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MAY 2017 STUDENT MINISTRY

Dear Church Family,

   One thing that I have noticed in student ministry is how unique our place in history is. We live in a season of time where the younger generation and the older generation have virtually distinct experiences of life growing up. The older generation can remember a time when social media consisted of note passing in class. The younger generation thinks that notes is an app on the Iphone. We are in a unique place in time where human interaction and everyday life looks completely
different for one generation than it did for the other. This makes raising children complicated. It is difficult for a person to identify with the issues their child is going through when their life experiences growing up were of a completely different nature than that of their child. But, it is not because the issues are actually different. It is because the issues simply look different and are much more prevalent.

What I mean by this is not that the human heart has changed from one generation to the next. People are still born with a nature and inclination towards sin. But, the ways that sin can be achieved has changed drastically. Such much so that it almost seems like the youth of our time are experiencing life in a completely different way. The way this life is lived is through entertainment. Think about how much time this generation spends being entertained. In fact, I would argue that all the generations currently living are surrounded by and being overcome by a culture dedicated to entertainment. From young to old, who does not have a smart phone with a facebook account and youtube?  There are a few, but the vast majority of us are overwhelmed by entertainment.

But why is that bad? Well, entertainment itself is not bad, but what is being communicated through so much media and entertainment is. Consider the access to ungodly things that such high quantities of media grants to anyone with a smart phone or TV. Consider these statistics from BBC, (http://www.bbc.com/news/education-36527681):

The researchers questioned 1,001 children aged 11 to 16 and found 65% of 15- to 16-year-olds reported seeing pornography, as did 28% of 11- to 12-year-olds. They also discovered that it was more likely for the youngsters to find material accidentally (28%), for example via a pop-up advertisement, than to specifically seek it out (19%).

This is not to mention the worldviews that are being expressed and triumphed in almost every popular TV show and youtuber there is. What does this mean? Entertainment is discipling our students. And not in a good way, but rather it is teaching them how to be more and more like the world, and less and less like Christ.

So what does this mean for a parent? Throw away all access to any media? No! Well, not necessarily. Do what it takes to help your student fight against sin. If they need entertainment taken away for the sake of their eternal soul; well I think the decision is obvious, even though it may not be easy. But really what this means for a parent is that you need to know what your student is watching, reading, looking at, and posting. They may not be doing anything unhealthy for them; but if they are, they will need your help to overcome it. If you know how they are being entertained, then you can talk with them about what is Christ honoring and what is not. You may have to restrict some things! But that is just like keeping a toddler from touching a hot stove. Parenting has not ended just because they are older. It just looks more like conversations than the word “no.” Finally, do not assume that your student is not being enculturated by media. From middle school and up, if they spend any time with people their age, then they are certainly being exposed to worldviews and content that is competing with their devotion to Christ. But with this knowledge and with Christ on our side, we can make disciples of this generation who will be well prepared to reach the lost in their own and in the next generation.

In Christ,  Brian Van Doren 

MAY 2017 SPARE CHANGE

I Get Depressed Too: 5 Ways to Cope with Depression

It may shock you, but I get depressed sometimes.  Sometimes there is an apparent reason and sometimes there isn’t.  Sometimes life is going great, but it still happens.  Now my depression would be considered mild, I don’t need doctors or medications to help.  Some people do and I don’t begrudge anyone for getting help from trained professionals or
counselors for depression.  This issue is a common issue that affects many people.  Statistics say one in five people suffer from some form of depression.  In my personal experience, I would say it is much, much higher.  For me it is a part of life, it comes and goes.  There is no telling when it will come or how long it will last.  However, I have discovered some important things that have helped me to cope and, in many cases, get over bouts of depression.  These five things can help Christians struggling with depression:

1. Identify the Cause – 1 Peter 1:6-9

As I said before, sometimes there is a cause and sometimes there isn’t and sometimes I just haven’t discovered it yet.  I have found myself getting down in the dumps for no apparent reason only to be shown the reason later.  Often for me the reasons are stress and self-worth issues.  I am the kind of person that needs to stay busy and to have a purpose, but that also gets me in trouble with saying yes to too many things and getting stressed out.  So, for me, balance is very important (we will talk more about that in a moment).  Often if I look hard enough and ask the Holy Spirit to show me, I can determine the cause, which means I can begin to heal.  If you frequently find yourself depressed, start to examine your life and ask God to help reveal the cause to you.

2. Turn It Back to the Lord – Col. 3:2, Heb. 4:16

One of the really bad things depression does is it turns everything inward.  It makes you think about yourself…a lot.  That is not healthy.  You must get out of your head and turn your mind back to the Lord.  When we focus internally we forget that our Lord is walking through life with us.  He cares about our feelings and He cares that we feel bad.  I begin with prayer and ask God to help me to refocus on Him.  I like to journal or listen to worship music.  These things help me to put the focus back on God.  Sometimes that is all it takes.  The point is, depression is not wrong or sinful but having a me-focused attitude is.  Jesus wants to us bring glory to Him, to think about others needs first and to serve those around us.  We can’t do that if we constantly think about ourselves.

3. Refocus on Spiritual Disciplines – Prov. 3:5-8, Psalm 119:105

Spiritual disciplines are huge!  My Bible study and prayer time are essential to my spiritual, as well as my mental health.  Please consider your time and how you spend it.  I am sure you can carve out some time for the Lord.  It really helps bring balance to your life and balance is the key.

4. Seek Balance in Life – Mark 12:29-31

As I said, we need balance.  When we focus too much on work, or too much on entertainment, or too much on our kids, or too much on ourselves we get out of balance.  We need to have a healthy balance in life.  We need to make sure we work hard, spend time with our family, serve in our church, get plenty of sleep, etc.  How do you do all of that?  By planning your time carefully.  Remember, you control your time or your time will control you.  Don’t say yes to everything.  Family is essential, church is essential, work is essential.  Everything else is optional.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About It – James 5:16, Eccl. 4:9-12

There is a stigma, especially with men, that we can’t talk about feelings.  Now I am not advocating we all go around talking like we are on a Dr. Phil episode.  But we all need one or two close Christian brothers (or sisters if you are a woman) that we can talk to about this stuff.  Sometimes just admitting you are depressed and you need someone to pray for you is all you need to kick it.  We also don’t need to be afraid to talk to trained biblical counselors.  This is a big deal, we all need help from time to time on a variety of issues.  Biblical counseling can and does help.  Don’t be afraid to talk to a counselor.

The bottom-line for me is, depression is not always a bad thing.  It helps me grow close to God and depend on Him more.  It also makes my heart tender so I can see others that are hurting around me.  So, don’t look at it as a complete waste, maybe the Lord wants to use it in your life to teach you.  Finally, I will leave you will one last encouragement, 2 Cor. 7:6 tells us “God comforts the downcast”.  The next time you feel the dark shadow of depression creeping in turn to the Lord for comfort.