A great discussion between David Plant, director of youth ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City; Cameron Cole, director of youth ministries at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama; and Liz Edrington, who is pursuing her master's degree in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. HT: Collin Hansen, who has more info. … [Read more...] about What Are Some of the Key Issues Facing Youth Ministry Today?
Practical Ministry
Why Do Asian-American Students Outperform Their White Peers?
At least academically, it's an incontrovertible fact that Asian-Americans outperform their white peers (and every other ethnic group). But why such dominance? That's what sociologists Amy Hsina and Yu Xie set out to uncover, scouring data from two long-term surveys covering more than 5000 U.S. Asian and white students. The answer? It's a shocker: They work harder. There is, however, an interesting element: "Students from all Asian ethnic groups put greater importance on effort than on natural ability." … [Read more...] about Why Do Asian-American Students Outperform Their White Peers?
Cultural Engagement and the Recent Q Conference
Hunter Baker offers insightful reflections from his time attending the Q conference in Nashville. An excerpt: When I look at Q, its hosts, and the young people participating in it, I suspect I am seeing the cultural stance of those who have grown up in pervasively Christian subcultures. For them, rebelling means rebelling against Massive Baptist Church or Church Related University or Clearly Wealthy Famous Preacherman. Those are the holders of power in their world. It is little wonder to them that the dominant culture dislikes us. We are hypocrites. We don’t measure up to our own standards. … [Read more...] about Cultural Engagement and the Recent Q Conference
Why is Christianity Losing Influence in America?
Vishal Mangalwadi, author of The Book That Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, writes: The branding or perception of Christianity as a religion of faith, disconnected with truth, is tragic given that the Judeo-Christian tradition is the only reason why any medieval, modern, or postmodern person talks about “Truth” that can be stated in rational words and propositions (creeds or equations). The secular academy and science acquired the truth-brand only because Secularism is a Protestant heresy. The university exists because the Church was committed to … [Read more...] about Why is Christianity Losing Influence in America?
Christianity, the World’s Most Falsifiable Religion
Fantastic post by Michael Patton, author of Now That I'm a Christian: What It Means to Follow Jesus. Patton writes: The central claims of the Bible demand historic inquiry, as they are based on public events that can be historically verified. In contrast, the central claims of all other religions cannot be historically tested and, therefore, are beyond falsifiability or inquiry. They just have to be believed with blind faith. … [Read more...] about Christianity, the World’s Most Falsifiable Religion
Five Errors to Drop From Your Easter Sermon
Andreas J. Köstenberger and Justin Taylor, authors of The Final Days of Jesus, discuss five errors to drop from your Easter sermon: 1. Don't say Jesus died when he was 33 years old. 2. Don't explain the apparent absence of a lamb at the Last Supper by only saying Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb. 3. Don't say the same crowds worshiped Jesus on Palm Sunday and then cried out for his crucifixion on Good Friday. 4. Don't bypass the role of the women as witnesses of the resurrected Christ. 5. Don't focus on the suffering of Jesus to the extent that you neglect the glory of the … [Read more...] about Five Errors to Drop From Your Easter Sermon