Christian Doctrine / Systematic Theology for Students

If you have not discovered Louis Berkhof's "Summary of Christian Doctrine" then I must ask, "Where have you been for the last 80 years?" This fine work has been around since 1938 and was written, and I quote from Berkhof, "the ordinary high school student." This work is amazing for introducing systematic theology in a succinct and clear way. All "detailed explanations and controversial material" has been omitted leaving it very accessible and practical. It included review question and abundant scripture references.

It truly is an amazing "aid to keep alive the knowledge of our precious heritage" and to strengthen the faith. Buy it and use it!

Volunteers!

One of the ways that God continues to amaze me year after year is how he provides our ministry with volunteers or small group leaders who are as passionate about discipling teenagers as I am.

The question that I am constantly asked by various youth worker is "How in the world do you get all those volunteers to help out with the student ministry?" My simple answer is - I would be out of the job if I did not have those voluteers. This simple truth is I would be completely ineffective in reaching and equiping students if I was doing it all by my self.

"So how do I recruit volunteers to help out?"

1) Recruit young! Honestly mature college students and young adults make the best leaders for many reasons - namely they have more time to devote to the ministry and junior high and high school are not to distant in their memories. They can simply relate better.

2) Don't be afraid to employ the "guilt trip" - I mean assert the call of God to serve. All the saints are called to serve the Church of the living God. Don't hesitate to ask the simple question - "How are you serving your church?" If the answer is, "Well, I'm not," then bingo do I have a plan for your life.

3) Have clear avenues to plug volunteers in. These days volunteers aren't too content with just standing around and "volunteering." By plug volunteers in to clear ministry programs you are increasing your capacity for ministry 2-fold. For example, do you have a small group ministry? If you do - clear avenue for bring in the calvary. If you don't have a small group ministry then I HIGHLY encourage you to start one (I'll write more on this later). If you want some ideas on starting up a small group ministry no matter whether you have 12 kids or 120 kids - contact me.

4) Expect great things. Expect great things from your volunteers. You can never pat your volunteers on the back too much. Take them to lunch and fire them up - "You have no idea how much ministry you are doing around here."

If you ever need any encouragement in getting this ball rolling - please contact me.

"Real" Sex

Sorry - I've been out for a while. I think that I forgot that I had this thing and then the my two readers remind me that I have posted in a while. I really want to keep this thing up - so give me grace.

Real Sex is a book by a gal named Lauren F. Winner. I highly recommend her - she is a fun read. Her style is in line with Donald Miller in Blue Like Jazz (forgive me Lauren - I read him first).

The subtitle for Winner's book is "The Naked Truth About Chastity." It is a refreshing look at chasity, purity, sexual intergrity - what that looks like for the church for the the believer. This book is a wonderful teaching tool and excellent to hand to students.

I'm currently teaching a series to Sr. High students called "Lies We Believe About God and Sex." I'm pulling most of my material from Winner and I must say parents are excited and students are interested b/c we are having some great turnout and amazing discussions.

Get the book, read it - let me know what you think.