Youth Pastor Theologian Youth Pastor Theologian

If youth workers aren't teaching teenagers about God then how can we call what we're doing "ministry"? The doctrine of God is a topic that people tend to either take for granted or they are intimidated by it's grandeur. This conversation highlights some of the core aspects of the doctrine of God and why it's so important to talk about with teenagers. 
What is the vision behind the “Theology for Every Person” series?
People are easily intimidated by the word “theology.” Why is it so important to promote theology for normal believers? 
Why start with the doctrine of God and not the doctrine of Scripture/Revelation? 
Could you give us an overview of the doctrine of God, what does that involve? 
Does someone need to believe in the Trinity in order to be a Christian? What about the new believer? 
Our audience is primarily youth pastors and volunteer youth workers… what advice do you have for them in talking about the Trinity and doctrine of God with teenagers, in a way that is simple to understand and doctrinally sound? 
Advice about a youth teaching series about the attributes of God?
Dr. Malcolm Yarnell serves as Research Professor of Theology at SWBTS and as Teaching Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, TX, among other things. He’s also written or contributed to many theology books – his latest project is a three-part series entitled “Theology for Every Person” and the first book has just been released, which focuses on the doctrine of God.
Other books by Dr. Yarnell YPT Recommends:
The Formation of Christian Doctrine
God the Trinity: Biblical Portraits
Trinitarian Theology
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Follow Dr. Yarnell on Twitter/X and Instagram: @MusingsOnChrist
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK. 

Although we preach the same gospel, each culture brings distinct questions and challenges for pastoral ministry. What can Western youth workers learn from African youth leaders and pastors?
What does youth ministry look like in Kenya? Since Africa is a large continent with many people groups and languages, can you give us a snapshot about what youth ministry looks like across Africa? 
You’ve recently published “Apologetics in Africa” through Langham Press. What prompted you to write that book? 
There are some chapters that are very similar to what you’d find in most apologetics books, but there are some pretty unique topics that are particular to ministry in Africa. What are some questions apologetics in Africa needs to address that doesn’t get much attention in other contexts? 
What blind spots have you seen in the broader world of youth ministry that we might not recognize ourselves?
Dr. Kevin Muriithi is a Lecturer and Head of Department in Practical Theology at School of Theology at St. Paul’s University, Kenya and is an affiliated Research Fellow in the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He brings pastoral ministry experiences to theological education, especially his years of serving in youth ministry. He’s recently published “Apologetics in Africa” through Langham Press, which is the main topic of today’s conversation. 
Study: Global Youth Culture (OneHope)
Dr. Muriithi’s blog: theogrimage.com
Order Apologetics in Africa on Amazon or through Langham Publishing (free shipping)
Follow Dr. Muriithi on Twitter/X: @ndereba 
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK. 

Good and faithful youth ministry can look very different from context to context, and yet we often define “What is youth ministry” by the form it takes rather than the essence. Today we’re going to talk about contextualization with Mike Dicker from YouthWorks College in Sydney, Australia. 
What is contextualization and why is it important? 
What is "divine accomodation" and can you point to any examples of contextualization in the Bible? 
You’ve proposed four steps for faithful contextualization in youth ministry. Could you give us a quick overview of the four steps, and then we can go through them together in a bit more detail? 
What recommendations do you have that are particular to youth ministry? 
As youth workers strive towards contextualization, the temptation is to think first about our preaching… but we need to apply contextualization to the gospel culture of our ministry. What does that mean and how do we establish a gospel culture? 
Learn more about YouthWorks and YouthWorks College
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK. 

We often anchor relational discipleship in Christ’s incarnation, but is that the best biblical and theological foundation? In what ways might “Incarnational Ministry” have shaped the way we think about the Incarnation, rather than it being the other way around? For this reason, it’s important to get clear on the doctrine of the incarnation as we evaluate the biblical heart of relational ministry. 
Discussion
How did this question get on your radar and what motivated you to sink your teeth into it?
When people talk about “Incarnational Ministry,” what do they tend to have in mind, and what’s the typical argument for it sound like? 
Could you walk us through the doctrine of the incarnation and share your hesitations about continuing with “incarnational ministry” language? 
Is this just splitting hairs over nitpicky theology or is there something really at stake? What do you propose instead? 
Tim Gough is the center director for YFC in North Wales, chief editor for the Grove Youth series of books, and adjunct lecturer in youth ministry at various colleges in the UK, and is pursuing his PhD at University of Manchester. 
Order Tim's book, Rebooted: Reclaiming Youth Ministry for the Long Haul (IVP UK, 2019)
Follow Tim on Twitter/X: @timgoughuk
Follow Tim on YouTube: Youth Work Hacks
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK. 

Ministry to students after confirmation (or baptism, depending on tradition) can pose some unique challenges. Bård Norheim shares about "post-confirmation leadership training" in Norway, a nationwide effort by churches to prioritize discipleship and to help youth cultivate enduring faith by finding their belonging in their church community. 
What does youth ministry look like in Norway? What are some particular challenges teenagers in Norway are facing? 
How does the Church of Norway (evangelical lutheran) currently lead youth through the confirmation process? 
Could you share more about this post-confirmation leadership training? 
What do you mean by “ambivalence” in youth, and how do you encourage youth leaders to respond? 
What are some of the main lessons you’ve learned that you want to share with youth workers, not just in Norway but globally, about leading youth into Christian maturity? 
Any good books or resources you’d like to point our listeners to about this topic? 
Bård Norheim is professor of theology, religion and philosophy, NLA Bergen University College in Norway. He is also coauthor (with Jos de Kock) of The Five Questions: An Academic Handbook in Youth Ministry Research.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK. 

Christian Universalism is a subtle heresy that's frighteningly common among GenZ today. It's a way that teenagers can affirm that "Christ is the only savior" and make other gospel-sounding affirmations while fully embracing the hyper-tolerant worldview of today's culture. In today's conversation, we discuss what Christian Universalism is and how youth workers can help students build their faith on the biblical message. 
Discussion Questions:
What do we mean by universalism and Christian Universalism in particular?
Can you walk us through some of the logic behind Christian Universalism and some of the key Bible verses?
Why do you think Christian Universalism is so appealing to today's teenagers?
How can youth workers preach the gospel of grace without falling into one of two errors: accidentally implying Christian Universalism, or nuancing the gospel so thoroughly it’s become clunky and confusing?
How do you recommend youth workers to respond when talking with a teenager who considers themselves a Christian but affirms Christian Universalism?
Andrew Slay is an Assistant Pastor at Westwood Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN, where he oversees ministry to high school and middle school students. He’s working on his PhD in Apologetics and Culture from NOBTS. 
Recommended Resources
The following books include Amazon Affiliate links, which provide YPT with a small financial benefit. We use these to continue providing you with the content you so enjoy. Thank you for your support.
Michael McClymond, The Devil’s Redemption: A New History and Interpretation of Christian Universalism (two volumes)
Four Views on Hell (Zondervan Counterpoints series)
John Piper, Are There Two Wills in God? (article)
Greg Gilbert, What is the Gospel?
Scott Stein, Is Christian Universalism True? (Prepared to Answer)

Prepared to Answer Podcast, Jesus Teaches on Hell (or does he?)

Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.