Author Archive

By Chuck Gartman

“Freedom!!!” William Wallace cries in the last scene of “Braveheart.” The sound and pathos reach out, grab you, and capture your emotions. A similar thing happens in the movie, “Independence Day,” starring Bill Pullman, who plays the President of the United States. His speech as the troops are preparing to attack the aliens is one of the best fictional inspirational speeches I have ever seen or heard. Old movies, to be sure, but the principle of emotion-grabbing is common to nearly every movie.

Don’t forget the subtle advertising in movies, either. Have you seen a Pepsi can or a bag of Doritos or a Starbuck’s shop in any movies recently? If so, you may have been influenced to buy some of those products. All this is to say that movies have a tremendous impact on the lives of youth. They capture our imagination, our emotions, and our actions. We can’t ignore that influence. As Youth Leaders, we need to remind our students often of this influence.

One person has said that we either have to engage the culture or it will engage us, so the thoughts in this article relate to the former statement. I believe there must be some intentionality about our movie attendance. For me personally, I love movies, but if I am not careful, I will let them influence me in adverse ways, so we need to guard our hearts.

Think with me about Hollywood’s view of the world. If we are not intentional about our movie watching we may be drawn into the lifestyles the movies are portraying. All of the following statements are in direct opposition to our Christian’s world view.

1. Sex has no consequences and it’s definitely ok outside of marriage
2. Bad guys win without consequences—consider the numerous reality TV shows now.
3. Christians are naïve and often misguided buffoons.
4. A beautiful body is a good body.
5. You can’t have fun without drinking alcohol or using tobacco in some form.
6. Life is boring and you have to do extreme things to make it interesting
7. The dishonorable is honorable.
8. More violence and horror is better.
9. Religion is a crutch.

With the preceding thoughts as the backdrop here are a few thoughts about intentional movie watching.

1. Work at building a screening system into your mind. What I mean by this is that you need judge everything that goes into your mind via movies (and other media, for that matter) by Christian principles. You obviously cannot know and practice Christian principles unless you are reading/studying the Bible, praying, worshiping, and meeting regularly with other Christians in fellowship.If something on the screen is wrong—whether it’s a word, an action, an attitude, or lifestyle, judge it as it is—wrong. Then when you find yourself in a similar situation you will already know what is wrong and can refrain. Of course, the opposite is true as well. If something is good, judge it as it is and you will be prone to act appropriately when you find yourself in similar situations.
2. “De-emotionalize.” Identify emotions that draw you into movies—fear, sensuality, concern, violence, etc. When you feel yourself being drawn into an emotion that you know is not a good one for you as a Christian, acknowledge it, and intentionally say to yourself, “I will not be influenced here.” Be careful to be aware of the subtle messages, as well, because they are many.
3. Avoid extremes. Just because a movie has a certain rating doesn’t mean that it is to be avoided at all cost. (You would have missed The Passion of the Christ, Braveheart, The Matrix, and Gladiator, just to name a few, if you have that reasoning). It does, however, require wisdom and discernment from God as you watch it. (Please do not use this as an excuse to go see every “R” or “PG-13”rated movie in town—some of them are just not appropriate for us a Christians. Visit www.screenit.com or Focus on the Family’s “Plugged In” for some guidance in this area).
4. Remember to pray a lot. Ask God to show you His truth in all that you watch and hear.
5. Remember that you end up being what you think, so Paul’s message to us in Philippians 4:8 is a great ending to this: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, what is admirable—if anything is praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV)

Used by Permission, LifeWay Christian Resources Portions of an article, “Movie Watching Guide,”  written for Collegiate Magazine, Summer, 2006.

Chuck Gartman is the Youth Ministry Professor at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX. He is also the President of “Go To” Ministry, Inc. Need someone to train your youth leaders in effective Bible study leadership? “Go To” is your solution. For more information call 806-535-4684.

By Paul Gunn

The lives of today’s students have been shaped by 9/11. All their lives they’ve known people in the military. ROTC groups in high schools are flourishing. With the promise of a job in a stagnant economy along with the training and educational benefits, some of your students see the military as a viable option for their futures. For years of youth ministry, I never had even one student  join the military. Then all of a sudden after 9/11 several joined. Maybe you’ve not noticed, but this is indeed a war generation.

