Youth Ministry’s Crucial Cultural Mission. . .
Because I grew up in a Pastor’s home, we oftentimes had missionaries visit and stay with us. I remember listening to the stories and watching the slide shows they’d deliver during the all-ages Sunday School hour. These encounters shaped my…
Read More
Youth Workers. . . Nurturing Parents Into Nurturing Their Kids. . .
Youth workers. . . three realities about life and youth ministry. . . and one response. . . Reality 1) Jesus calls us to “come and follow me” in every nook and cranny of life. Discipleship training must touch every…
Read More
Transgender Kids. . . And Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria. . .
I’m not sure that there’s anything these days that’s created a greater cultural buzz in our youth groups and churches than the issue of transgenderism. For those of us who are older, the long-view of life offers a perspective that…
Read More
A Message To Moms About Their Influence On Body Image. . . .
Several years ago I embarked on a little journey into the world of advertising to get a better sense of how marketing has shaped body image pressures and expectations for our girls. I began by looking at marketing efforts to…
Read More
Youth Ministry, Parenting, and the Need To Teach Kids To Embrace Suffering. . .
We should be struck by the stark contrast between the kind of easy life we seek in the church today, and the kind of life sought by the Puritans. Yep. . . I just mentioned the Puritans. . . perhaps…
Read More
Kids and Vaping. . . Some New Info. . .
This is the week for re-launching what’s one of our most helpful, up-to-date, and timely resources here at CPYU. . . our daily Youth Culture Today radio show. It’s the same good content that’s got a new look. And, we recommend…
Read More
Re-Birth Of A Daily Dose Of Youth Culture. . .
Today’s a big day at CPYU! We’re re-launching and re-booting our daily 1-minute radio spot, Youth Culture Today, with a re-branded look and a host of new options for daily delivery in ways that make it easier for you to listen…
Read More
Our Kids. . . Wise Or Foolish? . . . .
What story will our kids choose to live in? That’s a necessary question every parent and youth worker must ask. If our calling is to lead kids to find their place in God’s story (the biblical narrative and way), we…
Read More
Friday Fodder. . . How Men View Women. . . etc. . .
Here’s something to think about and talk about with each other and with your kids. It comes from Tim Keller and his devotional book, God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs. If you…
Read More
Fred Rogers, Pop Culture, and Youth Ministry. . .
Have you seen it yet? If not, you should. The last film I viewed was the documentary biopic of Fred Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Lisa asked me how it was. “Slow,” I said. “Just like his long-time show.” When I…
Read More
Friday Fodder. . . Marriage Matters For Teens. . .
I’m not sure he’d get away with it in today’s cultural climate, but Flip Wilson had a generation of us middle school kids laughing awfully doggone hard back when he was transforming himself into his in-your-face female character, Geraldine, on…
Read More
Youth Ministry Focus. . . A Quick Thought. . .
A youth worker friend asked me a provocative question regarding how those of us in our youth ministry world spend our time. He was wondering if we are spending too much time on things that don’t matter, as opposed to…
Read More