t-blog

It seems crazy to name a conference “Connecting Church & Home.” Maybe you didn’t realize that they weren’t connected. The reality is that many of us as parents rely solely on the ministry of the local church to teach and train our sons and daughters what it means to be followers of Christ. While discipleship is a biblical mandate for the church, scripture does not relieve us of the responsibility to disciple our children at home. The church is our partner in this great ministry of discipleship.

Join us here at Southern Seminary for a day and a half of being challenged to lead our homes and churches in growing true disciples.

Teenagers with a biblically grounded Christian worldview do not just happen, they must be built. “In the absence of biblical formative instruction, secular formative instructors take over. Our hearts are easily captivated by the hollow and deceptive philosophy of a godless culture.[1] The task of building a Christian worldview in the lives of our teenage children is a proactive one. It is not to be attempted passively. Before construction begins, parents and church leaders must have a blueprint. The powerful thing about a blueprint is that it allows the builder and the future residents to see how things should look from perspective of the architect.

If parents desire to build a Christian worldview in the lives of their teenagers, they must translate the dynamic truth of the Gospel into the daily trek of real life. Once again, we are faced with deciding to be intentional or reactive. One leads to building a Christian worldview the other leads to watching someone else build it.

But before construction begins, parents must take some time for a little personal reflection and lay out a strategy for shaping a christian worldview at home through what I call 8 Simple Rules for Shaping a Christian Worldview at Home.

In her recent book, Almost Christian: What the Faith of teenagers Is Telling the American Church, Kenda Dean states that “most teenagers are perfectly content with their religious worldviews; it is churches that are—rightly—concerned. So we must assume that the solution lies not in beefing up congregational youth programs or making worship more “cool” and attractive, but in modeling the kind of mature, passionate faith we say we want young people to have.”

The key to shaping a Christian worldview is this. You have to be a Christian worldview before you can teach a Christian worldview. Your kids will learn more from your life than your words.

With this in mind, here is Rule #1: In every situation ask, “Does this honor God?” Your teenager must see you evaluating every situation and decision with a concern for what will bring glory to God. That means that you have to ask (not just in your mind) if God will be glorified in this vacation to the Grand Canyon or how will God get the glory if you by a new car. The biblical foundation for this rule is centered on 1 Corinthians 10:31. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

Start today by seeking God’s glory in every day’s activities.

[1]Trip, Ted and Margy. Instructing a Child’s Heart (Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2008), 15.

Okay, so I mentioned in my last post that Mexico City makes me feel at home, but I wasn’t quite sure why. Well, I think I know why.

PEOPLE:

Their Calling…God has so richly blessed this city with God’s people who love to see others hear about His wonderful grace. These people care deeply for their country and willing to sacrifice to see that happen in their communities. They have set aside the normal course of their lives to pursue “unsung hero” status. The ministry that they have been called to often presents great difficulties that would cause youth pastors in the United States to resign or announce that “they sense God is moving them to a new ministry.”

Their Hospitality…In the last 6 years I have the opportunity to teach youth ministry students at 3 of our international centers (Kiev, Kathmandu, & Mexico City), and without question God’s people have always received me like family. The people of Mexico City are no exception. But I want to express special thanks to my students and interpreter here this week. You are all brothers & sisters on the same mission and you make me want to love Jesus more.

Their Food…Okay, so this one is not very spiritual, to you. However, sharing a meal together is a very spiritual activity in the body of Christ. It brings us all to a place where we connect with each other in a heartfelt way. But here, that fellowship is accompanied with entrees that taste sooooo good. Thank you seminary kitchen ladies.

CLASS:

We had a very productive class today. We began the day with a review of our Youth Ministry Mission Statement and Philosophy and also reviewed the 5 C’s for Measuring Spiritual Growth. The rest of the day flowed as follows:

• Foundations of  Campus Ministry
• Characteristics of a Movement
• Ingredients for Growth
• Benefits of a Movement
• Goals of a Movement
• Basic Principles of a Campus Ministry
• Initial Steps to a Campus Ministry (part 1)

Students also worked in groups to develop a survey to use on a school campus (MS=Secondary, HS=Preparatory). They will continue with that project tomorrow.

I’ll post another update on Wednesday. In the meantime, if you happen to read or understand Spanish, you can check out YMI’s Latin American Site. If not, take a look at this promo video for the National Center for Youth Ministry-Mexico.

Ever since I was kid, I have been blown away by the stories of heroes in the Bible. There are too many to number. Hero is defined as “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” (dictionary.com). The most impacting heroes that have shaped me have been those who radically followed God at a young age–Joseph, Gideon, Josiah, David, Daniel…Brian Carderelli, 25.

On August 5th, a family of heroes suffered the loss of their son and brother. This is not your ordinary family. In a time when church goers have allowed their beliefs to be sequestered and held captive by American churchiosity (I stand guilty), this family has taken the teachings of Jesus seriously. I am often asked by parents of teenagers just how they can equip their sons and daughters with a Christian worldview. My response has been and will continue to be the same…”Be a Christian worldview before you teach a Christian worldview!”

That is what Mike & Sharon Carderelli have done. They knew that what Jesus taught is true and cannot be stopped, but must be obeyed no matter what the cost. They make me want to love God more through radical obedience. They have also built a family who live that as well, following their example. Their children are a reflection of their passion to know God and make Him known, worldwide! They are two of my heroes. They cared for our oldest daughter until our “gotcha day” arrived and Sharon placed her in my arms for the first time. I pray that my daughters will be like their kids.

Their son Brian lost his life serving God and loving people radically, on August 5, 2010. After I watched a memorial video that his uncle produced using many of the pictures that Bryan had taken (Brian was a talented videographer), I was reminded of these words from Hebrews 11: 38-40 (HCSB).

The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground. All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.

Brian produced two videos this past year that you can view here.

Brian Carderelli Memorial Video