tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post114174657248638097..comments2024-01-13T01:15:22.832-05:00Comments on CROSS-eyed: We (I) have failedpastor justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1142283869068001642006-03-13T16:04:00.000-05:002006-03-13T16:04:00.000-05:00When Dallas and I were on staff with the youth at ...When Dallas and I were on staff with the youth at our church, one of the biggest things that we were told was that student ministry is parent ministry in disguise. <BR/><BR/>Parents seem to have no clue today how to disciple their children or share the gospel with their children. I am so thankful for the examples that have been set before us and the Lord showing us the right way to raise our children! I do not say these things proudly, only by the grace of God do I know or understand childrearing! But I really don't think parents know that they are responsible for teaching their children in righteousness. Nor would they even know where to begin. I wish that churches would strive to teach parents how to be biblical, God honoring parents! I think a lot of times too, youth groups try and replace that role of the parent, instead of coming alongside and encouraging them in their role. <BR/><BR/>"It is possible to attend church regularly for years and never be challenged to understand and believe the gospel. Tragic."<BR/><BR/>How true that was in my life!The Taras'https://www.blogger.com/profile/04346598210370829364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141912641122636302006-03-09T08:57:00.000-05:002006-03-09T08:57:00.000-05:00Good words, Bro. Clif.Good words, Bro. Clif.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141879228247889922006-03-08T23:40:00.000-05:002006-03-08T23:40:00.000-05:00I believe for too long we have underestimated the ...I believe for too long we have underestimated the "hunger" (don't know if that's the right word) -- of our teens. Having just finished our church's first ever Grace Conference with Dr. Sam Storms - it was an unexpected blessing to have a parent tell me how much their 16 year old son enjoyed his teaching. They spent over an hour one night after the service discussing Sam's message. <BR/>I agree - it's a church issue - but bottom line - it's a "me" issue! Do they see me hungering for and being satisfied in the gospel. <BR/>Let's pray that God will grant them and us a deeper hunger so that we will no longer be satisfied with our level of knowledge of the gospel. The more we fill ourselves with the gospel -the greater the overflow!Clif Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02968920181756815993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141785116519688732006-03-07T21:31:00.000-05:002006-03-07T21:31:00.000-05:00Mark, I TOTALLY agree. I am coming from the persp...Mark, I TOTALLY agree. I am coming from the perspective of a student minister who has wasted a lot of time on non essentials while the essentials have been assumed.<BR/>I don't have many parents who are actually teaching their children the gospel. Part of my failed responsibility (along with every other student ministry I know) is that I have not challenged the parents sufficiently.<BR/><BR/>Knowing that the students are not being taught at home, we must do at least two things:<BR/>1. We must encourage students to know and believe the gospel (because they obviously don't)<BR/>2. We must encourage parents to fulfill their God-given role in shepherding thier child's heart.pastor justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141778187202432382006-03-07T19:36:00.000-05:002006-03-07T19:36:00.000-05:00Mark,I can say Amen to this. Parents do hold the ...Mark,<BR/><BR/>I can say Amen to this. Parents do hold the primary responsibility, this specifically applies to those students whose parents are believers, obviously. I think the Church will be called to account, Church leaders that is for poor teaching about salvation and a lack of clarity concerning what exactly is the Gospel. Perhaps the "we" we have used was speaking to a "they" who serve as babysitters, bus drivers, life coaches and entertainers, but do not take seriously the task of guarding what has been entrusted to them and passing it on to faithful men.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141777010178984682006-03-07T19:16:00.000-05:002006-03-07T19:16:00.000-05:00At two levels it is not we who have failed. Let m...At two levels it is not we who have failed. Let me explain.<BR/><BR/>1. The primary responsiblity for gospel instruction lies with the parents of these teens. I say this sharing the burden for teenagers. But, the reality is that God does not hold me accountable for teaching the gospel as much as he does those who are commanded to instruct their children - the parents, and particularly the fathers. Now, does this mean we just jump ship? Absolutely not. But, our hearts should break for parents as much as for teens. <BR/><BR/>2. The other level is the level of the teen's own remaining corruption (if a believer) and (if an unbeliever) darkness of understanding. How my heart breaks for people who have been taught the gospel and do not believe it! How my heart hurts for kids who know a thin gospel in their heads but no robust, biblical gospel in their hearts!<BR/><BR/>So, let us keep responsibility on the teen and the parent as well. God commands us to grow in the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3). Let's make sure we are calling people to that, and preaching it as clearly as we can.Mark Redfernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640009582089858369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141754898841288492006-03-07T13:08:00.000-05:002006-03-07T13:08:00.000-05:00"This is true not because we had a great program. ..."This is true not because we had a great program. It is true because students were confronted with thier lack of understanding and were asked to articulate the gospel." <BR/><BR/>Based on this reality, if ministries might focus not so much on program, but more on confronting Christians with their lack of understanding of the Gospel, perhaps transformation would begin to take place. I know I am simply restating what you've obviously just said, I just like it so much I want it in the blogosphere as much as possible for the record.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141752850033560762006-03-07T12:34:00.000-05:002006-03-07T12:34:00.000-05:00Chase, thanks for the comment.Here is what I have ...Chase, thanks for the comment.<BR/><BR/>Here is what I have just found out that may shed some light on these things:<BR/>One weekend of focus on the gospel has done more than 2 years worth of Wednesday night "talks."<BR/>Now, that weekend was only 2 weeks ago so I cannot speak to the lasting fruit of it just yet. But, I know this: I have a lot of students who now have an understanding of the gospel and can articulate it. This is true not because we had a great program. It is true because students were confronted with thier lack of understanding and were asked to articulate the gospel.pastor justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17551674.post-1141752166439747302006-03-07T12:22:00.000-05:002006-03-07T12:22:00.000-05:00Thank you Justin. When we keep and gain students ...Thank you Justin. <BR/><BR/>When we keep and gain students by seeking to entertain them. We cannot keep them long. We don't have the budget, or the ability to appeal to their sin nature like MTV does. Thus, we cannot keep most of those we draw, and of those who are there, like the crowd in Ephesus of Acts 19, most do not even know what they are doing. As a firend of mine says, "We need to invite students to change their major from undecided to understood. Thank you for this bold and accurate assesment that would indict student ministries all across our land. Now, what must we do to change this sad reality?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com