Some background
This posting by Sandra “Madre” Ostapowich gives some really good background info on why the whole idea of ghetto-izing the “youth” is such a horrifically ill-advised thing, and why I’m so cranky about what’s been going on at/in my congregation of late.
I’m not prepared yet to wax verbose (much less eloquent) about this yet, but give the posting a read, and you’ll get a good idea of where I’ll be coming from when I do finally find the words (and not the anger/frustration) to describe why I find certain attitudes & practices so detrimental to the body of Christ.
Madre’s Missives - Why Higher Things exists…
-ghp
Wii-ing makes you lose weight?
Wii — Kids Burn 40% More Calories Says Research 
After this past weekend, when the Territorial Brood set up a temporary annex at Casa de big sis, I bet that big sis would have no problem believing this little factoid of (potentially) junk science. 
Now, I don’t put a whole lot of stock in this type of research; however, I will say this much — I’d rather the kids play the Wii, with the possibility that they’re moving around (i.e., active in some way) than just sitting like a blob in front of the tube, either just watching tv or playing a traditional console/computer game. Some activity is better than none, especially during the winter doldrums.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!
-ghp
Youth Ministry - The triumph of emotionalism
Youth Ministry - No sir, I don’t like it!
Neither does Jon over at Beggars All. In a recent posting — Youth Pastors Anonymous — he lays out a wonderfully cogent and timely case against the ghettoizing blight that is “Youth Ministry”.
I agree wholeheartedly with Jon. Herding the youth off into their own ghetto is wrong on many levels. Congregations do not need to be divided over & against themselves in such a way. It serves no one, and it is not a faithful execution of that which is described in Acts 2:40-47. Neither should the OHM be devalued in such a way, for it belies a lack of respect for that which Christ instituted for our benefit.
I don’t understand this desire by so many folks to elevate kids & youth as somehow being unique & having different needs than the rest of church. As Jon puts it so well,
All this being said: A pastor must be discerning and must know which of his flock need milk and which need meat. The milk and the meat however are from the same cow. Children need milk and by the time they are confirmed they should have enough teeth to chew the meat. If a person is not ready for this meat – the pastor should exercise his authority and not confirm this person.
Catechesis is not a function of age and teaching must be tailored to the spiritual maturity of the subject. This spiritual maturity is not a chronological function it is a function of the Holy Spirit.
True dat.
-ghp
5 Bostons & 2 Pugs
I’ve been meaning to post this for a while now, but I’ve just been slack. Thanks to IndianaJane, I’ve now been properly motivated…
This photo was taken on Apr 20, 2003, at the apex of the number of dogs in the family - 5 Boston Terriers & 2 Pugs!
Oliver & Ruby belong to big sis, and were 12 wks & 1 yr respectively. Lucy & Molly (depending on who you ask, the “pug sisters” or the “demon pugs”) belong to Jenny (big sis’s oldest & my number 1 goddaughter), and were also 12 wks & 1yr respectively. Clancy belongs to my parents, and was 5 y/o. Bwanna & Hammie are the Territorial Bostons, and were 13 yrs & 1 yr respectively.
Bostons are the coolest little dogs/fur-people, and have been a staple in my family for over 40 years. At some point I plan on doing a more thorough write-up of the Piper Family BT’s (building off of a web page that I did years ago). But for now, this will have to suffice.
-ghp
-
Analytics & Hosting
