Campus Ministry Tips: 5 Ways to Expand Your Effectiveness

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November 29, 2023

Do you lead a campus ministry, or are you thinking of starting one? Then check out these veteran youth ministry tips for effective campus outreach.

If I had a dollar for every time I heard a youth pastor say they can’t get on school campuses, I’d be rich! We all know the public school system isn’t a welcoming place for religion. And it’s only getting worse.

But most of us in youth work also know schools are the best place to reach students. After all, that’s where kids are! So how do we get on campuses to develop a campus ministry? Start with these five key tips.

5 Tips for Campus Ministry Outreach

1. Change your mindset.

First, let me address the “I can’t get on campus” objection. I’d guess what you’re really saying is, “The school won’t let me start a Bible study.” Or “The school is against me just coming to hang out at lunch time.”

While Bible studies are cool and hanging out at lunch is awesome, that can’t be the standard for campus ministry anymore. We need to change our mindset about what “getting on campus” means and how we actually do campus ministry. Plenty of ways exist to get involved and get on campus. We just need to change what we’re looking for.

2. Volunteer!

Next, remember that schools always need volunteers. They need people to help out and be part of what they’re doing. Look for ways to volunteer and serve the school. Choose opportunities that give you exposure. Then you’ll be able to meet lots of students. For example, you can be a:

ticket taker at a sporting event
volunteer on fee and photo day
classroom aide
tutor
Career Day speaker
mentor
club facilitator
lunch server
dance or trip chaperone

Those are all areas where schools regularly need assistance. So be a volunteer. Not only will you meet tons of students. You’ll also build your reputation and relationship with the schools.

3. Coach.

Coach a sport or help out with the band. This is a great way to get on campus and do amazing ministry. Use the talent God has given you. Some people have athletic talent. Others are gifted musically or in theater. Some have neither but would make an awesome “team parent.”

Former IHOPKC Staff Members Stage Silent Protest in Prayer Room

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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November 29, 2023

ihopkc_protest — Screengrab via X @HeavenBentPod

Former International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOPKC) staffers wore strips of red tape inscribed with the word “TRUTH” over their mouths as they staged a silent protest in the IHOPKC prayer room Tuesday morning (Nov. 28).

The protest was organized by former IHOPKC staffer Susan Tuma and Charlea Taylor. They posted the protest as an event on Facebook, saying, “We stand in solidarity with the survivors of Mike Bickle and IHOPKC.”

They are hoping the protest will convince the executive leadership team (ELT) to adhere to an “acceptable level of transparency” regarding the sexual abuse allegations brought against IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle recently.

The event’s description stated that details were “intentionally vague” and instructed those with questions to contact the event’s admins.

Heaven Bent, an investigative podcast, was at IHOPKC during the protest. Heaven Bent shared on social media that IHOPKC’s prayer room, which is usually streamed live 24 hours a day, was showing a prerecorded feed of the prayer room during the silent protest.

Referring to the protesters, Heaven Bent posted, “These bold-ones have worshipped here for years, but are speaking out against alleged sexual and spiritual abuse in their community.”

One protestor, a former IHOPKC staffer named Deborah, told Heaven Bent that she ran into an old friend she met while working there. “She was pacing in the back of the prayer room and I just hugged her. I was not expecting to just sob,” Deborah said. “It’s just heartbreaking seeing so many people who have just invested years and years and years of their lives here.”

Deborah said it bothered her when IHOPKC leaders approached her and her husband, Kirk, in the prayer room during the protest and acted like everything was fine.

She explained that one IHOPKC leader came over smiling and tried to give them a high five. The leader asked Kirk if he was still playing the bass guitar. Deborah shared that she just shook her head because “this place destroyed that part of Kirk’s life.”

This is Deborah. Along with her husband Kirk, and other former IHOPers, they’re right now staging a silent-protest in the #IHOPKC prayer room; asking for an “acceptable” level of transparency from the ELT, in regards to allegations of sexual clergy abuse against #MikeBickle. pic.twitter.com/HHRxwZSeA8

— Heaven Bent (@HeavenBentPod) November 28, 2023

Theology Lecturer Files Lawsuit for ‘Unjust Treatment’ Following Termination Over Controversial Social Media Post

By

Janna Firestone

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November 29, 2023

Aaron Edwards lawsuit — Screengrab via YouTube / @Together Podcast

After several years as a theology lecturer at Cliff College in the United Kingdom, Dr. Aaron Edwards was fired from his position one month after he posted a controversial statement about homosexuality on social media. In response to his dismissal and treatment by the college, Edwards has recently begun legal action, claiming his rights were violated.

“Anyone concerned about academic freedom, Christian freedoms and free speech should be deeply concerned by what has happened to me,” Edwards told Christian Concern.

Theology Lecturer Dr. Aaron Edwards Takes Legal Action After ‘Unjust’ Dismissal

The controversial social media post, which Edwards authored in February, was said to bring the college into “disrepute,” according to The Christian Post. Cliff College put Edwards on a leave of absence while it conducted an investigation. After a month, Edwards was dismissed from the school.

According to Christian Concern, after the social media post, “Dr. Edwards was abused online, suspended by Cliff College and threatened with being reported to Prevent during an investigation and subsequent hearing.”