The support system around a new recruit is very important. Encourage, do not discourage. When one of your students joins the military he or she joins the millions of men and women who have sensed a similar call throughout American history. If the student’s parents freak out, encourage them to talk the decision through with their teenage child. Then, if the student makes the decision to enlist, encourage them to get the t-shirt and the bumper sticker. If possible, work with the recruiter to have the oath tendered in front of your church congregation. Then ask the parents and veterans to surround the new recruit for prayer. I’ve done this on two occasions and it was powerful.

Basic Military Training is not designed to be easy. It is designed to rebuild the person for success. The first few weeks are rough. As time passes the drill instructors grow fine leaders who gain enough confidence to be the world’s best war fighters. MAIL (as in the old-fashioned letter with envelope and stamp) is GOLD to a person in BMT. When the parents get an address, immediately send lighthearted letters of encouragement with Scripture passages, devotional thoughts, and prayers. Share some local news and ensure the troop that nothing exciting is happening at home and all is well. Do not talk about problems back home. But, send lots of letters. No troop has ever complained about receiving too much mail. Encourage students and adults to write. Ask them to keep the letters  simple. Only send letters that fold flat and fit in letter size envelopes. Write the address exactly as it is given to you and do not put any drawings or sayings on the envelope. You do not want to do anything that creates a teasing situation. Do not send packages while in BMT. Trust me on this. Opportunities for that will come later.

If possible, attend the graduation ceremony. The trip will be well worth the effort. It will mean so much to the family. The new airman, sailor, soldier, or marine will proudly introduce you to everyone.

Paul Gunn is a full time chaplain with the Air Force Reserve and a recruiter of chaplains. He served as a youth pastor for over 22 years. In his spare time, he directs missionfever.com.

By Donna Jones

I can still remember it. A white van drove into the mall parking lot. I watched my 21-year-old son climb in with nothing but a change of clothes and toiletries. Then, the van drove away, taking my first born son to a military processing center in Amarillo. My chest hurt . . . couldn’t breathe . . . tears flowed like the Niagara Falls. Kevin, my husband, Christopher’s father, was popping buttons off his shirt, he was so proud. Not me! I was scared! Driving home I came to a red light and laid my head on steering wheel and cried out to God: “I CAN’T DO THIS! IT’S TOO HARD AND I NEED YOU! THAT’S MY SON!” You know, He knew how I was feeling!

For the next three months I cried. Then what I was most fearful of happened: a terrorist attack catapulted us into war. All the fear rushed to the surface. But something changed. When we finally got to see that 6’2” man proudly standing before us in his Navy uniform, I started to see him through different eyes. It seemed that God began changing my fearful heart and began teaching me how to pray like I’ve never prayed before.

Fast forward two years . . . We got a call that Christopher is being sent to Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Afraid? I’d be lying if I said no, but there was also trust. Over time I was being taught that I could trust God with my child. There was a peace in knowing that whatever happened, God was in control and Christopher was safe in His Hands whether it be on earth or in heaven.

So I prayed! Prayer became that connection with my son who was on the other side of the world, but also with my Father. I learned to pray not only for Christopher’s safety, but also that he would find favor with others around him and that he would be a light in a very dark place. I prayed for grace and strength and that he would always feel God’s presence when loneliness overcame him. I prayed that young soldiers who walked along side Christopher would come to know the Lord and secure their spiritual safety.

Whenever fear began to overwhelm my heart, prayer was my only peace. Prayer knitted my heart and soul to God in knowing that He knew what it was like to send His Son off. Not in a white van, but to a dark, ugly world to die. His mission was to SAVE and REDEEM those who would hear and respond to His voice. So if you are a parent of a soldier, run to God and pray. He does hear you! If you are a church youth leader, remember what moms and dads are going through . . . and pray for them, too.

Donna Jones is a mom in Odessa, Texas. She and her husband Kevin raised three amazing Christian kids who are all now young adults.

