Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 61: "'13 Reasons Why' Season 2" A Round Table Discussion May 31, 2018

Show notes

One of the most controversial and often discussed Netflix series of all time is 13 Reasons Why. When season 2 of the series was released two weeks ago, our curious kids began binge-watching, just like they did last year with the release of season 1. Because of the shows controversial content and concerns about the influence on children and teens, 13 Reasons Why has been a hot topic for discussion and even disagreement among parents, counselors, teachers, youth workers, and media critics. Should we be watching 13 Reasons Why? How about our kids? Should we be letting them watch the show? What are the takeaways for parents and youth workers? How should we be talking with our kids about the show and its content? We’ll be talking about 13 Reasons Why Season 2, these questions, and a whole lot more with a round table of friends who have watched, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 60: "Sacrificing Truth on the Altar of Relevance?" with Duffy Robbins and Marv Penner May 14, 2018

Show notes

With the culture changing at breakneck speed, we need to know the culture so that we can contextualize the unchanging Good news of the Gospel in ways that can be heard by a changing world. As a result, we talk a lot about the need for relevance in our churches and youth ministries. Is it possible that our commitment to relevance can lead us to focus too much on forms, with the result that we forfeit our knowledge of the Gospel? And, can we become so committed to relevance that we find ourselves falling into theological compromise and relativism? These are important questions for those who minister in today’s world. We’ll be discussing relevance, relativism, and a whole lot more with veteran youth ministry experts Dr. Duffy Robbins and Dr. Marv Penner on this episode, of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 59: "U2 and the Preach Jockey" with Steve Stockman May 03, 2018

Show notes

You can argue that if there is one band that’s been significant and enduring over the last thirty-plus years, it would be Ireland’s U2. Their story, their music, and their message has vaulted them to this place, making them one of the most beloved rock and roll bands of all time. What is it about U2 that makes them so provocative and compelling? How has the Christian faith played into the ethos of the band? And how should we be interpreting and processing the band’s music? Belfast native, pastor, and music critic Steve Stockman has written about U2 in his book, “Walk On.” Stay with us for a fascinating conversation with Steve about U2 on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 58: "Posture, Theology, Sexuality and The Church" with Preston Sprinkle Apr 10, 2018

Show notes

One way our culture has changed is the growing openness to new beliefs and behaviors related to sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender. Because we minister and parent on this changing landscape, we find ourselves engaged in all kinds of conversations with young people who express different beliefs and practices. As Christians work to be faithful to the Scriptures, we will encounter a variety of interpretations of the passages dealing with sex, sexuality and gender. How are we to look at and interpret these passages? What should we believe regarding God's order and design? And what posture should we assume as we engage with those from the LGBTQ community? We'll be chatting with author and theologian Preston Sprinkle about these questions and others, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 57: "Deep Youth Ministry" with Cameron Cole, Mike McGarry, and Kevin Yi Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

Research and experience point way too often to the fact that our youth ministries and churches are failing at equipping kids to leave our youth groups with a deep, significant, and lasting faith. Too many kids graduate from high school and into the next phase of life seemingly pushing the pause or stop button on their Christian faith. Consequently, they aren’t ready to faithfully navigate the difficulties they are bound to face in life. How can we begin to take kids deeper into the Gospel? What are the steps we can take to promote spiritual maturity in our students? What are some of the key pillars of effective deep youth ministry? One youth worker has devoted his life to these matters after experiencing his own difficult adolescence, and the sudden death of his own three-year-old son. We’ll hear his story, discover how the truths of the Gospel carried him through the darkness of that time, and look to learn more about doing deep youth ministry, on this episode of youth culture matters.

Episode 56: "The Benefits and Blessings of Christian Camping" with Rob Ribbe, Greg Anderson, and Andy Needham Mar 20, 2018

Show notes

As parents and youth workers, we are eager to see our kids come to faith in Christ, and to grow in maturity in Christ. Research and experience are pointing to the fact that some of the greatest strides kids make in their faith happen in the camp setting. What happens to kids when they go to a Christian camp? How has Christian camping changed over the course of the last few years? And what can parents and youth workers do to encourage a positive camping experience that yields real life change in the kids they know and love? With summertime fast approaching, you’ll want to listen in as we talk about the benefits and blessings of Christian camping with three camping experts, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 55: "Mentoring The Next Generations of Youth Workers" with Marv Penner, Sid Koop and Sarah Stanley Mar 07, 2018

Show notes

When youth workers ask me about the qualities they should seek to develop in their lives and ministries, there are three that I’m always sure to mention: humility, teachability, and cooperation. Pride kills ministry. Without a determination to learn we get horribly stale. And if we aren’t working with others we forfeit the great benefits of ministering together as part of the body of Christ. How can we intentionally position ourselves to serve Christ, kids, and families most effectively? What does it look like to be a part of a ministry team where all generations learn from each other? And what are the benefits of doing youth ministry in this way? We’ll talk to a multi-generational team of youth workers who are committed to carrying the youth ministry baton together, on this episode of youth culture matters.

Episode 54: "A Fifty Shades Conversation" with Jodi Chung and Jessica Greaser Feb 14, 2018

Show notes

Whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around our culture is prompted to think about romance, love, and sex. It’s no fluke that the latest installment in the Fifty Shades of Gray film series was released just a few days before Valentines Day. As followers of the one who created romance, love, and sex, we need to follow Christ by understanding and experiencing romance, love and sex in ways that bring honor and glory to God, rather than in ways that are broken and sinful expressions of sex and sexuality. This means that we have to consciously guide our kids through the minefield of pornography that litters today’s cultural landscape. What should we make of the Fifty Shades phenomenon? What does the interest in the films teach us about what to say and how to say it in our conversations with kids, young adults, and even parents? We’re having a conversation about cultural sexuality and biblical sexuality, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 53: "Suicide Intervention" with Dr. Marv Penner Feb 09, 2018

Show notes

We don’t like to talk about it, but we must. The spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of our kids hangs in the balance. That’s why we need to be thinking about and strategizing for how to best push back and minister to kids in the midst of the growing epidemic of teen suicide. What are the signs? What are the myths? How can youth workers and parents intervene in a moment of crisis? Join us for a practical and hope-filled conversation with Dr. Marv Penner about teens and suicide, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 52: "A Youth Ministry Conversation" with Walt Mueller, Duffy Robbins, Marv Penner, and Chap Clark Jan 23, 2018

Show notes

Over the course of Walt Mueller's years of youth ministry, he's developed some wonderful friendships with a variety of youth ministry peers. Some of the most significant relationships have resulted in sometimes fun, sometimes serious, and always profitable conversation about their personal lives and ministry matters. They don't always agree, but they always work to sharpen one another. All of us need these kind of relationships where iron sharpens iron as we love each other and serve together. We invite you to listen in on one of these conversations among youth ministry friends, Walt Mueller, Duffy Robbins, Marv Penner, and Chap Clark... on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

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