Christian Legal Centre, which is the legal arm of Christian Concern and which is representing Edwards, said the legal team will argue that Edwards’ “rights under the European Convention of Human Rights were violated.”

Edwards, 37, is a husband and father to five young children. “The impact on me and my family has been very significant,” Edwards told Christian Concern. “I have lost many friends as a result, and been slandered by people who do not know all of the details but who now see me as an unkind or hateful person.”

Following his dismissal, Edwards set up a crowdfunding project to support his family as he plans to write new projects in “shamelessly Biblical theological education.” In less than two months, 400 supporters helped him reach the £50,000 goal.

Edwards further explained, “The reaction to my tweet and the unjust treatment I have experienced by Cliff College and the Methodist Church in Britain completely illustrates the problem my tweet addressed.”

“The tweet was not defamatory; it was not an attack on any colleague or individual; it was not abusive; and it was not an extremist religious view,” he continued. “It was addressed to evangelicals as a point of doctrine, and it has been misunderstood by many who wish to cause personal and institutional trouble for those who express that view.”

Cliff College has denied accusations made by Edwards that the school terrorized him during its investigations. However, according to Christian Concern, the minutes from the disciplinary hearing suggest otherwise. A review of the minutes revealed “the intimidation tactics used by college bosses.”

A full employment tribunal hearing is expected in 2024 to address Edwards’ claims of damages and unfair dismissal.

Pastor Charged After One of His Sons Accidentally Shoots Other Son in the Head

By

Dale Chamberlain

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November 29, 2023

Adam Vines charged — Screengrab via WSOC-TV

Roughly a month after a 3-year-old accidentally shot his 2-year-old brother in the parking lot of their church, pastor Adam Vines, the boys’ father, has been charged with a misdemeanor weapons offense.

The incident took place on the night of Sunday, Oct. 15, shortly after the conclusion of the evening service at River Valley Baptist Church in Morganton, North Carolina, where Vines serves as pastor.

Witnesses described hearing a single shot fired inside a vehicle in the parking lot. That vehicle was Vines’ van, where one of his toddler sons happened upon Vines’ firearm and accidentally shot his younger brother in the back of the head.

Vines said at the time that the bullet did not hit the toddler’s brain. The child, whose name is Daniel, was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, where he underwent surgery. He was later transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital, where he received physical therapy.

At the time of the shooting, Vines requested prayer for both of his sons, describing the toddler who accidentally fired the shot as “in shock for the most part.”

After weeks of recovery, Daniel was sent home and was back in church on Sunday, Nov. 26, according to WSOC-TV.

As members of the community celebrate the boy’s recovery, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office believes there should be consequences for Vines’ alleged negligence with regard to his firearm.

In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office said that Vines has been served a criminal summons for “Failure to Store a firearm to Protect Minors.” The summons alleged that Vines should have known that a minor would be able to access the firearm.

If convicted, Vines, 29, could face 45 days of “community punishment,” per state law.

As for the charge, Vines appears to be taking it in stride.

Matt Chandler, Part 1: How the 2022 Controversy Has Impacted His Life and Ministry

By

Jessica Lea

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November 29, 2023

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Matt Chandler, Part 1: How the 2022 Controversy Has Impacted His Life and Ministry

Matt Chandler is an elder and lead pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, and the executive chairman of the Acts 29 Network. He has authored several books, including “Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments, and Milestones,” co-authored with Adam Griffin. You can sign up for Matt’s newsletter and check out his podcast, “The Overcomers,” at pastormattchandler.com.

Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With Matt Chandler

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Key Questions for Matt Chandler

-How did the controversy you dealt with in 2022 begin?

-Did your elders overreact?

-What is it like for you at the church now?

-How would you exhort pastors based on your experience in that situation?

Key Quotes From Matt Chandler

“I walked over and told the chairman of the elder board and the other lead pastor, ‘Hey, this is what just happened,’ and I went home and told Lauren. And then, from there, I thought it was over.”

“With that group of men [my elders]—and I think this is really important…that those men deeply love Jesus. They deeply love the Word of God…and then they genuinely love my wife and I and my family. If any of those three are missing, this is probably a completely different story.”

“To me, it was, these are men given to me by God to protect me and to, when necessary, discipline me. And so for me, it was, we’re going to come under their care. And that was just the decision Lauren and I made.”

“I am currently in a season of watching the fruitfulness of me submitting to [my elders’] leading. And so it wasn’t my call as to whether or not [their response] was heavy-handed.”

“I think there were parts of the process that were real frustrating and more hurtful. But I think everybody was doing the best that they could.”

“It was a confusing situation.”

“I’m as committed to the men and women of The Village Church as I’ve ever been in my life.”

Vatican Legal Expert Backs Pope Francis’ Recent Disciplining of Dissident Bishops

By

Claire Giangrave

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November 29, 2023

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As Pope Francis grapples with defiant bishops in Germany and the United States, a high-ranking Vatican official who oversees church law clarified on Tuesday (Nov. 28) the protocols for disciplining a bishop, saying any failure to act in communion with the church and the pope can be cause for dismissal.

“There is no official mechanism for the firing of bishops, which can be evaluated by the college of bishops and by the pope,” said Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, secretary of the Vatican Department for Legislative Texts, at a meeting with the press organized by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

Arrieta explained that a church trial is only necessary if the bishop is accused of a crime. “Sometimes it’s a question of a single act, others it’s an issue of conduct,” he said, while in other cases the bishop’s behavior may require “an evaluation of communion” with fellow bishops and the pope.

