Archive for 2005


Kay and Sarah (back row) Sam, Alex and Catriona (front row)

Over two weeks in January I again had the privilege of training around 500 people in the foundations of youth ministry. This training took place during two fine conferences, KYLC (Katoomba Youth Leadership Conference) and LIT (Leaders in Training).

At KYLC I delivered two training sessions to the Strand One delegates, on the topic “Essentials of Evangelical Youth Ministry”, which covered the basics of ministry, and a presentation of my ‘Dual Action’ youth ministry strategy.

At LIT I delivered similar material in two different sessions, the first at the first timers, and a longer two-hour session for those coming for the second year.

I can think of no better way to train up your future and current church leaders than these two great conferences. LIT is aimed especially at upper-high school aged students (years 10 to 12), and KYLC is aimed more at students who have completed their years at school.

Further details of these great conferences can be found at http://kylc.kcc.org.au and http://www.conferences.youthworks.net

Here’s a letter I submitted to the SMH for today’s paper but was not published, concerning the meaning behind the Tsunami tragedy:

“When a falling building killed eighteen people in the first century, Jesus denied that it occurred because the victims were worse sinners than the general public. Yet, he offered this important warning: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5) When Philip Jensen says of God that “disasters are part of His warning that judgement is coming” (‘God’s will comments horrible, says dean’, January 3), he is only repeating Jesus’ sentiments. If The Reverend Tim Delaney believes this teaching is “insensitive, inhumane and ungodly” (SMH Letters, January 4) then his problem is with Jesus as much as Jensen.”

You can read the original article here: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Asia-Tsunami/Gods-will-comments-horrible-says-dean/2005/01/02/1104601246571.html and the page that contains the letter I disagreed with here: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Letters/Religious-theories-fail-to-explain-this-natural-disaster/2005/01/03/1104601295769.html

In this month’s ‘The Briefing’ you can read a snapshot of my life! Titled, ‘Diary of a roving youth minister’, it records a month’s worth of the blessings and travails of daily Christian service, in which I demonstrate my theology in action.

Click here to read the article.

If you have any comments or thoughts on the article, I’d love you to drop me an email.

Enjoy!

P.S. In case you’re wondering, it’s not me holding the surfboard…!

P.P.S. Reproduced with permission (c) Matthias Media 2005. You can purchase this edition of The Briefing online at the Matthias Media website for only a few dollars.

Click here to read the article.

Reproduced with permission (c) Matthias Media 2005. You can purchase this edition of The Briefing online at the Matthias Media website for only a few dollars.