Talkback

Group, Sep/Oct 2003

GIVE AND TAKE

"I think your magazine is the single best resource in youth ministry. I'm so grateful for your ministry."

Julius Kim

Via Internet

incensed

I was really disappointed to read the article "Trading Spaces" (July/August 2003). Author Bryan Belknap is certainly entitled to believe in the use of icons and incense in worship. But to urge those on the mixed audience of your magazine without even beginning to consider the reasons that have led some churches to reject them-often at considerable cost-makes your publication narrowly sectarian, which I never thought was your intent.

Daniel Reuter

Prospect, Pennsylvania

one of us

A.J. [Potter] stated it's obvious that kids aren't going deep in their faith and revival isn't happening mostly because some ministers "look like hard rock groups" and churches host "Christian rock concerts" ("Talkback," July/August 2003)... I would assume that your main scriptural basis for your thoughts would be "Be in the world but not of it," and "Do not be conformed to this world." In what way is God Almighty really concerned about you becoming like the world? If Jesus himself is not our example of this, then who is? He became like us. He wore our clothes and lived among us so we could relate to him and so he could communicate with us. Same goes for youth ministry. I should know their world and speak in their language if I hope to reach them.

Mike Hall

Somers Point, New Jersey

deprogramming

I'm disheartened and weary of reading about youth pastors asking how they can schedule things to keep students coming and involved. Whatever happened to students coming back because they have seen spiritual growth and genuine life change due to the teaching of God's Word? Don't get me wrong, programs have their place, but they should take a far back seat in a 15-passenger van to teaching and preaching. The problem with wrangling students in with gimmicks is... you never know if they're going to be effective. When you focus on preaching God's Word as the means of bringing in and involving students, God does the work.

Pete Bargas

Lancaster, California

win-win

Lately I've been trying to find ways to cut back on my expenses. When I received a renewal notice in the mail, I started debating whether or not this was one of those things to cut back. I received my latest issue of GROUP a day or two later. The title "Are You a Winner?" (March/April 2003) caught my attention... When I flipped to that article, I was surprised and impressed with the answers. Ten minutes later, when I was talking to your customer service rep, I had no problem with her suggestion to go for two years instead of one. Keep up the good work!

Paul Giesbrecht

Thompson, Manitoba