We are excited about the theme for the 2012 Rooted Conference – “Adoption: The Beauty of Grace” – which will explore how the theological concept of adoption speaks to the present youth generation. A while back, my wife…
To guard, or not to guard… that is the question. Or is it? How has the idea of ‘guarding our hearts’ evolved? We see the phrase used in Proverbs (4:23), but everyone has their own idea of…
Several years ago, I participated in an online forum with a network of youth ministers who had pursued seminary studies. During this time, one youth pastor asked for help and direction in dealing with a teen who had…
Read Part 1 of Harrison’s article, “The Philosophy of Sex”, here. Too often we believe that pleasure is not on the menu for Christians, or if it is, it’s like you’re swearing and getting away with something. The…
We need a big, thick meaning for the word “grace” and how we talk about it. For many (and I include myself here as too often stuck in this), grace is that thing we only talk about when…
One of the most surprising revelations to me in my early youth ministry days relates to the real reason why teens drink. I remember in my legalist days as an adolescent, determining whether or not a girl was…
Here’s the thing about drinking before you’re twenty-one in America: it’s illegal. There’s no two ways about it. We all know the effects alcohol can have on your system- and it’s incredibly concerning to think that teenagers use…
Fuller Youth Institute just released this video for High School seniors – certainly relevant for all students. A zinger by Steve Argue from Mars Hill Church: “Tomorrow morning, you wake up, you open your eyes, and you take…
Every student minister knows that frustrating moment when a parent or godparent calls to ask for your recommendation of a teen devotional to encourage spiritually the teen, who they wish to see grow in Christ. Then, comes that…
