Etrek:
February 9-10 and April 20-21, 2005

I'm getting more and more excited about this course with Biblical Seminary. Confirmed guests will be Kenda Dean (from Princeton Seminary), Ginny Olson (from North Park Seminary), Mike King (from Youth Front), Tony Jones (from Emergent), Steve Argue (from Grand Rapids Seminary and Intersect), Mark Oestreicher (from Youth Specialties) and Dan Kimball (from Vintage Faith).

Dang. Look at that list! Go here and join in the fun next spring. I'm told people are already beginning to register, though registration has not officially started yet.

My thoughts on each of the guest faculty. Forgive me if this sounds like a commercial of some kind, but I'm excited about the caliber of guest this course will have.

Kenda Dean - Author of "Practicing Passion", which is arguably the best youth ministry book written to date. Kenda has been able to put words to things many of us have been thinking for a long time. She is wicked smart and I'm a little bit intimidated by having her a part of this.

Ginny Olson - Author of "Breaking the Gender Barrier in Youth Ministry: The Emerging Role of Women in Youth Ministry" and professor at North Park in inner city Chicago. A former Willowcreek staffer, Ginny will make you think about social justice issues in new ways. Her energy and insight will make you rethink basic assumption you have about what youth ministry is about.

Mike King - CEO and President of Youth Front. Mike thinks radically different in regards to the role of the youth pastor. He will challenge traditional understandings regarding the role of youth pastors and point you in new directions for measuring success in ministry.

Tony Jones - Author of "Postmodern Youth Ministry" he currently volunteers full-time as the National Coordinator of Emergent. Tony's latest book "TheSacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life" is thought by many to be his best work.

Steve Argue - Former co-leader of Sonlife in Chicago, Steve writes and speaks around the country. He leads with great humility and will help you rethink youth ministry in practical and challenging ways. Steve is co-counder of Intersect.

Mark Oestreicher - President of Youth Specialties, a publishing organization leading the way in supporting youth workers in local churches. Marko will bring a perspective on youth ministry that is global in perspective.

Dan Kimball - Author of the "Emerging Church" and Lead Pastor of Vintage Faith in Santa Cruz, Dan will bring a pastoral and pragmatic presence to the conversation of reimagining youth ministry.