A popular question in young adult ministry is: Should I divide my Bible study groups into demographics? This is a valuable question, especially since most young adult ministries span the ages of 18-34 and may include college students, single adults, and young married couples with or without children. Like so many issues in the church, this one isn’t easily answered. The best way for you to answer this question is to specifically evaluate your ministry. In that process of evaluation, however, there are a few general principles … [Read more...]
BeachReach: Presenting A Worthy Offering
By request, I am posting my last message at Beach Reach 2009. I was teaching out of the book of Malachi. And while Blemished is a study of the book of Malachi, this message covers much of the material that didn’t make it into the book. It’s a bit long as it is a camp-like setting, but I hope you find it to be of encouragement and worth your time. … [Read more...]
Live More. Acquire a lot Less.
I play music for a living. I love listening to music—Travis, Keane, David Crowder—I love them all. Britney Spears? Not so much. Yesterday, I impulsively purchased a newspaper (large sheets of paper with the latest news inked on the surface, so 1980s). There on the front page was an article about how Britney spends her income. Is that really a front-page worthy story? But I admit, I couldn’t look away; I was captivated. Britney spends more than $16k on clothes. Over $100k is spent on entertainment and gifts. She … [Read more...]
The Craze of Personalities and Products
As the body of Christ, we affirm the Bible as bedrock to our faith and the plum line for our interaction with this world. As we’ve said before, young adults are looking for truth. However, many of them don’t know where to find it or what it looks like. We must never lose sight of what we can offer this generation—the truth that is found in the Word of God. Biblical depth becomes a non-negotiable in ministry. Consider the boy band craze that swept the nation in the late 80s and into the 90s. Overnight it seemed, boy … [Read more...]
Updating the iPod
I was recently on a long flight listening to my iPod and came to grips that my music library seemed to be getting a bit stale. My music tastes are diverse and extensive, but let’s focus just on worship music for this post. Here’s what I need from you. Give me what you are listening to. We, at Threads, would love to hear of any new albums, songs, or artists that we need to know about. I’m not so much talking about contemporary Christian music as a whole, but rather stuff that might be played in worship gatherings as a vertical … [Read more...]
Reducing the Cost of Discipleship
The words of Jesus in Luke 14:27 are a difficult pill to swallow as Jesus is addressing a large crowd about the cost of being his disciple. When I read this passage of scripture I am amazed and convicted at how I have reduced the cost of discipleship. Following long and hard after Jesus is not easy. Jesus demands we give everything up and align our lives with Him. Yet, I have been so guilty of reducing discipleship to a program or six-week study, when in all actuality the type of followship Jesus is looking for is much more … [Read more...]
The Path to Freedom in Christ
I chewed. Plain and simple. Using smokeless tobacco was a popular pastime in my rural hometown, even though I had been well warned of its dangers. As I worked on the farm during the summer, tobacco was a diversion from my task in the fields—and I embraced it. It wasn’t long before I couldn’t quit. My unattractive vice followed me to college. I remember feeling shameful in leading others spiritually when I had such an obvious addiction facing me daily. In my eyes, I was a hypocrite, sharing the gospel with passion … [Read more...]
Are You Practicing?
If you make it out to a Little League baseball field this time of year, you’ll inevitably hear 11- and 12-year-olds talking about their heroes. Watch them long enough as they swing their bats and throw baseballs around, and you’ll hear comments like these: “I want to pitch like Tim Lincecum.” “I want to hit like Albert Pujols.” “I want to be a great outfielder like Curtis Granderson. I want to rob home runs off the wall just like he does.” They mimic their heroes’ batting … [Read more...]
Does Your Church Have a Place for Val?
As a part of my church duties, I work the caf … [Read more...]
Hungry, Hungry Humans
Food—I’m a big fan of it. It gives me energy; it makes me feel satisfied; it helped me grow when I was little. But my favorite thing about food is the taste, the experience of eating something delicious. Food is both essential and enjoyable. Jesus knew we would be able to relate to a basic need such as food, so He talked a lot about it—spiritual food, that is. So what does it mean? The very concept of spiritual food indicates that there, too, is spiritual hunger. People are born incomplete, and we put a whole lot of … [Read more...]
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