Love it, do you mind if I steal it and keep it in my library?

BTW... If you don't tell me that you mind... I'm stealin' it. And it's going in my library.

Dude... hurts to read...

I stumbled across this looking for successful youth ministry applications. If it wasn't written in such sarcastic language I would assume this was a hard hearted conservative fundamentalist hating on overpaid, milk drinking, under schooled, youth leader/rockstar types.

I definitely think you've over emphasized a couple of preferential points. I'll expand.

DUMB DOWN THE GOSPEL Yeah, no argument here on this point... Why would anyone want to dull down the most glorious romance action history has every experienced.

2) COUNT There's nothing wrong with counting, after all we're working to win as many to Christ as possible. Counting becomes dangerous and idolatrous when used to define success.

3) PUT YOUR STUDENTS ON DISPLAY. It is good to celebrate the lost son coming home! It reminds your students why the youth group exists, and encourages in every area of their life.

4) DONT ALLOW DOWN TIMECan't really argue that one can I? Sad truth, would like to find the cure... even in my own life...

5) STAY ON THE TECHNOLOGICAL CUTTING EDGE. Technology is not the devil. Thanks to the cutting edge technology of the 1500's bibles were translated and distributed widescale and tens of thousands were convicted daily in their houses by the God breathed word of life - providing they could read. Today the same revolution has re-evolved this time the distribution is global, the fruition is in the 10's of millions, and you don't even need to be literate to receive it. This is thanks to God's gracious redemption of Internet, and other A/V medias. Again, technology is not the problem, the idolatrous hearts of unrepentant men are.

6) CREATE CELEBRITIES. You seem to be alternating your solid satirical illustrations with your hateful sarcasm... this point is rock solid... there is one hero... Jesus.

7) LET YOUTH GROUP TAKE THE PLACE OF CHURCH. Your point is allowing the youth to form a segregated culture is about the opposite of what heaven's gonna look like. Good call. But your message is kinda starting to sound like… "ADOLECENT PEOPLE ARE EVIIIILLLL!!!! WHY CAN'T THEY BE NORMAL LIKE THE REST OF US????

8) TOW THE PARENTAL LINE. After point number one, this is your most valid point. Love it!

9) IGNORE THE ARTS. What??? Where the heck are you? Most youth groups are better at understand and appreciating multiple cultures than their parental congregation. Honestly… where do you live?

10. LIVE IN THE NOW. Good. Any youth "pastor" living and working like this is going to feel the fire now or later. " 1 Cor 9:16 - Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"

11. Not gonna bother.

Anyways dude. Sarcasm is a hard striking and effective way to make appoint, which is probably why the bible uses it so often. However when thing the prophets, Jesus and the apostles did do that you didn't is speak in the Authority of God, and offer the solution of repentance at the end.

If you're not careful to provide a compassionate solution as did our Glorious God, you are more likely to offend and compel defensiveness than encourage and compel change.

Otherwise, thanks for pointing out some of the serious dysfunctions of todays popular youth ministries. Something we can all use as a mirror to reflect our own flaws.

Hey Julie,
Looks like sarcasm is one of Jesus' faves. Sames with the major and minor prophets and I'm not sure if you've read much of the Pauline letters (Gal 5:12 "I wish those troublemakers would castrate themselves".)

Sarcasm seemed to do just fine in Ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Works pretty good in Australia too! Don't be too hard on American's they can't choose where they're born.