Global eNewsletter November 2006

With over 125 million profiles on Myspace, this "social networking" website has quickly become one of the most popular and most visited websites on the internet. At Global Youth Camps this summer we talked with dozens of youth pastors from across the country that are rightfully concerned about what their students are doing on the internet. What they are finding is that the student that may be quiet on Sunday is anything but quiet on their web page, seeing little or no connection between the principles of God and their cyberspace lives. The question for leaders is this: In a generation where black and white is fading to gray, is there a place to turn in scripture to help our students represent Christ not just in their personal lives but also in their digital lives?

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a church made up of people that came from varied backgrounds. In their city there had been false worship to false gods that included things as hideous as sex with temple prostitutes. Along the way the Jewish leaders combed the Old Testament and came up with 613 rules to live by. In their attempt to come up with a rule for everything, instead of bringing people closer to God, they ended up pushing people farther away.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to the immature believers and helps them to see that they do not need more rules, instead they need some principles. Paul helps them to see that it is possible to live as a light in a dark world!

The same principles that Paul taught the Corinthians can be taught to your students today:

- Does it Overpower the Priority?
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

There are obvious questions people usually think of when it comes to Myspace: “Am I allowed to do this?” "Do I have my parent’s permission?" "Am I old enough?" (Myspace requires that you be at least 14 years old.) "What have other important people said?" "My pastor?" "My Sunday school teacher?” These are surface level questions.

For the believer, however, there are questions that go below the surface. To start with: Does it overpower the priority of my life? In verse 12 the Corinthian believers take a phrase Paul has used, “Everything is permissible for me” and use it to justify everything they want to do. Paul says, “Yes, you are allowed to do a lot of things, but not everything you do will benefit you.” In other words, Paul is saying not everything we do will get us to the destination God has for us.

Do you know what the destination is for your life? If you are a believer the destination is that we become like Christ. The destination is that one day we would look like Christ. Once we know that this is our destination, we can begin to ask the question, “Will this thing (Myspace) help me get to my destination of looking like Christ?” Looking like Christ is the priority of our lives. Anything that gets in the way of that priority is something that we should steer clear of.

- Will the Outcome be Positive?
“Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:13

Paul was living in a pagan society in Corinth. There were many who practiced idol worship. These people would sacrifice sheep or goats to a pagan god, and then sell the meat at the meat market. Since the meat was sacrificed to an idol it would be sold at a reduced price. Believers struggled with whether or not buying this meat would associate them with the practice of false worship. Some saw other believers eating this meat and it caused them to stumble.

Instead of giving a hard and fast rule, Paul gave them another principle. Paul explained that a believer is no better or worse off for eating some meat. The food would not change his life. But Paul did question the outcome. He gives this principle: Do not do anything that would make you a stumbling-block to another Christian. As a believer we can either be a stepping stone or a stumbling block to the people around us. We must make sure that our heads never run away with our hearts. So even in the instance of Myspace, the only question is not, “Will it hurt me?” but “Could it hurt others?” This applies to everything from the topics we write about to the pictures that we post.

- Is there Opportunity to Progress?
“All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23b

The phrase “to edify” means to build up. Usually the word “edifice” is used to refer to a fine building. Paul is saying that everything we do is either building you up or tearing you down. Before you engage in an activity like Myspace, remind yourself which result it is likely to have. This also applies to every area of life: every film you watch—does it build up or tear down? Every conversation you have—do you build someone up or tear someone down? Every relationship you have—does it build you up or tear you down? Every bulletin that is posted--does it build up or tear down?

- Will It Open People up to the Presence of God?
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God…just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, 33

Whatever you are doing, does it exalt Christ? Everything you do as a Christian either honors or dishonors God. Every conversation, every purchase, every weekend activity, every TV show either brings glory or shame to the Lord. Is God glorified by what you are doing? Do you dress to God’s glory? Ladies, if Jesus were your date, would you wear the same thing? Do you speak to God’s glory? Guy, if Christ were in the circle, would you tell the same joke? Everything we do reflects God. The ultimate goal is for other people to see that reflection and want to know Him. If anything we do keeps us from bringing people to Christ, then it is wrong.

**This free resource is provided by Bobby McGraw of Global Youth Ministry. Be sure to visit www.globalyouthministry.org/jumpstart for more FREE resources. Global also develops verse by verse comprehensive Bible studies available in our online store. Each unit provides everything you need for one month of youth ministry! Visit the church curriculum section of our site for great resources to teach Biblical truth to your teens!
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At the end of September all present Global Youth Mentors and current mentor trainees were on the campus of Global Youth Ministry and the Institute for Global Youth Studies for a time of training and encouragement. One of our first mentors, Jamey Dickens, was in country from Moldova and was able to spend time with our current mentor trainees to give them great insight on how to adjust culturally, where to start strategically and how to survive over the long-haul. It was a great time of training. In 2007 Global will have 7 mentors living abroad specifically targeting what has been called the "12/24 Window"--that is youth between the ages of 12 and 24. Please pray for and support these mentors.

