You, too, can enjoy the Rooted Conference by registering here: www.rootedconference.com.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Why I'm Excited about 2012 Rooted: Part 3
You, too, can enjoy the Rooted Conference by registering here: www.rootedconference.com.
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Why I'm Excited about Rooted 2012: Part 2
Youth ministry is a lonely job with a great deal of turnover. Very often, you connect with a solid youth minister in your town and that person either goes to seminary, takes an associate pastor position, leaves for the mission field, or decides to sell life insurance. Finding good community and people with experience and expertise in the field becomes a rare blessing.
At the 2010 Rooted Conference, as will be the case with this year's meeting, I found dozens of experienced, sharp, committed youth ministers with whom to share conversations, exchange ideas, and refine my ministry. I cannot wait to see how people from the Northeast, Southwest, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest approach ministry as a means of challenging how I do ministry in the American South. I am extremely excited about spending three days with people who, quite frankly, are much better at the trade than I am, as a means of growing in Christ and in ministry.
You can register for the Rooted Conference on August 9-11, 2012 at www.rootedconference.com.
At the 2010 Rooted Conference, as will be the case with this year's meeting, I found dozens of experienced, sharp, committed youth ministers with whom to share conversations, exchange ideas, and refine my ministry. I cannot wait to see how people from the Northeast, Southwest, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest approach ministry as a means of challenging how I do ministry in the American South. I am extremely excited about spending three days with people who, quite frankly, are much better at the trade than I am, as a means of growing in Christ and in ministry.
You can register for the Rooted Conference on August 9-11, 2012 at www.rootedconference.com.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Why I'm Excited about Rooted 2012: Part 1
The first reason I am really excited about the Rooted Conference is because I like hearing great preachers. The line up for Rooted features interesting, brilliant speakers. In Timothy George, we have an internationally renowned theologian (via his position as Dean at Beeson Seminary and multiple publications) with a keen sense of the pulse of Christianity throughout the world (through his role as an editor of Christianity Today.)
With Ray Ortlund, we have a biblical scholar with a worldwide reputation but who also is in touch with the day-to-day reality of people's lives through his ministry at Immanuel Church in Nashville, TN. He also understands the culture as seen in his blogging with the Gospel Coalition.
In Mary Willson, we have a highly sought-after speaker with a youth ministry background and exceptional academic credentials. She combines a powerful intellect with an approachable sense of humor.
In sum, I just cannot wait to hear all three of these speakers on August 9-11 at the Rooted Conference. You can join us by registering at www.rootedconference.com.
With Ray Ortlund, we have a biblical scholar with a worldwide reputation but who also is in touch with the day-to-day reality of people's lives through his ministry at Immanuel Church in Nashville, TN. He also understands the culture as seen in his blogging with the Gospel Coalition.
In Mary Willson, we have a highly sought-after speaker with a youth ministry background and exceptional academic credentials. She combines a powerful intellect with an approachable sense of humor.
In sum, I just cannot wait to hear all three of these speakers on August 9-11 at the Rooted Conference. You can join us by registering at www.rootedconference.com.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Hugo and the Orphaned Teenage Soul
Rooted contributor, Cameron Cole, recently posted this piece on the Mockingbird Blog (an absolute slam dunk gem of a blog for pop culture examples of the Gospel) offering insight into the orphaned teenage soul via the movie, Hugo. Here is an excerpt and link to the full article.
The protagonist in the movie Hugo offers valuable insight
into the primal motivation at the core of every soul. Hugo, an orphan
in Paris, engages in a persistent – almost obsessive – endeavor to
repair an automaton, which his father worked on before dying during
Hugo’s childhood. Unknown to the audience for much of the movie, Hugo’s
project is driven by the hope of discovering a message from his late
father to him, hidden within the machine.
Hugo never discloses specifically what he hopes that
message will be, but one only can assume that the words he seeks are
the very ones every person wants to hear from his or her parents.
Hugo’s
sense of estrangement and hope for some kind of connection with his
distant father mirrors the universal impulse of the human heart. At the
same time, it also resembles a prevalent ailment in present-day teen
culture.....
The Orphaned Teenage Soul on Mockingbird
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Question Kids Ask that Pushes Your Hot Button
You've
got those kids who always ask, "Who's going on the retreat?" before
they make the decision, and it always drives you mad, right? Now it's
your turn to ask, "Who's going?" to Rooted: A Theology Conference for Student Ministry, for which you can Register Now.
Who's coming to Rooted? Youth ministers, Sunday school leaders, seminarians, parents, PhD candidates, teachers, and just about anyone you can think of who ministers to kids.
Where are they coming from? New York, Alabama, Washington, Louisiana, Arizona, Tennessee, Indiana, South Carolina, Texas, Florida...you get the point. They're coming from all over the country.
From what churches? Baptist, Presbyterian (EPC, PCA, PCUSA), Methodist, Non-denominational, Episcopal, Anglican, Reformed Church, para-church ministries, and just about any context you can imagine.
