James, the youth: "There is no such thing as a trivial death."

"Oscar Felton was dying. Everyone knew it. Oscar knew it better than anyone else. He would die and go to hell—that was unquestioned. It wasn't that Oscar was such a bad fellow to be around, but that he totally dismissed God as unreachable therefore irrelevant. That was the end of it. No more discussion was to be had.

It is increasingly obvious that children and young people in many evangelical churches are anything but serious about Christ. There are notable exceptions, but in many churches a cursory look at the behavioral signals put out by the young people reveal a profound disinterest. On the one hand there is a sort of giddiness and silliness by some who believe that church is there only to provide them a place for enjoying friends and impressing the opposite sex. On the other hand, a complete boredom or disdain for worship and the Word is seen in their dull eyes and passive participation. This should grieve us.

A theological misunderstanding is to be blamed for much of this. We have failed to understand that children and young people are not God-lovers until the Spirit changes them. They are dead to God. Our attempts at getting these young people to “pray the prayer” when they were small has not necessarily made them children of God. Their behavior belies the true state of their hearts.

• August 17-19 Semper Reformanda Weekend at First Baptist Church, Green Forest, AR. 870-458-5805
  
  
• August 24-26 Trinity Baptist and Providence Church, Houston (Deer Park), TX TDahn@aol.com
  
  
• Sept. 22-23 Christ Community Church, Cordelia, CA 707-447-9776
  
  
• Sept. 25 Whitefield Fraternal, Cordelia, CA 707-447-9776
  
  
• Sept. 28-30 Grace Community Church, Gardnerville, NV 775-782-6516 briborg@nanosecond.com
  

• Jim has made two ministry changes to allow for more focus on writing and CCW goals. He has changed status at North Pointe Baptist, the church he helped to found, from elder to "counsel to the elders." Second, Jim has closed out his formal relationship with Midwestern Seminary as the consultant for the Midwestern Center for Biblical Revival. These decisions have been difficult ones, but have already proven to be wise. In both cases there will be an ongoing relationship but without the responsibilities.
• Jim now takes a family member or intern on each speaking trip. After years of travel Jim's family needs this perk in order to build in some quality time together. It is also useful intern training. On some occasions Jim will opt not to use this perk, but those who invite Jim will need to know to arrange for airplane tickets and accommodations. So far the churches and conferences have welcomed the plan. See Jim's travel and financial information for details.
• Pam and Jim celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on August 7th. They are considering Jim's upcoming speaking trip to the British Isles in October as a way of celebrating. If all goes well, Benjamin, their 14 year old, will accompany them. After all, he is one of the products of 25 years of marriage!
• Bill and Ellen Busshaus of Boerne, Texas, along with their children, plan to move to Kansas City to help with CCW. The Busshaus family will major on hospitality ministry and Bill will help in discipling and teaching. We believe God is going to greatly enlarge our training work through this move. Please pray that their home and land in the hill country north above San Antonio will sell soon.
• Jim Albright, Jim's former assistant, has married and is doing missionary work in Italy. This six month ministry experience will soon end. Please pray for the Albrights as they try to understand what God has for them next. CCW would love to get Jim and Karen back to do some evangelistic work here in KC!
• Jim has written chapters for three books this last year and is working on a book himself. The first of these is out, entitled Reforming Pastoral Ministry, published by Crossway. You may order this book on our site. Just click here. We'll update you when the others come out.
• Jim writes a regular page article for the Sharing the Victory magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This magazine goes to 85,000 each month. Please pray that the articles on the gospel will be used to bring young people to Christ.