learning my lines. . .: Marvel Comics and Same-Sex Marriage. . . .
I posted a link to the comic news a few days ago, but today the day after the comic was released many sources have run stories on Northstar’s same-sex wedding. I will be following this story for a few days and then posting quotes from each source next week.
The comic book’s same-sex wedding is certainly reflective of what’s happening in our culture. Our understanding of love, sex, marriage, and homosexuality is all over the place. Differences in understanding and belief run across political, demographic, and geographical lines. It’s complex. And if you’re a parent or youth worker, you also know that differences in belief and opinion run across generational lines. At times, I’m encouraged by the fact that compassion is growing among the younger generations. That compassion, I hope, is spreading into the church. But compassion is blurring with tolerance and acceptance. That’s a trend that’s cause for concern.
via learning my lines. . .: Marvel Comics and Same-Sex Marriage. . . ..
Marvel Comics Hosts First Gay Wedding in ‘Astonishing X-Men’ | Culture News | Rolling Stone
“Our comics are always best when they respond to and reflect developments in the real world. We’ve been doing that for decades, and this is just the latest expression of that.”
via Marvel Comics Hosts First Gay Wedding in ‘Astonishing X-Men’ | Culture News | Rolling Stone.
CBC – Doc Zone – Episode – Sext Up Kids
I was told about this by Brett Ullman the other day and it is a fantastic watch for anyone in Youth Ministry. Sorry, to anyone outside of Canada as you will not be able to watch the whole episode on the CBC Doc Zone site.
Sext up KIDS exposes how growing up in a hyper-sexualized culture hurts our kids. Teens and pre-teens show and tell what they are doing and why they are doing it. Experts reveal startling new research, tracking how the pressure to be sexy is changing teen and sexual behavior in alarming ways, as “anal becomes the new oral.” Parents and educators struggle to help kids navigate puberty in a world where the line between pop culture and porn culture is increasingly blurred. For every parent who thinks, “that’s not my son or daughter,” Sext up KIDS
I also like that there are links to all the resources on the website as well by clicking on the resource tab under the view box. The full video is 45 minutes and I would love to hear your feedback on whether, or not you see this in today’s culture, or if you think it is an exaggeration of what is going on in the lives of the teenagers we work with.
A Short (And FREE) Guide To Writing Bible Study For Teenagers | Youth Ministry 360
A great free resource from Youth Ministry 360 on writing curriculum for teenagers.
A Short (And FREE) Guide To Writing Bible Study For Teenagers | Youth Ministry 360.
Comic Vine’s Top 100 Batman Universe Stories – Comic Vine
As a huge Batman fan and the upcoming release of the new Batman film this list is a great place to start catching up on your Batman history. I have read the top ten and the latest “Court of Owls” story line would make for a great movie. The continuation of this story in “Night of the Owls” if done right will be in the top ten and could even crack the top five.
The Billboard Music Awards 2012 (AKA The Millennial Music Awards Show) | Ypulse
Interesting article on the Billboard Awards.
But the show is keeping up with the ever-changing music scene, not only in how it determines winners, taking into account social media interaction and engagement, but also in terms of the categories it awards, including Top Social Artist, Top Digital Media Artist, and Top Streaming Artist and Song.
Do you find award shows like the Grammys, AMA’s, Billboards etc. helpful in keeping up with the popular music scene?
How do you keep up with what’s new and hot in music?
The Billboard Music Awards 2012 (AKA The Millennial Music Awards Show) | Ypulse.
Book Review: Tribes – Youth Ministry Media | Youth Ministry Media
I am working my way through Seth Godin’s book Tribes to use this summer and I came across this great review from Youth Ministry Media.
This is a great Canadian site that looks at everything from Social Media trends to Apps that you can use for ministry. A great resources for any youth worker.
Anyway, back to Seth Godin’s amazing book. This book is a great look at leadership beyond the status quo. It shows how leadership can be global and community centred all at the same time. Social media and the technology available to all leaders has changed the size of influence available to any leader.
