Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 151: "Does Wokeness Mesh With A Biblical Worldview?" with Noelle Mering May 06, 2022

Show notes

A few weeks ago, a newspaper headline asked, “Is woke to be the only religion allowed in U.S. public schools?” Another headline reported that the Google search engine has gone woke, by adding an inclusive language function designed to suggest politically correct terminology. Our kids are learning that being woke is a virtue. What does it mean to be woke? How does wokeness mesh or not mesh with a biblical world and life view? How can we talk with our kids about wokeness in ways that are informed and balanced? Is there a Christian response to the dogmas of wokeness? That’s what we’re addressing today as we chat with Noelle Mering about her new book, Awake, Not Woke, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 150: "Digital Distraction" a Youth Worker Panel Discussion Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

What was the first thing you did this morning when you opened your eyes? Perhaps even before you got out of bed? A growing body of research says that you, like many others, grabbed and checked your smartphone. Have you ever spent time thinking about what your smartphone might be doing to you, your brain, and relationships? Stay tuned for some interesting insights from four boots on the ground youth workers about what they see smartphones doing to their students, along with some honest confessions about what those same phones are doing to them. . . on this episode of youth culture matters.

Episode 149: "Spiritual Growth at Summer Camp" with Greg Anderson and Nate Parks Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

With summer fast approaching, many parents and youth workers are considering which summer activity options are the best ways to promote spiritual growth in children and teens. I believe one of the most valuable experiences we can give to our kids is time away from normal life and a chance to unplug and power down. Perhaps the perfect place to see this happen is at a Christian camp. Here at CPYU we are so excited about the benefits of Christian camping that today, we talk with two long-time camp directors, Greg Anderson and Nate Parks, on this episode, of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 148: "Teens and Suicide" with Julie Lowe Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

Suicide is one obvious sign that things are not the way they’re supposed to be in our world. For a growing number of our kids, the sad reality is that they come to believe that suicide is their only means of escape from a life that seems darker than the darkness of death. As parents and youth workers, we need to guide our kids into building their lives on the foundation of being known and loved by God, a foundation that will provide them with hope in the midst of difficulty. Today, I’m talking with counselor Julie Lowe about teens and suicide, recognizing the signs, and sharing Gospel-centered hope, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 147: "What Is Social Media Doing To Us and Our Kids?" with Chris Martin Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

This morning as I left my house, I grabbed three things: my car keys, my wallet, and my smartphone. Chances are, you did the same. And if you’re like me, you check your phone and social media early in the morning, before going to bed, and who knows how many times in between. It’s so much a part of daily routine that we don’t even realize we’re doing it. Not only that, we have little or no idea about what our smartphones and social media might be doing to us. Today, I talk with author Chris Martin about how to push back on the hold the technology has on our hearts and minds, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 146: "The Right to Happiness" with Crystal Kirgiss and Duffy Robbins Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

I recently saw a meme that featured this very familiar desire shared by parents everywhere: What I want more than anything else is for my kids to be happy. As a parent, I always wanted my kids to be happy. In today’s culture, the pursuit of personal happiness is at the foundation of our beliefs and behaviors. But what happens when we emphasize the pursuit of personal happiness to the extent that it derails our kids from faithfully following Jesus? Stick with us as I chat with Crystal Kirgiss and Duffy Robbins about the most healthy ways to think about happiness, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 145: "Choosing a Godly Husband" with Tom Stein Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

After each of my four children were born, I spent time wondering about the course their lives would take. What did God have in store for their futures? What would God call them to vocationally? Would they be called to singleness or marriage? And if it was marriage, who would they choose to marry? As a youth pastor, I asked the same questions about my students, especially as marriage has declined in our culture. I would oftentimes pray for my own two daughters, asking God to provide good husbands if in fact marriage was in His plans. I also knew that I shouldn’t just sit back and let nature take its course, but that I had to prepare them to choose well. Tom Stein has written a very helpful letter to his own daughter about choosing a Godly husband, and that letter is what we’re talking about, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 144: "What Should We Make of Rachel Held Evans' Children's Book?" A Discussion with Elizabeth Urbanowicz Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

There’s little chance that we are able to discern biblical truth from the spirit of the times until our roots go deep through washing and delighting ourselves each and every day in the Word of God. Sadly, many of those called to nurture children and teens in the faith today are misleading the young by never faithfully teaching the truths of God’s Word. And without a knowledge of the truth, the enemies lies are more easily believed. Even what seems like an innocent Christian children’s book can put kids on a fast road away from the true Christian faith. That’s why I’m chatting today with Elizabeth Urbanowicz about how to train our kids in biblical discernment, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 143: "Apologetics in a Post-Truth World" with Graham Dennis and Stephen Nichols Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

It was over three-hundred and fifty years ago that Richard Baxter wrote, “Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow.” Baxter’s words are timely for life in our world today, as we tend to feel around for what is good, true, and right, rather than engaging our brains to find what is good, true, and right. This shift has created challenges to our efforts to always be ready to give an answer for our Gospel hope. That’s why we’re chatting with Dr. Steve Nichols and educator Graham Dennis about the place and practice of apologetics in a post-truth world, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

Episode 142: "Youth Workers Pose Tough Questions to a Counselor" with Julie Lowe Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Parenting and youth work these days hasn’t gotten any easier. Both involve relating to and leading kids who have to navigate a difficult and confusing world. This means that as leaders, we have new challenges to navigate as well. Counselor and author Julie Lowe is no stranger to these difficulties, and we’ve found her to be a source of great wisdom and guidance as we encounter tough situations. Stick with us as Julie answers many of the questions facing parents and youth workers in this rapidly changing youth culture, on this episode of Youth Culture Matters.

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