This is the second of seven devotions I have written for d365.org. d365 has been a favorite resource of mine for over ten years. It has been a privilege to write for them! Please visit the website for the full d365 experience. PAUSE Our God is one - unity. Our God is three - diversity. Our God is three in one - mystery. LISTEN Genesis 1:1-2 (CEB) When God began to create the heavens and the earth— the earth was…
Faithful Families is a thoughtful, practical guide to teaching by doing - to integrating prayer, tradition, Scripture, and ritual into the routines of a normal, busy family. - Rachel Held Evans A few years ago I began a project that I called a 40 Day Sabbath, or A Sabbath Experiment. In this experiment, I spent time reading and studying the history of sabbath, other people's experiments with making the Sabbath a regular part of their lives, and…
I have always been a reader. I loooove to read. I - dare I say it - love school. Yes, there is even a family story about me jumping on my desk as a child to pronounce this love. Yes, inevitably, I have always been a nerd. This love of reading and learning has been a strength in my life. It's also allowed me to dig into my work as minister to youth, children, and families in a…
I am a youth minister because I love the church. One reason I fell in love with Growing Young from the first page was because it's all about the church. It's all about the intrinsic link of loving the church and loving young people. Not only is this a book with compelling statistics, it is also full of stories, and practical, useful ideas for leaders. Readers are introduced to six core commitments for churches "growing young": * Unlock…
Growing Young in Your Context Context is critical. Never forget that while we may learn from the experiences of others, how what has been learned is lived out in your context will most likely look very different. A strength in one congregation's experience with the "Growing Young Wheel" may be the commitment that is most challenging for your congregation. This isn't about comparison with one another, nor is this about having the biggest youth group in town. This…
Be the Best Neighbors Churches that grow young recognize the careful dance that values both fidelity to Scripture's commands for holiness and knowing and graciously loving their neighbors... Much more than developing detailed policies or releasing theological position papers, these churches train and infuse their young people with an integrated discipleship that enables them to thrive in our complex world (237). A congregation is not just composed of those named on a membership roster. A congregation is a…
Prioritize Young People (and Families) Everywhere This chapter is important because it cuts to the heart of it all. The idea of prioritizing young people and families remains just that in many churches, a nice idea that is an assumed reality without being followed up by intentional action. As someone who has dedicated their lives to making this prioritization more than just a nice idea, it can be almost heartbreaking when I see this good intention go no…
Fuel a Warm Community It wasn't the preaching or teaching. It certainly wasn't the building or the worship style. It was the life shared among the congregation that drew them in (164). As a Pastor's Kid, lifelong Christian, and leader in the church for as long as I can remember, I've been to quite a few churches over the course of my life. I've been a vacationing visitor, member, vicar, music leader, teenage youth leader, full time staff, visiting…
I am thrilled to be part of the #growingyoung launch team for Fuller Youth Institute. I just received my copy of the book and have eagerly begun to read it. I'll be posting my reflections and chapter highlights here. The book is Growing Young: 6 Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin. What Congregations Are Doing Right This chapter, as with most Chapter 1's, lays the foundation…