My wife passed this along to me earlier today. I am glad that she did. As a former (and possibly future) Youth Pastor, I appreciated this clarification from Paul Trip on the (non)difference between adult and youth ministry. Here is the synopsis posted by Abraham Piper.

Recently, Tyler Kenney and I were able to get a quick interview with Paul Tripp. We'll be blogging it over the next few days.

Our first question was, "What differences do you see between ministering to youth and ministering to adults?"

For his full answer, you can listen to the audio. (Please forgive how rough it is.)

Here is my summary of his thoughts:

There are ways in which there's no difference. There's only one gospel, not a different one for children, young people, and adults.

And there's a way the struggles of the heart are the same. These struggles play out differently depending on our stage in life, but when it comes down to it, we all want to be sovereign over our own lives.

If you understand that about your heart, and you're humble about it, you'll get what a kid or teenager is going through. You'll understand that it isn't first a problem of misbehavior; it's first a problem in the heart.

For more from Paul Tripp, check out Paul Tripp Ministries and follow him on Twitter.

(HT: DG Blog)

Midland Evangelical Free Church will be a satellite host site for the 2009 Leadership Summit from Thursday August 6 - Friday, August 7. This may be of interest to those of you located in the Central Michigan area.

The Leadership Summit is firmly dedicated to keep sharp your leadership edge. In the face of cultural upheaval, economic crisis, and persistent human need, your world calls out for leaders who do not back down, withdraw or compromise. You have been charged with a higher calling. Be one of hundreds of thousands of global leaders who are choosing to take responsibility for their leadership development.

The 2009 faculty of expert leaders and thinkers has been selected to deliver practical skills, stretch your thinking, and challenge you to reach the full measure of your potential as a leader.

If you would like more information, a list of sessions and speakers, or would like to register, visit here.

Some of the best audio resources available are from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. In the past they've been available for a price. But now, if you register, you can have free access to their entire audio and video archive.

Classic and contemporary teachers include:
E.J. Young
Cornelius Van Til
John Murray
Edmund Clowney
Sinclair Ferguson
Richard Gaffin
Vern Poythress
Darryl Hart
Willia Edgar
David Powlison
Ed Welch
Etc.

(HT: James Grant via Between Two Worlds)

I know I am a little behind on this one, however, the audio and video content from The Gospel Coalition 2009 National Conference is now available. Here are the direct links to each session:

Plenary Sessions

Tim Keller: The Grand Demythologizer: The Gospel and Idolatry
John Piper: Feed the Flame of God's Gift: Unashamed Courage in the Gospel
Phil Ryken: The Pattern of Sound Words
Mark Driscoll: Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
K. Edward Copeland: Shadowlands: Pitfalls and Parodies of Gospel-Centered Ministry
Bryan Chapell: Preach the Word!
Ajith Fernando: Gospel-Faithful Mission in the New Christendom
Ligon Duncan: Finishing Well
Don Carson: That By All Means I Might Win Some: Faithfulness and Flexibility in Gospel Proclamation

Panel Discussion

Tim Keller, John Piper, Ligon Duncan and Crawford Loritts

Workshops

Session 1
Thabiti Anyabwile: The Decline of African-American Theology
Buster Brown: Preaching in a Christianized Culture
Michael Bullmore: The Functional Centrality of the Gospel
Steven Chin: Working Faithfully Under a Senior Pastor
Graham Cole: Homosexuality and the Bible: Texts, Hermeneutics, and Pastoral Wisdom
K. Edward Copeland and Charlie Dates: Mentoring Younger Pastors
Andy Davis: The Gospel and Social Action
Joshua Harris: Ministering in a Church-Hopping Society
David Helm: Biblical Reflections on Building a Staff
Bill Kynes: Complementarianism: Definition and Priorities

Session 2
Crawford Loritts: Staying Faithful, Staying Relevant: The Use and Abuse of Polemical Preaching
Jeff Louie: Gospel and Community: Definitions and Crucial Issues
Erwin Lutzer: Finishing Well in Life and Ministry
C. J. Mahaney: The Pastor’s Charge
Tom Nelson and Matt Perman: The Gospel and Money
Tim Savage: Power in Weakness: The Heart of Gospel Ministry
Colin Smith: Transformational Expository Preaching
Scotty Smith: A Biblical Theology of Worship: On Preference and Other Matters
Stephen Um: On Ministry and Revolving Doors: Practical Challenges and Ideas for Ministry in a Mobile Society
Sandy Willson: Gospel Mission to the World: Arrogance or Love?

