their experience at G3

James White on Accurately Evaluating Debates

The Worst Youth Ministry podcast on apologetics in youth ministry

Podcast Wednesday: Politics, Twister, Jonathan Edwards, and more

Calvinist Batman has had a three part series on politics with different guests. I highly recommend each of these episodes:

The Christian & Politics with Russell Moore

The Church & Politics with Jonathan Leeman

The Conscience & Politics with Andy Naselli

Other podcasts:

Should Youth Pastors go to Seminary? from the Worse Youth Ministry Podcast

Feelin' Film reviews the classic disaster movie, Twister

Dane Ortlund– Edwards on the Christian Life: Alive to the Beauty of God with Dave Jenkins

Pastoring in the Power of Christ with Jason Allen and Jared C Wilson

Discussing Complementarianism with Amiee Byrd from the Rugged Marriage

Disunity and the Church from the Regular Reformed Guys

Book Review: Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry edited by Cameron Cole & Jon Nielson

When I was called to ministry, I felt God was leading me to youth ministry. I began learning from my youth pastors as well as other youth pastors during my time in college. I read books on youth ministry and even attended a few youth ministry conferences.

All the stuff I learned during those years was about making connections with students and even planning events. Yes, there were some times where I had to learn how to teach the Bible to students, but my approach was more of a seeker-sensitive kind rather than a gospel-centered approach. To be honest, there was hardly gospel-centered approaches to youth ministry that was available.

I am thankful to let you know that is finally one book that take a gospel-centered approach to youth ministry which happens to be called, Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry. Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson have collected various authors in discussing how to take the gospel to youth ministry without trying to make it look cool, which is something youth ministry tries to do, but only makes the rest of us look like dopes.

This book talks about preaching the gospel to students, building community in youth ministry, and even connecting with parents. This book also addresses learning the Bible in small groups and as well as youth pastors investing in students so they can do the work of ministry. One thing I remember in my youth ministry days is the students, and some parents, expect the youth pastor to do all the work.

The book also address mobilizing the students for evangelism, serving in their community, the poor, and even going on mission trips. I really wished this book was around when I was a youth pastor. Everything in this book is gold. I love that this book does not give what is the latest gimmicks and is centered around the gospel.

I encourage all youth pastors and even youth workers to read this book. Pastors, please read this and encourage your youth pastor to take the gospel in their youth ministry. Church planters, this will serve as a great guide as your ponder about having a youth ministry as your church grows.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.

What is a Gospel-Centered Student Ministry?

For The Church:

Around The Web-February 19, 2016

Westminster Bookstore has a sale going on with books by John Murray

South Dakota Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Based on Gender Identity

The Regular Reformed guys talk with Tom Ascol about the rise of Calvinism in the SBC

Calvinist Batman talks with Kevin Vanhoozer about Sola Scriptura

Why is Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry Important?

3 Perks of Bivocational Church Planting by Joshua Hedger

Martin Luther's Death and Legacy by Stephen Nichols

9 Marks answers questions regarding Non-Members Serving in Church, A Prospective Elder Who Doesn’t Regularly Attend, The Problem with Contemporary Christian Music, and How Younger Members Can Serve Older Ones

Gotham Central reacts the final Batman v Superman trailer

I love movie scores. I have a lot of favorites. The score to "The Lord of the Rings" movies are part of that list. This video shows how the score helps elevate the story.

Around The Web-December 4, 2015

What is Doctrine? by Scott Swain

Seven Reasons to Celebrate Advent by Ryan Shelton

How to Pray the News by Joe Carter

6 Principles for Student Ministry by Jonathan Leeman

In case you have not heard, all ESV Bibles from Crossway are 50% off through the month of December

Mark Dever and Tim Keller discuss why Martyn Lloyd-Jones matters today.



Be sure to check out this post on who was Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

If you are on Christian Mingle, they will send an inspector.

Why I Stink At Youth Ministry

As I thinking about my years as a youth pastor, I came under the realization that I stink at it. Was it because I was unfriendly? No. Was it because I hated the job? No, although some parents and church members did not make it easy for me.

