Jonathan McKee, Author at Jonathan's Blog From The Source

The Delusion of the American Dream

Posted on: 01/17/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Last week a youth worker friend called me up and began asking questions and advice about personal finances. The gist of his question was, “How is a youth worker supposed to try to make ends meet when starting a family, paying for diapers, trying to afford a minivan and actually having a little bit left over to go on a date every once in a while?!!”

Great question—one I know many can relate to.

I think a lot of the nation is thinking about finances and debt right now (I’ll purposely steer this article away from making political commentary), because I’m seeing more and more articles surfacing about how to get out of financial crisis. My own teenagers are even learning these lessons right now. My son just started at Azusa Pacific University, an amazing Christian college in Southern California. He loves his classes and his roommates, but he’s facing the same struggle every college kid encounters: the reality of being a poor college student who can’t buy everything he desires when many of his GEN Y counterparts are living check to check, buying everything on impulse. An article in TIME today just cited a study revealing more than 3/4 of renters age 18-24 spend more than they earn each month.

Unfortunately, when we graduate from college, land a job, get married and buy a house, the money shortage doesn’t necessarily go away. Sadder yet, many of us still dive headfirst into spending, trying to achieve that American dream, and before we know it… we’ve created a nightmare.

So what’s the solution?

Sadly, I think many people are looking for a golden egg. We want our problem solved NOW! There’s good news and bad news about that.

You can start on the road to good financial decision-making right NOW! (I know, that sounds like a sales pitch, but it’s actually just a fact)
If you’re in debt, that can be a long road, requiring discipline, and sacrifice. (I understand, I didn’t put a lot of sugar on that. But I risked just saying it, figuring you’d prefer the honest truth.)

What does that road look like?

I was inspired my youth worker friend’s sincere questions about financial troubles, so I began sharing some candid thoughts on paper… and that became a frank, but helpful article about saving ourselves from financial crisis. My friends over at Youth Specialties posted the article yesterday: Waking Up From the American Dream: Saving Yourself from Financial Nightmares.

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY ENJOY FROM JONATHAN

When the Ministry Budget isn’t Big Enough

When My Wife Had Enough—Balancing Family and Ministry

Posted in Marriage, Money | | Leave A Comment

The Power of Stories

Posted on: 01/16/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

This weekend I speak to hundreds of junior highers at one of my favorite camps, Timberlee in Wisconsin. Someone just asked me, “How do you keep the attention of today’s junior highers?”

“Easy. Just tell em’ a story.”

It’s amazing the impact a story can make. And story-based talks are some of the best:

They’re easy to memorize. Once you hear a story, it’s pretty easy to repeat.
They hold the attention of most young people, because everyone wants to hear the end of a story.
It’s tapping into a technique that Jesus used all the time!

If you want a sample of what I’m talking about, I just posted a brand new story on our web site from my book MORE 10-MINUTE TALKS. The talk is simple. It’s a story, a quick explanation connecting it to the scripture, and a wrap up. I even included small group questions so that your kids can discuss it (Click here to see this ready-made talk).

IF YOU LIKE THIS TALK, GRAB A COPY OF JONATHAN’S BRAND NEW BOOK RIGHT NOW, AUTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN AND 25% OFF!

Posted in Books, Speaking/Training, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Consuming Music… and Cheesecake

Posted on: 01/14/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

David and I finished our annual recap of the songs that went #1 in the past year, just posting Part II of the article on this week’s Youth Culture Window page (if you don’t receive that free Youth Culture Window in your inbox, CLICK HERE).

Thirteen songs made it to the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this year, giving teenagers plenty to resonate with…both good and bad. That two-part article provides you with an overview of each of those songs.

Every once in a while someone will ask me, “Why do you care so much about the music teenagers listen to?”

I guess that would be like someone asking me, “Why do you care about what your kids eat?”

Consider the love for cheesecake. If you sauntered into the Cheesecake Factory on a random Friday night and discovered their Dulce de Leche Caramel Cheesecake to be delicious, you might not be aware that you just consumed over 1000 calories, 44 grams of fat, and 91g of carbs in one piece.

I mean… who cares. It just tastes delicious!

