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Posted on May 21, 2013, 4:20 pm | 1 comment
Much has been written about going on short term mission trips, both good and bad. I would define a short term mission trip as less than one month. Usually they are from one to two weeks. There are many good books written on the subject, one of the best is “ When Helping Hurts” by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. I still remember when I first read it, I was half way through and I was convinced we should never do short term mission trips again. Read more »
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Posted on November 15, 2012, 1:17 am | 2 comments
No class, no advice, and no mentor could have prepared us for what lay around the corner. There’s comes a point in all our lives where we become so comfortable with what is, that we can’t imagine alternatives from reality. And when that alternative reality strikes, it’s with a force of venom that rivals the strength of a Cobra.
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Posted on November 7, 2012, 3:07 pm
The problem of bullying is not a topic that has surfaced over the past 3–5 years. But with the inclusion of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Four Square, the subject matter has taken an entirely new angle, one that has many leaders, counselors, and parents scratching their heads, wondering where to even begin.
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Posted on October 30, 2012, 5:32 am
Maybe it’s late Friday morn, and you find yourself disheveled. You have a group of parents coming tonight to join you, and you know that you must present your best impression. Your problem: time.
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Posted on October 23, 2012, 11:02 am | 2 comments
I once read that “our youth will not raise their hands in praise to God, any higher than their leaders do”. We all know that the best way to lead in anything, is by being an example. This is how we need to lead our youth. We need to “be a player”.
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Posted on October 16, 2012, 9:56 am
I believe that burnout is a good thing. I’m convinced that burnout leads to a re-centering of the self. When we approach the cliff of wits end, the very questions which root and define our ministry boil up: What am I doing this for? How am I doing this? Why am I doing this? or most importantly – Who am I doing this for?
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Posted on October 9, 2012, 9:30 am
One of my favorite aspects of summer is the evenings spent by the campfire. Fire is absolutely mesmerizing to me. In full honesty, I would say that I’ve stared into a fire without moving for over half hour periods at a time. That’s saying a lot considering I’m both a busy body and a pyromaniac. Besides, who doesn’t love sticky hands and golden brown marshmallows?
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Posted on October 2, 2012, 9:00 am | 3 comments
There is pressure to keep students “engaged” long enough to teach them something, or equip them with some sort of practical application of faith for their livelihood. However, I’ve found that the material of Scripture isn’t something to be reduced, but is actually something which compliments an ever changing culture of entertainment.
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Posted on September 25, 2012, 10:03 am | 4 comments
I’ve only been in this industry for a mere three years. But those of us who work here can quickly understand how much will change in three years. In fact, I often share with people that the turn over of my high school program is four years: a statistic not often considered by those who aren’t encompassed in the work.
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Posted on September 3, 2012, 12:00 am | 1 comment
Young people want to make a difference, we have new ideas, different perspectives and can see needs that some elders may over look. We are passionate about our faith and want to bring others in, as young people we are all about relationships. Seeing youth your age take leadership will encourage others to get involved. Have youth as leaders can bring more youth in, that way church can be a community!
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Posted on August 27, 2012, 10:24 pm | 4 comments
Sure, a youth group might be really busy with some really great events, have lots of kids involved (both churched and unchurched), and have a dedicated group of leaders. However, if they cannot answer the “why” questions, then they are merely spinning the wheels with little purpose, continuing to do youth ministry simply because “we’ve always had a youth ministry and this is the way we’ve always done things”, and are, thus, completely out of sync with the Lord’s purposes of disciple-making.
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Posted on August 20, 2012, 2:41 pm | 2 comments
There is a new Youth Ministry Guide in town. Who is he? What is his deal?
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Posted on August 13, 2012, 8:49 am | 5 comments
It was early 2011 when I was approached with the offer to be a guide for the Youth Network. I love youth ministry and I love communication tools like social media, so I jumped at the opportunity. As I wrap up my time as guide...
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Posted on July 31, 2012, 12:45 pm | 1 comment
I don’t know about you, but often in the busyness of life, I tell myself, I don’t have just a minute, I have too many things to do. Sometimes I am so preoccupied with what I want to do, that I do not notice the needs of my youth...
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Posted on July 3, 2012, 8:32 am | 19 comments
Is it possible to have a growing, healthy, successful youth group in a congregation that has traditional worship? Does the worship style of the congregation matter? Does the worship style of the congregation enhance or inhibit a youth leader’s ability to do youth ministry?
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Posted on June 11, 2012, 8:40 am | 12 comments
I just read an interesting blog called “Why Theology and Youth Ministry Seldom Mix.” Here’s the link to the article by Cameron Cole and Dave Wright on the Gospel Coalition Blog. It’s a great discussion regarding the challenge of incorporating theology into youth groups. I wonder if others see this as a challenge or concern...
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