Clik here to view.
We Like You—We Really, Really Like You
Retreats, trips, and camps couldn’t happen without the blood, sweat, and tears of strong volunteers. Here are some simple ways to show them the love. Standard Options Clear Expectations For them:...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ideas on Soul Care: YS Idea Lab with Lilly Lewin
Lilly Lewin is a self-proclaimed workaholic youth worker who learned how to create some much-needed sacred space in her ministry calendar. Today, Lilly works with churches to help create those same...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Teaching to Multiple Intelligences in Youth Ministry
This post is in partnership with the Center for Youth Ministry Training and is a product of the Communicating the Gospel to Youth class, taught by Dr. Andrew Zirschky as part of CYMT’S MASTER OF ARTS...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Recruiting and Training Interns
Having interns in a youth ministry program offers myriad benefits. It’s great hands-on experience for the interns as they get a glimpse of what youth ministry looks like on a day-to-day basis, and they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ministering to the Modern Family
Family ministry has long been a centerpiece for the church. Churches often spend a large percentage of their resources and time on programming geared toward the different pieces of the traditional...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Growing Your Adult Leadership Team
“Thanks! But we already have enough volunteer leaders.” —No Youth Pastor Ever The most valuable resource in a student ministry will forever and always be the priceless and sought-after volunteer. Most...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10-Second Tip: Check Your Fly
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 check your fly before you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10 Things I Believe about the Church and Social Media
This post originally appeared on DARREL’S BLOG and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! I’ve been on church staff for almost two years now and I’m having a lot of fun. The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
6 Game Changers for Small Group Leaders
Every youth ministry is different, but one key to effective ministry is a small group environment. And a successful small group ministry is dependent upon the leaders. After observing and being part of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Peer Supervision in Youth Ministry
Most professions require a certain level of supervision in order to make sure a company’s employees are “hitting the mark.” In many churches, there is—at best—the annual performance review, but often...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Trending This Week (5.7)
Every week we pull our favorite links from across the inter-webs. This week’s trending links include an innovative way to do youth ministry, the new compartmentalization of faith, Lecrae talks about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dear Volunteer, If you would do 3 things…
Dear Volunteer, If you would do three things, I would appreciate you more than I already do. As a leader of volunteers, I know full well that when you do your job, it helps me do mine. I’m not a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Finding Joy Outside of Ministry
On more than one occasion, I’ve been asked, “What do you do when you’re not doing ministry?” It’s a great question. And at times, I’ve had some difficulty answering it. What do youth workers do when...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Covenant Discipleship Groups
I spend a lot of time figuring out ways to measure discipleship and the impact involvement in church has on the lives of young people. Over the past year, I’ve noticed a trend that affects how much...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Seven Ways to Parent with Frugal Extravagance
This post originally appeared on Tim’s Blog and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! Some kids have more stuff at their disposal than ever before. It’s almost overload....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Young Not Dumb
The Teenagers Guide To Helping Friends In Crisis is built on the premise that teenagers are young, not dumb. Youth workers who don’t believe teenagers can learn to help friends in crisis are not...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Navigating Staff Transitions: YS Idea Lab with Brian Aaby
Brian Aaby, the director of YS Search and YS Coaching for Youth Specialties, focuses on how we can best serve churches and youth pastors in the midst of staff transitions, as well as providing coaching...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Seven Things I’m Learning About Change
Two years ago, I moved my family from rural Goshen, Indiana, to the suburbs of Indianapolis so I could join the staff of a local church as their student ministry pastor. This was a huge decision for my...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Take Care of Yourself
Imagine you’ve gone to the doctor to make sure you don’t have anything worse than seasonal allergies. You’re asked the usual triage questions and then put in a room to wait. While you sit there, you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
So You Want a Raise? 4 Ways to Get There
First the bad news: it probably won’t happen. And this isn’t because the church hates you or is being unfair to you or your family. When you were hired to do this job, you were offered a compensation...
View Article