Popes rarely take the step of firing dissenting bishops, instead preferring to request a letter of resignation that is in turn accepted by the pontiff. But on Nov. 12, Francis dismissed Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, a fierce critic of the pope and a leading voice of the conservative opposition to Francis in the United States. Strickland’s diocese had been placed under Vatican investigation earlier this year after he had made a habit of passing along criticism of the pope on social media.

Francis also recently ended American Cardinal Raymond Burke’s privileges at the Vatican, withdrawing his salary and right to a subsidized apartment. In a Nov. 20 meeting, according to The Associated Press, the pope called Burke a source of “disunity” in the church.

In Germany, the Vatican has reined in the movement known as the Synodal Path, which has seen bishops embrace progressive positions in the course of a two-year-long consultation with lay Catholics on the questions of LGBTQ inclusion, women’s ordination and lay control. After a committee was commissioned to implement the movement’s proposals, the Vatican ruled that such a body would undermine the role of the bishops’ conference.

In a letter last week to German critics of the Synodal Path, Francis added his “concern” that the German church risks breaking from communion with the rest of the church.

Arrieta made clear the pope didn’t oppose the creation of the Synodal Path’s committee but said the whole church needed to move together on doctrine. “The contrast takes place when the doctrinal symmetry is lacking,” Arrieta said. “When bishops in a specific location want to intrude in a field that concerns the unity of the church, it’s clear that it creates problems.”

Arrieta also emphasized that canon law already leaves ample space for lay involvement and participation.

“The Second Vatican Council did a great job on the episcopate,” he said, referring to the reforms set in motion by the world’s Catholic bishops in the 1960s. The council gave bishops wide powers in their jurisdictions, which led to “great decentralization in the church,” said Arrieta.

Pope Francis Cancels Trip to Dubai for COP28 Upon Doctor’s Advice

By

Claire Giangrave

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November 29, 2023

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis, taking the advice of his doctors, has canceled his upcoming trip to Dubai, where he was scheduled to attend the COP28 conference on climate change, the Vatican announced on Tuesday (Nov. 28).

Despite the improvement of his health after contracting the flu, “doctors asked that the pope not carry out his planned trip to Dubai in the next few days,” read a statement by Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni.

The 86-year-old pontiff “accepted the doctors’ request with great regret and therefore the trip is canceled,” Bruni said.

Francis was slated to attend a series of meetings with decision-makers gathered at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which begins Friday, and was set to speak at the inauguration of the first-ever “Faith Pavilion” at the summit along with other religious leaders, including the United Kingdom’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, president of the Divine Shakti Foundation.

The Vatican statement said the pope and the Holy See still wish to take part in the discussions remotely, saying that announcements will follow as to how exactly that will take place.

Francis has taken a strong interest in the issue of climate change, recently publishing an apostolic exhortation on the topic, “Laudate Deum,” renewing the call he made in his 2015 encyclical, “Laudate Si’,” for political leaders to act quickly on protections for the environment.

On Saturday the Vatican announced that Francis had contracted a mild flu and had been taken to Gemelli Hospital in Rome for a CT scan of his lungs to make sure it hadn’t turned into pneumonia. During his customary Sunday prayer in St. Peter’s Square the following day, Francis told the audience he was suffering from “an inflammation of the lungs” and he appeared tired and out of breath.

According to official data from Italy, there has been a surge in the number of people who contracted the flu in the early weeks of November, coinciding with a wave of unusually cold temperatures across the Italian peninsula.

Last year, Francis canceled a scheduled visit to Congo and South Sudan, citing knee problems. His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, canceled several trips due to his medical condition.

The current pope, who turns 87 in December, has seen his physical ability slowly decline in recent years, primarily due to sciatica and knee pain, and has also been subject to frequent respiratory infections. A small part of Francis’ lung was removed when he was a teenager in his native Argentina after an infection.

This article originally appeared here.

The Misuse of Leadership Influence and Wasted Opportunities

By

Brian Dodd

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November 29, 2023

One of the marks of leadership maturity and organizational health is the level of problems are you dealing with. For instance, a leader who is having to negotiate petty squabbles between employees is probably not spending enough time on innovation and creating solutions which advance its culture, mission, and vision.

Leaders will always have problems. But they should always be trading little problems or bigger problems. Haven’t you said, “Do you remember when when all we had to deal with was…?” Every new level has a new devil. The larger the problems, the more likely the greater success you are having as a leader.

I thought a lot about that lesson after reading the following story.

An Issue Which Needs (Or Not Need) Addressing

Because of its down-the-middle coverage, one of the online newspapers I subscribe to is Morning Brew. Just give me the facts. As reported in their Nov. 7 edition, legendary singer Barbra Streisand encountered a problem which needed her attention.

Was it a problem with the poor and under-resourced in our country or around the world? No.

Was it a problem with our educational system? No.

Was it a problem in our political system and the way government serves its citizens? No.

Was it a problem in the entertainment industry? No.

Was it her concerns related to the Gaza Strip? Well, she may be concerned about that but the article did not point it out.

Streisand’s problem was she discovered Siri was mispronouncing her name. She said, “My name isn’t spelled with a ‘Z.’ It’s Strei-sand, like sand on the beach. How simple can you get?”

