Youth Specialties

So I'm in ATL right now at YS. It has been a very engaging, uplifting, challenging, and worshipful conference. As usual, YS has done a remarkable job at bringing in a variety of presenters, and by far the best has been Phyllis Tickle. She made a compelling case for a new Reformation currently in emergence, which I'll blog about once I'm home. I'm surprised by how drawn I am to emerging or even Emergent youth ministry leaders and models. Being in practice, rather than seminary, leads one to ask different questions. Emerging and Emergent youth workers seem to be the only people asking the same questions I am. More about that in days to come. In any event, this has been exactly what I needed for this season of life. I am grateful to my church for making this possible.

An Interesting Offer

I've made no progress on my missional theology series. I suppose that's come to be expected here. I'm thinking about giving myself a deadline, and trying to produce one post a month. Maybe that would make me get it done. In any event, I have been blogging, just not here. Our youth group has a blog and I post daily thoughts on Scripture passages for our students.

Speaking of deadlines, I just got an interesting offer. Apparently the fine folks at "Word and World," a journal published by Luther Seminary, got my name as a highly recommended reviewer of books. How that came to be, I have no idea. In any event, they want me to review Andy Root's new book, "Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry." I happily accepted. I have great admiration for Root's work, and look forward to this new book. I need to complete the 900 word review by February 1, so I think I can manage that.

Just thought I'd let all five of you who read this in on my happy news.