Paul Boice
I’ve been involved in youth ministry since, well, since I was in middle school. Like most CRC/RCA kids, I was actively involved in middle and high school youth groups. When I got to college (Calvin), I was involved in various ministries around campus.
After I married my wife, Amy, we became volunteer youth leaders at our church. Amy and I were youth leaders for more than 15 years. During that time, we also volunteered with Youth Unlimited and helped plan and run several conventions. I was on the Youth Unlimited board for many years and just recently left the board.
I’m the Director of Communication for the Reformed Church in America. Yeah, I’m RCA. But if it makes anyone feel better, I’ve spend my life worshiping in both CRC and RCA churches. My folks loved to start new churches and eagerly joined both CRC and RCA plants, so I learned to enjoy the reformed theology of both denominations.
Posted in: So is the Heidelberg Catechism Relevant?
Thanks Jory. Well stated.
Within the Reformed Church, the discussion of the Belhar took place over the past few years. I can tell you that passion around the Belhar came from many areas of the church, but found tremendous energy in the church planting, multiracial, AND youth ministries.
If there was one area that, looking back, was pretty much ignored in my catechism classes (a long time ago), it was social justice. Maybe that was just my experience in my church.
Just thought I would share my experience...
Posted in: So is the Heidelberg Catechism Relevant?
Hey Ty, nice to hear from you. It's been a long while since we've talked.
I'm wondering if you find traction in your youth ministry around our creeds and confessions and the Lords Prayer. Does this "preach" to youth? You relate as well as anyone I know to youth groups, so I wondered if you've found ways to pull this material into youth meetings and education.
Posted in: So is the Heidelberg Catechism Relevant?
Thanks for sharing.
Praise God!
So you've found that the HC is not only relevant but an essential tool in your ministry to youth. How cool is that.
Posted in: Late Winter Blues
I love this idea John. The question you raise at the end of your post should drive our process far more than the secular school year.
(And thanks for the well-written, graceful response on the previous post regarding the importance of youth ministry.)