Little Extras

Well, it is March. The sacredness of college basketball rears its head. Let the legendary folklore of NCAA basketball continue to unfold before our eyes.

What will we see, what upsets or mind numbing moments await? All this excitement makes me wonder where the excitement over changed lives falls in our order of importance.

The problem with being excited about change is that it often is something that is a process. As I look back over the changes going on in the lives of our youth and former youth, I am amazed. Amazed at the reality of the law of cause and effect. Choices have consequences. Both good and bad. The spiritual walk of our college students is usually a direct reflection of the spiritual walk and commitment they evidenced in their Junior High and Senior High years. This is also true of their values and beliefs. Their view of relationships, friends, family, money and many other areas of life ALWAYS flesh themselves out in the very near future. Usually as soon as the freedoms of college/community college/work allow them to show their true colors.

I am renewed in my passion to teach the Word. II Timothy 3 and 4 were presented by Dan Davey in a pastor's meeting I attended this week. He pointed out the 19 descriptions of men of dangerous, perilous times. These descriptions are followed by 3 result within the lives of those being described. Paul then give 3 antidotes to the problem in the form of 3 "But thou"s.

Those three things, fall within the purpose of our youth ministry here @ First Baptist.

1. Follow Godly Elders

We want to maximize the impact our godly "grey-haired" generation has on our young people. Ministering together, worshipping together. Allowing adult leaders in our youth to leave a spiritual mark on the next generation

2. Follow the Word

The Word brings to light the truth. (compare v15 to v7) ONLY the Word will bring wisdom to our young people. This is what the Holy Spirit uses. Less Word and more youth pastor does not bring about change, it only brings about superficiality.

3. Have perspective 4:5 (Be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry)

Our young people need to recognize what is going on around them. And know what is being accomplished within them. This is an eternal perspective with a knowledge of how to communicate effectively to the world that has either no eternal perspective, or an extremely skewed one.

Thanks Professor Davey, for your insights.
(and all the good stuff afterwards about theological trends including reformed theology, soverigngraceministries and such, and focusing on the emergent church movement)