Ministry Journey Blog

Thoughts on Ministry

30 Mar

Book Review-Youth Workers Commentary on John Vol 1

Posted in Uncategorized on 30.03.12 by Merlyn

Published at Youthworker Online (A part of Youthworker Journal)

Read the online article here

A Youth Worker’s Commentary on John: Volume 1 (John 1-8)

Les Christie & David Nystrom

A Youth Worker’s Commentary on John is more than a devotional and has much more depth that most youth ministry curriculum. This tool provides background information on the book of John as it walks through the first eight chapters. It includes great questions that can be used for personal study or for with your youth. This would be a very helpful tool for any youth worker teaching from the book of John. While it is more than a devotional or a curriculum, I would not exactly call it a commentary. While this tool provides great, in depth information on the book of John and uses some good sources of information, it is not at the level of an academic commentary. That said, I would highly recommend this for all youth workers, as it is a great resource.

Rev. Marcus J Carlson has worked with children and youth for over 13 years and is a spiritual director. He current serves as Associate Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO. (marcusjcarlson.com)

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29 Mar

Book Review-Creative Bible Lessons on the Trinity

Posted in Uncategorized on 29.03.12 by Merlyn

Published at Youthworker Online (A part of Youthworker Journal)

Read the online article here

Review:

Creative Bible Lessons on the Trinity

Andrew Hedges

Creative Bible Lesson on the Trinity is a curriculum tool and resource for youth workers and youth ministries that looks at the Trinity. This is not an easy topic to teach or understand and this curriculum tries to use a variety of teaching approaches and tools to talk about the Trinity with youth. The twelve sessions cover a variety of aspects of the Trinity. The curriculum could be used as a series or independently as it does a good job of looking at the character and nature of God. Creative Bible Lessons on the Trinity would probably work best with smaller groups (such as Sunday school or a small group Bible study), especially if you intend to go through the who book. It might be too deep for middle school youth, but could also serve as a great introduction. Like all youth ministry curriculum there is more here than most youth workers would need for a youth ministry program, and it is certainly not a perfect tool, so its important to plan, prepare and choose the pieces of each lesson that best fit your context. I would recommend this curriculum for youth ministries looking for a good, fairly easy to use resource on the Trinity.

Rev. Marcus J Carlson has worked with children and youth for over 13 years and is a spiritual director. He current serves as Associate Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO. (marcusjcarlson.com)

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23 Mar

Next Steps…

Posted in Uncategorized on 23.03.12 by Merlyn

I was not sure what to title this blog, as there are still so many thoughts running through my head. In the midst of my doctoral work and other things, I have stumbled upon something that I am very excited about and sense could be an amazing thing for me as a pastor, for my church, for families and for the community in which I live. I have been thinking a lot about the changes our children and youth are experiencing and living into. I have also been thinking a lot about how we (and I) can build greater social capital for all children so that we can not only care for them, but to help them thrive. Through various connections, I have stumbled upon Project 51 through Parenteen. It is run by a couple colleagues that I know and respect greatly. The concept is to find 5 Christ following adults to invest in the lives of every child in our congregation as well as our own families. It is an amazing concept and the intentionality that can come from it could be world changing (at least if not life changing for kids, families, churches and communities). I have not had this much excitement for an idea or concept in ministry in a long time. Its not that I have lacked passion, as that has not been the case, but I sense that this is something bigger, more than a program or just another ministry idea. The pastors and leadership of our church are getting excited for this and I can only begin to imagine the potential that this has. It is humbling, scary, exciting and so much more. It is something that I suspect I will be writing about more as we begin this journey. Right now, its something that is incredibly exciting that I cannot stop thinking about, but much like your first love, it is hard to describe and you are not sure what comes next. Yet, I cannot help but to be ecstatic for what the future holds!

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15 Mar

Book Review-NIV Once a Day Bible

Posted in Uncategorized on 15.03.12 by Merlyn

Published at Youthworker Online (A part of Youthworker Journal)
Read the online article here
Review:
NIV Once a Day Bible
Zondervan

The NIV once a day Bible is intended to help readers read through the entire Bible in a year. Unlike many Bible tools, this Bible is organized by daily readings that incorporate differing parts of Scripture so that the reader can work through the whole Bible in a way that is likely to be easier. Each daily reading includes a short devotional as well and the Bible can be read starting on any given day of the year. I highly recommend this Bible for personal use and for use or as a gift for youth. The readings are diverse, easy to follow and manageable. This tool is very practical and the devotionals offer an additional benefit. I strongly recommend this product.

Rev. Marcus J Carlson has worked with children and youth for over 13 years and is a spiritual director. He current serves as Associate Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO. (marcusjcarlson.com)

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07 Mar

Book Review-Children’s Minister Manual

Posted in Uncategorized on 07.03.12 by Merlyn

Published at Youthworker Online (A part of Youthworker Journal)

Read the online article here

The Nelson’s Children’s Minister Manual is a concise and helpful tool for those who work with children in the church. While it is written primarily to full-time Children’s Ministry workers, it would be helpful for anyone who works with children. This practical guide covers the various areas of children’s ministry and provides helpful tools for children’s ministry. This guide is also helpful for youth workers, especially those who also work with or oversee children’s ministry. Many of the principles in this book can be applied to youth ministry. This book could also be useful to help build stronger relationships between youth and children’s ministries in the church.  This book is a helpful tool that is worth reading.

Rev. Marcus J Carlson has worked with children and youth for over 13 years and is a spiritual director. He current serves as Associate Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO. (marcusjcarlson.com)

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