Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

These goals for 2008 from Teen Life Ministries sound like good advice for all parents and leaders of teens—as well as teens themselves.

1. Do whatever it takes to get teens to heaven. Paul wrote that he became all things to all people so that some might be saved (II Corinthians 9:19-23). How well does this relate to your ministry? What could you be doing that might reach more teens in your schools and community?

Ministry has its own set of pressures. We have to worry about what the leaders, parents, and members will think about a program or event. By doing whatever it takes to get teens to heaven, you will endure your share of criticism about your approaches, but keep the goal in focus. Keep everyone involved aware that you are not using a certain technique just to be different, but to bring teens to Jesus. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of my nephews sent me the following devotional from John Piper of Crosswalk.com. The devotional quotes an article by Christian Smith, professor of sociology at Notre Dame. Smith’s article deals with the new phenomenon of “adultolescence”–that is, the postponement of adulthood into the thirties. Piper then relates the phenomenon to the church. Read more »