Grace is costly because it calls us through our person to the person of Jesus Christ. And when we follow the person of Jesus Christ, when we follow his call through our person, we’re sent to act for the concrete person of our neighbor in the world.

Friendship means we are obligated to one another, but obligated in a way that doesn’t destroy our freedom.

We are the relationships that make us; we have our being in and through relationships that place us into reality, and therefore we are open ontologically to the possibility of encounter.

But if faith is only for the future, there will be no faith, for like manna, faith saved spoils.

Youth ministry is not about getting things accomplished - only the act of God can bring about the transformation we seek. Youth ministry is about participating deeply in young people's lives as we await, together in suffering & joy, the coming of God.

Friendship means we are obligated to one another, but obligated in a way that doesn't destroy our freedom.

If the beneficiaries of globalization are tourists who can travel as they choose, then the losers of globalization are the ones forced to wander: those who move in the shadows, those whose moving is unwanted, and those who work low-paying jobs in service to tourists (such as janitors at airports or hotel housekeepers.)

Paul connects faith and hope. Rather than saying young people have faith if they believe without doubt, it might be better to say they have faith if, up against doubt, fear, and struggle, they hope.

A mission trip in youth ministry is not about bringing the resurrection; It is about witnessing to the resurrection.

It is when we are up against death, when we find ourselves in despair, that the God of cross is near to us. It is through suffering and despair that God is made known to us, for God is found on the cross.