I Am Comfortable Baptizing a 12 Year Old When...

My Brothers! The Lord's grace to you from Lubbock, TX. We have some crickets chirping on our blog so I thought I would get the ball rolling again.

I am comfortable baptizing a 13 year old when...(Fill in the Blank)

Currently I am studying and thinking through the issue of when to baptize a young man or woman in youth ministry. It is obviously important for Youth Pastors to come to conviction in this area. I would like to get your wisdom and counsel. So...I am comfortable baptizing a 13 year old when...(YOU fill in the blank)

Summer Reading: Pilgrim's Progress

I am considering having my JH/HS students read Pilgrim's Progress this summer. Any thoughts on this?
Does anybody know of a good version for students to read? Are there good study questions I should use? Thanks.

The Doctrine of Imputation

I am attempting to teach my students on the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. I have been preaching through Phil. 3:4-11 and I am beginning to see that they don’t understand the concept of imputation. Forgiveness is an easy concept; imputation is easy as well but just not understood. Here is a graph I believe may help teach them on what happens in justification and the difference between forgiveness of sin and imputation of righteousness.

What do you think of it? Is it biblically sound? If forgiveness is the removal or cancelling of sin, we are back to zero, not in the positive. We need to get into the positive for entrance into heaven. Only Christ’s righteousness, his obedience to God’s laws and death on the cross, give us the merit we need for entrance.

Goldilocks Would Approve

As pastors, we love teaching and preaching. We have studied all week, learned a ton, and have a lot of great info to teach our students. Each time we get in front of our students however, we are faced with the question- how long should we teach for?

I must confess that I tend to go on the long side. I am a TMS grad that many times gives TMI. My conscience is afflicted because I kick myself or going too long (sometimes 45 minutes). Am I wrong? I want to find a balance, get convictions, and stick to that.

How long is too long? How long do you men teach your students for?

What do you men think is a duration that would be "just right"?

20min.?

30min.?

More?

What is a Student Ministry?

I have been working on a definition of what student ministry is and I want to hear your thoughts.

A Student Ministry is...

"A ministry of the local church that assists parents in the evangelization and discipleship of students." 

What do you think? Have you come up with a definition of your own? Please offer any thoughts and critiques.