Was Streisand going to let this AI-generated miscue pass? Absolutely not! So what would someone with her notoriety, fame, and influence do? Well, she called Apple CEO Tim Cook directly and asked for a correction.

To Cook’s credit, he solved the problem. Streisand described him as “lovely.”

What Does It Mean to Carry Your Cross?

By

Robin A Riggs

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November 29, 2023

What does it mean to carry your cross? As a teenager, I once heard my pastor say that Jesus has many admirers, but not enough followers. That statement stuck in my mind. There are many who attend church weekly, but their professions of Christianity may be lived out superficially, or at any rate at their convenience. Following Jesus is not merely acknowledging His existence, or “agreeing” with His teachings. Following Jesus means to walk in His footsteps. It means to take upon yourself His purpose and mission in the world. It means braving the dangers of an evil world for the sake of an unbendable love for God and for people.

Carrying Your Cross

“take up your cross…”

The Christian lifestyle can be validly called “the lifestyle of the cross” because, just as it is impossible to take the cross out of Christianity and still retain true Christianity, so we cannot take the cross out of our Christian lives and live as genuine Christians.

It is true that the cross represents victory over sin, and the Christian life is indeed characterized by joy, peace and power, but it also represents suffering. The cross represents God’s love and redemptive plan, a plan that was accomplished through suffering. Jesus rose and lives, but still we cannot deny the cross its full meaning; and so, as we talk about abundant and victorious living, we will also see that we cannot escape the quality of sacrifice found in true Christian living in a sinful world.

The Joy in Carrying Your Cross

The message of the cross was never sad or negative for the first Christians. They rejoiced in it, even in the midst of suffering. They were so in love with the One who died for them that the suffering they endured for His name was considered entirely worthwhile. They were not lovers of pain, but they loved God and knew the only meaning their lives could have was in Him. If sinners, out of hatred for God or the message of salvation from sin, inflicted pain on them, the disciples of Christ remained undaunted.

When many think of cross-bearing, they think off an an attitude of resignation to human frailties (which all too often leads to excusing ourselves from being all that God has made it possible for us to be in Christ). Instead, the Bible is speaking of the complete and loving identification of our lives with Christ, what He stands for, and what He wants to accomplish through us in this dark world. The gospel of health, wealth and prosperity may attract some people by appealing to their desire for pleasure, comfort and success but it will not convict them of their sins.

Today, our hope lies in the cross. We must not try to change it.

This article about carrying your cross is an excerpt from Lifestyle of the Cross by Robin Riggs.

Recruiting Group Leaders for Maximum Participation

By

Allen White

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November 29, 2023

When you recruits group leaders is just as important as how you recruit leaders. Timing is everything. Not only do you need to choose the right season, you also need to make the invitation often enough for people to get the message, but not so much that you dilute the message.

The best seasons of the year for a group launch are the Fall, the New Year, and Easter, as I’ve mentioned before. As you build momentum for a series, you want to promote well in advance. Let people know the series is coming. Show short video clips of the making of the series, if you’re creating your own video curriculum. If you’ve purchased a curriculum, then use the preview videos provided by the publisher.

While you want to promote well in advance, you don’t want to offer sign ups too far in advance. If someone agrees to start a group three months ahead of the series, odds are that decision will be a faint memory when the campaign is ready to begin. You don’t want to allow people a month or more to get cold feet. When they say, “Yes,” it’s time to move.

A PTA president advised me once to never hold signups for more than three weeks. The simple reason is everyone waits until the last minute to register. She said to promote well in advance, but only sign up when you are ready to start. Great advice.

Registering new leaders and groups over a three week period just prior to the series launch has another significance — everyone doesn’t attend church every Sunday. If registration is only offered for one week, then the church will miss out on two-thirds of their potential leaders.

This two-thirds scenario played out a few years ago with two churches I was working with. The churches were about the same size. One was in New York. The other in Florida. At the end of their recruitment periods, the New York church complained they only had one third of the result the Florida church saw. I asked the small groups’ pastor how many weeks they had recruited leaders. He told me that while the series was well publicized, they only registered new leaders for one Sunday.

The Florida church, on the other hand, had registered new leaders for three weeks and saw three times the result. In fact, the New York church’s numbers matched the Florida church’s recruits after their first week as well.

Now, some may be prone to blame this on the cultural differences between Florida and New York. After working with both churches for 12 months, the New York church launched a significant number of groups. And, besides, most people in Florida are from New York anyway.

To capture the most new leaders possible, a longer promotional period followed by a short registration period is key. In addition, registering for three weeks is also a major factor. If the church registers new leaders for more than three weeks, then the invitation becomes white noise and everyone waits until the last week to sign up anyway.

I was talking to the lady who cuts my hair about this one day. Why was I talking to her about this? Well, we talk about everything, and I have a captive audience. She’s not a barber, and I don’t like having a “stylist,” so we’ll just call her “Lorraine,” since that’s her name.

Lorraine is retired, but she still has mercy on my hair. She was also a member of Brookwood Church, where I served. As I was spinning the tale of two churches with group launches and the importance of recruiting for three weeks, Lorraine spoke up, “I’ll tell you why it’s important to recruit for three weeks. That’s how Rich and I ended up leading a group.”

