I love/hate lock ins. Mostly I love them.

Lock Ins, at least in my experience of the protestant church world, are an opportunity for youth to gather in their church, along with other youth from their church and community, and run the place (in a safe, hospitable, and sometimes ridiculous way).

I say “run the place” because that’s what Lock Ins are all about: empowering youth to make their church and the ministry done at the church their own. [Read more →]

Buddy Christ, from the movie, "Dogma"

Growing up as a Young Life going, Youth group attending, mission trip summering, Jesus Freak (DC Talk) kind of teenager, I was taught many things about my friend, Jesus. I was taught that Jesus was loving, that Jesus saved people, that Jesus could teach, preach, do miracles and led a group of men around. I was also taught that Jesus was in my heart now that he left the earth and would guide me, teaching me what to do and letting me know I was never alone. I wanted to be like the Jesus of the bible, in fact, I even wore my rainbow WWJD bracelet proudly through middle school and high school. But most of all, life was good because I knew that Jesus was there for me and that I always had a friend in him. This was the Jesus I clung to.

Today, after many years of higher education in religion, Jesus still means the same thing to me… but he also means so much more. How can we, as adults involved with faithful youth and kids encourage a more well-rounded Jesus?……… [Read more →]

What does a show about show choir and a motley crew of teenagers have to do with social justice? Fox’s TV show, Glee, shows us how…

The TV show Glee caught my eye (and the eyes of many) because of the colorful set, hip fun characters, musical-style format, and quick witted lines and scenes. The show is centered on an inspired and determined teacher who brings many of the high school stereotypes (jock, nerd, band geek, theater buff, outcast) together to become a glee club, performing musical numbers together in competitions with other schools. It is a funny and often heartfelt show that leaves you smiling and uplifted, singing along to the pop music they perform and quoting the funniest line from the episode… [Read more →]

Will your pageant be AWESOME or AWFUL?

Angels and Shepherds and Kings, Oh My! Ah yes, Pageant season is “all up ons”.

As I sit down to write the script for our church’s annual Christmas pageant, I am reminded that a lot of work goes into re-creating the Christmas story. Every year I wonder why the children, youth, parents and Christian Educator spend so much time on this one event, indeed the whole of Advent culminates with our Pageant. Why?

Sometimes I wonder if it is all worth it, but deep down I think the Christmas Pageant, in all its glory, is one of the best events, indeed ministries, of the Holiday season. The pageant tells the story of the birth of Christ, it allows the children to lead and to shine, and allows the congregation to connect in ways they don’t on a normal Sunday morning. The pageant is a great ministry, but it doesn’t always seem that way.

Should the Advent season be the “Pageant Season?”…….

[Read more →]