Here are three reasons why I stink at youth ministry:

1. I am not an entertainer.

I love having a good time with teenagers whether it is having a fellowship at Taco Bell or just hanging out. Yes, I have done fun activities with teenagers, but I am not an entertainer. I try to do magic tricks to get students' attention or have amazing guitar skills. In fact, I have no musical ability whatsoever yet some churches want their youth pastors to know some instrument. Did not know I was going into worship ministry too. I am not a clown, although I can be one when I am with friends. I did not go into youth ministry as an entertainer, but to equip students for ministry. I was never tempted to shout out, "Are you not entertained?" like Maximus did in Gladiator.

2. I don't have a "great" testimony.

I didn't come from a life of drugs or family dysfunction that God saved out of. I was not in a gang, didn't get into fights at school, or had a near death experience. I don't have cool stories about myself to tell the students so they can relate. I was not into much at school during my teenager years except being the president of my Christian club. Yeah, they I had the label of Jesus Freak before dc Talk made it sound cool in 1995. I was not an athlete (there goes my connection with football players), yet I watch sports, which is not enough with some churches. My testimony is God redeeming me from my rebellious nature which is the testimony of every Christian. What led us to Christ maybe different, but the story is the same. In youth ministry, a great testimony "sells", which has been in my experience.

3. I teach the Bible.

Not saying youth pastors do not teach the Bible, but in my experience teaching the Bible does not make you a great youth pastor. Wednesday nights always draws the crowds which is time to teach the Bible, yet some pastors I have worked with did not want that. Confused? So was I. I thought the main purpose of having a Wednesday night youth service was to teach the Bible, but it was not in some church member's mind. I will never forget hearing a deacon commenting they are glad the youth are at the church. The problem is while I was teaching to a small group, a majority of students were outside with no adult supervision whatsoever and the church was okay with that. One church told me I needed to tone down my teaching because one female student did not like it. Not a majority. One student. She ended up being the church's teenager who was spoiled by the church as if they adopted her.

There you have it. I stink in youth ministry for those reasons. If you are a youth pastor reading this, don't be discouraged about youth ministry. Love it, enjoy it. and thank God for your ministry.

Youth Pastors Are Not Drill Sargents

Some churches seem to always misunderstand the job of a youth pastor. Some look on them as the one to keep the kids too busy to sin. Other look on them to teach the students to be followers of Jesus, which is true, but only because the parents don't have the time or they want time alone like they are babysitters. One task I think some churches look on youth pastors is the roll of Drill Sargent.

I have been in a few churches as youth pastor where one of my roles was to be a discipliner. When I say discipliner, what that means is to keep the kids in line. It also means when they acted up in church, rebuke them. Instead of being a friend and leader to students, I was expected to be their commanding officer to make sure they were keeping the rules. In my early days of ministry, I thought that was the task of a youth pastor. I was wrong.

Youth pastors are not suppose to be Drill Sargents. They are suppose to be pastors to their student to equip them for the work of ministry in the here-and-now, not the distant future. Yes, there has to be a time when youth pastors have to be discipliners but in a loving way. We need to teach them the Word and model for them to be followers of Christ. It should be the cry of every youth pastor to say to their students as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV).

Youth Pastors are to equip parents to train up their children and encourage them as they raise their kids. Pastors need to be the champion for their youth pastor especially if something goes wrong that is beyond his control, like when a bus breaks down on a youth trip. Churches need to understand their youth pastor is a pastor not a Boys & Girls Club director.

What I Have Learned From Building A Youth Ministry

I recently shared my transition from the church I serve at currently to a new opened door of ministry the Lord has given me. When I came on board with Emmanuel Baptist Church, my task was to build a Youth Ministry from the ground up which I can say was no easy task. I thought it would be a benefit to share what I have learned from my experience in building a Youth Ministry.

1. It is hard. Our city is a unique place because we have more churches than restaurants and established churches with massive budgets. Not to mention, I am also bi-vocational so you can imagine trying to work a full-time job and leading a ministry was not easy. Also finding that right balance to work on ministry and spending time with family was not easy either. When it came to work on lessons, I always waited till the kids went to bed so they can have my attention.

2. You will not always be successful. We had three youth rallies where the first two we had over 50 students come hear the Word of God. The last one we had did not measure up. We had less than 20 students show and only one of those 20 were from my church. When it came to contacting schools, I had no success. Charles Spuregon once said that "success is not the minister's true reward," and he was right.