Gospel Coalition Webcast
Christianity.com will be offering a live webstream of The Gospel Coalition's 2009 National Conference entitled, Entrusted With the Gospel: Living the Vision of 2 Timothy. The dates for the national conference are April 21-23 and will be hosted at the Donald E. Stephens Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information about the upcoming Gospel Coalition conference, visit thegospelcoalition.org.

I was very excited to stumble across this last night. I had been hoping to attend this year's conference since the last conference in 2007. I was very disappointed when I realized that it was not going to be feasible to attend after all. I suppose a live webcast is the next best thing. Thank you to Christianity.com and The Gospel Coalition for making it possible for those of us who are unable to attend to join in.

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A Conversation with Carson, Piper, and Keller
The Gospel Coalition has posted a series of videos from discussion that took place between D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, and John Piper. Topics range from a ministries involvement in mercy ministry and social involvement and how that differs from the social gospel, to the right use of the Law in gospel ministry and sanctification.

Kevin DeYoung has shared with us this powerful video on the subject of the curse, the cross, and the atoning work of Christ.

Maundy Thursday
Kevin DeYoung reflects on the purpose of Maundy Thursday.

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Maundy Thursday
Kim Riddlebarger offers the scripture reading from their Maundy Thursday service as well as some questions from the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 28.

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Good Friday at Mars Hill
Mars Hill church in Seattle will offering live streaming of their Good Friday service from their Ballard Campus. (A note of caution: the preview video for their Good Friday service is quite bloody. Please keep that in mind when visiting the link above.)

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Good Friday at MEFC
If you live in and around the Midland area, or will be in town visiting, I would like to invite you to come worship with us on Good Friday. Service begins at 7:00 PM and childcare is provided for infants through pre-kindergarten.

This video of Ray LaMontagne performing You Are The Best Thing is dedicated to my wife, Rachel. Every time I hear this song, it brings her to mind. For one to stay home with a toddler and a newborn and not completely lose one's sanity is nothing short of amazing. To see her do this day after day and give special care and attention to each member of our family, myself included, leaves me standing in amazement! So baby, this one is dedicated to you!

Trevin Wax recently drew our attention to this illustration from Matt Chandler's DG address. I was moved by this illustration and I am glad to see that the DG folks have isolated it for us.

(HT: Between Two Worlds)

The End of Christian America
This week's edition of Newsweek features a cover story entitled "The End of Christian America," in which Newsweek editor Jon Meacham discusses the decline of self-identified Christians over the past two decades. Dr. Albert Mohler, who is quoted frequently in the article, has posted a response on his blog.

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Interview with Dr. J. Ligon Duncan
CAL.VINI.ST recently posted an interview with Dr. J. Ligon Duncan in which Dr. Duncan discusses what the new Calvinists can learn from the old. This is part one of two. The conclusion of the interview is scheduled to be posted next week.

(HT: The Heidelblog)

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Tim Challies Discusses Evil as Entertainment
Tim Challies recently posted a great article entitled, "Evil as Entertainment," in which he offers some timely caution to the exploitation of what is wrong with the pulpit ministry today for the purpose of entertainment. Here is a brief excerpt:

I was thinking about such blogs a few days ago and arrived at a conclusion about them that actually rather surprised me. This is what I realized: these blogs are really little more than entertainment. And once I had these blogs filed in that way in my mind, their popularity and their draw began to make much more sense to me. They are really just a spiritualized form of YouTube or any other site that entertains by sharing what is gross and base and negative and that does so for the sake of entertainment. There is really no value in watching boys do stupid things on skateboards and laughing when they crack their ankle bones in half; there is really no value in watching the worst pastors in America preach to the worst churches in America. Such sites offer evil as entertainment.

