Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

Over on a Certain Youthpastor.com listserv a youth minister got complaining about the "Traditional" music his church uses and why he couldn't be hip enough like the Mcdonalds church down the street. Here are some thoughts I've had: 1. We equate hymns and old as being irrelevant and uncontemporary and discount the heritage and traditions that make up the church. 2. We think we need to reach young people to be the leaders of the church of tomorrow meanwhile discounting the old in that or discounting the young that they are the church in the present and now. 3. We equate Music Styles as that of Church Growth. (When was the last time a contemporary service brought more to Christ?) Interesting enough a study on some of our megachurches .... alot are more traditional and those that added newer style never won people (some needs to look at sally M.'s article from REV ...Worship as Evangelism) Article Found here 4. "The church is too caught up in the Burger Kin

Seems there is debate over whether or not America started out as a Christian nation. My thoughts is it was established by Judea-Christian principles but some of the Founding Fathers were far from Christian. (George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson - who had his own mistress on the side and rewrote the Bible). Did each time period have its struggles and issues to deal with? You bet! I think if we elevate America as a Christian nation, we do a dis-service to that of the Kingdom of God is bigger than any one nation and that our citizenship ultimately is not here on this earth. I'm all for patriotism but I'm cautious of blending that of political agenda and Christianity. I think God works and gives the authorities He does for a time and that we are to respect them. Thoughts? Do you think America is a Christian nation or was? Some point to the founding fathers - others to the 50s (When the good ole hymns were sung right?) And sometimes I wonder why the church gets ca

So I've begun ministry with several elementary and middle schoolers starting year round schools. Sure, I have some traditional schools, Christian schoolers and so forth. The whole Year round also affected my family. So here are some things I have to consider in this post-traditional school world. (It affects my High schoolers too due to their siblings being in year round as well). 1. Retreats and outings will be harder to pull off. 2. A week of Vacation Bible School VBS might be a thing of the past. Most parents will be vacationing or trying to do camps etc in June before school starts in July. VBS curriculum might be more incorporated into the regular programming such as Children's Church. 3. Camp ministry will definitely look different and be rare. 4. Thinking outside the box on service opportunities etc. 5. Be supportive of parents. There will be breaks overlapping but know time is valuable. 6. Alot of programming will run year round but break in June instead of whole summer

I think that TV preachers are a crock! (Some might point out we're not to judge but we are to judge those inside the faith and expose those in posing as sheep who are really wolves) Here is why: (You will notce these are generalizations but apply but not all Christain TV preachers are bad though they are rare) 1. They seem to sell themselves rather than God. 2. They elevate themselves rather than God. 3. They promote a false gospel of health and wealth. 4. They tend to ask for money more than anything else. 5. They make a joke and mockery of Jesus. 6. The tend to be bluehaired and cheesy in their methods. 7. Cultural irrelevant! 8. When was the last time someone became a Christian from a TV show? 9. Do we really need any more Christian informercials? 10. Their promotion of Jesus junk almost seems to have Jesus want to go into their TV studio and turn over alot more than tables.