Clik here to view.
Do Not Lose Heart
On a very warm evening last July, standing in the Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee, I was overwhelmed and deeply honored to witness something powerful, holy, and transformational....
View ArticleClik here to view.
10-Second Tip: Empower Youth
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: Empower youth and create a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Four Pressure Points on Every Pastor
This post originally appeared on Jim’s Blog and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! It seems to me that there are four pressure points I experience on a weekly basis that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Trending This Week (5.14)
Every week we pull our favorite links from across the inter-webs. This week’s trending links include a list of 100 reasons to love youth ministry, overcoming common struggles in youth ministry, 15...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When You Get Fired
“What were you thinking?” This was followed by . . . wait for it . . . “We’re going to have to let you go.” There were many words spoken in between, but no amount of talking could have saved me from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Soul of a Youth Worker
Soul care is a subject many youth workers tend not to pay attention to. However, if you desire to have longevity in ministry, it’s imperative that you pursue it. The subject of soul care has been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
25 Quick Ideas for Your Church’s Social Media
This post originally appeared on DARREL’S BLOG and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! Have you ever heard of swipe file? It’s a place where you keep ideas that you love that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ideas for Small Group Leaders: YS Idea Lab with Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is a longtime contributor to the YS Blog, the author of dozens of youth ministry resources, and a seminar speaker for youth workers at the National Youth Workers Convention. He has spent...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Attitudes Are Contagious—Mine Might Kill You!
Whether you’re a paid or volunteer youth worker, there can be nothing more frightening than the belief that something terrible might happen to a student you have invested time and energy in. As a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Creating Dynamics in a Small Youth Ministry
In youth ministry, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game, but don’t let where you serve determine your worth. If you’re currently a youth minister for a small youth ministry, that’s awesome!...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Your Potential vs Your Calling
This post originally appeared on Dan’s Blog and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! I talk to quite a few young people and young leaders who have been told at some point they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Help Your Volunteers Look Forward to Your Camp and Mission Trip
Every year, I run five retreats, one camp, and one mission trip—volunteers are the only way I can pull off anything in youth ministry. Overnight trips with students can be pretty rough on volunteers....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Five Ways to Get Silence
Post-It Notes This is a great game for long car rides. Don’t start off with it—save it for after the first or second rest stop. Hand out pens and a pack of small Post-it Notes to each student. Explain...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Developing Student Leaders
You hear many people say that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. I agree with that statement, but I also think today’s youth can be today’s leaders. Having student leaders in your youth ministry can...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10-Second Tip: Go To Movies
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: Go to movies with your students....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Life Hacks for Youth Workers
Three things about me: I’m a youth pastor who’s committed to knowing students and nurturing them in faith. I have a wife and children I treasure. I don’t have a personal assistant. Number three on that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Helping Students Transition to High School
The transition from junior to senior high school can be a difficult time for students—there are new schools, new schedules, new teachers and students, and new opportunities. It’s easy for freshmen to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ten Tips for How to Handle Criticism
Criticism: we don’t like it—we don’t want to hear it. And sometimes there’s good reason for that. Criticism can hurt—it can cause distraction. It might cause us to question our callings. It could...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When Driving Alone with Students
This post originally appeared on Jim’s Blog and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! We’ve all been there. Whether it’s the kid who needs a ride home after youth group or the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nurturing Your Own Soul with YS Coaching: YS Idea Lab with Scott Kail
Scott Kail has been in youth ministry for 32 years, and he’s one of the YS coaches you can connect with at the National Youth Worker’s Convention. In this YS Idea Lab, Scott shares a few of the ways...
View Article