Digital Orthodoxy

In a world where polarization seems to have become the normative means of community control and an important tool for political control it’s probably not surprising to see that racially inspired violence is gradually becoming more and more of an issue. As I said, it’s not surprising, for if we polarize a community for long [...]

Try new Wonder Spirituality! Works wonders without effort. No harsh rubbing or scratching required. And with new Wonder Spirituality you only pay for what you use, when you use it. Click here for details. ——- Jenny – (spoken absently while watching Anchor of Hope on TV) I guess it’s since my parents split up. No [...]

I’ve recently (re)created a church website, as I created it asked myself a number of questions about the purpose, layout, reason, hosting, software and articles that I’d post on it. These questions could be explained in these ways… Why? Why does the church want a website? Why would anyone use this website? Why am I [...]

“Adult anxiety about teens may be the primary reason youth ministry exists” Writes Mark Yaconelli in his recently published book titled “Contemplative Youth Ministry” a book that has quickly risen into my “Top Ten” books on youth ministry. Mark writes that youth ministry has often lacked a sense of presence, that instead we’ve concentrated most [...]

Contemplation isn’t just being still. As Parker Palmer once wrote, “At root, contemplation and action are the same.” As our youth ministry becomes infused with contemplative prayer and awareness, the effect is not more prayer and silence; instead, what begins to emerge is authentic action.
  pp119 I’ve been thinking about some of the books that [...]

In response to the anxiety of adults (they’re the ones with the power after all), most congregations create youth ministries that are about control and conformity… Congregations want discipleship formulas that will guarantee their kids will become moral and faith filled believers.
 Contemplative Youth Ministry – pp44 I entered into a youth ministry in an [...]

No one expects us to be fully present to kids, least of all the church. We continually receive the message that parents, church board members, and pastors are happy as long as we produce as many programs in as few hours as possible. Contemplative Youth Ministry – pp125 I remember my first official youth ministry [...]

A little while ago I posted a review of a book by Mike King called “Presence Centred Youth Ministry” and earlier I posted a good number of reviews and thoughts on Yaconelli’s book “Contemplative Youth Ministry” both of which I’ve put up with “Starting Right,” “Practicing Passion,” “God Bearing Life.” “Way To Live” and “4 [...]