Comments on: Let’s write a book together!

By: God is Loud, Part 3- Dan Haugh « A New Kind of Youth Ministry

God is Loud, Part 3- Dan Haugh « A New Kind of Youth Ministry — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:58:17 +0000

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By: Let’s write a book together! (part, 2) « A New Kind of Youth Ministry

Let’s write a book together! (part, 2) « A New Kind of Youth Ministry — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:25:11 +0000

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By: David Lambert

David Lambert — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:19:10 +0000

If I can add my 2-cents worth to the “work” issue…the word “work” gets a bad rap in both the religious sense of “faith vs. work” and in the fact that most teens hate to do work…be it chores, homework, or flipping burgers. But I believe that work is sacred and part of what makes us human. Adam was given “work” to do in the Garden before sin. He was to name the animals, tend the garden, subdue the earth and fill it. I would like to see the distinction drawn between work that is meaningful, creative, and fuliflling and work that is toilsome, burdensome, and draining. I think Isaiah 65 (especially vv.21-23) gives a beautiful picture of the difference between work in the fallen world and in the restored world.

Just a few more things to think about. I love the idea of this project, btw. Very cool, and very timely. I’ve been working with our high schoolers on the idea of a “rule of life” and we’re working through Bible Storying with both our Middle and High school groups. We just finished the OT and will do the story of Jesus’ birth after Christmas.

By: Dan Haugh

Dan Haugh — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:11:49 +0000

Chris
great idea. I love the collaboration vision and bringing together voices from youth pastors, leaders, and authors.
I also believe that the creation of a book for students (and perhaps a section from students) can serve as inspiration to this generation.
we have been teaching on Living into the Mission of God and what that looks like from a theological perspective and…from an experiential and every-day-life kind of perspective
but being able to supplement that with a book that they can take and read on their own and go back to is powerful.

By: jeremy zach

jeremy zach — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:52:48 +0000

Chris,

I have two brief comments for two sections.

Introduction::
Students understanding the Biblical storyline and how that fits into God’s mission really empowers them to why the need to restore the world. I am big fan of NT Wright. NT Wright in his new book: Justification states: God’s plan, God’s single plan, always was to put the world to rights, to set it right, to undo Genesis 3 and Genesis 11, sin and the fracturing of human society which results from that sin and shows it up into full colors. So, in a sense, the students need to see how Abraham’s covenant (Genesis 15), Jewish Exile, Jesus, and Paul’s vision all fit into the mission of the 21st century church (youth ministry). Student are literally paving the way for the 29th chapter in Acts.

Part 2:: Self
I think this section is literally the glue to the flow. How the student views themselves will (possibly) determine how/why they participate in the mission of God. A.W. Tozer said: What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. With such an abandoned adolescent culture, some more time may need to be spent hammering home why every student is the beloved before they work. I think a student will be ready to get their hands dirty for Jesus when they realize that their finger prints, looks, and personality are unique and different and unlike anyone else. Their finger prints are 1 in 6.6 billion people and they need to be comfortable with that. If they don’t see themselves as valued, loved, gifted, & unique they may have a difficult time finding the rhythms of God in their life.

By: chrisfol

chrisfol — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:57:00 +0000

Paul-
I better understand where you were going with the “work”/”calling” conversation. Thanks for clarifying. I agree, using “work” in the mission of God sense but not differentiating it from “work” in the sense of toiling over the earth, could certainly cause confusion with the readers if we are not explicit.

By: Paul Sheneman

Paul Sheneman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:34:09 +0000

Work and Calling:
Obviously, we shouldn’t equate calling and work in the text if we are going to say one is “good” (a sign of wholeness) and one is “bad” (a sign of brokenness). I think that if we do stick with the two terms then they do need to be clearly defined for the students in order to prevent confusion.
My concern is only that in school or through mass media most teens hear the words “calling”, “vocation”, “job” and “work” as meaning that same thing, namely gainful employment. Yet, in the church, we talk about “calling” and “vocation” in terms of our “work” of being a disciple of Christ and all activities that are an expression of our faithful to Him.

Gospel:
This is why you get paid the big bucks. I would have never thought to hold out on the reader until this point. I agree that it could create an “aha” moment for many because it would pander to our evangelical assumption that the “Gospel” is all about the salvation of humans. Once they are tracking with that then you can really open the doors of the “Gospel” to show that it is so much more.

By: Brad Brisco

Brad Brisco — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:41:58 +0000

Chris, I ran across your site via google alerts. I too am in KC, I am pretty certain we have a mutual friend in Jamie Roach? Blessings

By: Help Write a Book! · discipleshipremix.com

Help Write a Book! · discipleshipremix.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:19:06 +0000

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By: chris folmsbee

chris folmsbee — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:23:36 +0000

Paul — great feedback and questions.

I think if we define the words like, “disunion” and “shame” that students will be able to grasp it. Yes, I think we use the storyline throughout for reflection and point of reference.

Regarding the use of the word “work” … I am not thinking of using those two words (work and calling) synonymously at this point. Do you think we should?

Yes, the movements of the missional life is the gospel in all four sections! However, I think by emphasizing it here in this section we can point towards it from the previous sections as well as back to it from the subsequent sections and help to clearly connect the points of overlap for the reader, helping them to define it. My assumption is that most of the readers won’t be able to define it as missional like you and I. I’m hoping by placing it in this section, we can help achieve a light bulb moment. What do you think?

I love the idea of including some of Mary E. Moore’s thoughts on ministering to the earth. Great input.

Regarding the 28-day journal — yes, a mixture of thought provoking questions, actions, places to sketch, etc. My hope that it would be highly interactive.

I hadn’t thought much about the small group discussion guide. Perhaps we could write one as a supplemental piece for youth ministries to use.

Thanks for your input! Looking forward to working with you on this!