https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:47:58 +0000 Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:49:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/final-postand-excitement-whats-come 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. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/final-postand-excitement-whats-come Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:49:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/congregational-worship-and-its-effect-youth-groups I was talking with a church planter recently and he suggested that a new church start that had traditional worship could not be successful.  His point was that church plants, and he added that existing churches that were growing, all used contemporary worship.  As I processed that claim Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/congregational-worship-and-its-effect-youth-groups Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:32:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-theology-and-youth-ministry-seldom-mix 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. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-theology-and-youth-ministry-seldom-mix Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:40:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/more-fund-raising-because-well-we-all-need-funds-and-team A while back, I did a blog with an idea to team with Faith Alive to sell books as a fundraiser for youth groups. Some folks thought it was a decent idea. Other’s doubted that it would work well.  But it did spark some good discussion about fundraising and maybe even about a number Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/more-fund-raising-because-well-we-all-need-funds-and-team Mon, 28 May 2012 12:21:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/how-do-we-get-youth-interested-our-denominations Maybe the question should be “Is it important to get youth interested in our denominations?” I believe it is, indeed, important and the blessing and missional impact of denominations like the CRCNA should be shared with youth. Maybe you disagree. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/how-do-we-get-youth-interested-our-denominations Tue, 15 May 2012 17:43:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/seek-justice-love-mercy-walk-humblyin-youth-group Sometimes I think that while everyone in my church thinks it’s important to care for the poor, when we start to actively participate in projects around social justice, there’s an uneasiness that gets in the way of support for our efforts. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/seek-justice-love-mercy-walk-humblyin-youth-group Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:36:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/breaking-down-silos Every church has them. Every business has them. Silos go up when individual areas get caught up in their own goals and fail to work cross-functionally with others within the organization. It’s certainly not written in your job duties that it’s the responsibility of a youth leader t Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/breaking-down-silos Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:14:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/time-plan-your-summer-strategy I know, I know. You are busy wrapping up this youth group season and there’s still plenty you have to get done. And yet it’s still an appropriate time to begin planning for your summer season. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/time-plan-your-summer-strategy Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:03:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/get-your-youth-involved-vbs-0 As you wrap up your youth group season, it’s a good time to think about active participation in VBS. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/get-your-youth-involved-vbs-0 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:44:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/reformed-fund-raising-idea I have blogged in the past about the importance of reformed resources and reformed theology within youth ministry programs. It’s just as important to have resources with a reformed perspective for the entire congregation. Faith Alive Christian Resources has come up with a creative idea Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/reformed-fund-raising-idea Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:29:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/late-winter-blues It’s March and you’ve been at this youth ministry season since last September.  You are running out of lessons (the ones you so proudly put together late last summer).  The routine of your youth group and those who attend is set, and there aren’t many surprises.  If you’re not care Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/late-winter-blues Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:56:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/most-important-members-our-congregation I have a friend that often talks about the 4-14 rule. He believes that the most fragile population within and outside our churches are those between the ages of 4-14. The individuals in our communities and our world who know the least about Christ are between the ages of 4-14. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/most-important-members-our-congregation Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:25:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/bringing-lent-youth-ministry I gotta be honest…for most of my years in youth ministry, I didn’t do a very good job of bringing our youth group into Lent with an appropriate sense of this incredible season.  But come to think of it, I never heard other youth leaders discuss the critical lessons of Lent or share successfu Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/bringing-lent-youth-ministry Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:31:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/followership I believe followership is just as important as leadership.  I just wish we lived in a world where the gift of following was recognized and given value as an integral aspect of the Christian life.  There are plenty of examples of young people being recognized for their leadership, and th Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/followership Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:54:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/giving-students I’ve thought about writing this for a while, but it’s not particularly fun to write about some of my lowest moments as a youth leader. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/giving-students Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:49:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/march-madness So when it comes to advice and suggestions for events, Youth Leader 101 typically notes that special events, like school, community or national sporting events are often great excuses for getting students together. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/march-madness Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:58:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/profession-faith-next-generation I’m really old. So when I made profession of faith, I decided it was time, alerted somebody at church, and then stood before the consistory while they quizzed me mostly on my faith but with just a bit of Bible trivia as well. Once I was approved, I stood before the church, said “I do” a Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/profession-faith-next-generation Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:22:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-youth-leaders-church-staff-are-important-investments Let me start out by saying my wife and I were volunteer youth leaders for 15 years.  I loved the experience and for that small church, it worked pretty well. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-youth-leaders-church-staff-are-important-investments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:45:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-leader-accountability I wonder how many youth leaders are in accountability groups.  I would suggest that if you are a youth leader and you are not in an accountability group, you consider doing so.  It’s a very personal decision. Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-leader-accountability Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:12:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/losing-youth-our-churches This is a topic that’s discussed in consistories/councils, by congregations, Synods, and pretty much anywhere there are church-going folks or church leaders hanging out.  I don’t expect to solve the challenge in a short blog, but I think youth leaders might have a different perspective than Paul Boice https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/losing-youth-our-churches Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:54:10 +0000