By Chris White

Barely eighteen years old, I graduated high school and was headed to basic training. Although military service had a long history in our family, I was unsure of what to expect as I headed for my first duty station. It didn’t take to long before I understood this life would be much different than living at home and going to high school.

Each and every day I faced a barrage of new challenges. The drill instructors are skilled at preparing young men and women for duty. Part of this preparation is ensuring each enlisted person has been challenged in every area of life (mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual). As I reflect on life, my military service played a pivotal role in my faith development.

Determined to live a life of faith proved to be one of my first big challenges. My drill instructor had our platoon, some 60 guys, in a training room talking with us. One of the first questions out of his mouth was, “Which of you in this room is religious and believes in God?” It was decision time: Not raise my hand and try to fly under the radar or raise it to acknowledge my faith and bear witness for God? Out of all those guys in that room, I was the only one to raise my hand. Everyone laughed. My drill instructor said, “Go ahead and laugh privates; when things get tough, this is the guy you are going to come to.” Throughout my time in basic training and advanced individual training (AIT), there were three guys who came to know Christ as a result of my being there and being willing to take a stand.

As a youth minister, you have a great opportunity to encourage students who have enlisted in the military. If I were to talk to your students, here’s what I would tell them: Allow God to use you in the midst of any circumstance. God can and will use you if you are willing to be available to Him. As you prepare for military service, remember God’s promise to Joshua and to each of us found in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go.” Seize this time in life as a key opportunity to live out the vibrant faith that God has given to you.

Chris White is a veteran youth minister who lives in Edwardsville, IL. He has served churches in Arkansas, Virginia, and Illinois.

By David Bennett

I grew up participating with “Youth Sunday,” a day for youth to take leadership in the church. So when I became a youth minister I decided to bring what I remembered to be a positive experience with me. After weeks of preparation—planning the service, writing a sermon, practicing special music, getting pointers on worship leadership, attending staff meetings, and meeting with church committees—it was time to lead the Sunday service. I did what most youth ministers would have done: I prayed for the group then left them without an adult in the room. As I took my seat near the front of the worship center I thought crossed my mind: What if I get stood up? What if they don’t file out onto the platform and into the choir loft? Would they dare leave the congregation to figure out worship without leaders?

Fortunately for me the students came through. They entered in youthful reverence and an amazing worship experience followed. I kept my job. I had considered walking in with the students, but they didn’t need me. I had worked myself out of a job. However . . . I remember other ministries where the worst thing I could have done for the students and my ministerial career would have been to turn them over to themselves—even if it was only to pass the offering plates.

Ministry is a verb. Not just for you, but for your students as well. Your weeks are spent planning, meeting, speaking, leading, promoting, and connecting. Think about what you are doing that you could hand off to your students.

Invite students to plan with you. Students who are involved in planning are more likely to not only participate, but also to encourage their friends to participate. And as good as your ideas are, their ideas may even be better.

Have meetings with your students just like you do with your church staff. Ask students to regularly meet with you on Sunday afternoons, early mornings before school, or at other times that suit their busy schedules. Include representatives from your older and younger students. Look over your calendar of events. Evaluate past events. Discuss future events and how they support your mission. In a small youth group, everyone who wants can easily participate.

Take a break from your weekly talks and let a student speak in your place. Challenge students to stand in your shoes. When appropriate prepare a student to bring the Bible study or message you usually bring. Prepare them in advance. Have them present their message to you before they go live. And be sure you are present when they do so. Don’t plug in a student the Sunday or Wednesday when you are on vacation.

Obviously, these are only a few suggestions. Encourage students to lead in worship, prayer, teaching, and leading where they are equipped to do so. Constantly look for ways to push students forward in your ministry. As you allow students to use the gifts God has given them you are sharing ministry and developing leaders. Keep saying to yourself: Less of me. More of them. Less of me. More of them. Less of me. More of them. Do your best to work yourself out of a job . . . or at least into that back seat.

David Bennett is Director of Student Discipleship at St. George’s Church in Nashville, TN. He lives in nearby Brentwood with his wife Kimberly and their three teenage daughters.