Students can be exposed to great training on top of Fort Mountain in Georgia that is unique to any other college experience. Global Youth Ministry and the Institute for Global Youth Studies have partnered with like-minded organizations such as Student Leadership University, Union University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and many others to provide quality training to help your students rise above the average to become the

leader God has created them to be. (Click here to read more about our partner ministries.) Through the Institute, Global can also partner with your ministry to help change the world!

The Institute offers 3 tracks of study that are specifically tailored to each student:
1. Emerging Leadership Track - designed especially for recent High school graduates and young leaders to equip them with leadership skills to help shape their life.

2. Youth Ministry Track - For students seeking a role in youth ministry or as a youth ministry degree or minor.
3. Youth Mentoring Abroad Track - For those interested in pursing youth ministry as missions around the globe!

Visit the Institute's website for more information about current offerings and to download an application. We are currently enrolling for Spring and Fall 2007. (Top)

REAGAN'S RECOMMENDATION: “Communicating for Change"
by Andy Stanley

This month I would like to recommend the book "Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication" by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. This book is for any who want to improve the effectiveness of their preaching and teaching. I've never read a better book on approaching sermon preparation and presentation. It focuses us on not trying to impart a ton of truth all at once but, instead, bringing each individual message down to one simple, significant point to take home and apply effectively. If you are in front imparting truth to this generation you can not afford not to read this one!!

(Top)


