why do Christians do it?

Why is it that Christians always feel th eneed to create their won version of what is already in existence in todays culture. do they really think that God is going to less theirs any more than the origianl when all it is is the same thing, but with god or something like that attached to it. I mean we now have God tube, My Ichthus, what iwll be next, any suggestions here?

Who to believe!!!

have you noticed with Hannah in Hollyoaks everyone has noticed that something is wrong, but they have all jumped to the wrong conclusion. Hannah's mum has even believed her friends rather than spotting the real issues. So how easyis it for us when people tell us things about the young people we work with, do we believe what we get told straight away, or do we check out the facts and see if there are other issues involved as well. It is easy to believe what we think is in front of us, but sometimes we need to dig a little deeper to actually gt tot he truth.

Spotting the issues!!!!

How many of us have watched Hollyoaks recently, and thought about the issues that Hannah and her friend Millissa are going through. How many of us would really spot the issues, recognise what was going on, and how many of us would feel confident enough to actually do anything about it? tough roll the youth worker, because you need to be sure of circumstances before tackling things with young people or even family, but if not, if you leave it, how would you feel? Be cautious but do the right thing, tackle the issues, be obserant, keep an eye out, spot the strange behaviour, and I mean behaviour that is out of the ordinary? Recognise those differences, but show you care. Difficult roll, but yet, an important and vital one we play.

Is youth worker a strange title?

Has anyone else thought that our title as youth worker could be classed as a strange one, or even at its extremes a lie? Just think of all the different elements to our work, and then think about our title. I mean, we have to meet with somany adults, and tell them about the work, and even encourage them to support the work, how does that tie in to the part of our job decription where we are meant to be able to relate to Young people. I am sure there are many other areas of work, or our job, that will seem strange to our title, just think about it, and even have a lugh to yourself.

Get involved in the debate!!!!!

I know so many of us are so busy in life, but we should always take time each day, to reflect on a number of different things. Firstly, at some point during the day, we should always come into contact with Gods word whether tthrough listening, reading or remembering bis of it. 2: We should maybe even read part of a book, a book that is that stretches our minds, pushes oru boundaries of thinking, so not Harry potter then. But if we can't get a book then listen to some teaching apes or cd's, but something that prevokesus to think, not just to say yes, but something we may even disagree with, but we have to think thorugh why we disagree. And maybe lastly, get involved in a discussion board, a form, or a blog where we can get involved in debates about sticky issues and communicate with other workers. All these things will keep us sharp, keep us thinking, and keep us close to God as wlel.

Tackling those issues!!!!!

There are many issues in life that sometimes we just don't knwo the anser too. As a youthwokrer our young peple will expect, or even hope that we will have the answer to many if not all of their questios. someitmes we just won't know he answer, but we have to read, think, and research many things so we can have indepth and informative conversations with our young people. One website I would suggest we look at and reflect on is edges.tv. Mal fletcher is a wise man about culutre today and many issues around it. Have alook and think thorugh those issues he raises.

views on festivals

I am not going to any festivals this year, first time this would be the case for a long time. so if anyone has been, or is going to a festival, do let me know what you thought, the good bits and the bad bits as well. What could have been done differently, and what worked, what actually connected with the young people of our culture, and what was still Church from the 20th Century? Any oughts leave comments on here, anywhere or email me.

Christian versions of things!!!!!

Why is it that on a number of occasions, Christians go and make their own version of what todays culture has already created? Is there really any point in creating something exactly the same as what has already been created, but by adding god, or Christian in there, it gives it that higher status, because it is Christian. I am thinking of the site, Youtube,and now someone has gone and created Godtube, why? What is the point really? Can we not, as Christians use some thiings that are already created in todays culture and use them for God, or do we really have to go and create the same thing, but put God's name in there?

Retreat and refresh!!!!!

I have recently been told off by a couple of my closest friends, due to the little holiday I take each year. And when reflecting on their comments and suggestions, I can now see that there is much wisdom in their comments. 1: Jesus himself also retreated from people and had time for himself and his relationship with God. 2: If you constantly work, there is a chance of burn-out and so we do need to refresh ourselves. 3: If we are not fresh, then our work is not fresh either. 4: To have the greatest impact, things need to be fresh for us, becasue if they are boaring for us, then they will be boaring for those we work with as wlell. 5: Also good to take time and reflect, and think where weare at as people, and whether there are new challenges or things that God might want us to do. The greatest problem is convincing those who pay the wage, or expect the work, they alsoneed to understand the need, the point, the necessity of retreating and refreshing.

Youth camps?

We are in that time of year when there are so many different camps for young people it is difficult sometimes to decide which one to take them too. Soul survivor run about 3 different weeks for young people during the summer, as well as youth bits added onto New wine. There is also Harvest which takes place in the north East of England, and then there is Grape vine in Lincolnshire. I am sure there are oher as well such as Rock Nations in Bradofrd which are not necessarily camps but sitll youth conferences. Are there to many of these camps around, too much choice, have we taken this part of our culture to the extreme? The problem is that our young people would probably wnat the different parts of each camp to make ito one big camp they wanted. So where do we possibly draw the line, and is it down touus or the young people we work with to make this decision?