By C. Gene Wilkes

Being a servant leader is not as confusing as it may seem. “How can a servant lead?” Or, “How does a leader serve?” are two questions you may ask immediately. A servant leads like Jesus who “came not be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45) when the ministry is not about him or her but about serving students and their families so they can become maturing followers of Jesus. Servant leaders lead others to their Leader and do not make everything about their personality or cleverness. Yes, use your personality and cleverness to attract and engage students, but the goal is that their hearts connect to God, not to be infatuated with you. Servants take their cue from their Leader rather than the last conference they attended (although these may help), and they make God’s mission to make disciples priority over the activity calendar. Servant leaders in student ministry serve God first and those who God entrusts to them. Me3 is their motto.

As the leader, students, parents, and the church expect you to be proactive to complete the mission of the group and be responsive to the needs of the students and their families—all of their needs! How can one person do all that? A servant leader serves those on mission with him or her. A servant leader equips/trains students and ministry partners how to carry out the mission of the group and to meet needs. If your group’s mission, for example, is to “change the world one student at a time, whenever, wherever,” you will spend your time training students and ministry partners how to change the world this way. If a family is in crisis, a servant leader will have ministry partners trained to be first responders and partners until health and relationships are restored. The leader is not left alone to serve the family.

Servant leaders do not attempt to lead by themselves. Like Jesus who “recruited twelve, graduated eleven, and invested in three,” servant leaders serve by investing in a team of leaders who can continue the ministry in their absence and do more together than alone. Servant leadership shows itself in team ministry. Just as a basketball team cannot win a championship with one superstar, so a student ministry cannot be effective with a single superstar leader. Servant leaders joyfully share leadership so the team, not the leader, can succeed in the game of ministry.

These basics of servant leadership can help you be effective in your ministry and be a model for student leaders who mature through your ministry. Read the Gospels and see how Jesus did it. It will make all the difference in the world.

Gene Wilkes is the senior pastor of Legacy Church in Plano, TX. He is the author of Jesus on Leadership and several other books on leadership. For more help in guiding your youth group in servant leadership, check out Gene’s study, Jesus on Leadership, Student Edition.

By Jane Wilson

Breaking up is hard to do . . . and that’s not just a song title. An easy break-up would go against teenage culture, as well as the basic nature of people. And when that break-up is within your youth group it can disrupt the whole group. In considering the “cure” for the situation, perhaps we should consider a few elements of prevention.

First of all, your students will date. And, if they are in their last years of high school, dating is not a bad thing. The concentration on just one person–the steady dating–is where a problem can arise. Actually, an opposite problem can arise when students “group date” well into college years and do not learn how to interact alone with the opposite sex and how to commit to another person. So, how can we take a typical rite of maturation (dating) and prevent it from causing problems and conflict among your students?

One preventive measure is to be sure your student ministry provides opportunities for gender-specific study and social activities. If your group is large enough to separate boys from girls in the Bible study hour, consider doing it. I prefer gender-specific Bible study groups throughout student ministry, but recognize that co-ed classes can function effectively in 11^th and 12^th grades of high school. Providing opportunities for the “couple” to be “un-coupled” can help lessen the shock (for both the couple and their friends) when the couple breaks up.

Another preventive measure is to begin now to create a culture of restrained conversation.  Proverbs provides admonition after admonition concerning the tongue, as does the book of James. In Proverbs 12:18, we are told, “There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (The Amplified Bible). Act quickly and decisively in all situations when you hear conversation that isn’t edifying, is harsh, is cruelly teasing, or is judgmental. Teach and preach about this topic and create “buy-in” from your student leaders and any adults who might spend time in your student ministry.

One other suggestion is to allow adults in your church to share with students about their own courtship and marriage. These living examples will show students the normalcy of the dating rituals and the breaking up that inevitably occurs. Adult leaders who have warm relationships with students can provide encouragement and support to those who are a part of the break-up, for they have walked that pathway themselves.

I once heard about a student minister who, at the beginning of camp or mission trip, reminded his students: “This is not a five-day date!” It is completely within your authority and leadership of your group to limit “couple time” during your youth group activities. And, of course, whenever excessive clinginess or affection presents itself, pull the couple aside and address it.