Now, to give you context, Lorraine is Italian and grew up in New Jersey. Do you have that picture in your mind?

How Long Can You Succeed in Ministry Without God?

By

Geoff Surratt

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November 29, 2023

I wonder how long I could be successful in ministry without God? I’ve been in vocational ministry for 31 years, and I seldom encounter a situation I haven’t seen before. I have a stockpile of sermons to pull from, and many other places where I can grab a complete sermon with a moment’s notice. I do strategy, staffing and structure in my sleep. My experience, connections and the internet give me all the tools I need to do ministry, and do it at a very high level.

God is good, but often, not all that necessary.

How about you? How long could your church function, and function well, without God? You have your sermons planned through Easter, your song lists loaded into Planning Center, and your small group resources online. You have well-trained volunteers and the best staff money can buy. Your IT and weekend tech have redundancies built in to handle any contingency. The people who attend your church know that they will have a quality experience every weekend regardless of what might happen behind the scenes.

Certainly God is welcome at your church, but is he really necessary?

Ministry Without God

Israel created an elaborate and efficient church that ran very well without God. The priests and Levites excelled at their roles, the sacrificial system was geared to handle the crowds at Passover efficiently, and the Jewish people knew their needs were met with consistency and care.

400 years after God stepped away, the Jews no longer missed him. They had created a church without God.

And then, one weekend, he showed up.

4 Fundamentals for Effective Discipleship

By

Gavin Adams

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November 29, 2023

effective discipleship — Adobestock #143649277

I say it all the time because it’s so very true: Your model, not your mission, determines your success. So let me ask you a question: Are you a strategic thinker?

I don’t necessarily mean, “did a personality profile label you ‘strategic’?” But: do you think in steps, plans, and strategies? (I do. I can’t help it. It’s a blessing and a curse!) So it shouldn’t be shocking that when it comes to effective discipleship, I love strategy and intentionality in the local church. I love seeing a preferred future or end-in-mind and developing a step-by-step intentional process to get there.

If ever there was a place where intentionality is needed, it’s the church. I suspect you’ll like this post if you are bent more strategically. If you’re not a natural strategist, I hope this content helps you understand the importance of intentional methods and gives you something to consider in your church and for your community.

Intentional Churches + Intentional Mission = Effective Discipleship

All churches exist for one reason. The mission statements may be unique, and denominations different, but their purpose is the same: effective discipleship.

You have some predisposition when you hear that word, so let me define it as I’m using it. To me, effective discipleship is the combination of reaching and growing. It’s evangelism and edification. Both are part of the “renewing of the mind” process. We must determine how discipleship happens best with this definition as our foundation.

Accidental Success

I should preface this entire conversation with “God does the work, not us.” But we participate in the work. Not to put anything past God, but it’s hard for him to use the Bible in our life if we don’t pick it up. It’s challenging for God to use people in our life if we isolate. It’s nearly impossible for God to use a preacher or sermon to grow our faith if we don’t listen.

The problem is that most church leaders have a story (or once heard a story) of God doing the miraculous outside of a strategy. You’ve heard it before: “We didn’t have a plan, and God just came through!” Since it happened that one time, God can do anything in their mind, and we shouldn’t get in the way.

What Do Mormons Believe: Help Teens Understand LDS Teachings

By

Stephanie Martin

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November 28, 2023

What do Mormons believe is a common question kids ask when you’re studying other faiths. Maybe teens in your youth group have classmates or teammates who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Or maybe they’re curious about the clean-cut, service-oriented missionaries who knock on doors. Are you prepared to inform students about LDS teachings and how they differ from Christianity?

For Christians, it’s essential to know what do Mormons believe. LDS followers claim to believe in Jesus and the Bible. But what does their doctrine really teach? Inform teens about Mormon beliefs so they don’t embrace falsehoods.

What Do Mormons Believe: Resources for Youth Leaders

Use these resources as starters when you’re teaching teens about Mormonism:

1. Mormonism’s Pseudo-Christian Teachings

First, know that the LDS website calls Jesus “the Son of God and the Savior of the World.” So you need to dig deeper into the church’s beliefs about the deity. For example, this video explains that Mormons believe the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three distinct Gods. Other videos on the “God Loves Mormons” YouTube channel detail how various Christian teachings differ from Mormonism.

2. LDS Views on Scripture

Although the LDS website calls the Bible “the word of God, a sacred volume of scripture,” it also identifies the Book of Mormon as “God’s Word.” American Joseph Smith first published the Book of Mormon in 1830, after supposedly receiving golden plates from the angel Moroni. But Christian theologians note many ways the Book of Mormon is full of lies and twisted truths.

3. What Mormons Believe About Heaven & Eternity

Ministries that reach out to ex-Mormons offer helpful comparisons between the teachings of Mormonism and Christianity. For example, kids may have heard that Mormons believe they can become gods, dwelling in multiple levels of heaven. Help them understand why this goes against biblical teachings.

Operation Christmas Child: Shoebox Outreach Opens Doors and Hearts

By

Samaritan's Purse

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November 28, 2023

Through the outreach efforts of Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey, communities are uniting and families are hearing the Gospel. Amazingly, once-closed villages are inviting Christians to talk about God’s love.

For nearly 25 years, a road divided Nyiela, a community in western Liberia. The town had separated itself into two distinct parts. The sides didn’t talk much or cross over, not even for clean water or medical care. Not even during the Ebola crisis. Tribal conflicts added to the divide.