Why are they coming?
- To learn how to better make life-long disciples of Christ
- To be refreshed by the message of grace
- To find fellowship with other youth ministers who take youth ministry seriously
- To learn what Gospel-centered ministry looks like
- To hear great talks
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Law and Abandonment Among American Youth
The blog for the White Horse Inn recently published this piece by Rooted contributor, Cameron Cole. Many thanks to the White Horse Inn for their efforts to bring light to theological issues in youth ministry.
A recent conversation I had with a suburban nanny brought to light an alarming trend in teen culture. While the child is too young to clearly articulate his inner turmoil, his nanny described in him a deep sense of isolation and estrangement in addition to anger and resentment toward his parents and situation. Beyond the primary element of her job, which involves driving the child to various artistic, academic, and athletic pursuits after school, the nanny characterized her job as similar to working with an orphan.
Now, I am not describing a child who is a victim of desperate poverty, a deadly epidemic, or a violent war and has found refuge in an orphanage. I am telling the narrative of a suburban American pre-teen who has access to every conceivable material want and life opportunity. Recent research in the social psychology of American teens identifies this child’s anguish, not as an exceptional circumstance, but as more of a norm.
Researchers have committed much study to the trend of abandonment in teen culture. The literature has identified an intense sense of disconnection and isolation among teens in their family and community systems. While researchers consider high-rates of divorce and general family dysfunction as contributing factors, the primary variable among teens with symptoms of abandonment is over-programming and performance-based lifestyles.
David Elkind of Tufts University has dedicated over two decades to following this trend in parenting. Elkind notes that most parents focus on the competence of their child as a performer in the market place as their central mission; the primary role as a parent becomes one of strategic development. During the course of his research on this issue, Elkind documents an intensification of the problem as over-programming increases.
While Elkind describes youth who have been formed in this manner as the “hurried child,” Chap Clark, in his book Hurt, affirms this trend but chooses to use the term “the abandoned child.” He writes, “We have evolved to the point where we believe driving is support, being active is love, and providing any and every opportunity is selfless nurture … Even with the best of intentions, the way we raise, train, and even parent our children today exhibits attitudes and behaviors that are simply subtle forms of parental abandonment.“[1] Elkind’s terminology focuses more on the means of parenting (over-programming) and Clark’s descriptor elucidates the results (isolation).
Certainly people can evaluate accurately this issue from various angles (psychology, sociology, education, etc.). From a theological position, this parenting style reflects the natural result of life lived intensely under the law. When I mention law in this context, I do not refer to the moral code but to a pattern of life focused on living up to standards through personal performance and effort. A standard of false righteousness- child competence – exists in the culture, and adults employ whatever necessary means (math tutors, batting coaches, personal trainers, academic camps, intense schedules, etc.) to maximize their child’s performance that they may satisfy the expectations. The standard may manifest itself in language such as, “I want my child to have every opportunity,” or “I want more for my children,” but producing “successful” children constitutes the core hope. This mentality practically plays out in twelve year olds bouncing from early morning swim practice to school to piano to Boy Scouts to homework to bed as a normalized routine.
Scripture tells us that a life defined by the law yields alienation from God and man, as one sinks into a lonely, self-absorbed pursuit of perfection. In contrast, the Gospel of grace draws one out of alienation and into fellowship with God and neighbor. In the Gospel the onus of perfection shifts to Christ, and one is freed to enjoy relationship with God and others.
Understanding the pervasiveness of this trend among American teens compels those ministering to youth (parents, youth pastors, teachers, et al.) to recognize the law-driven nature of the culture and to offer the freedom of the Gospel. In addition to this, discussion of spiritual adoption may have more relevance in this context than any other element of salvation. The Father’s role in salvation as the one who adopts justified sinners as sons and daughters resonates with students struggling with a sense of abandonment. The idea of a Perfect Parent who offers free love and constant presence and who calls for rest, rather than effort, provides a sense of relief for students who often live under pressure.
Adoption calls individuals out of isolation and into God’s Kingdom and family. As John says in 1 John 1:2-3,
Certainly all benefits of salvation have relevance to all generations in all contexts. At the same time, in the context of American teen culture, emphasis on the Father adopting sinners and delivering the isolated into a fellowship provides great hope to a generation of estranged teens.
Cameron Cole serves as the chairman of Rooted: A Theology Conference for Student Ministry, which will host its conference, themed Adopted: The Beauty of Grace, at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama on August 9-11. The conference will focus on the Gospel of grace and message of adoption to a generation of alienated teenagers. Those interested can learn more at www.rootedconference.com and can follow the Rooted blog at www.therootedblog.blogspot.com.
A recent conversation I had with a suburban nanny brought to light an alarming trend in teen culture. While the child is too young to clearly articulate his inner turmoil, his nanny described in him a deep sense of isolation and estrangement in addition to anger and resentment toward his parents and situation. Beyond the primary element of her job, which involves driving the child to various artistic, academic, and athletic pursuits after school, the nanny characterized her job as similar to working with an orphan.
