Sickness in the life of a Believer

https://www.gotquestions.org/sickness-will-God.html

Youth Ministry Can Be Challenging

Navigating The Rough Rivers of Youth Ministry

(Written by Kevin Hall  09.18.17)

We are encouraged not to think inside a closet. “The Bible is not an exhaustive revelation about everything we might need to consider” (246), as it is silent on many issues. Often times, Christian leadership calls for separation from the world, including its philosophies and practices of culture. But Robbins encourages otherwise. There are lessons on the impact of culture that can better shape of ministry effectiveness. These include:

(1)    Look beyond the surface movement of the river – We need to be sensitive about the culture around us. When we investigate and reflect we will find clues that influence our young people outside of the doctrine we feed them weekly: “Notions about God and spirituality, tribal affiliations (wear black), escape patterns (cutting themselves after a break-up), assumptions (this is what is fun these days)

Should We Consider Culture In Ministry?

Random Thoughts of The Impact of Culture On Ministry

(Written by Kevin Hall  09.16.17)

Consider the impact of the culture on the way we conduct Youth Ministry and for that matter, overall edification. In his book “This Way To Youth Ministry”, Robbins states that as a person experiences individuation they come to terms with three main questions: (1) Who am I? (2) Where am I going? and (3) How do I relate to other people?” (227). I believe, the answers to these questions are shaped in part by “culture”. This is why ministry workers should invest time, effort and resources into understanding the culture.

 I like the way Robbins use the analogy of “fishing”: Jesus called us to be fishers of men “But if we are to be successful at fishing, we must give careful thought to the way we fish, the fish’ habits and where they swim” (247). In other words, if youth ministry is like fishing, then we must invest in learning “fishery”. Jesus was just as concerned for His people and the world – this is why he was incarnated. He was made a little lower, came to earth, took on flesh, lived among His people, experienced the culture, gave up His life for the people and the world, made provision for their redemption. “God became flesh” (John 1:14). This is getting to know one’s world as best as anyone could, and this is the ministry to which we are called.

The Challenges of The Ministry

The Challenges of The Ministry

 (Written by Kevin Hall   09.01.17)

Burnout related to the work of ministry is a reality one can avoid. The stats related to the issue say that over 57% of respondents would leave the ministry if they could; 71% struggle with depression; 80% leave within 5 years; 70% feel they have no close friends and 75% feel unqualified (lecture. Pape). These numbers do not bode very well for those considering entering the ministry, not to mention the fact that compensation may not be at the top of Glassdoor’s salary rank. Therefore, the work of ministry must be a calling. 

One must be sure of divine guidance to work the field.  The good news is that there are numerous steps one can take to reduce or prevent burnout – these include taking care of my health; having a hobby; making time for family and friends; keep the learning wheels turning (a leader must constantly learn new things) and having adult friends.

Now, one thing we should not do both personally and professionally is to “neglect the inner man” (96).

Free Will - Why It Matters

The Issue of Free Will

(Written by Kevin Hall  09.11.17)

If you peel away the layers of these worldviews outside of Christianity, one will find evidence of one main strategy – Explain away Creator God. They wish to “deny the Creator and to expropriate His divine power’ (174), many making this their life’s goal. Men like Francis Crick stated forcefully that “his goal was to explain away the origin of life and consciousness by reducing them into physical -chemical causes” (174). 

You see, if God is discredited as “first cause” or a “personal God”, then free will becomes a false idea

 which is denied, discredited, suppressed and is incoherent.

 With the Creator God and His truth denied, then mankind is free to live according to his own truth. Truth becomes relative – men become reduced to states lower than the creator intended. They become labeled as robots and machines who cannot be held accountable for their actions. The Apostle Paul said, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21).

Notice there is a definite strategy to deny God and to do so for selfish reasons.