A few years ago, things began to change when a local church hosted an Operation Christmas Child outreach event. Instead of holding the event at the church or on either side of town, they received permission to shut down the road between them for several hours and use it as neutral ground.

Children listen to the Gospel presentation. Source: Samaritan’s Purse

Parents lined either side of the road as more than a dozen children gathered, laughing and playing, not realizing the historic moment.

“We told them we just want to share the love of Jesus,” said Pastor Alphonso Dean, national coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in Liberia. “We gave these gifts to their children with no strings attached. When we shared the Gospel, children from both sides of Nyiela raised their hands to receive Jesus.”

The Amazing Outreach of Operation Christmas Child

A community leader was amazed. “He told us, ‘These gifts are exactly what our children needed,’” Pastor Dean recounts. “This convinced them to let us come back and do another outreach event.”

Pastor Dean teaches children about God’s love for them. Source: Samaritan’s Purse

They distributed shoebox gifts to 150 additional children from both sides of town. Praise God that many of these children received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Plus, a number enrolled in The Greatest Journey 12-lesson discipleship program. Community leaders also donated two acres of land to build a church.

“The unity of the town has brought the children together, and now…together are receiving The Greatest Journey training,” Pastor Dean said. “The region around Nyiela has become a major place for us to work.”

‘Jesus’ Film Now in Over 2,100 Languages—Including Waorani, the Tribe That Killed Jim Elliot

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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November 28, 2023

The “Jesus” film has been influential in leading more than 200 million people across the globe to make a decision to follow Jesus and has been a catalyst for planting new churches.

Even though last November the “Jesus” film celebrated its 2,000th language translation according to its website, it is estimated that 2 billion people have yet to hear the gospel even once.

This November, the most-watched film on the planet announced that it has now been translated into over 2,100 languages and has scheduled three global livestream events to share an announcement of a new vision—which appears to be related to animation.

“We’re announcing something big,” the film’s social media posted.

One of the new languages the film was translated into was for the Waorani tribe, which some might remember as the famous Auca Ecuadorian tribe known for killing five American missionaries in 1956: Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint, and Roger Youderian.

The Waorani people came to know Christ though the dedication of Jim’s widow, Elisabeth, and Nate’s sister, Rachel. The mission was later carried on by Nate’s son, Steve, who was asked to live among his father’s killers at their request in 1994. Two years, later Steve founded Indigenous People’s Technology and Education Center (ITEC) which is now helping the Jesus Film Project’s evangelistic efforts in the Waorani community.

Josh Newell, the Jesus Film Project’s executive director, recently told The Christian Post that the group’s “mission is to reach everyone everywhere with the good news of Jesus. The way that we do that is through translating the ‘Jesus’ film into heart languages and partnering with the body of Christ to show the ‘Jesus’ film.”

“I think much of the older generations and many of the current generations of the Waorani people don’t read or write,” Newell added. “Having the Gospel on film is a great way to access the story of Jesus. It’s a great way for their culture to be honored. Because there’s not a lot of other people that are taking the time and effort to produce something in their language.”

Newell said that the translation “will be a great tool to honor the Waorani people and to express the Imago Dei and how God’s image is on every person.”

Paul Washer Provides Update on Health Scare and Heart Bypass Surgery

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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November 28, 2023

Paul Washer and his wife, Charo, posted an update regarding Paul’s heart bypass surgery that took place a few days before Thanksgiving on Nov. 20.

Paul Washer Faces Long Recovery

Washer is the founder of HeartCry Missionary Society, an organization that began in 1988 in Peru to help indigenous missionaries reach their people group for Jesus and build churches.

According to its website, today the group focuses on providing “financial support, theological training, Scripture and literature distribution, and the supply of any tool necessary to facilitate the completion of the Great Commission” to indigenous missionaries throughout the world.

“The procedure was successful but the road to recovery will be slow and steady,” the Washers posted. “We continue to covet your prayers for a full recovery in the months ahead. We are humbled and grateful for the tremendous prayer support received. The messages of love and encouragement for brother Paul and our family from all over the world have been a tangible blessing and a testimony of the love of Christ.”

The update concluded with them thanking God for his provision, “We are grateful to our God for opening all the necessary human doors that have led to this day and the love and vital prayer support of our brothers and sisters.”

Washer’s surgery has forced him to cancel upcoming speaking engagements, one of which was the 2024 National Founders Conference scheduled to take place on Jan. 18-20 in Southwest Florida. The event features Costi Hinn, Tom Ascol, Conrad Mbewe, Phil Johnson, Travis Allen, and Allie Beth Stuckey.

“In God’s providence, brother @paulwasher will no longer be able to join us for our 2024 National Conference,” Founders Ministries posted on social media. “We thank the Lord for his kind provision and care for our brother in his successful surgery and pray for his continued recovery! Stay tuned for an announcement of a new speaker joining us at the #NFC4.”

Brandon Lake, Dallas Jenkins Share God Moments From Each Other’s Work

By

Stephanie Martin

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November 28, 2023

Brandon Lake Dallas Jenkins — Screengrab via YouTube @CBN News

During a recent interview on CBN Digital, Christian singer-songwriter Brandon Lake talked with “The Chosen” showrunner Dallas Jenkins about how the hit TV series has impacted his faith. Jenkins, meanwhile, described how Lake’s music has moved him spiritually—leading to successful collaborations neither man saw coming.

