Article Library

Rick Lawrence's picture

We're All Born This Way

Rick Lawrence Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The other day I had breakfast with an old friend—we’ve met, off and on, two Saturday mornings a month for 10 years or so. I hadn’t seen him in a few months, so we had some catching up to do. I asked about his family. He paused, glanced down for a moment, then...
read more
Sort Articles
Culture

Fear Only Fear

Marko Tuesday, April 16, 2013
I’ve been fired two times from ministry positions. Well, that’s not fair. I was fired once, and I was laid-off once. But the fearsome inner dialogue that erupted within me—despite 20 years separating the two terminations—was eerily similar. I’d grown and matured in significant ways over those two... read more
Culture

Ministry & Media

Scott Firestone Tuesday, April 16, 2013
  [music] BUILDING 429 SONG:“Press On” (from We Won’t Be Shaken) TOPIC:Trust THEME:The singer doesn’t always know what’s in store, but is willing to press on as long as God’s at his side. BACKGROUND:It’s hard to believe Building 429 has been around for a dozen years. Opener “Get Up”... read more
Leadership, College

5th Year Ministry: Post Graduation Student Ministry (Part 1)

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Graduation! Your amazing students whom you have loved and cared for the past few years are heading out to the great unknown of college, the work force, their parents’ basement, or a strange combination of all three! But because moving away to college is such a big deal, those are the students we... read more
Culture

Discussion Starter—Marathon Marred by Fatal Bombings

Steph Martin Monday, April 15, 2013
Boston—A festive annual event turned deadly Monday when explosions rocked the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The blasts, reportedly bombs, were apparently timed to put the most competitors and spectators at risk. Firefighters found other undetonated devices near the race site, andsecurity was... read more
Families, Leadership, Discipleship, Small Groups

I Hate Church!

jeffreywallace Monday, April 15, 2013
This week I'm hanging out with my students in Orlando, Florida, at Universal Studios for their spring break. Last night, during one of our small group sessions, I had a group of senior high boys and we talked about the importance of living your life from the inside out and having an authentic... read more
Culture

Discussion Starter—NHL Launches Inclusion Initiative

Steph Martin Monday, April 15, 2013
New York—In an effort to promote tolerance and ensure that all players feel welcome, the National Hockey League is partnering with You Can Play, an anti-homophobia advocacy group. They plan to offer training and outreach programs to eliminate discrimination within the sport. “This partnership... read more
Families, Leadership

A Lover, and a Fighter and a Knock a Fella Out!

Matty Thursday, April 11, 2013
Ah, the 90’s! I remember driving my mom’s Mercury Cougar through the “mean streets” of Lincoln Park, blaring the radio with the bass turned up and the windows rolled down while I was on the way to my girlfriend’s house. My favorite jam was, “Whatta Man” by Salt-n-Pepa, and I couldn’t help but... read more
Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions: A Response

Matthew Thursday, April 11, 2013
  While Kurt and Josh deserve their own FAQ pages, I’ve had people reach out to me with similar questions. What I think is at the root of these questions is an anxiety that drives each of us to be looking over the fence to see what the next person is doing. My encouragement this week is to... read more
Leadership, Volunteers

Frequently Asked Questions (Kurt)

Kurt and Josh Wednesday, April 10, 2013
This week we’re taking on the top 3 questions that we get in our ministry, and today I (Kurt) am here with mine. Here are my Top 3 very frequently asked questions: 1. Do I Need A Sweet Youth Facility? Let me say this as clearly as possible: NO. In almost every community there is a church... read more
Families, Leadership, Discipleship, Culture, Middle School, College

The Future Depends On It!

Mike Hammer Tuesday, April 9, 2013
If you’ve been in youth ministry (or church) for even a short length of time, you've probably heard someone say something like, “Our youth are the future of the church,” and/or “Our youth are the church today.” The truth is that both are accurate. Yes, teens are part of the church today, but they... read more