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That's Easter
St. Helens Bishopgate has produced two excellent videos for Holy Week. The first addressing the hope and forgiveness through Christ's death, with the latter addressing the historic reliability of the resurrection.


(HT: Between Two Worlds)

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Wayne Grudem on Why Theology is Important
The Resurgence just posted a brief video of Dr. Wayne Grudem discussing the importance of theology in the local church. Dr. Grudem was the editor of the ESV Study Bible, is Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary, and one of the top evangelical theologians of our day.

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The Hunt for Gollum
I have heard about this project from theonering.net blog, but I was very excited once I saw the full trailer. This looks incredibly well down for a fan film! Add to that only having to wait a matter of weeks (May 3, 2009) vs. three years for the new Hobbit film.

Due to my current adjustment to the new "normal," my listening was very limited last week. I was a little slow in posting my "week in review" due to the fact that I was hoping to have something else of note to share. However, this sermon from Mark Driscoll was the only item that really stood out last week.

I know this sermon from Mars Hill has made it's rounds over the past two weeks but I only just recently had an opportunity to listen to it. Powerful message to all men, be they married or single.

Great Books on Marriage and Family
Following his two recent sermons addressing men, women, and marriage, Mark Driscoll offers some book recommendations dealing with the subjects of marriage and the family.

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Twitter Church
This spoof of a Twitter based church is both funny and alarming.
(HT: Reformation21)

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Twitterific
Speaking of Twitter, I laughed all the way through this video.


(HT: Vitamin Z)

As you may have noticed, posting has all but ceased these past two weeks. That was not without a good reason. As of 5:54 AM on Wednesday, March 25th, Rachel and I welcomed our second child, Lillian Grace May, into the world. We can only thank God for this tremendous blessing! I am humbled that we would be entrusted with the care, nurture and training of another beautiful child. This have been both a very exciting time for our family as well as tiring. I have become increasing more aware of our utter dependence upon both the grace and wisdom of God as we adjust to the new normal for our family.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that offered us notes and messages of congratulations over the course of these past two weeks. We are thankful for all of our family and friends who have been rejoicing with us during this time. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to see us, brought a meal, clothes, diapers (!), flowers, and anything else that has slipped my mind at this moment. I would also like to thank everyone for your prayers for both Rachel and myself. This has been a relatively smooth transition so far and I do not doubt that much of that should be attributed to God gracious answer to prayer. I ask that you continue to pray as we return to our daily routines and work schedule. Rachel will now be home full-time with two children and I can't imagine the workload that is associated with that.

The past week was also a sobering reminder of the relative ease of slipping into the busyness of life with little to no thought of spiritual matters. I can remember one specific instance which happened a few days ago in which we had just put Caleb down for a nap and Lillian was sound asleep. It was the first time I could recall having a moment of silence over the past week. As I enjoyed these brief moments of peace, I was startled by the realization that the day was half over and I had given no thought to spiritual instruction. I was just trying to get through whatever it was we were doing at the moment so that we could move on to the next task. It was a healthy reminder of the need to be both deliberate and principled as we go about our daily routine as a family. It has taken some time to adjust, but it seems to be going well.

I hope to resume or at least come close to regular posting soon. However, not at the expense of time with Rachel, Caleb and Lillian. In the mean time, I will do the best I can to keep up.

Ligonier Ministries are offering live webcasting of their 2009 National Conference which is taking place in Orlando, FL today through Saturday, March 21st. For more information and to sign up, visit http://www.ligonier.org/conferences_national_webcast.php. In addition to the live webcasting, Chris Challies is attending the conference and is offering blog updates. You can follow along here. Because of this, posting will be sparse today. I am trying to watch as many of the sessions as possible.

Rachel and I will also be gone most of the afternoon as we have and appointment with our midwife today. Nothing unusual, just a routine visit. We will also be running a few errands to pick up some last minute items before Lillians arrival. (Which should be any day now!) I will try to keep everyone updated via Twitter. If you would like, you can follow along here.