Lake and Jenkins are promoting the new special “Christmas With The Chosen: Holy Night,” in theaters Dec. 12. Lake is also preparing for his upcoming “Tear Off the Roof” tour. His hit song “Gratitude” was featured in the 2021 special “Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers.”

Brandon Lake: ‘The Chosen’ Turns the Bible Into ‘Full Color’

Lake, recently named Billboard’s top male Christian artist for 2023, said “The Chosen” deeply impacted his relationship with God. He shared the profound experience of watching the first episode of Season 1. At the end, when Jesus walks into the scene, “It was as if Jesus just walked into my house,” Lake said. “It was one of the most holy moments.”

Lake and his wife were both so stunned, speechless, and emotionally moved that they “couldn’t even look at each other,” he said. “It was like God just met with us. It was like the Bible went from black and white into full color. I was hooked!”

Those God moments continued as Lake kept watching “The Chosen.” One of his favorite episodes is Season 1, Episode 3, when Jesus spends time with all the children. As a father, Lake said he was moved to see the onscreen kids praying and to know that Jesus is listening. Through the TV show, Lake said, viewers get to know more about Jesus as a person, or what he might have been like in certain moments.

Lake said his song “Tear Off the Roof” might not have existed unless he’d seen “The Chosen.” After watching the show and visiting Israel for the first time, “Everything made so much more sense,” the singer said. “It’s like putting skin on the bone.” Because that song is about Jesus healing the man whose friends lower him through a roof, Lake knew the music video couldn’t just be him “dancing around like a fool.”

Dallas Jenkins on the Impact of Brandon Lake’s Music

Next, Jenkins shared how Lake’s music has moved him spiritually, starting with the worship song “Graves Into Gardens.” Upon hearing those lyrics, the showrunner said he knew he wanted Lake to participate in the first “Chosen” Christmas special, even though Lake didn’t have a Christmas-themed song.

After “Gratitude” was featured in that special, the song hit No. 1 on iTunes. Lake also received a complimentary message from Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in “The Chosen.”

At Least 10 Christians Slain in Taraba State, Nigeria

By

Morning Star News

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November 28, 2023

ABUJA, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Suspected Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Friday (Nov. 24) attacked villages in Taraba state, Nigeria, killing at least 10 Christians, sources said.

The assailants attacked an area from the Yangtu Special Development Area near Takum to villages in Ussa County at about 6 p.m., area residents said.

“Rampaging Muslim bandits on the evening of Friday, Nov. 24 attacked and killed over 10 Christians in some communities in Yangtu Development Area and Ussa Local Government Area,” area resident John Chinyang said in a text message to Morning Star News. “The bandits launched attacks against Rubur Ribasi, Nyicwu, and Ruwah communities of Yangtu Special Development Area.”

Another resident, Yakubu Tinya, said “the terrorists” shot at anyone they saw.

“Some the Christians were killed while they were returning from their farms, while others were killed in their houses in the affected villages,” Tinya said in a text message.

Peter Shamwun, a member of the Ussa Local Council, said Kpambo Yashe in Ussa County was attacked.

“There have been issues of Fulani bandits’ attacks in our area, and they’re constantly attacking our villages,” Shamwun told Morning Star News in a text message. “The bandits also laid siege along Takum-Ussa road and other areas around the Yangtu community, where they killed many more Christians. And these terrorists have been attacking our communities without restraint from security agents.”

The attacks have brought untold misery and hardship on area Christians, he said.

“More worrisome is the fact that Christians are being attacked as they work on their farms,” Shamwun said. “We are at the mercies of these herdsmen bandits and terrorists.”

Usman Abdullahi, spokesman for the Taraba State Police Command, said police had verified only 10 killed on Friday (Nov. 24), including nine identified as Hope Hassan, Rimamsomtse Lamadi, Holiness Enoch, Rimamtsiki Enoch, Egwu Hassan, Saleh Kyatiki, Ephraim Atenji, Manasseh Atenji and Hassan Songure.

Residents said five predominantly Christian communities were attacked: Tukwog, Kpambo Yashe, Rubur Ribasi, Nyicwu and Ruwah. One resident, Ure Caleb, said 20 Christians were killed in attacks on Ussa County and the Yangtu Special Development Area near Takum, while another, Thomas Samuel, said 10 Christians were killed in Takum and Ussa counties.

“These Christians were killed at about 6 p.m.,” Samuel said in a text message. “Some of them were killed as they were on their way back from their farms, while others were killed in their homes.”

Emmanuel Bello, a spokesman for Taraba Gov. Agbu Kefas, said in a press statement that the governor “has received with utmost shock the horrific attacks on Yangtu by suspected gunmen that reportedly claimed many lives.”

Bethlehem Pastors Arrive in DC, Urge Lawmakers To Embrace Cease-Fire, Peace Plan

By

Jack Jenkins

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November 28, 2023

Bethlehem-pastors-arrive-in-DC-urge-lawmakers-to-embrace-cease-fire-peace- — A Red Cross vehicle carrying Israeli hostages drives by at the Gaza Strip crossing into Egypt in Rafah on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

WASHINGTON (RNS) — A trio of Christian leaders are visiting the U.S. capital carrying a letter signed by churches in Bethlehem, the city in the occupied West Bank long heralded by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, urging President Joe Biden and congressional lawmakers to push for a permanent cease fire in Gaza and work to establish lasting peace in the region.