Remember: God wired us to desire the affections and connections with the opposite sex. Even when all the rules are followed, it is hard to sever the ties that are developed in a dating relationship. But, when through your teaching, your leadership, and the testimonies of other adults you can walk alongside students in these difficult times, you are preparing them for the inevitable “break ups” of their adult life as family relationships, work relationships, and church relationships sometimes go awry. And that preparation will make your youth group a friendly place for healing, rather than a minefield of gossip, taking sides, and criticism.

 Jane Wilson is the Youth Ministry Specialist at the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Dallas, Texas.

By Randy Fields

It’s Wednesday night and you are looking forward to a great time with your students only to discover that when Sally shows up, you sense a conflict between her and Jody. Conflict can find its way into any group at any given time, but in a small group it can have devastating results very quickly. While conflict happens, the best way to resolve potential conflict is before it ever begins.

As a leader of a small youth group, you have the opportunity to know your students very well. Use that strength to your advantage. As you talk with your students, listen for any potential conflicts that may be happening. As you help your group to mature encourage them to publicly affirm one another. Take some time every so often to just affirm every member of your group and let each student share something positive about each student.

Help your students focus on the strengths they have as a group and as individuals within the group. Encourage your students to grasp what the Apostle Paul meant in Romans 12 when he was talking about how each of us are a different part of the body. We each serve a different function in the body, yet we are still one body. Build into your weekly meetings an aspect of loving each other, praying for each other, accepting each other, and encouraging each other.

You may want to consider building a youth group creed with your students and allowing them to set the expectations of how they are going to treat each other. Copy and print the creed they have developed and keep it in front of them on a continual basis. While conflict may occur from time to time, you will be a much stronger and healthier group by practicing some of these ideas.

Randy Fields has been involved in student ministry for the past twenty-five years. He has a heart to reach youth, is a writer for Lifeway Church Resources, and is currently serving as the lead pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Grass Valley, CA.

By Paul Turner

Youth groups always have drama. It is just part of the DNA of being a teenager and so it becomes a part of your youth ministry. However, you can head some of that mess off. Since I sometimes have been accused of having the gift of sarcasm, I thought we might take a “tongue in cheek look” at How NOT to be a Peacemaker.

• Pick a student as “loser of the week” and make sure all the other students say mean and hateful things about him every time they see him. Encourage them to text them “loser” a couple of times/day.
• Pick sides in every argument. Be sure to tell the opposing side how dumb they are to think and believe what they do.
•  Tell students their parents are dumb and just don’t understand what it is like to be a teenager. Make sure you hold seminars for the students to attend on subject.
•  Whatever you do, do not mix Scripture into any discussion students are having. Only use your personal experiences. The Bible is outdated anyway, right?
• Tell the students you would like to paint the youth area/space/room but the adults in the church do not like them and want to punish them by making them stay in the worst rooms the church they can find.
• Never, and I mean never, admit you are wrong or have ever done anything wrong. Remind them that when they fail, they are the only ones who have ever done that. Maintain your perfect image at all times. Remind them how dumb they are to have made the mistakes they have made.
• Never return to the church on time after an event. Be sure to blame it on one or two kids for making you late. Make sure everyone knows it was never because of poor planning on your part.
•  Always threaten students with “I will kick you out of this group” just because you can. Fear is a great motivator and regardless if students are doing anything to warrant any kind of discipline, be sure to mess with them. All of their home situations are secure so you need to add some instability in their lives.
• Blame the students for everything. You have no faults.
•  Be sure to pick favorites in the group. Announce who the favorite is on the Internet, publications, and meetings. Be sure to change them around and don’t tell kids how or why they have fallen from the favored ranks.

I am sure that is more than enough sarcasm. I hope you get the gist of where I am coming from. Students need love, support, and a safe place. Choose to provide that for them physically, emotionally and spiritually. Save your sarcasm for the mirror. Punch yourself in the face verbally if you just have to spew it.

“The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).

Paul Turner is a husband, dad, and a youth ministry veteran. He loves encouraging youth ministers to partner with parents and help students know God, own their faith, and make their faith known. You can follow him on twitter @pturner63 or check out his musings at www.pturner63.blogspot.com