Jon Acuff's Blog, page 190

Yesterday I wrote a post that someone didn't love.

In regards to the youth minister's scorecard they commented:

"Funny. Thanks for promoting the stereotypes that youth ministry is only for 20-somethings that make horrible decisions. I was trying to upend the trend, and now my work just got a little tougher…"

I disagreed with them of course. Although the list certainly contained toilet paper references and perhaps too many, I also said wildly positive things like, your youth minister works "at...

I feel like the photos after the jump look a lot a like. And how about the longevity of the Newsboys? They're like the Christian U2. (I think part of the reason is they have "news" in their name and things that have "news" in their name are always better. Newsies. Newsradio. News Zealand, etc.)

What do you think? Am I wrong about these photos?

The Newsboys

The Black Eyed Peas

I owe you all an apology.

I've been so focused on detailing and chronicling what we call the "Metrosexual Worship Leader" that I've effectively ignored an equally exciting species of church employee – the Youth Minister. Today, I want to make up for that.

Below you will find more than 100 statements about youth ministers. I encourage you to score your youth minister. More than that, I encourage you to email this or tweet this or facebook this to your youth minister. Together, we'll give the...

If you've read this site at all, you know I love rap. As I kid I grew up on Public Enemy and Eric B. and Rakim. I'm constantly saying, "I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller." I regularly argue the differences between Snow and Vanilla Ice. And I started reading the dictionary because one of my favorite freestyle MCs said it was how he built up his vocabulary.

But I never talk about Christian rap. Why? Because I hadn't really found any I liked. Either the flows were too...

(John Crist's first guest post, Tangible Sermon Reminders, was one of the best posts of March. Now he's back with a subject I promise I didn't suggest. And because it's in the classic scorecard format, I couldn't resist posting it the same week we did the American Idol guest post. Enjoy.)

Using the Stuff Christian Like Book as a Morning Devotional

Let's be honest…with the book released two weeks ago, we're all dying to know…Does reading Stuff Christians Like count as acceptable reading for...

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a massive book called, "Eat, Pray, Love." Now, she finds herself with the impossible task of trying to recreate that success with her next book. In this video, she details the relationship between people and the creative beauty of God. It's not a "Christian video" but it's the most perfect example I've seen of a person bumping into the beautiful mystery of God and being unable to deny it. Here's one of her quotes:

"Allowing somebody, one mere person, to believe that he ...

A lot of folks don't use twitter or follow me. (Click here to, I'm @prodigaljohn)

But Twitter is fun because I get to share deep, vital things like this:

I think "doesn't own a purse dog" should be added to the Proverbs 31 description of a wife of noble character.

Here are a few other things you missed this week in my mirth filled twitter stream…

Criticism we trust as truth. Compliments we disrespect as fluff. Reverse that and your creativity will flourish.

God's generosity with his love will...

If you're a Christian, there are 3 things you have to have with you at all times:

1. A Bible.

2. Some sort of journal.

3. A go to "God is amazing" item.

The first two are obvious. The word of God is a must have. I don't even care if you keep it in some sort of bedazzled Bible fanny pack with a multitude of zippers and pockets. The second one is clear too. Even though I recently heard a pastor say, "Jesus never journaled," we all know it's one of the holiest things a person can do. If you don't...

Everyone knows, eating Chick-fil-a is kind of like tithing. A Christian company based out of Atlanta, they are a fan favorite on Stuff Christians Like. In addition to having folks like Tim Hawkins do great tributes, there's a new kid throwing his hat into the ring with perhaps the greatest R&B tribute ever to Chick-fil-A. Check it out after the jump …

A few days ago, a friend asked me about an experience that made me want to throw up.

The event was something that happened a year ago. I've written about it before but his question sparked something new.

We were at an Easter egg hunt at my in-law's country club. We go every year and this is no minor hunt. The main difference is that in each field of eggs, they hide a few golden ones. If you find a golden egg you can turn it in and get a massive Easter basket with candy and toys and stuffed...