The leaders — which include two prominent ministers and a young Palestinian Christian activist — arrived in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning in hopes of brokering a meeting to present Biden and other political leaders with the letter.

“God has placed political leaders in a position of power so that they can bring justice, support those who suffer, and be instruments of God’s peace,” the letter reads. “We want a constant and comprehensive ceasefire. Enough death. Enough destruction. This is a moral obligation. There must be other ways. This is our call and prayer this Christmas.”

The letter was signed by representatives from Bethlehem’s major Christian communities, listing churches affiliated with Greek Orthodox, Syriac, Armenian, Catholic and Lutheran traditions.

The letter noted that Advent, a liturgical season when Christians prepare spiritually for Christmas, begins next week. But the signatories pointed out that Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, which draw thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to the city annually, have been largely canceled this year to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

“This should have been a time of joy and hope. This year, it is a season of death and despair,” the letter reads. “This year, Christmas prayers are the only moment of hope in the middle of this human catastrophe caused by the war. There will be no manifestation of joy for the children. This year, Christmas celebrations are cancelled in Bethlehem.”

Christmas decorations in Bethlehem in the West Bank in Jan. 2023. (RNS photo/Jack Jenkins)

Speaking on the phone Monday morning, the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of Bethlehem’s Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, said he traveled to the U.S. to present policymakers with the letter because he considers stopping the war a religious mandate.

“I truly believe that God is in solidarity with those who are victims of injustice and oppression, and thus the church should have the same position,” said Isaac, who also serves as academic dean at Bethlehem Bible College. “God is under the rubble.”

Isaac lamented the brutal Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel, which left around 1,200 dead and hundreds kidnapped. But he also expressed outrage at the subsequent assault of Gaza by Israel, which has resulted in more than 13,000 deaths in the region and displaced most of the area’s roughly 2 million residents, sparking an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

“We want (lawmakers) to hear a different perspective,” he said. “We want to think that there must be other ways. Killing children like this can never bring peace.”

The visit from Isaac and his companions — which include the Rev. Jack Sara, who serves as president of Bethlehem Bible College and as the General Secretary of the Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance for the World Evangelical Alliance — comes amid an ongoing multi-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. On Monday, officials announced the pause in hostilities would be extended for two more days, allowing additional aid to enter Gaza and for the release of more hostages held by Hamas as well as Palestinians imprisoned by the Israeli government.

But Isaac stressed that a short-term pause would not be enough to achieve the greater goal of a lasting peace.

“This cannot be a 4 or 5-day cease-fire and then go back to the same destruction,” he said. “All we want for Christmas is a constant and comprehensive cease-fire and an end to this war.”

The pastor expressed deep concern for his fellow Palestinians, railing against Israel’s decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territories — including Bethlehem in the West Bank. He voiced gratitude for some of his religious partners in the U.S. and other prominent Christian voices who have been among those calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

But Isaac said that overall, he and others in Bethlehem have been “very disappointed” in the response of many Christians to the war.

10 Reasons Long-Term Pastorates Matter

By

Chuck Lawless

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November 28, 2023

long-term pastorate — Lightstock #539312

Just this week, I had a conversation with an aspiring pastor asking about the importance of pastors staying at a church even it’s tough. Our studies over the years have indeed shown the value of longer pastoral tenures. When staying at a tough church is challenging, maybe these reasons below will challenge you to hold on:

It takes time to earn a congregation’s trust. Especially if the church has had a divisive history, your first years may be only laying the groundwork for your real ministry.
You may need years to become the pastor. Assume many of the previous pastors have lasted only about three years. If so, the church likely won’t see you as “pastor” until you’ve been there longer than the others.
You will know your people better. We minister to people, and we minister best to them when we actually know them. Tenure gives you time to really know your congregation.
Time gives you opportunity to show you love your church. It’s really simple – the longer you’re there, the more opportunities you have to minister in good times and bad times. The more the church knows you care, the more they will follow you into the future.
You can overcome opposition by your “stick-to-it-ness.” Opposition in a church often assumes they can outlast the pastor; after all, that’s what they’ve done in the past. A pastor who stands faithful can weaken the opposition by his tenacity.
You will gain credibility in the community. Many great pastors I know shepherd not only their church, but also their community. It takes time to gain that kind of hearing.
You will have time to build your own team. Much changes when you have around you the people you trust and respect. Patiently building that team will pay dividends—but it takes time.
You will get to see fruit of your labors. I still think about the teens I baptized, later officiated their weddings, and even later helped them dedicate their own children to the Lord. Only tenure gives you that kind of privilege.
Churches in need of revitalization need leaders who don’t give up easily. This work can be hard. Really hard. So hard, in fact, that many pastors don’t last long in this kind of context. Those who do last, though, can rejoice over even the smallest victory.
Tenure assumes times of trusting God rather than leaving. Few pastors I know have not had days when they wanted God to lead them elsewhere. Those who stay, though, seek God, pray for strength, and press on in the power of the Spirit. Learning how to do that will make you a better pastor.

What other benefits would you add to this list?

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

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