eZine 11.18.2008

PJ writes:
I appreciate you taking on this book and giving some solid advice on a way to approach, handle and direct discussions pertaining to the topics this book covers. One thing is for sure, if you don’t have any students in your youth programs that haven’t read these books then you’re probably not reaching the lost, or your leadership influence is about the size of, let’s say one!

The truth is as believers, we can probably agree this isn’t the book we would write or we would want our teens to be devouring, but the reality is, they are, and we need to be wise enough to turn this negative influence into a positive one in a young person’s life. How? By being able to discuss these topics and redirect to a Godly principle that they can’t positively acclimate to.

Acts 17:22-23 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. KJV

We can’t win everyone at once be we can help redirect people to the UNKNOWN GOD, as our friend the Apostle Paul did…

Good job Gentlemen
Left by PJLOVESLA on Nov 12, 2008 8:20 PM

Sir Paul writes:
For a youth leader in principle to say we should allow our youth to read this garbage so that they can experience other principles and allow this to stimulate conversations is bollocks and taking the easy way out.

Because a child goes to a good school, does not mean either that they are well grounded, againgst what are we measuring our faith and The Word? After all, in principle, all youth ministers started out with Biblical principles.

Get back to God’s writtern Word, it is the author and finisher of our faith. Now how does this book compare to the Writtern Word? There is enough topic in The Word to stimulate discussion.

The God I serve, would not want me to allow my daugther to read such junk.

And here is where Jonathan’s “views” come in, I read them, it gives me perspective, and then allows me to make a learned descision.

I must say though, that I did perceive that the newsletter kind of made it sound as if you where encouraging people to read the book, and that it was “acceptable”.

Our parents the “baby boomers” and that generation were very principle orientated. I feel our generation of adults now, compromised, and if we allow this to go any further, then The Word of God is going to be further from the lips of our children and their children…
Left by Sir Paul on Nov 12, 2008 5:13 PM

Jonathan McKee responds:
Sigh…

What David and I tried to make clear in the article and through this blog is the fact that many adults working with kids are encountering kids that have already read these books. Rather than pointing at them and screaming, “AAAaaaaugh! You are in the grips of Satan!!” I suggested having a meaningful conversation with them about the book. (And yes, for those who are already trying to quote scripture to me about how we don’t need to use culture to create conversation, please read the writings of Paul and take note of how often he used the culture of the day as a starting point for his discussions -try Acts 17 for starters).

For those parents whose kids are asking if they can read the book, again, I don’t think hitting them on the head with the Bible and calling them “Jezebel” is the answer. Perhaps a conversation with them about the issue at hand would be beneficial. And then, as I said in one of my comments above… parents should then feel free to make the final decision, even if it is the unpopular “No. You can’t read it.”
Left by Jonathan McKee on Nov 12, 2008 6:31 PM

Sarah writes:
Isn’t the point of the YOUTH CULTURE WINDOW to help us as youth workers be aware of what the kids in our programs may be into? Half the girls in my junior high group and half in my high school group are reading these books. It only makes sense that I read them. I cannot and won’t try to have a discussion with anyone about something I have only heard about from other people.

That is why Christians get a bum rap…we judge stuff really quickly before we even investigate things ourselves…

When I get the chance to sit down and discuss Twilight with my teens my opening line will not be you need to stop reading this. I want to know what draws them to these books, how they relate to them. We have to be prepared and aware of what exactly it is youth are up to. Sadly a lot of parents aren’t. If reading a book or watching a show will help me to have meaningful conversations with my youth I’m going to do it.

It doesn’t mean I condone it, I have a problem with much of the stuff kids in my ministry are into. My job is not to just tell them what they should and shouldn’t read, watch, or listen to. It is to help them to make wise decisions based on the truth of God’s word. It is to equip them to make responsible choices. It is certainly not to be another person in the life of a young person telling him/her ‘No because I said it is bad’. If we just say don’t be into this then we won’t be earning the right to be heard and we won’t be helping youth in any way.

It just makes no sense to me how so many people on this blog could miss the point of the article. I’m sure Jonathan and David don’t run around wearing shirts that say “We ‘heart’ Twilight”…the more accurate shirt would say “We love youth workers and we are trying to make their lives easier”. It is so nice to have resources that help us see what otherwise we might miss. Bravo to you both for keeping youth workers aware and accountable. Youth work is an awesome call and an awesome responsibility…thanks for being willing to partner with us as we get to serve the Lord in the lives of youth
Left by Sarah Sutphin on Nov 13, 2008 8:31 AM

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