All Editorial articles – Page 134
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IssuesThe Axis of Good and Evil - Mobile Apps
There’s this constant tension in youth ministry: we want to use culture to talk about big issues and themes with young people, but often the films, TV shows and video games with the best moral messages are the ones made by well-meaning Christians in a shed. To put that another way, often the films, TV shows and video games with the best moral messages are terrible. So, here’s our solution to this problem: a monthly round-up where we rank a whole heap of stuff on whether it’s any good, and whether it’s both suitable and worth showing to your youth group. So stuff in the top right is great for your youth group; the apps in the bottom left are a little more… troublesome
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Issues
Ready-to-use Schoolswork: New Year, New Approach
The start of the new academic year for Christians working in schools means an opportunity to review your strategy, to think about what is working and what could be improved. Above all, it is a reminder to take time to be with God and hear what he is saying about the work. To accompany our back-to-school commissioning event, ‘Imagine’ happening on the 2nd September in the south and 6th September in the north (details at imagineschoolswork.co.uk), here are three ideas for getting involved in schools in different ways this year. Take a moment to read each of the three approaches below, look at the questions and ask God what he wants to show you about your work in schools over this coming year. Does any one of the three approaches stand out to you more than the rest? What ideas do you have of your own, and what are you already doing that others can learn from? Add your ideas to the ongoing conversation over at www.schoolswork.co.uk
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A fresh approach
So by now you’ve probably had enough of hearing about new years resolutions and fresh starts (or lack of – see Martin’s blog post for that). If you are tackling 2011 with a set of new goals for yourself then I’m happy for you, and good luck. If you’re not then… well, good luck to you too! Here’s a thought - maybe we need to be taking this ‘fresh approach’ idea beyond ourselves and into the realm of our ministry to young people.
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IssuesConversation or monitoring - which is the right approach?
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced new guidelines for mental health professionals with regard to self-harming among children and young people. The most significant changes relate to digital technology. The advice states that, ‘It is important for parents to be interested and engaged in their children’s digital lives as early as possible’, that parents should recognise the benefits of the online world, and that ‘trust and communication are likely to be more helpful to the young person than attempts at surveillance’.
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The Britpop approach to Youth Work
In the midst of the euphoria of Britpop, the lyric that sticks with me comes in Blur’s ‘Country House’ where Damon Albarn declared that he was ‘A professional cynic but my hearts not in it,’ and somehow that always tends to be my approach to youth work...
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IssuesThe Apprentice
It’s back. The one reality TV show that it’s socially acceptable to talk about: The Apprentice.
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IssuesChildren playing Free Apple Games Rack up huge Bills
Children have accidentally been racking up enormous bills by playing ‘free’ Apple games on their parents’ iPads and iPhones. Games such as Playmobil Pirates and Racing Penguins are amongst these ‘bait apps’; advertising themselves as free, but letting players buy credits and weapons to progress through the game.
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IssuesSnapchat App Usage Causes Concern
Concerns have been raised over the latest must-have app, Snapchat. The application allows users to send photos which are then deleted after a maximum of ten seconds, and has seen usage grow by over 300 per cent between February and June. However there have been some doubts over whether or not the photos are truly deleted, and some phones have the ability to ‘capture’ some images.
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IssuesBible App for Kids launched
Popular Bible app YouVersion has launched a version for kids. ‘The Bible App for Kids’ was released in late November and was downloaded over
one million times in the first week. The app takes users through the story of the Bible in an interactive way, with rewards and challenges throughout the pages. -
Issues
Ready-to-use Movie: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war.
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Issues“What kind of a career is youth ministry anyway?”
My friend was devastated. He’d been building up to this moment for weeks - approaching the wealthy and successful father of the woman he loved to tell him he wanted to marry his daughter. He’d imagined the moment would be joyful, that the man would embrace him to the heart of the family; instead he had his life and career called into serious question. “She deserves to marry a man who takes himself seriously,” said the father, a city banker who immediately offered to find my friend a job in the financial sector. “Honestly,” he asked, “what kind of a career is youth ministry anyway?”
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BlogI'm quitting youth ministry... anyone want to join me?
Next month, Nick Shepherd is stepping down from his role as Chief Executive of the Institute for Children Youth and Mission, and entering a non-youth work related role for the Church of England. Here he explains his rationale for leaving youth ministry, and encourages you to do the same.
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IssuesQ & A: The Community of St Anselm
This September, 16 young adults will descend on Lambeth Palace to become part of a new religious community founded by Archbishop Justin Welby. Editor Phoebe Thompson caught up with the person set to take charge of the Community of St Anselm – Anders Litzell – to hear more about what it will look like and involve, and what the monastic way of life has to say to us today.
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IssuesQ&A: Ann-Marie Wilson
FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) affects 3000 girls in the UK each year. Founder of 28 Too Many, Ann-Marie Wilson, talked to Lucinda Van Der Hart about the devastating impact of this illegal practice
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IssuesThe animals went in two by two …
There are great theological themes in Genesis six to nine, is often lost in the colouring sheets …or did they?
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Games Master: Un-British Bulldogs, Water Relay, Animal Game
Three easy games to use with the children in your group.