3. There will be some teenagers that do not like you. If you have been around Youth Ministry for a while, this should be no surprise but when you are trying to excite students about your new Youth Ministry, they really will give you the cold shoulder especially those who attend another church.

4. Not everyone in the church will be understanding if the numbers are not great. Back again to success. Many may consider my ministry a failure because we did not have the excellent numbers of other churches. There will be some people in the church that will not understand why we do not have more youth if you are putting enough effort.

5. Your fellowship with God is more important than your ministry. It has been said that ministers only pray at minimum 2 minutes per week. I am not even sure how much time is taken for reading the Bible outside sermon/lesson preparation. In building a Youth Ministry, or planting a church, do not neglect your fellowship with God.

6. Do not neglect your family. As I mentioned earlier, finding balance is hard especially if you work a full time job and working in a church. Do not neglect time with your wife and kids. You can also change churches but your family is something that you cannot change. Love your kids and disciple them. Let your wife know she more important to you than having 300 students every week.

I hope this will help those who are building a Youth Ministry whether it is in an established church or in a church plant. I pray that the Lord will use what I have learned to encourage and minister to all Youth Pastors in a very tough ministry.

My Hope For Unite

Back in February, my church teams with another church to attend a Disciple Now weekend called, "Unite." We had several churches join us for that weekend which I am thankful for the partnership of these churches as well as the church that we teamed up with. What I did not know was what was coming out of it.

A month later, several youth pastors and I met to discuss the ministry of Unite. It was not just for a Disciple Now weekend, but to continue throughout the year. The purpose of Unite is to get the teenagers of our city's churches together for fellowship and equipping them for ministry. What also came out of this was to get a youth pastors network started. We had one in the city, but that has fallen through the cracks because most of the youth pastors who started that have moved on.

The goal of the ministry is to come together as the body of Christ where it is about Christ's church, not my church or your church. We are all on the same team. This is not about who has the praise band, the coolest website, or if their pastor wears skinny jeans (real men do not wear skinny jeans). Tonight is the first meeting of our new youth pastor's network which is a branch of Unite. We may come up with another name (youth pastors have to come up with a cool name for something).

Will we agree on everything? No. Most of the youth pastors I am working with know that if I have a an area of disagreement, I will voice it. The point is coming together as the body of Christ in Wichita Falls. My hope is that we would come together and the world will know we are disciples of Jesus and proclaim the gospel in every meeting whether it is just youth pastors or all the churches meeting together.

I ask for prayer as I help start this new youth pastors network so we can all work together and share what God is doing in our churches.

Reflection from Unite 2014

This weekend, our youth with the youth of Fairway Baptist Church took part in a Disciple Now with about 4 other churches called Unite Weekend. The purpose of this weekend was to join other churches in worship and studying the Bible. We had Calling Jonah leading us in worship with Jared Herd teaching the Bible. Our small group time was led by college students that had some discussion questions regarding the three general sessions that Jared talked about.

I originally had in mind to write about my overall observations about this weekend, but I feel that should be more of a private session with myself and the other youth pastors that were involved in Unite 2014. I will say that this weekend did indeed what it set out to do and that is to unite the churches. Our city is over churched for a city our size. I am thankful we were able to come together as a unified body to worship God and study the Bible.

I am thankful for Fairway Baptist to allow our youth to join them. Our youth and their youth clicked within 5 seconds upon arriving at the church Friday evening. Nobody got hurt and no houses were TPed during the event (if you're a youth pastor, you know what I am talking about).

Overall, I feel the churches in our city are about to head in the right direction when it comes to unity. Jesus prayed for His people to be one and that is something all churches should strive for. I am pleased that six youth ministries came together to worship. I hope they will be able to carry that sense of unity to their schools tomorrow.

I am looking forward to Unite 2015 and hopefully more events with other churches as we strive for unity.

Around The Web-October 18, 2013

Youth Pastors Barred From Middle School Over Allegations of Speaking About Christianity to Students

Crossway presents some new and notable books for the month of October

US Army defines Christian ministry as 'domestic hate group'

This week marks the 20th anniversary of Albert Mohler becoming president of Southern Seminary. This video is a documentary of his presidency.



