I wrote this article for youth ministry types, but I think it can be extrapolated into many venues.

It captures some of the things I’ve been thinking about this Advent season.

I hope it might inspire some of your own Advent reflections.

Oh come let us adore him…

A friend of mine (thanks @m) sent this to me. It’s really a great, thought-provoking presentation that is certain encourage some good conversations.

“You cannot run a linear system in a finite planet indefinitely…”

Its about a 20 minute clip. So, grab a cup of joe and check it out. Then think about it…

Baker Book House in Grand Rapids is hosting an “Emergent Roundtable Discussion,” next Thursday, October 18th, at 7.00 PM.

Those participating in the conversation are…

John Frye – serves as pastor at Fellowship Evangelical Covenant Church, Hudsonville, MI. He’s a great guy, a veteran pastor, and an avid blogger. John is one the first people I met in GR. I respect his ongoing pursuit of theological integrity and ministry innovation.

Andre Daley – serves as pastor at Mosaic Life, Grand Rapids, MI. Andre planted Mosaic Life and has been a significant mentor to me, especially regarding multiculturalism and the church. He’s a good friend and he’s even let me preach at his church!

Mike Wittmer – serves as Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. Mike is a friend and a colleague. I appreciate his ongoing commitment to ask helpful questions for the ongoing emergent conversation. Mike is the author of Heaven is a Place on Earth.

Sarah Cunningham- is the author of Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation. I found her book very meaningful and have recommended to many of my 20-something friends. A while back I felt compelled to blog her back with my own post called, “Dear Sarah.” I look forward to meeting her.

Steve Argue – i’m just trying to make meaning in the many worlds in which I feel I straddle. I’m glad to be a part of this.

If you’re in town, come and join in on our conversation. I’m looking forward to our time together and I’m grateful to Baker for setting this up.

Hey College Juniors thinking about further theological/ministry education…

Join us May 18-23, 2008.

Imagine…

• A one-week, seminary course,
• With other college Juniors exploring the future just like you,
• Living and studying in community,
• Upon completion, giving you three credits that may count toward your undergraduate degree AND count for your future graduate degree,
• All for $250. That’s it.

Dave will be teaching Global Impact and I’ll be teaching Theology of Youth Ministry.

You get to hang out with us, with each other, study some great topics, make new friends, and explore seminary.

For more information, go to GRTS CONNECT.

Feel free to contact Dave or me or call 800.697.1133 to talk with Tara, Nate, or Mark.

Space is limited and we’d love to hang out with you for the week.

This past week, GRTS started classes. I’m teaching Theology of Youth Ministry, on campus and Theological Foundations for Missional Leadership via our New England Cohort.

In both groups, I’m already discovering that we have thoughtful, experienced participants who bring a wide range of youth ministry experience… and questions to the conversation.

For both courses, we use Blackboard for ongoing, online discussion. I posed this question to one of our groups this past week. I thought I’d open up the question to a broader network of youth min types, so feel free to share your thoughts.

Answer, and I promise to bring your responses to class with me on Thursday.

From your perspective…

• What question should youth ministry be trying to answer?
• Why do you think so?

I’m looking forward to teaching MIN641: Theology of Youth Ministry at GRTS this semester. I’m taking an approach of attempting to explore resources that are informing youth ministry thinking (or, at least in my estimation, should be!).

My hope is that our class’s journey this semester will be about discovery and, together, searching the emerging edges of where youth ministry must go.

I’ve attached my syllabus for those of you interested in seeing my guided attempt at this journey.

Chris Folmsbee was tagged to give his picks for a list best books on theology published in the last 25 years. He’s tagged me and asked if I’d offer my top three. So here are my “top three” (technically eight) picks which have been personally important to me and why…

The NT Wright trilogy: The New Testament and the People of God; Jesus and the Victory of God; and The Resurrection of the Son of God. NT Wright has been significant in my own journey toward understanding Jesus, and I think has played a major role in helping people rediscover Jesus. He has many wonderful books for every kind of reader, but his trilogy is his magnum opus from which most of his shorter works emerge.

(more…)

Okay, we’re pretty excited about this one…

On Monday, March 12, 2007, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary along with Youth Specialties will host its Spring ’07 Talking Points.
The topic is “Where Youth Ministry Must Go…”

Our forum title reflects the ongoing pursuit and discipline of seeking to understand the needs, priorities and theology of progressive youth ministry.

Our culture, our church and our students are constantly changing. This event will facilitate dialogue on where youth ministry must go to remain faithful to the gospel and this generation.

Forum topics and presenters include…

Youth Ministry Must Go Broader- Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialties
Mark will suggest what issues senor pastors and youth pastors/directors might need to overcome together, given a ministry dynamic that frequently isolates, alienates, and burns out youth pastors.

Youth Ministry Must Go Deeper- Kara Powell, Fuller Theological Seminary
Kara will explore what thoughtful youth ministry might look like in a youth ministry world that is typically pressured by pragmatism and results.

Youth Ministry Must Go Closer- Steve Argue, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Steve will consider what it means for the whole church to embrace teenagers and what it looks like for youth leaders to prioritize shepherding over efficiency and programming.
……..

Registration can be done by phone at 616.222.1422 (ask for Amy) or online at the GRTS Talking Points Website.

Download the Brochure HERE.

For those of you who are college students studying youth ministry or college profs, we have a special discount rate for you. If interested, please contact Amy at 616.222.1422!

Join us. Bring a friend, your team, or a future youth leader. And let’s consider where youth ministry must go…

Advent is the period in the church calendar that anticipates the coming of Jesus.

We might consider this on two levels.

The first is joining in on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus as expressed throughout the Christian Scriptures. The second is the ongoing anticipation that Jesus is coming again to bring about final restoration and healing to our world.

As Jesus followers, we are people of anticipation that seek to live out God’s future healing of our world, in the present. We live for a realized future… unfolding now, in the lives and love of the Jesus following community.

A great guide for Advent readings can be found here.

Join the global church in her anticipation….

The Journal of Student Ministries is the new Journal on the block in the youth ministry neighborhood, that brings creative thinking on youth ministry into the conversation. Will Penner, is no rookie to great publishing, and he’s a terrific guy with great vision. Check out The Journal of Student Ministries.

The Journal picked up my thoughts on war metaphors used in youth ministry. You can read my revamped article- “Mourning Over Youth Ministry Battle Cries” as their E-Journal Featured Article.

Go to the sidebar on their website to download my piece.