purposeful refresher part 3

Alright, I’m back. 

In the last “installment” of this weeks purposeful refresher, I ended by saying I would share what I believe to be the two biggest concerns about combining the 6th through 12th graders.  So here it is. 

Two of the biggest concerns that I hear among parents, caregivers, and the youth themselves is that the middle school youth go through different issues than the senior high youth and the middle school youth will experience a difficult time in transitioning into the combined gathering. 

I do agree with both of these statements in part.

Let me explain…

purposeful refresher part 2

Second, what have we combined the 6th through 12th grades?  What’s the point and why does it matter? 

We originally combined the 6th through 12th grade youth together in the middle of September of 2007.  I would be a liar if I said we have not had our troubles.  Believe me, we have!  Even though there have been difficulties in combining the youth, there have been some very encouraging things to leverage off of. 

For example, I have seen on numerous occassions the older youth initiating contact with the younger youth in befriending them, as well as setting a positive mature example for them.  To me this is a healthy expectation that we can place upon our older youth.  An expectation that say’s, “Hey, you don’t have to wait until you graduate from college to minister to somebody, you can do so right here and now.  It may not be pretty and you may experience a lot of discomfort at first, but the important thing is that you are serving God not in your own power and experience, but in His!” 

To get back on topic, why were these changes originally made and what do I hope to see occur through them? 

purposeful refresher

From time to time in life, which should be more times than not, we need to refresh our-self about many things.  We need to refresh ourselves For instance, it is important for couples (speaking to those of you who are married) to refresh their love for one another by spending time with each other apart from their children. 

Honestly, I’m having a difficult time thinking of an example from my youth about refreshing; however, I believe the following would

This is why from time to time I like to throw out settle refreshers of why we do what we do.  There are two things that I would like for me to be personally refreshed on, as well as my readers. 

What are these two things that I would like for us to be refreshed upon?

The ODD life

Last night we started a new series on Wednesday evenings that will run for 4 consecutive weeks.  The title of the series is ”We’re ODD.” 

Before you are offended in anyway, I want you to know that I am not talking about being unusual (in a bad way),  irregular, weird, or an odd number, such as 3, 5, 7, or 9.  What I am talking talking about is that we are One, Different, and Dependent upon each other. 

Let me briefly explain

Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers

For the new year, I planned on reading at least one book per month that deals with either parenting, family, or youth issues.  For January I have been reading a book by Mark Regnerus titled “Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers.” 

The author is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.  Considering that he is a sociologist, the findings of his work is based upon extensive research that he has done, as well as others.  Some of the leading questions that he sought to answer are: How exactly does religion contribute to the formation of teenagers sexual values and actions?  What difference, if any, does religion make in adolescents sexual attitudes and behaviors?  Are abstinence pledges effective?  What does it mean to be “emotionally ready” for sex?  Who expresses regret about their sexual activity? 

“Robo-Tripping” on Cough and Cold Medicine

What I am about to share is something that I have been aware of several years, spanning back to my teenage days.  It is something that is called “robo tripping.”

I was reminded of “Robo-Tripping” by reading a headline article found on FoxNews.com titled “Robo-Tripping on the Rise“

But what exactly is “robo-tripping?” 

“Robo-tripping” gets its name from those that would overuse an over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine called Robitussin.  Knowing how nasty some of the cough and cold medicines taste, why in the world would anyone want to drink so much of it?

d-group curriculum

As we continue to move forward into the purpose that God has established for our group, it is so important that we become a whole and healthy community.  As a group we cannot be like oil and water, that when put together does not actually mix together at all.  Before we can fulfill the call of God in our lives individually and as a group we must learn to live together as one.  This means that we must move beyond our comfort zones and established relationships to embrace those that the LORD has brought within our midst, as well as those that He plans on bringing.   

This is why we are are beginning a new study in d-groups this Sunday, January 13.  Every group will be using John Stott’s Building a Community in Christstudy guide.  The study guide is comprised of 12 different studies from the Book of Ephesians found in the New Testament.  By going through these studies it is important that we are all in prayer about how we can take initiation in building more and better godly relationships with one another. 

If you have not picked-up a copy of the study guide, you can do so at the front desk in the main office.  You can ask myself or anyone that is up front for a copy. 

are our kids growing up too fast?

My wife and I have been receiving a copy of the Focus on the Family’s monthly newsletter for a short period of time.  In January’s issue there is an article titled, “All in Due Time: Is your child growing up too fast?” by Jeanette Gardner Littleton. 

It is a great article that discusses the issues surrounding what materials (such as cell phones, cars, and computers) we give and what privileges (such as Internet use, make-up, and dating) we allow our children. 

Jeanette basically asks the questions, “When should we give and allow our children to have and experience certain things?”  Is it appropriate for our children to have cell phones?  If so, when?  Does an 8 year old need one?  What about driving.  Do our children automatically deserve a car and driving privileges at the age of 16?  How about computers?  Should our children be allowed to have one in their room with an Internet connection?  Should they be allowed to have participate in on-line communities such as Myspace or Facebook?  What about jobs and personal bank accounts?  Also, should they have a television in their room with an extensive cable connection that gives them access to hundreds of channels and programs? 

These questions simply scratch the surface of the issue. 

Jeanette provides the following questions for us to consider when considering giving our children things or allowing them certain privileges:

purpose of family and youth ministry

Have you ever took the time to sit back and ask yourself, “Why do I do the things that I do?”  Well, I like to do just that!  I like to remove myself from the forest so that I can get a good look a tree or two.  In other words, I like to remove myself from the “big picture” so that I can see some specific things. 

For example, over this past summer we canceled the youth weekly meetings.  Yes, this was different and upsetting to some, but it provided us with the opportunity to have a break from the norm of the past, so that we could get ready for the new move of God in the future.  What this break allowed me to do was to sit back away from the forest to take a closer look at why we do what do through the family and youth ministries of Perrow Church.

What is the purpose behind family and youth ministry?  For example, why do we have children’s church and a youth program?  What is the reasoning behind?  What need are they trying to meet?  Why do we do the things the way that we do? 

Let’s answer some of these questions for the family and youth ministry.  Why do we have our meetings the way that we do?

What is the purpose of a youth ministry in a local church?  Is it to provide a place to meet new people, to build relationships, to play games, to teach the Bible, or to reach those that have not encountered Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? 

Who should run the youth ministry in the local church?  Should a pastor fill all of the above mentioned roles as social director, activity and game organizer, as Biblical scholar, and evangelist extraordinary?  Should the youth minister be a cross between a comedian and an academic scholar able to engage youth with both humor and wit? 

With these two questions in mind I believe….

tonight has been canceled

if you have not heard yet, all Perrow Church activities have been canceled for the evening.