Perhaps you begin eating a piece after every meal.

If someone warns you, “Hey, you’re gonna grow three chins if you keep eating all that cheesecake!” you might be tempted to reply, “I just don’t worry about all that stuff. After all, how do we really know that excess calories and carbs are bad for you anyway!”

Ignorance is no excuse.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying all music is bad. Quite the contrary (all food isn’t bad either). But, perhaps we should be aware of what our kids are consuming.

That’s why I spend a little bit of time in each of my parent workshops giving parents a tour of pop culture, and then sharing various research (like this and this) revealing that the lyrics do affect young people, something to ponder when they average about two and a half hours a day listening to said lyrics.

Interested yet?

Check out the top music of 2012.

Posted in Entertainment Media, Food, Jonathan's Rant, Music, Parenting, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Coming to Your City

Posted on: 01/10/13 12:17 PM | by Jonathan McKee

I’m starting to book some travel for my upcoming speaking and training, and I found a few gaps in my speaking calendar where some of you might want me to speak, train, or do a parent workshop at your church… for no travel cost.

Here’s some of the upcoming openings I have:

CHICAGO- March 3^rd
I teach at YS Palooza on March 1 and 2, but don’t have anything booked for Sunday. So if any of you greater-Chicago area churches would like me to preach and/or teach one of my parent workshops… or train your adult leaders… I can stay an extra day.

DES MOINES- March 17^th
I teach at a Youth Leadership Conference called IGNITE on March 15 and 16, don’t have anything booked for Sunday. So if any of you greater-Des Moines area churches would like me to preach and/or teach one of my parent workshops… or train your adult leaders… I can stay an extra day.

PHILLY- April 14^th
I teach at YS Palooza in Philly on April 12 and 13, but don’t have anything booked for Sunday. So if any of you greater-Philly area churches would like me to preach and/or teach one of my parent workshops… or train your adult leaders… I can stay an extra day.

SOUTHERN CA- May 19^th
I teach the parenting track of the FAM Conference at Azusa Pacific University on May 16-18, but don’t have anything booked for Sunday. So if any of you Southern California area churches would like me to preach and/or teach one of my parent workshops… or train your adult leaders… I can stay an extra day.

Email me at [email protected] if you would like to talk about one of these dates. Let me know what kind of teaching/training you’d like me to do, and what’s in your budget. All the money from these workshops goes directly to providing free resources and training for youth workers around the world.

Posted in Speaking/Training, Travel | | Leave A Comment

Best Movies of 2012

Posted on: 01/10/13 3:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Each January I like to sit down with my movie reviewing buddy Todd Pearage and reflect back on our favorite films of the past year. This year was a fun year for films, especially superhero films. (The Avengers, Dark Knight and The Amazing Spiderman all in one year! Pinch me!) But it was also a fun year for midnight premieres. My wife and kids attended two of these midnight premiers with me, both The Hobbit, and The Avengers.

But for me to compile a list of the best of 2012… I feel a little inept this year, not in ability, but simply because I have been so busy that I missed numerous good 2012 films in the theatre. Unfortunately, I’ve missed plenty that have ended up on others “best of 2012” lists. For example: I have NOT seen Zero Dark Thirty, Lincoln, Wreck-it Ralph, Django Unchained, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Argo, Les Mis, Skyfall, Life of Pi, The Bourne Legacy, Flight, or Promised Land. Those movies are all in my rental queue and some of them will probably eventually end up in my list of 2012 favorites.

Right now, my list of the best of 2012 would most likely include The Avengers, People Like Us, Hunger Games, The Hobbit, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Amazing Spiderman. I would also have to put some thought into considering Lawless, Premium Rush, or even Looper. Some of these films were a little raw, so I’m not sure.

But forget my incomplete list. Todd has reviewed a ton of movies this year and already compiled his list of his favorites… so without further a-do, here’s his list, with comments from both of us.

TODD’S FAVORITES OF 2012:

1. The Avengers

TODD’S WORD: I said it then and I will say it again. This was the best movie of the year. I really loved this one. It had it all: action, drama, comedy…and Iron Man!

JONATHAN’S WORD: Agree. I’ve watched this one a few times again with the kids. We always love it.