Speaking of anniversaries, this year marks the 75th anniversary of one of my favorite superheroes, Superman. This short video was directed by Zack Snyder, who also directed Man of Steel with the help of animator Bruce Timm, who also helped with Superman: The Animated Series. According to DC Comics, there are 75 annotations in this video which you see what they on their blog.



Confession: I love Angry Birds. I may not have played in while but I love them. I love the Star Wars version too. I also love Mario Kart. It is healthy family competition. So I got really excited that they are coming out with a racing edition of Angry Birds called Angry Birds Go.

"If we segregate our students from the rest of the congregation, we do them a great disservice."

The Gospel Coalition:

Around The Web-September 27, 2013

Oprah: Rob Bell 'Opened My Heart and My Mind.'

Anonymous Youth Pastor’s Letter to a Parent by Trevin Wax

John MacArthur and Strange Fire by Tim Challies

Welcome to the United States of Seattle by Mark Driscoll

Jesus Is Not Your Sin Manager by Owen Strachen

This latest video from Jefferson Bethke is based on his upcoming book, Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough.



Albert Mohler's advice to students: Theology and life are inseparable.




Crossway took to the streets of Chicago to promote Kevin DeYoung's new book, Crazy Busy.

Crazy Busy in Chicago from Crossway on Vimeo.

Gospel Project: One Year Later

It is hard to believe that over a year ago, I started to teach from The Gospel Project. This material from Lifeway has been the best Bible study resource for teens I have ever used especially in teaching Sunday School. In most of the churches I have served in, I have been the Sunday School teacher. In fact, in my current position, Sunday morning is my main teaching time, until recently we started Youth Discipleship Training (Youth DT).

Reasons why I started teaching for The Gospel Project was the fact it is Biblically sound and is basically how I would teach, even though, I did not write the lesson. Another reason was that in the past, the Sunday School literature I have used was very moralistic. There were times I had to change some of the wording because I did not agree with what was written. One material I had was in an outline format so the students can follow along with me.

Another reason was my past experience with Lifeway Youth material. There youth material in the past was not very user friendly. In fact, it was almost confusing as to what was being taught. I remember talking with churches of various sizes in different cities and ask them if they used the Lifeway Youth material. All of them said they do not. So when I came to Emmanuel, I told the Pastor I will not use Lifeway Youth material for Sunday School. He understood. He said what God is leading me to do, do it.

When I heard of The Gospel Project, my heart leaped for joy. When I read the first lesson, it was all my dreams come for a Sunday School material that was faithful to the Biblical text and teaches the gospel without making it a me-centered lesson. There have been times when God has used my study time to speak to me and teach things I have never thought of. In fact, I wished this material was used when I was in Sunday School. I was wish all churches will use The Gospel Project especially teaching children and students. I am grateful to God for The Gospel Project and will continue to use it.

If you would like to get on board or if you are interested in The Gospel Project, then to their website and check them out.

Teaching Doctrine To Teenagers

Ever since last fall, I have been teaching through The Gospel Project and it has been a great time of teaching for me and our students seemed really challenged by the lessons. What I love about these lessons, especially this current one on the Trinity, is that it does teach the stories of the Bible without making it moralistic but it also teaches doctrine. Doctrine is basically the teachings from the Bible. The lessons in The Gospel Project have been sound and beneficial.

I have to admit most teachers do not like hearing that we are learning theology, in fact, most adults do not either, but it is important for all youth pastors/youth workers/youth Sunday School teachers teach doctrine to their teenagers. Here are some reasons why it is important. First, to equip teenagers for witnessing. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us that we should be ready to make a defense for why we believe. Teenagers cannot just simply say they believe because of their parents or church family, but also as a result from their own study within their small group and personal Bible study. It is important for them to know what the Bible says and why Christians believe what they believe. Please also note that it is very important that parents be equipped to know the doctrines of the Bible so they can teach their kids especially why Jesus is the only One who can save them from their sins.

