#32: On life, writing, and gospel-centered youth ministry with Charlotte Getz.

Aug 1, 2018

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There’s no denying that the current cultural climate we’re living in is exhausting the limits of mankind’s pursuit of perfection. Societal laws of what perfection is and how to attain it drive nearly everything we think, do, or feel. So much so, they (unfortunately) drive what we preach about, too. The church isn’t immune to the performancism that ravages society, leading to undue amounts of stress and pressure, resulting in upticks in loneliness and suicide rates. Our insatiable quest for perfection has driven us to the brink of rationalism, with some concluding that ending their life is the only way to free themselves from life’s pressures.

It’s into this somber state of affairs that the good news of Jesus Christ was meant to be championed. Indeed, he is the lone source of comfort and care for those pushed to the edge by performancism. This performancism dilemma is nowhere more acutely felt than in our youth groups. Teenagers are inundated with scales and measuring sticks with which to discipline and gauge their spiritual maturity. But most of what makes up these systems fails to give the youth what they actually need: Christ alone. I would say that there’s a profound need for a resurgence of Christological youth ministries. For preaching the full gospel of God to students, one that champions the freedom of salvation in the justifying blood of Christ himself. Such is what Charlotte and I attempt to speak to in this episode.

In this edition of Ministry Minded, Charlotte Getz and I chat about the current youth ministry climate and the severe need for gospel-centered student ministries. We speak to what makes for a good youth group environment and why it’s so important that our teens are getting the gospel of “grace upon grace” when they come to church. We also dive into Charlotte’s experiences with writing and editing in the modern blogosphere.

I loved chatting with Charlotte and was so thankful to have her on the show. I know you’ll be greatly encouraged by this episode.

Resources.

“Two Girls, Same Ocean: Charlotte Getz and Stephanie Phillips,” 2018 NYC Mockingbird Talk

Unmapped: The (Mostly) True Story of How Two Women Lost At Sea Found Their Way Home, Charlotte Getz & Stephanie Phillips

Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life, Tish Harrison Warren

Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints) Paperback, William McDavid, Ethan Richardson, & David Zahl

The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis

Bossypants, Tina Fey

Grace: So Much More Than You Know and So Much Better Than You Think, Brad J. Gray

Sponsor.

This episode is brought to you by the Christian Standard Bible. Find out more by going to CSBible.com.

Notes.

Charlotte and her husband currently reside in Long Beach, California, where she’s the mother to two children. She works from home as the full-time Editor-in-Chief of Rooted Ministry, an online platform that seeks to connect student ministers together and foster grace-centered youth teaching. Charlotte also writes and speaks for Mockingbird. Be sure to connect with her on Twitter, @charlottebgetz.

Credits.

Intro music: “West Coast” by Ryan Little, licensed under CC BY 4.0.