November 2006 Volume 12, Issue 11 IN THIS ISSUE... MYSPACE PRINCIPLES MENTORS ON CAMPUS COLLEGE THAT CHANGES Reagan's Recommendation Kyle and Julie Need You! Kyle and Julie Riddle are in their final weeks of preparation before heading to Kenya to spend at least a year investing in young leaders. You can can help reach teens in places like Kenya by sending at least $1 a month on the first day of every month. OR For $1 dollar a month for 12 months. Click here for more information. Need more envelopes? Send us your address here! The Momentum¹ Tour: This powerful conference for the entire youth group. It answers the question, "If God looked for a youth group to use greatly in your community, what sort of youth group would He look for?" Click here for more information! CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Our camps help not just individual students and adults, but your entire youth group! Through powerful teaching, passionate worship, and our thematic approach to the summer, you will not be disappointed. Call now to reserve your space! 877-251-1800 Check out our schedule here! 2007 MISSION PROJECT SCHEDULE POSTED! Each summer Global helps take your older students overseas to reach their generation around the globe! Currently we have 10 strategic projects planned. Read more about our philosophy here. Call us if you are interested in taking your group overseas! Be Sure to Read About: Camps Conferences Curriculum Mentors Missions Get Past Editions			jumpstart free resource - biblical PRINCIPLES TO TEACH A MYSPACE GENERATION With over 125 million profiles on Myspace, this "social networking" website has quickly become one of the most popular and most visited websites on the internet. At Global Youth Camps this summer we talked with dozens of youth pastors from across the country that are rightfully concerned about what their students are doing on the internet. What they are finding is that the student that may be quiet on Sunday is anything but quiet on their web page, seeing little or no connection between the principles of God and their cyberspace lives. The question for leaders is this: In a generation where black and white is fading to gray, is there a place to turn in scripture to help our students represent Christ not just in their personal lives but also in their digital lives? In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a church made up of people that came from varied backgrounds. In their city there had been false worship to false gods that included things as hideous as sex with temple prostitutes. Along the way the Jewish leaders combed the Old Testament and came up with 613 rules to live by. In their attempt to come up with a rule for everything, instead of bringing people closer to God, they ended up pushing people farther away. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to the immature believers and helps them to see that they do not need more rules, instead they need some principles. Paul helps them to see that it is possible to live as a light in a dark world! The same principles that Paul taught the Corinthians can be taught to your students today: - Does it Overpower the Priority? “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 There are obvious questions people usually think of when it comes to Myspace: “Am I allowed to do this?” "Do I have my parent’s permission?" "Am I old enough?" (Myspace requires that you be at least 14 years old.) "What have other important people said?" "My pastor?" "My Sunday school teacher?” These are surface level questions. For the believer, however, there are questions that go below the surface. To start with: Does it overpower the priority of my life? In verse 12 the Corinthian believers take a phrase Paul has used, “Everything is permissible for me” and use it to justify everything they want to do. Paul says, “Yes, you are allowed to do a lot of things, but not everything you do will benefit you.” In other words, Paul is saying not everything we do will get us to the destination God has for us. Do you know what the destination is for your life? If you are a believer the destination is that we become like Christ. The destination is that one day we would look like Christ. Once we know that this is our destination, we can begin to ask the question, “Will this thing (Myspace) help me get to my destination of looking like Christ?” Looking like Christ is the priority of our lives. Anything that gets in the way of that priority is something that we should steer clear of. - Will the Outcome be Positive? “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:13 Paul was living in a pagan society in Corinth. There were many who practiced idol worship. These people would sacrifice sheep or goats to a pagan god, and then sell the meat at the meat market. Since the meat was sacrificed to an idol it would be sold at a reduced price. Believers struggled with whether or not buying this meat would associate them with the practice of false worship. Some saw other believers eating this meat and it caused them to stumble. Instead of giving a hard and fast rule, Paul gave them another principle. Paul explained that a believer is no better or worse off for eating some meat. The food would not change his life. But Paul did question the outcome. He gives this principle: Do not do anything that would make you a stumbling-block to another Christian. As a believer we can either be a stepping stone or a stumbling block to the people around us. We must make sure that our heads never run away with our hearts. So even in the instance of Myspace, the only question is not, “Will it hurt me?” but “Could it hurt others?” This applies to everything from the topics we write about to the pictures that we post. - Is there Opportunity to Progress? “All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23b The phrase “to edify” means to build up. Usually the word “edifice” is used to refer to a fine building. Paul is saying that everything we do is either building you up or tearing you down. Before you engage in an activity like Myspace, remind yourself which result it is likely to have. This also applies to every area of life: every film you watch—does it build up or tear down? Every conversation you have—do you build someone up or tear someone down? Every relationship you have—does it build you up or tear you down? Every bulletin that is posted--does it build up or tear down? - Will It Open People up to the Presence of God? “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God…just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, 33 Whatever you are doing, does it exalt Christ? Everything you do as a Christian either honors or dishonors God. Every conversation, every purchase, every weekend activity, every TV show either brings glory or shame to the Lord. Is God glorified by what you are doing? Do you dress to God’s glory? Ladies, if Jesus were your date, would you wear the same thing? Do you speak to God’s glory? Guy, if Christ were in the circle, would you tell the same joke? Everything we do reflects God. The ultimate goal is for other people to see that reflection and want to know Him. If anything we do keeps us from bringing people to Christ, then it is wrong. This free resource is provided by Bobby McGraw of Global Youth Ministry. Be sure to visit www.globalyouthministry.org/jumpstart for more FREE resources. Global also develops verse by verse comprehensive Bible studies available in our online store. Each unit provides everything you need for one month of youth ministry! Visit the church curriculum section of our site for great resources to teach Biblical truth to your teens! (Top) ALL MENTORS ON GLOBAL'S CAMPUS At the end of September all present Global Youth Mentors and current mentor trainees were on the campus of Global Youth Ministry and the Institute for Global Youth Studies for a time of training and encouragement. One of our first mentors, Jamey Dickens, was in country from Moldova and was able to spend time with our current mentor trainees to give them great insight on how to adjust culturally, where to start strategically and how to survive over the long-haul. It was a great time of training. In 2007 Global will have 7 mentors living abroad specifically targeting what has been called the "12/24 Window"--that is youth between the ages of 12 and 24. Please pray for and support these mentors. COLLEGE TRAINING THAT CHANGES THE WORLD Students can be exposed to great training on top of Fort Mountain in Georgia that is unique to any other college experience. Global Youth Ministry and the Institute for Global Youth Studies have partnered with like-minded organizations such as Student Leadership University, Union University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and many others to provide quality training to help your students rise above the average to become the leader God has created them to be. (Click here to read more about our partner ministries.) Through the Institute, Global can also partner with your ministry to help change the world! The Institute offers 3 tracks of study that are specifically tailored to each student: 1. Emerging Leadership Track - designed especially for recent High school graduates and young leaders to equip them with leadership skills to help shape their life. 2. Youth Ministry Track - For students seeking a role in youth ministry or as a youth ministry degree or minor. 3. Youth Mentoring Abroad Trac**k - For those interested in pursing youth ministry as missions around the globe! Visit the Institute's website for more information about current offerings and to download an application. We are currently enrolling for Spring and Fall 2007. (Top) REAGAN'S RECOMMENDATION: “Communicating for Change" by Andy Stanley This month I would like to recommend the book "Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication" by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. This book is for any who want to improve the effectiveness of their preaching and teaching. I've never read a better book on approaching sermon preparation and presentation. It focuses us on not trying to impart a ton of truth all at once but, instead, bringing each individual message down to one simple, significant point to take home and apply effectively. If you are in front imparting truth to this generation you can not afford not to read this one!! (Top)

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Kyle and Julie Riddle are in their final weeks of preparation before heading to Kenya to spend at least a year investing in young leaders. You can can help reach teens in places like Kenya by sending at least $1 a month on the first day of every month.