Now, I am not describing a child who is a victim of desperate poverty, a deadly epidemic, or a violent war and has found refuge in an orphanage. I am telling the narrative of a suburban American pre-teen who has access to every conceivable material want and life opportunity. Recent research in the social psychology of American teens identifies this child’s anguish, not as an exceptional circumstance, but as more of a norm.
Researchers have committed much study to the trend of abandonment in teen culture. The literature has identified an intense sense of disconnection and isolation among teens in their family and community systems. While researchers consider high-rates of divorce and general family dysfunction as contributing factors, the primary variable among teens with symptoms of abandonment is over-programming and performance-based lifestyles.
David Elkind of Tufts University has dedicated over two decades to following this trend in parenting. Elkind notes that most parents focus on the competence of their child as a performer in the market place as their central mission; the primary role as a parent becomes one of strategic development. During the course of his research on this issue, Elkind documents an intensification of the problem as over-programming increases.
While Elkind describes youth who have been formed in this manner as the “hurried child,” Chap Clark, in his book Hurt, affirms this trend but chooses to use the term “the abandoned child.” He writes, “We have evolved to the point where we believe driving is support, being active is love, and providing any and every opportunity is selfless nurture … Even with the best of intentions, the way we raise, train, and even parent our children today exhibits attitudes and behaviors that are simply subtle forms of parental abandonment.“[1] Elkind’s terminology focuses more on the means of parenting (over-programming) and Clark’s descriptor elucidates the results (isolation).
Certainly people can evaluate accurately this issue from various angles (psychology, sociology, education, etc.). From a theological position, this parenting style reflects the natural result of life lived intensely under the law. When I mention law in this context, I do not refer to the moral code but to a pattern of life focused on living up to standards through personal performance and effort. A standard of false righteousness- child competence – exists in the culture, and adults employ whatever necessary means (math tutors, batting coaches, personal trainers, academic camps, intense schedules, etc.) to maximize their child’s performance that they may satisfy the expectations. The standard may manifest itself in language such as, “I want my child to have every opportunity,” or “I want more for my children,” but producing “successful” children constitutes the core hope. This mentality practically plays out in twelve year olds bouncing from early morning swim practice to school to piano to Boy Scouts to homework to bed as a normalized routine.
Scripture tells us that a life defined by the law yields alienation from God and man, as one sinks into a lonely, self-absorbed pursuit of perfection. In contrast, the Gospel of grace draws one out of alienation and into fellowship with God and neighbor. In the Gospel the onus of perfection shifts to Christ, and one is freed to enjoy relationship with God and others.
Understanding the pervasiveness of this trend among American teens compels those ministering to youth (parents, youth pastors, teachers, et al.) to recognize the law-driven nature of the culture and to offer the freedom of the Gospel. In addition to this, discussion of spiritual adoption may have more relevance in this context than any other element of salvation. The Father’s role in salvation as the one who adopts justified sinners as sons and daughters resonates with students struggling with a sense of abandonment. The idea of a Perfect Parent who offers free love and constant presence and who calls for rest, rather than effort, provides a sense of relief for students who often live under pressure.
Adoption calls individuals out of isolation and into God’s Kingdom and family. As John says in 1 John 1:2-3,
The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”This adopting love, made manifest through Christ, not only brings people into union with God but also into the fellowship of the saints.
Certainly all benefits of salvation have relevance to all generations in all contexts. At the same time, in the context of American teen culture, emphasis on the Father adopting sinners and delivering the isolated into a fellowship provides great hope to a generation of estranged teens.
Cameron Cole serves as the chairman of Rooted: A Theology Conference for Student Ministry, which will host its conference, themed Adopted: The Beauty of Grace, at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama on August 9-11. The conference will focus on the Gospel of grace and message of adoption to a generation of alienated teenagers. Those interested can learn more at www.rootedconference.com and can follow the Rooted blog at www.therootedblog.blogspot.com.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Are Mission Trips Biblical?
The Gospel Coalition has just run a fantastic series contributing to the ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness and biblical basis for short-term mission trips. As youth groups everywhere spend their summers on trip after trip, often the crux of the youth ministry experience, it is important for us to examine this practice through a gospel lens.
Take a look and let us know - what do you think about youth short-term mission trips?
Celebrating the Short-Term Mission Boom
Why You Should Consider Canceling Your Short-Term Mission Trip
Toward Better Short Term Missions
Take a look and let us know - what do you think about youth short-term mission trips?
Celebrating the Short-Term Mission Boom
Why You Should Consider Canceling Your Short-Term Mission Trip
Toward Better Short Term Missions
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Mike Horton on Ministry to Youth
Mike Horton, whose book Christless Christianity was part of the impetus for Rooted, writes about how "narcicism is unchurching the church" in "Generation Me and Youth Ministry Today" over at the White Horse Inn, and gives some suggestions for curbing the tide here. Check it out!
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