2. Dark Knight Rises

TODD’S WORD: No question The Dark Knight Rises was my second favorite superhero movie and my second favorite movie overall. Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale maintained high energy, excitement and top-notch quality through all three films this is one solid trilogy.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I loved it too. But the surprise for me was Thomas Hardy (playing Bane). This guy has a great career ahead of him. He has a range as huge as his biceps. (Loved him in Lawless)

3. Lincoln

TODD’S WORD: I don’t imagine there will be many lists that will not include Lincoln. Everything about this movie is done with excellence.

JONATHAN’S WORD: It looks good. I gotta see it.

4. The Amazing Spider-Man

TODD’S WORD: This spider man film was far and away better than the previous trilogy. Gone are the campy one-liners and all the silliness. I can’t wait for more of this version.

JONATHAN’S WORD: My entire family saw this one as well and loved it. I actually enjoyed the earlier trilogy, but agree that this one trumped all three.

5. The Hobbit

TODD’S WORD: I’m not the biggest hobbit fan in the world. But Peter Jackson has done something special with the Lord of the Rings films and now with the Hobbit. This one will definitely find its way into my Blu-ray collection.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Amazing film. Love the whole series.

6. Skyfall

TODD’S WORD: Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond and Skyfall is now my favorite Bond film.

JONATHAN’S WORD: This looks amazing. I can’t wait to see it.

7. The Grey

TODD’S WORD: Liam Nielsen being chased by wolves, what’s not to love? Despite leading Jonathan and Lori’s date night astray with this one, I loved it. In all seriousness, I love the story, the characters, the way they were developed and of course the intense action throughout this entire movie.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Despite the fact that Todd indeed sabotaged my date night with this one… it was a pretty good film if you don’t mind a dark, depressing ride into the abyss.

8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

TODD’S WORD: This one may surprise some of you, but as a youth pastor this movie spoke to me. It was at times difficult to watch and I will admit…I cried.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Didn’t see it. Wasn’t going to either, but now I might, based on Todd’s word.

9. Jack Reacher

TODD’S WORD: This spot was occupied by The Hunger Games until I watched Jack Reacher. It is one of the best action movies I’ve seen in a long time and it was filmed in Pittsburgh.

JONATHAN’S WORD: It would have to be pretty good to beat Hunger Games, so I’ll be definitely seeing this based on Todd’s word.

10. John Carter

TODD’S WORD: I don’t think John Carter is on anyone’s top 10 list of 2012. But I really like this movie. It’s clean, it’s fun and there is plenty of action. I really believe it did not do well because so many people thought it copied all the other science-fiction films. But John Carter was written long before Star Wars or Star Trek. If you missed this one I would definitely recommend picking it up on DVD.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I thought this looked incredibly stupid, but have heard several people I respect tell me how good it was. So this is on my list to watch as well.

What about you? What were some of your favorite films of 2012?

Posted in Movies | | Leave A Comment

The After-Christmas Mixer

Posted on: 01/8/13 12:30 PM | by Jonathan McKee

My good friend Danette Matty from Nebraska just emailed me to let me know that she missed doing our “Christmas Mixer” this year (from our Games & Icebreakers page) with her small group, so she decided to tweak it and make it an “After-Christmas” mixer, basically a good list of small group ice-breaker questions.

I love the idea. Here’s some of her questions:

Post-Christmas Regroup Q’s

The first thing you did on Christmas Day is….
Where was the last place you went shopping for Christmas?
Name a Christmas tradition your family participates in.
Name the place you stayed the most during Christmas break.
What was your favorite Christmas gift this year?
What was the coolest gift you gave someone this year?
What was your favorite Christmas present of all time?
What class are you most looking forward to getting back to this week, or, who are you most looking forward to seeing that you didn’t see over break?

Posted in Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

5 Copies of Chris Tomlin’s Newest

Posted on: 01/7/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s time to give away some CD’s. I have 5 copies of Chris Tomlin’s brand new Burning Lights CD, releasing January 8^th, and I’m going to give them each away to five winners (WINNERS POSTED BELOW more on that in a minute).

