Together.
She can’t believe it! Relationships are actually work? How can this be possible. Love is, after all, an emotion… right? That’s what Google tells me.
Shane is a graduate of Kuyper College with a B.A. in Music and Worship Studies and Biblical Studies. He is currently working for Maple Ridge Christian Reformed Church as their Youth Pastor and in the Masters of Divinty Distance Learning Program at Calvin Theological Seminary. He loves reading and being stretched, so any suggestions for a good read would be appreciated. Feel free to contact him at [email protected].
Music, Writing, Gardening, Hiking, Learning
She can’t believe it! Relationships are actually work? How can this be possible. Love is, after all, an emotion… right? That’s what Google tells me.
Youth Ministry has been messy. It’s a new focus in the life of a congregation, arising less than 150 years ago, gaining significant momentum in the last 50 years. Recent changes in culture are also redefining what it means to be youth pastors. So what is the way forward?
Our generation is so quickly drawn to skepticism and cynicism. Not that taking our time to make good decisions is a bad thing, or that healthy lives is an unhealthy way to live, but maybe it’s not what Jesus had in mind.
I’m not going to pretend like I can relate to you as a youth pastor. I don’t have kids yet, and I don’t have the level of commitments you do as parents. But how about this? I’m a pastor, and sometimes us pastors get so caught up in “doing God stuff” that we forget to “participate in God stuff.”
Can I first just say, I totally feel you. You may not realize this, but us youth pastors and your teachers LOVE summer. We too like lighter schedules and laying at the beach. But how about this? This year could be a new beginning for you!
The new (school) year always brings a bit of anxiety for me personally, so I totally resonate with you if you’re having some freakouts. If you’re a youth pastor and reading this, plan your full year.
Do you have something to contribute to the Youth Ministry section of the Network? Contact the guide and your contributions will always be considered.
I was 17, I was invincible. And much like my friends, we thought nothing could go wrong ... Tragedy is never something we're allowed to predict, but it is something we should always be prepared for.
One of the trickiest things we’ve been going through as a group of leaders in our church has been visioning for our youth program.
Is that what you believe you actually do? Do you think of yourself as a "Saver of people." The simple and selfish Christian answer is probably yes to that question. But I believe the real answer is "no." An absolute "No!"
Hi Joy,
I appreciate you bringing forward the movie, but I would challenge you to look stronger at current trends in youth ministry, or as you've grouped it, "Modern Youth Ministry." As a...
Hi Rebecca!
This is such a great topic to dive into, though I'm afraid that there isn't really space to unpack it here. I guess a few reflections and thoughts can contribute, though:
...Hi Lou!
Thanks for your feedback, and for credit for the article. But, unfortunately, this was put together by Ray Heeres, and you'd have to follow the link above to his profile to have...
Sorry, John! I agree that I've worded that wrong. It should say "Protestant Church".
John,
I too appreciate your comments on this topic. I think it's great to have multiple approaches deal with a conversation.
I will challenge you on a few things. I believe I'm...
Colin! Thanks for your intuitive response. I'm always amazed at certain perspectives we have in our faith communities (ie: the coaching experience). But it's also my belief that we're beginning to...
Being a youth pastor, I really appreciate this article for a few reasons. First, I think it gives a strong voice to something that's been swept under the rug for some time. I wasn't aware of this...
This is really great ! Thanks, Derek! I've shared this with others.
Thanks so much for the support! One of the many challenges of ministry is breaking traditional models or understanding of church, and what you've said above tells me you understand how to approach...
Are you speaking in terms of "Commissioning" through classis? Or in terms of simply calling a youth director? If you're seeking ordination ("Commissioned Pastor) through the classis, you simply...