MORTAL, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?

Reflections on God's New Thing

MORTAL, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?

Living Water

January 14, 2011 · Comments Off on Living Water · Scripture

Jeremiah 17:5-8

5 Thus says the Lord:
Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals
and make mere flesh their strength,
whose hearts turn away from the Lord.
6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see when relief comes.
They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.

7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.

This text has grown into my favorite biblical image for thinking theologically about our work with youth. Jeremiah’s words and metaphors offer us a realistic, faithful and sustainable way of envisioning our ministry with young people. [Read more →]

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State of Youth

January 3, 2011 · Comments Off on State of Youth · Research

I was an undergrad in the early-mid 90’s and Search Institute’s “positive psychology” approach to youth development was the rage. Rather than focusing on the problems of our youth and the discrepancies in our services to youth, they were committed to uncovering those characteristics (of communities, families and individual youth) that lead to positive and healthy development. Their findings have become know as the 40 developmental assets. The more assets you possess, the better chance you have at a bright future.

I loved this approach to studying and working with youth. It led to many years of exciting ministry in two different locations where the church functioned as a partner with the broader community in working with and for our youth. But I think it is time for the pendulum to swing our sights back to the dark side . . . [Read more →]

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