Youth ministry is a huge tribe. There is a common connection that we are trying to reach teenagers. A community is building online, and I want to be apart of that! I hope that when you come to this website you feel more connected that ever! I value your voice, and I love your input into the conversation. I am thankful that you are reading this right now.
Book Review: Tribes – Youth Ministry Media | Youth Ministry Media.
Dive In
Deep or shallow…
Where is our focus?
What do we promote?
Are we only allowing our youth the opportunity to dive into a kiddie pool or providing a vast ocean of knowledge and experience in which they can swim? How many youth programs are looking to numbers for reassurance of a job well done?
I say this: Is it a job well done to have hundreds or thousands of youth attending a video game sensory-overload evening IF you do not know their names, family dynamics or favorite anything? The vast majority of church leaders are only seeing the numbers, and then assuming that there must be spiritual growth within their monumentally-sized youth programs.
Mike Yaconelli sums this up the best with a quote from Getting Fired for the Glory of God, “Sadly an increasing number of youth workers have opted for MORE instead of DEEP.” Our goals as youth leaders needs to be something along the lines of this: Becoming present in the lives of the youth who God has placed in our lives. How easy is it to share a meal with them and their families, attend a soccer game, or even allow them to feel important in your eyes beyond the door of the church? We don’t spend time in youth ministry if we are not prepared to make an investment. These are young lives we are talking about.
The worst motto we can attach to youth ministry is this:
If we attempt to meet them where they are, they will come.
The youth we work with don’t need to see all the flash and exuberance that they are bombarded with everyday of their lives because, if they were happy with it, then they wouldn’t be coming out to our programs, especially if they are happy with what they can do at home. The word program doesn’t have to be a bad word when it comes to ministry; we just have to make sure that we do not fall into the trap of making programs all that we have between us and them. These students are not the equivalent of a one-hour television program that we fit is once a week.
They equate to life.
In order for this to work, we need to accept and practice the discipline of presence. From our primary relationships right through to the teenagers in our midst, to the beauty of creation, to God’s presence all around us. Without presence, we might become ignorant to the needs of teenagers. This discipline of presence is the practice of slowing down and, instead of telling our youth what they need, allowing them the time they need to gain trust. Then, they will let us listen to their thoughts, emotions and assumptions of life. If we do not allow ourselves this disciple, it would be easy to become ignorant to the lives of our youth. As youth leaders, we need to be present to our calling, present to Christ in us, and present to teenagers and to Christ in them.
Jesus was pretty lax when it came to discipleship. He hung out with them. When they were at their worst and when they were at their best. He was present. By being present, we will be able to see both sides of their life. He taught truths that they could not grasp at the present time, he avoided crowds (mostly), moved slow and didn’t expect immediate results… so why do we change our view of discipleship?
Are you kneeling in a kiddie pool or taking the more adventurous route of treading in the vast ocean depths of true knowledge and true communion?
Please note that many of the ideas shared here are from Youth Ministry 3.0 by Marko.
FREE! A Beautiful Mess
Free e-book By Mark Oestreicher A Beautiful Mess
A Beautiful Mess features insights on the issues and opportunities facing youth workers, including the trend toward longevity in ministry, the power of smaller churches, the work of the Holy Spirit, the rewards of authentic relational ministry, the need for integration instead of isolation, and the centrality of faith and humility.
ben bartosik – | my fanatic heart |
A great post from Ben Bartosik. Click the link to read the complete post.
I honestly think many Christians today can relate in this. These people recognize an emptiness to their worship practices. They’re doing everything they’ve been taught to do and seem to be doing it with a heart that seeks God’s presence. Their sin is not their lack of desire for God; yet God is not answering. God is not blessing their worship.
“Is such the fast I desire, a day for men to starve their bodies? Is it bowing the head like a bulrush and lying in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call that a fast, a day when the LORD is favorable?” (5)
God is calling them out on something that I believe is incredibly relevant for us today: their belief that these religious observances and rituals actually impress God and demonstrate true covenantal obedience. There seems to be a hypocrisy going on that God is about to reveal. However, we fool ourselves if we think that this passage is speaking to insincere hearts. Remember, their hearts seemed to be in the right place, it’s the action that God is unfavourable towards here.
