In parts 1 and 2 of this series, I introduced the idea of beginning a writing group at your church. If you have a writing group already at your church, or if you are planning on starting one, I’d be interesting in hearing about your experience and sharing it with our readers. You can post a comment below, or send us an email. As promised, I have four more writing activities that would be appropriate for use in a writing group. If you have other ideas for writing activities, send me those as well, and I will share them in a future article (giving you credit, of course).

This article by Tim Gossett was originally posted on February 24, 2009. It remains an important and relevant topic.

Talking with Youth about Sexting

I recently had a discussion with a youth Sunday School teacher concerning his frustration with how youth Sunday School was going. He was out of ideas about how to engage the youth and maintain their interest and attention. During our discussion, he admitted that the activities the class had done consisted mostly of presentation of a topic and discussion, with an occasional video thrown in. This didn’t surprise me. First of all, I know this teacher well, and these methods are his preferred learning styles. (I don’t fault him or any teacher for favoring activities that appeal to his or her learning methods. It is a natural tendency, but one of which we must be aware.) Secondly, many youth and adult classes use these methods of learning.

Today I offer a quartet of short poems. I hope that one or more of them bless you on your journey.

Self-talk

Creative
Imaginative
Wonderful
Amazing
Loved, loveable and loving
Created in God’s image
Always remember

Today's guest blogger is Rev. Dawn B. Young, Ed.D., the Director of Christian Education for the Louisiana Conference.

Certainly as citizens of the United States, and probably as Protestant citizens of the United States, we tend to have this deep seated rebellion against “rules.” Personally, I profess to a desire to be aware of all the ins and outs of all the rules and laws about which I can possibly gain information. Because, for me, it is in knowing the rules that I know where I can bend, maybe break them. We almost have an inborn sense of not wanting rules, or at the very least believe that the rules only apply to others. And then there is the Rule of St. Benedict. Why would someone with an acknowledged joy in rule manipulation develop such a pronounced pleasure in a Rule? The answer is as simple, and as complex, as the Rule itself. It is a way, a means to live your life as a Christian.

When I lead a women’s retreat, I congratulate the participants for being there – for taking the time and spending the money to give themselves the gift of retreat time. (My experience is with women’s retreats, but I believe that everyone benefits from retreat time, regardless of gender.) Although we may long for time away, either alone or with a group, for renewing our spirit, it is difficult for us to make it a priority. And yet, Jesus himself modeled for us the importance of retreat.

I'll keep this short and simple today: I know you have questions related to technology and Christian education or ministry, and I'd like to know how we can best help you. Do you struggle with email overload? Can't figure out how to hook up one gadget to another? Struggling with understanding social networking? Wish you knew how to stay on top of pop culture? Longing to integrate the web into your classrom environment but don't know just how to do that? Whatever your question is, please leave a comment. I'll be answering them (or finding someone who can) in upcoming weeks.

The public library is one of the best resources available to a Christian educator. In fact, there are so many good reasons to use your local library that I think it's worth scheduling a weekly or bi-weekly time to work from there, as I do most weeks. (My wife, though, firmly believes our library needs to have a smaller limit on the number of items one can have checked out!) Here are some of the reasons I hang out there so frequently.

As Christians we are called to live in community. Ours is a relational faith. As a faith community, we nurture and support one another and together we are the “body of Christ”. Last weekend, ten women gathered together in central Iowa for the Different Voice Women’s Retreat. For one weekend, we were the body of Christ for one another – a community of women who took time for ourselves and together were renewed physically and spiritually. It was a Spirit-filled weekend. One of the wonderful things about the experience was the gifts we gave to each other; gifts that can only be given and received when we live together in community.

My first paid writing gig came about through the strangest of circumstances. A broken hotel ice machine led to a chance late-night conversation in an elevator, which later led to an offer to write a book. When it came out, I think I must have carried that resource around with me for 2 days straight with a big grin on my face. There is a certain thrill that comes with seeing one's name in print, I'd have to admit. Now, twelve years, eight books, and over 200 articles and blog posts later, I'm somewhat more comfortable with calling myself a writer...but I'm not all that keen about heavily promoting my work. However, since an Oprah appearance isn't in my future, I hope you will indulge me as I introduce you to my latest work, Burst: Green Church, which has just been released. I saw the final version yesterday, and I have to say in all honesty that it's my favorite—and probably most important—thing I've ever written.