Youth Ministry?

A man whom I highly respect has recently spoken out against youth ministry as a ministry within the local church. He is in favor of family ministries as opposed to segregation of those families into different groups. What do you guys think? I am a youth minister so I have some concerns about these comments. But I always want the bible to be my rule for life and especially for ministry. Just so you know, I am not looking to resign anytime soon but I have some questions for you. So here are my questions for you guys. Can a biblical case be made for youth ministry? Should we have seperate ministries for men, women, children, youth, etc..., or should we minister to folks as a whole body without segregation? If this was the mainline thought pattern it would greatly affect the JMB. Obviously, the JMB should not be the focal point of this issue but I would be curious for your thoughts. Answer any of those questions you want. What think ye?

Derek's New Place Of The Bloggings

Hey guys, I've decided to move my blog over to wordpress- check it out. http://derekhughes.wordpress.com

My top 5 JMB songs.....

It's a little weird to rank songs that you have written but here goes.... 5. "One True Healer".......Although we don't do this song much anymore, it is still one of my favorite songs. I very much dislike the way I sound on that song but there is a meaning there that I hope that those who hear it will understand. All of us are looking for something to "heal" us. We're all broken by the affects of sin. Sin has broken everything. There is only one true healing that we will ever experience. And it is only found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 4. "Clumsy Believer"..........This is a relatively new one and has not yet been recorded officially. But it really spells out how I feel sometimes. Plus it has a line from on of my favorite hymns, "Come thou fount of every blessing". 3. "Mexico Breeze"......No, that is not the name of the latest military operation, it is one of my favorites. Mexico will always hold a special place in my heart and that song is very nostalgic for me. 2. "Get up to a high mountain"..........I love this song. This is my favorite song all around. You are probably thinking, "why is it #2 then?" Well, I'm glad you asked because #1 right now is............... 1. "Christ is our Life"..........This is a new song for us. We haven't played it out yet but will hopefully do that this weekend. I normally wouldn't rank a new song at #1 but I think this song has really captured what has been going on in my life in the last few months. I struggle with idolizing things. And you do too, even if you don't think so. Most sins are double doses of problems. Here is what I mean by that; Greed has the power to keep you from knowing that you are greedy. Idols have the power to keep you from knowing you have idols. We struggle with things and we know that we do, but there are sins hidden deep within us that have become so much of our normal day life, that we don't even have a clue to their affect on us. The only way we can see this is to have the gospel break our hearts just like it did when we where first saved. I will be posting more about this song in a full length post but until then, this is my list of songs, be that as it may. Now that I have done my list, I guess we are just waiting for the rest of the guys................

Andrew's Top 5 JMB Songs

Ok...here's mine (in no particular order): 1. Not So Easily Pleased - Personally, it's a fun song to play. Not to take anything away from the lyrics (which are great), but I really enjoy the song once we get to the solos at the end - fun times. 2. Get Up to a High Mountain - I think lyrically and musically, it's one of our more powerful songs. I know Josh is a big fan of Third Day, and this is our one song that I think could pass for a Third Day song. 3. Learning More Everyday - From a listening standpoint, I love it when everything kicks in after the first few vocal lines. Other than that, it's another uptempo song that's fun to play. 4. Wonderful Cross - This is my favorite worship song. I think my favorite version of this done by the David Crowder Band. Next favorite is the JMB version. 5. Sweet Embrace (new version...) - Our new version of this song is pretty cool. Brandenburg has been the only crowd to hear it so far. The rest of you will have to come see us soon to hear it! ;-) honorable mention: Folsom Prison Blues - Josh is right - we'd make one heckuva country band!

My 5 Favorite JMB Songs

Hey guys, since the playlist thing didn't go over too well, we'll try something a little different. I get asked all the time, "Derek, what's your favorite Josh Martin Band songs?"... ok, so I don't really get asked, but I'm sure someone's thinking it... ok, so they probably aren't, but I'm still going to ask for you. So, what are my five favorite JMB songs? 5) Working Out My Day (Josh Martin Band)- I know it's an old one, but that song is fun to play. Wow, we haven't played that in a loooong time. 4) What Part Of Go (Not So Easily Pleased)- This used to be one of my least favorites but as you can see I'm liking it more and more each time we play it. It's provides lots of opportunities to feed off of each other in our concerts. 3) Wonderful Cross (no version released yet)- Although we haven't recorded this yet for an album (it'll hopefully be on the DVD) it's still going to make the list. The Wonderful Cross is one of my favorite worship songs and I think our version could stand against any other version that's out. Also, The Wonderous Cross was my grandpa's favorite hymn, so this song has some special meaning to me. 2) Wrap Me In Your Cross (Not So Easily Pleased)- This is a very close second. I think it contains some of the best lyrics that Josh has ever written. 1) I Am (Not So Easily Pleased)- Hands down, my absolute favorite JMB song. This song conveys a feeling that we all go through- Where is God in the times that I don't feel saved? The intro and end of song are so much fun to play- I love digging-in on the low D and C. Now it's time for the rest of the band to post their top 5... hopefully.