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10-Second Tip: Follow Through
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: Don’t promise things to students...
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Equipping Parents (Part 1)
About 10 years ago, I came across a book that got me thinking about something significant I could do to increase my impact in the lives of my students. The book was called The Youth Worker’s Guide to...
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Transitioning Seniors Out of Youth Ministry
It’s time to say goodbye to another senior class. What’s the best way to transition seniors into the next stage of their lives? You probably have your own traditions for sending off your graduating...
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Equipping Parents (Part 2)
In part 1 of Equipping Parents, I talked about all that parents are facing as they seek to bring up and disciple their children in our modern setting. And I talked about the importance I see in...
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Thoughts About the Recent UMC General Conference
Michael Ratliff works with United Methodist Church youth workers, young adult workers, and young people from around the world as the Associate General Secretary of Young People’s Ministries for the...
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I Was The First Black Youth Pastor at My Church
Wow! I can’t believe it’s been 24 years since I began my journey into ministry. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I remember having a conversation with Dr. Jackson, a seminary professor at New...
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When a Student Self-injures
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...
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10-Second Tip: Follow Through
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: Don’t promise things to students...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Equipping Parents (Part 1)
About 10 years ago, I came across a book that got me thinking about something significant I could do to increase my impact in the lives of my students. The book was called The Youth Worker’s Guide to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Transitioning Seniors Out of Youth Ministry
It’s time to say goodbye to another senior class. What’s the best way to transition seniors into the next stage of their lives? You probably have your own traditions for sending off your graduating...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Equipping Parents (Part 2)
In part 1 of Equipping Parents, I talked about all that parents are facing as they seek to bring up and disciple their children in our modern setting. And I talked about the importance I see in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When Students Disappoint
Has it happened to you? A student seems to have it all together: He or she gets good grades, is active in school clubs and sports, and regularly participates in youth group. This student even shared...
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First Things First: Being Precedes Doing
It is easier to follow a leader who acknowledges he/she is following God. —John Maxwell What’s the most important quality of a youth worker? Is it talent, charisma, programming genius, and great hair...
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Five Ways to Disciple Students After Summer Camp
My favorite thing about camps and retreats is the decisions students make while there. Their excitement for Jesus is so contagious! Whether it is to surrender to God’s call to do mission work or to...
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Middle School Ministry Tips: YS Idea Lab with Scott Rubin
Scott Rubin is the director of Elevate, Willow Creek Community Church’s Junior High Ministry. He has 15 years of experience in middle school ministry, and he has authored several great books on how to...
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When a Kid is Suicidal
This post originally appeared on JIM’S BLOG and we thought it was so wonderful that we wanted to share it too! If you’re in youth ministry, you will inevitably encounter a teen who is at least somewhat...
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Getting Students to Talk
Teenagers are the masters of one-word answers and annoying grunts. Whether you’re sitting across from a quiet student at a coffee shop or leading a small group conversation with guys who are trying to...
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5 Tech Tasks Your Church Needs to Quit Today
Bob Goff founded a law firm, wrote a New York Times best-selling book and serves as the honorary consul for the Republic of Uganda. The guy gets things done. But every Thursday he quits something. We...
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The Worst Fundraisers Ever
I was once in a room with several hundred youth pastors and someone asked: “How many of you have lost money on a fundraiser?” About half of the hands went up. Failure in fundraising is like a badge of...
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Teaching Techniques that Tantalize
“Teaching that tantalizes?” – is that even possible? Or am I just reaching for the alliteration? Maybe. I almost used the word “titillates” but…well…you know. We work with middle schoolers and that’s...
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