Second, youth need to be taught doctrine so they can know the difference between true Christianity and false Christianity. I became a Christian when I was 15-years-old and I want to know the Bible. So I began to listen to a lot of TV preachers, which there were not a lot of sound teaching over the Internet back in the day. I listened to those teachings and thought this was genuine Christianity. Of course, over the years, I found those teachings to be false because it was not in conjuncture with the Bible. We need to tell our teens what the Bible says over what some guy on TV or the radio or even a podcast versus what the Bible says.

Third, we need to teach doctrine to worship God. If our teaching does not result in worship then what we are doing is giving them information overload where they have to pass a test. When we teach doctrine, the result should be praise and adoration. When teaching on the deity and humanity of Christ, we need to teach our students this is why Christ is fully God and fully man because without Him being a man with two natures, He could not have died for our sins nor could we gain access to the Father. I know some teens will say that's cool because some of them are tired from their long day especially if it is a Sunday morning.

Finally, we need to teach doctrine to our teens because they might hear it anywhere else. It is sad to say that some churches do not teach faithfully from the Bible. Some pastors teach moralistic teaching that focus more on behavior than a change of heart or equipping their congregation the truths of the Bible. As I remember throughout my teenage years at church, there was only one time when we ever went through the book of Revelation and that was through a Sunday School teacher that used a summer to faithfully go through Revelation. All the youth lessons were about dating, which is an important topic to some teens, but never over what the work of the Holy Spirit is. A pastor might preach through Ephesians but not faithfully preach what those verse preach but instead preach something that has nothing to do with the text.

So whether you a Youth Pastor, Sunday School teacher, or a parent of a teenager, teach the Bible to your kids. Teach them doctrine. Do not be afraid to do so. Jesus is with you when you do and you will begin to worship God as a result.

What Needs To Be Taught To Teens

As a youth pastor in a Southern Baptist church, I am asked often what can we do with our young people. Normally, when people ask me that question, it is not about what I can teach them, but about what "events" I can produce them to be faithful. It is amazing that youth pastors, in the minds of some people, are called to be an entertainer or provide some form of entertainment. Don't get me wrong, having a fun event is okay, but if that defines your ministry, then all you got being an attractional model of youth ministry that will fade once teenagers go off to college.

The real question is what do we need to teach teenagers. That is a very good question. I know I have been asked what is the number struggle of teens then I would give a really stupid answer, depends on the teen. The real answer to that questions is the same struggle you and I face everyday and that is the struggle of sin in its various forms. In a recent article, Cameron Cole identifies 5 key areas that all youth pastors, teachers, and even parents, must teach their teens to equip to serve God:

1. Knowledge about the canonization of Scripture.

2. Developed theology of sexuality, particularly homosexuality.

3. Ability to teach the Bible in the greater context of redemptive history.

4. Theological, not only moral, understanding of sin.

5. Understand adoption as an element of salvation.

Check out the rest of the post here.

My Talk With Teens About Idols

Believe it or not, teenagers have a better idea of what an idol is than what we think. This past Sunday, as we talked about the fall of the Northern Kingdom in The Gospel Project, I asked the question of what is an idol. They gave some good answers as to what they define as an idol (not one them said anything about "American Idol").

I asked them to list what they would considered to be an idol. Once again some really good answers:

Ice Cream or anything related to food

Clothes

Shoes

Celebrities

What everyone thought of them

Electronics/Video Games

TV/Movies

Friends/Family

To many teens, these are some of the basic idols that they worship. The conversation turned quite when I expressed, what you worship you become. Read Psalm 115:1-8,

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.


What we worship, we become. Not many of us think of that. When we worship food, we become useless. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you should not eat for the rest of your life, but what I am saying is if your worship food, you gain weight and your health will start to decline. Not only that, but you will be miserable for a few minutes after you ate that 7th plate of pizza from Mazzio's.

When we worship anything other than God, we become that thing or person we are worshipping. If we truly worship Jesus, we are declaring His infinite worth throughout the entire world. Jesus is better than any idol you set up as god because Jesus can never be taken away. Jesus cannot be destroyed by fire nor goes out of style like the latest fashion. Jesus does not need to be charged up like an electronic device you have been using for the last five hours.

Youth Pastors, do not feel idolatry is over your students' heads because they are more aware than what the experts give them credit for. Teach them the Bible. Proclaim the gospel. Tell them Jesus is better.