Discipleship

Stoking the Fires of Our Passion for God

By Matt Erickson

Are we stoking the fires of our passion for God? Are we adding the fuel? Are we creating the space necessary for the fuel to ignite?

May we be the sort of people who actively seek to ignite – not put out – the Spirit’s fire in our lives.

Matt Erickson

I am a husband to Kelly, father of three boys, a pastor, musician, avid hiker, disciple of Christ. Currently, I am employed as the Associate Pastor at Brooklife Church in Mukwonago, WI, which I helped to plant a few years ago after serving for five years as the Collegiate Ministries Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI. I graduated with a Masters in Divinity from Northern Theological Seminary and a Bachelors in English and Christian Education from Wheaton College (IL).

Interact with me more at the Renovate blog, Twitter or Facebook.


Following Through

By fattychris

Jesus says: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.

"Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10: 11-15).

Chris Snyder

I have been working with youth and young adults for about 5 years now. My passion is helping young people connect with Jesus and live a life devoted to Him.  I work for a school district in their IT department for a living.  I have a BA in Leadership and Ministry from Ohio Christian University, and I look forward to getting into full-time ministry.  For now, I'm good where I am, though.  You can follow me on twitter (http://twitter.com/fattychris) or wordpress (http://fattychris.wordpress.com/).


The Real Good News

By Matt Erickson

“To recover the old, authentic, biblical gospel, and to bring our preaching and practice back into line with it, is perhaps our most pressing present need.” J. I. Packer wrote these words in his 1958 introduction to a reprint of John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.

Matt Erickson

I am a husband to Kelly, father of three boys, a pastor, musician, avid hiker, disciple of Christ. Currently, I am employed as the Associate Pastor at Brooklife Church in Mukwonago, WI, which I helped to plant a few years ago after serving for five years as the Collegiate Ministries Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI. I graduated with a Masters in Divinity from Northern Theological Seminary and a Bachelors in English and Christian Education from Wheaton College (IL).

Interact with me more at the Renovate blog, Twitter or Facebook.


Are We Training Up Our Teen’s to be Priests and Levites?

By Xposed2Jesus

I’m sure by the time you read this post you’ve already seen the video footage of the homeless man that helped a woman that was being mugged. He was stabbed and then left for dead on the sidewalk.

For an hour he laid there with no help.

Have teens become so desensitized they pass by those who are dying spiritually and in need of Jesus?

Brian Ford

My name is Brian Ford. I'm a husband to my beautiful wife Kim, a speaker, a writer & youth pastor. Looking for a speaker for your next retreat, camp or youth event? Check out my Contact & Schedule pages for more information - www.xposed2jesus.com


Being an Easy Example for Your Students to Follow

By Dennis Beckner

Tonight I saw two of our students at Taco Bell hanging out with another kid I didn’t know.

After a few minutes of chit chat about their fishing trip that day and seeing picture, I turn to the kid I didn’t know and started this conversation:

Dennis Beckner

Since 1999 Dennis Beckner has been volunteering in the youth ministry at Saddleback Church. Dennis is available for training events, writing projects and speaking engagements. Learn more about Dennis and read more of his work on his blog, www.volunteeryouthministry.com.


Self-Image: Who’s the Real Biggest Loser? We’re Confused!

By Xposed2Jesus

The following is from a former student in my previous ministry. In her rant she discusses openly the problem with how teen girls are being misled regarding their image, as well as her own struggle in life to have the “right look.”

While some may dismiss this article as a mere rant, Angel writes from an honest heart and is willing to take a stand against what society is telling her and other teen girls today about their image.

Brian Ford

My name is Brian Ford. I'm a husband to my beautiful wife Kim, a speaker, a writer & youth pastor. Looking for a speaker for your next retreat, camp or youth event? Check out my Contact & Schedule pages for more information - www.xposed2jesus.com


Could It Be

By Xposed2Jesus

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. – Joshua 1:8

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Brian Ford

My name is Brian Ford. I'm a husband to my beautiful wife Kim, a speaker, a writer & youth pastor. Looking for a speaker for your next retreat, camp or youth event? Check out my Contact & Schedule pages for more information - www.xposed2jesus.com


Can Teenagers Grow Up Quickly?

By chrisbowditch

I did some reading recently on Adolescence in the book, Starting Right.  Worth reading if you haven't already.  It got me thinking about some stuff.

In the book, Adolescence is defined as, "the period of life between childhood and adulthood... (the process) lasts from roughly 10-13 years of age and ends at 18-22 years of age, (however) defining when adolescence ends is not an easy task..."

Following Jesus in Australia

Chris Bowditch is the Youth Minister at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Doncaster, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Hi is also studying for a Masters of Divinity at Ridley Melbourne Ministry and Mission College, also in Australia.  He has a Bachelor of Arts with a majors in Sociology and Public Policy and enjoys thinking about how Christians can engage their culture, which he does frequently on his blog Youth Ministry and Me.  He was born in 1984 and has been a Christian since 2001.  He got his start in Youth Ministry in 2002 as a junior leader on a week long junior high summer camp and he has been in some form of 'professional' Youth Ministry since 2006.  In January 2010 Chris got married to the love of his life, Ellisa.


Holding Students Accountable for Small Group Attendance

By Dennis Beckner

Caution: I wouldn’t recommend doing this with students you don’t have a solid relationship with.

I have a small group student who has become very lazy about attending small group. It’s a little ironic because he lives just a couple of streets over from where we meet. Others who have to drive a much longer distance, however, never miss.

Dennis Beckner

Since 1999 Dennis Beckner has been volunteering in the youth ministry at Saddleback Church. Dennis is available for training events, writing projects and speaking engagements. Learn more about Dennis and read more of his work on his blog, www.volunteeryouthministry.com.


Responding to Evil & School Shootings

By pjsports7j

Recently at Deer Creek middle school here in Littleton, CO another school shooting took place. We have several students in our ministry who attend that school including the daughter of our Junior High director.

What should we do now? How do we deal with this? The truth is, I don’t really know.

John Byrne's Bio

John Byrne has been involved in youth ministry for more then 15 years. His ability to engage, challenge, and speak relevantly to his audience has led to speaking opportunities nationwide including camps, seminars, conferences, and training events. He has also written for Group Magazine, Youthworker Journal, and contributed to Youth Ministry Lemonade: turning “sour” experiences into leadership success. To see more of his writing check out the YM Theology blog.

John knew he wanted to be a youth pastor at the early age of 13. While attending Oak Hills Bible College he met the woman of his dreams and convinced her to marry him. After a two year honeymoon in the great state of Colorado he returned to his home state of Minnesota to finish his Biblical Studies degree from Northwestern Bible College.

John’s passion is living out the great mission (commission) in his life and helping others do the same. He does this through writing and speaking as well as missional living in his own neighborhood and community.

John is currently the Student Ministries Pastor at The Rock of Southwest, a church in Littleton, Colorado. He lives in Littleton with his wife Christa, daughter Catrina 11, and son Joash 4.


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