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10-Second Tip: Consistent Relationships
At the National Youth Workers Convention, we stopped youth workers from all across the U.S. and asked them to share a 10-second youth ministry tip. The 10-Second Tip: Always maintain consistent...
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Are Students Thriving?
As you near the end of the school year, it’s a good time to evaluate the effectiveness of your ministry. After a year of being in your programs, are your students thriving? How are they doing in the...
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SURF Your Schedule
In the lake, the motorboat surged forward, and the line stretched tight from the pressure. I leaned back and found myself standing up on water skis. I was 19 years old. My college roommate had invited...
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Trending This Week (4.23)
Every week we pull our favorite links from across the inter-webs. This week’s trending links include 5 steps to bring consistency to attendance, the reason students engage outside of Bible study,...
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10 Mobile Device Safeguards for Youth
Whether you are a youth pastor that works every day with high schoolers, a teacher in middle school, or a parent of children, you are looking out for these youth in so many aspects of life. One big...
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Small vs Large Youth Ministries. Is one better?
Tom (also known as “Coach Shef” or just “Shef”) is the co-founder of Uthmin.net and the North Point Ministries Multi-Campus Director of Transit, their Middle School Ministry. Tom’s passion involves...
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An Insider’s Guide to Summer Camp
Katelyn came to camp dressed in black, with a mood that matched her dark lipstick. She wasn’t there by choice—it was her mom’s idea. The first few days of camp were packed with activities and fun, but...
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Creating Space for Students to Doubt
Does God get mad at me when I doubt he exists? How do I know my parents were right about God? How do I know if Jesus really is the Messiah? If God loves me, then why does he let all this bad stuff...
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It’s Good to Ask Questions
If you have kids, then you’ll understand the season of Why? Around the time they turn three, kids often begin following up every conversation with “Why?” I love how their minds are absorbing every...
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Helping Students Take Action on Social Justice Issues: YS Idea Lab with...
Latasha Morrison has served in Next Gen ministries for nine years and is currently on staff in children’s ministry. She is also the founder of the organization BE THE BRIDGE, which was designed to...
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A New Normal
I pride myself on how I’ve always managed to keep a level head in stressful situations, but I admit that level-headedness is the result of an attempt to maintain a certain public image. I want to be...
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What to do When You’re Frustrated by Your Employment or Ministry
Your boss walks into your office Tuesday morning, sits down, and tells you that your department met their quota and beat out every other department—but he’s downsizing you due to budgetary reasons....
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10 Principles for Managing Conflict in Youth Ministry
In ministry, conflict is inevitable. When we work with enough people for enough time, we’ll get our share—I promise. We serve a Lord who faced conflict throughout his ministry—conflict that ultimately...
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10-Second Tip: Be Authentic
At the National Youth Workers Convention, we stopped youth workers from all across the U.S. and asked them to share a 10-second youth ministry tip. The 10-Second Tip: Be authentic with your students....
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Four Ways to Impress the New Kid
Every student ministry has to deal with the New Kid. The New Kid is the student who shows up for the first time and knows no one. This student acts as if he or she doesn’t want to be there and sits...
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Two Assumptions that Have to Go
As youth pastors, we all struggle with the tension between ministering to those kids who truly “get it” and to those who still have a way to go. Because of this, we tend to make assumptions about our...
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Love Is In The Air
My experiences in youth ministry over the years have convinced me of the great need for solid biblical teaching in the areas of love, sex, and dating. Tragically, young Christians are exposed to almost...
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Trending This Week (4.30)
Every week we pull our favorite links from across the inter-webs. This week’s trending links include 5 awkward conversations teens need to have with their parents, ways to cultivate spirituality,...
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Can I Still Be a Youth Pastor?
As I was driving home from the hospital, I passed the exit for our church, and the realization hit me: I’m a father now—I’m old. Can I still be a youth pastor? Every youth pastor will eventually hear...
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Five Things That Should Be Banned from Youth Ministry
1) Five-Year Goals Really, who came up with this business model for the church? This year’s goal is last year’s goal: get teens to meet Jesus. 2) Church Family Service Projects This is also known as...
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