Chris Tomlin delivers once again with this CD. My favorite is probably the first song, track 2, Awake My Soul, where he joins with Lecrae for a song that you’ll eventually hear sung in churches around the world. Tomlin’s music has that impact.

Tomlin has a way of putting God’s word to melody like no other. The first time I heard track 3, Whom Shall I Fear, I found myself worshipping along with song.

The whole album is good. My favorite might just be track 11, Thank You God, featuring Phil Wickham. It’s a sincere and honest prayer.

This is one you’ll definitely want to get!

So let me start you off by giving 5 people the CD. Here’s how we’ll do it: I’ll randomly chose 5 people who use the comment feature in this post and post two things:

Your favorite Christian song that you’ve listened to in the last year.
Your favorite secular song in the last year.

I’ll start.

My favorite Christian song I’ve listened to in the last year has probably been Gungor’s Beautiful Things (yes, this is a 2010 song, but I didn’t find it until early this year).
My favorite secular song I’ve listened to in the last year is one I just talked about in our most current Youth Culture Window article about the top hits of 2012. That is Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye.

Your turn! Use the comment feature to post your two favs and I’ll choose the winner tomorrow, on the release date, January 8^th at noon, Pacific time! I’ll Tweet the winner, then post it right here on this blog post.

WINNERS: Great list of songs posted. Thank you all for your submissions. I think Matt Redmond’s 10,000 Reasons was the overwhelming choice of Christian songs. And secular… maybe Call me Maybe. Here’s the 5 winners:

1. Josh Stitcher (Matt Redmond and The Script)
2. Dan Neighbors (Gungor and Coldplay)
3. Roger (Matt Redmond and Fun)
4. Kelly Sykes (Matt Redmond and Pink)
5. Julie Smith (who was brave enough to admit that Pay Phone was her favorite secular song! LOL)

Posted in Music | | Leave A Comment

The Popularity of Unaffiliated

Posted on: 01/2/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

A new year brings new trends, and one of these growing trends just might be claiming “unaffiliated.”

On December 18^th, The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released their newest Global Religious Landscape study. In other words… who believes “what” around the world?

Christians led the pack, with 31.5% of the population claiming, “I’m Christian.” Muslims came in second (23.2%)… and then the bronze winner… “Unaffiliated.”

The picture in America isn’t much different. The number of unaffiliated rose from 15% to 19% in the last 5 years. Even more intriguing… when you break it down by age. Pew’s other recent report, “Nones” on the Rise, provides this nice chart showing the recent trends in affiliation, by generation:

As you can see, the younger the American, the greater the chance of being unaffiliated with any religion. My son’s age group (born 1990-1994) leading the pack with 34% unaffiliated.

Interesting enough, unaffiliated shouldn’t be confused with being an atheist or agnostic. While 19% of Americans claim unaffiliated, less than 5% still claim to be either atheist or agnostic. Does this mean they’ve never had doubts? Actually, PEW asked a question about doubting God’s existence. When asked if they’ve never doubted the existence of God, 80% of Americans said, “Yes, I’ve never doubted this,” compared to 88% in 1987.

What does all of this mean for us, especially those of us working with young people?

It means many of us are going to encounter different types of kids in our respective mission fields and we should take some time to consider who they are, what they believe and what our conversations with each of these kids just might look like. This is exactly what I teach in my CONNECT training workshop, and what we taught in this little youth leader training video on YouTube, Connecting with the Six Types of Kids.

(When I hear the words “unaffiliated,” I think “not interested kid.”)

What about you? How are you going to connect with each of the six types of kids we encounter in today’s culture?

FOR FURTHER READING… you’ll enjoy Jonathan’s book Connect: Real Relationships in a World of Isolation, where Jonathan helps youth leaders connect with the six types of kids they’ll encounter in their community.

Posted in Church, Evangelism, Faith, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

More 10-Minute Talks

Posted on: 12/28/12 2:36 PM | by Jonathan McKee

My MORE 10-Minute Talks books just arrived from the publisher… a perk being an author… we get copies earlier than the release date.

So let me extend the perks to you. If you order the book from me, you’ll get it before anyone else, I’ll pass on a 25% discount to you, and I’ll personally autograph your book!

Doug Fields said about the book: