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Brian Kirk

Columnist

Rev. Brian Kirk is an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). His education includes a degree in psychology and child development, certifications in elementary and gifted education, and a Masters of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary. Prior to being ordained, Brian spent eleven years teaching in public schools and he has over twenty years experience in congregational youth ministries. He has repeatedly served on the writing team for the New Earth Christian Resources for the Outdoors, published by Christian Board of Publication and the National Council of Churches and contributes numerous articles to YMtoday.com. His new book, Missional Youth Ministry: Moving from Gathering Teenagers to Scattering Disciples, will be published by Youth Specialties/Zondervan in April 2011. Brian currently serves an inner-city church in St. Louis, Missouri, teaches as adjunct faculty at Eden Theological Seminary, and co-writes the blog rethinkingyouthministry.com.

Works by Brian Kirk

Have Yourself a Merry Zombie Apocalypse

Brian Kirk | December 12, 2012

Why as people of faith do we find The Walking Dead series so compelling? It turns out......

The Hobbit's Invitation for Teens

Brian Kirk | November 08, 2012

How did I miss this obvious opportunity all these years to lead teens to the Kingdom of......

Follow Your Bliss and Your Doubts: An Open Letter to 2012...

Brian Kirk | May 16, 2012

As you walk the unexplored path ahead, hold tight to your bliss, be open to taking some......

The Subversive Message of The Hunger Games

Brian Kirk | April 01, 2012

Will young Christian fans of The Hunger Games get the deeper message around how we might......

The Appealing Faith of Justin Bieber: A Q&A with Belieber!...

Brian Kirk | January 27, 2012

Cathleen Falsani talks about her new book on Justin Bieber and why a 40-something......

Does Loving Jesus Mean Hating Religion? Youth Speak Out on...

Brian Kirk | January 19, 2012

A progressive youth minister invites his teens to respond to the viral video "Why I Hate......

Teen's YouTube Cry for Help Becomes Message of Hope

Brian Kirk | December 14, 2011

I wonder what the teens in our own communities are waiting for this Advent season?......

Justin Bieber's New Christmas Album: Bad Theology for...

Brian Kirk | November 23, 2011

The miracle of Christ's birth hardly seems to be an apt metaphor for Justin's receiving......

Should We Help Teens Occupy the Church?

Brian Kirk | November 02, 2011

Many of our teens are too young to participate in Occupy Wall Street. But they are......

Christian Haunted Houses: Scaring the "Hell" Out of Teens?

Brian Kirk | October 19, 2011

Do we really want youth believing that joining the faith is all about avoiding God's......

An Open Letter to Progressives: Speak Out for our GLTB...

Brian Kirk | September 30, 2011

...

An Open Letter to Progressives: Speak Out for Our GLBT...

Brian Kirk | September 28, 2011

Even as we point the finger at the possible oppressors, I have to wonder: "Where is the......

Talking with Teens About 9/11

Brian Kirk | September 07, 2011

Here are my suggestions for helping youth reflect faithfully on what happened to our......

Fast Food Youth Ministry

Brian Kirk | August 24, 2011

We've fed our teens a diet of fast food and entertainment and even though their brains......

"Teen Wolf": Why This MTV Hit Is Worth Watching

Brian Kirk | August 03, 2011

Should it come as a surprise that youth can relate to a teen wolf who is desperately......

The Google-fication of God, Part 2

Brian Kirk | July 21, 2011

Are there some "non-negotiables" for those passing on the Christian faith to youth in......

The Google-fication of God, Part 1

Brian Kirk | July 07, 2011

Is Google making our personal worlds larger and more diverse, or rather smaller and......

Progressive Christian Youth Ministry: A Primer

Brian Kirk | June 22, 2011

Leading a youth ministry from a progressive Christian perspective can be challenging. It......

Has the Church Failed GLBT Teens?

Brian Kirk | May 25, 2011

As congregations argue over scripture and tradition, many of our gay teens are quickly......

Loving Our Enemies and bin Laden

Brian Kirk | May 10, 2011

On this side of Easter, when we confront the world's obsession with death and violence,......

Royal Weddings and Real Marriage: What Might William and...

Brian Kirk | April 26, 2011

The Royal Wedding spectacle begs the questions: How is popular culture helping to shape......

Teen Failures, Divine Grace, and Do-Overs: A Review of...

Brian Kirk | April 12, 2011

"Source Code", for all its sci-fi silliness, offers a chance for conversation around......

Is MTV's "Skins" the Biggest Problem Facing Teens Today?

Brian Kirk | March 29, 2011

Instead of talking with teens about the evils of "Skins" and Lady Gaga, we could be......

Lady Gaga, Lent, Teens, and Original Sin

Brian Kirk | March 16, 2011

Lady Gaga speaks directly to those the Church would condemn and offers an alternative......

Should It Matter What Justin Bieber Thinks About Abortion?

Brian Kirk | March 04, 2011

...

Does It Matter What Justin Bieber Thinks About Abortion?

Brian Kirk | March 03, 2011

Should it matter what teens think about important issues related to faith and ethics?......

Why the Revolution in Egypt Could Be Dangerous for Our...

Brian Kirk | February 16, 2011

What happens if teens discover that the pacifist life of Jesus that we often idealize......

A Distractional Model of Youth Ministry, Part 2

Brian Kirk | February 02, 2011

What would happen if we gave ourselves permission to let go of using flash and noise to......

The Distractional Model of Youth Ministry, Part 1

Brian Kirk | January 19, 2011

In our pop-culture inspired efforts to keep teens engaged, are we re-wiring their......

Spiritual Practices for Teens: The Awareness Examen

Brian Kirk | January 04, 2011

As we leave behind the hectic schedule of the holidays and begin a new year, how might......

The Gift of Christmas Complexity for Teens

Brian Kirk | December 21, 2010

Helping our teenagers to see that God is present in the messiness of families may be the......

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