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ARISE: Risks Are About Process, Not Results
I’m going to tell you a story about how $800 and a suitcase changed my life. To understand the story, you have to understand the era this story started in. The story took place in the year 1985. The...
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3 Steps to Overcoming a Short Season at a Church
You are extremely excited, because you just are on the phone with the senior pastor telling you that the congregation voted and an overwhelming majority voted to hire you as the new Minister to Youth....
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Dealing with Destructive Opposition from Volunteers in Youth Ministry
When working with volunteers in ministry, it’s like doing the tango: you won’t always agree about which direction to step. Sometimes one of you thinks the ministry should “do this,” while the other one...
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10 Steps to Planning a Youth Ministry Retreat
Retreats, especially during teenage years, can be extremely formative experiences. In order to allow for Discipleship to develop through the experience of a youth group, teenagers must feel...
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Engaging Parents as Allies, Not Enemies in Youth Ministry
We’re excited to have Heather Flies as one of our NYWC speakers. Check out more information HERE. As I look back now, I’m still dumbfounded that a church would hire a 19-year-old college sophomore to...
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Webinar on 5 Things to Proactively Address in Youth Ministry
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting Joel Stepanek, Director of Resource Development for LIFETEEN and regular YS BLOGGER, for the FREE webinar, “Stepping Up: 5 Issues to Proactively Address.” Check...
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Serving Parents Who Don’t Go to Your Church
In Tim Elmore’s book, “Generation iY – Our Last Chance to Save Their Future”, Tim describes different types of parenting styles that are less than helpful. As I reflect on my youth ministry...
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A Welcome Fall for Change
Every fall, nature reminds us that change is beautiful. Beyond the fact that I can wear the most wrinkled shirts ever and cover them with an appropriately sized hoodie or sweater, I really enjoy the...
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Create a Work and Life Balance for Volunteers
We’re excited to have Gina Abbas as one of our NYWC speakers. This blog post is a great start to the conversations she’ll be navigating in her seminar: Managing Me: Ideas and Inspiration for Work-Life...
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I’m Not Ashamed: Masey McLain shares about this incredible film
Maina Mwaura sat down with Masey McLain, the actor who played Rachel Joy Scott in the recent film about the Columbine tragedy, I’m Not Ashamed. Inspired by the film I’m Not Ashamed, the true story of...
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How to Stop Bullying in Your Youth Group
Bullying has always been a problem, but today it’s a different kind of problem. When you consider that 91% of students report that they’ve been a victim of bullying it demands our attention. And with...
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NYWC Giveaway Winner: Rachel Hansen
We’re excited to introduce you to Rachel Hansen, our National Youth Workers Convention 2016 Giveaway Winner! She’ll be joining us for NYWC this year and can’t wait to connect with everyone attending....
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Now What? Engaging Students After High School
Well, you’ve made it. After hearing Pomp and Circumstance at least ten times, wearing a ridiculous silky bathrobe and hat, hearing your name pronounced wrong, and getting “goodbyes” from people you...
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7 Facts About The State Of Youth Ministry
Is there a typical youth group? Is it just me or are teens more busy than usual? If only I had more people on my team to help! You’ve probably wondered one, if not all, of these things to yourself at...
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The S Word: Youth Ministry’s Deadliest Challenge
Corey smelled cigarette smoke. Grandpa. Pulling the covers over his head, he began his breathing ritual. He had to keep himself from shaking. He had to pretend he was asleep. He peaked out to check the...
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Holiday-Minded Youth Ministry
The leaves are falling. The temperatures are dropping. The weekends are marked by football games and bonfires. The familiar adjective that is “pumpkin spice” precedes every food and drink known to man....
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ARISE: Ministering to the Fringe—The Rebel
One day in 1991 my youth minister, Troy, said, “Hey grab your board, we’re gonna go set some junky ramps up in a random parking lot, invite skaters out, and tell them about Jesus.” Since then I’ve been...
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ARISE: Finding Success in Faithfulness Not Outcomes
This past summer I was asked to be part of a “plant” for my church. Every Tuesday I would help run an event in a trendy area of downtown Dallas. I started this endeavor with big hopes of where I would...
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Politics: This World Is Not My Home
Politics. That very word brings such disdain right now. In case you are reading this and missed it, or maybe this is way past this time and years away in the future (if so I am hopeful it is better...
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3 Big Ideas for Keeping Your Ministry Rhythm this Winter
We all need more rhythm. I’m not talking about the kind of rhythm that makes us good at singing and clapping at the same time…or the kind that makes us cool youth pastors that can beatbox. I’m talking...
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