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Football and Faith
We were at my parents’ house with the whole gang. It was a beautiful Saturday on Labor Day weekend, and everyone was relaxed and excited about watching football games all day. We found out earlier that...
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The Youth Minister VS. The School Fundraiser
In this corner, weighing in at 225 lbs (due to Wednesday night $5 pizzas) wearing the gray cargo shorts and 90’s soul patch is your challenger, Johnny “Sweet Bro” Youth Minister. In this corner is the...
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Why Youth Ministries Must Be Advocates In Their Local Schools
There is no greater mission field than the local school campus. That statement didn’t surprise you, did it? How about this statement: Most student pastors have a hidden agenda when serving in local...
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HOW TO PLAN A MEMORABLE & AFFORDABLE CHRISTMAS LUAU
Christmas parties are a blast! Every now and then we like to mix it up and try something different with our themes. Here’s how we planned a memorable and affordable Christmas Luau. 1. HAWAIIAN DÉCOR...
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Mission Trip Prep
So, you’ve decided to take your students on a mission trip this summer. That’s awesome! I think that this is one of the best ways to challenge students to live out their faith. They have to learn to...
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The Theology of Fitness
Ministry has a serious problem: fitness, or actually the lack-there-of. Ministry has become one of the least healthy professions in the country based on obesity rates, depression statistics, and...
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Breakthrough Secrets To Engaging Students In Your Next Talk
“God doesn’t need flawless communicators just faithful hardworking ones.” – Doug Fields At the National Youth Workers Convention you will find excellent speaking with an outstanding stage presence....
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Mountain Time
Just a handful of times I have had the intense pleasure of hiking up a mountain. If you have ever done it you will never forget the crisp air, the staggering views, and the joy of having made the trek...
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ARISE Reflection – PART 1
Confession… I am not a conference person. Never have been. It is not that I am anti-social; rather, because I am introverted and anxious by nature, I tend to avoid dark rooms, overflowing with...
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5 Simplistic Steps to Recruit the Best Interns
Are you successfully recruiting the best interns to your organization? Every year, thousands of organizations and ministries are searching for an intern to bring onto their team, but not everyone is...
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Parenting and Pastoring “That Kid”
In youth ministry, we often use the phrase “that” kid, to describe the one that frustrates us the most, or completely exasperates us. Sometimes it’s the child on the spectrum, or the one who can’t sit...
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ARISE Reflection – PART 2
I am not a morning person. In fact, I rarely can put two coherent sentences together until about 10 am. I am finding that this, “slow to warm” personality is reflected in other areas of my life also....
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How to Talk About Dating Violence with Your Students
Teen dating violence happens more than you can imagine. In a 2015 study, the majority of teen dating violence victims told no one about the abuse—fewer than 22% told a friend, and only 5% told an...
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Arise: Encourage One Another
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25 As I left the National...
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What I Learned from Attending NYWC
The National Youth Workers Convention always promises and delivers so much to those who attend. This year’s conference did not disappoint. Attempting to cover them all the takeaways won’t be feasible,...
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Advent: Do You Think You Might Be Pregnant?
“Do you think you might be pregnant?” I ask the man sitting in front of me. “Umm,” he looks at me inquisitively. “It sounds like there is some kind of life within you ready to be birthed,” I suggest....
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NYWC16 Personal Favs
The 2016 National Youth Workers Convention has come and gone, fortunately for me I have some pictures that will remind me of some special moments for years to come! Here are a few of those moments and...
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A Ministry of Reconciliation
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us...
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Networking in Youth Ministry: Time-Killer or Top Priority?
If you’re anything like me, one thing you could use more of in life and ministry is time. More time to hang out with students. More time to plan the next big event. More time to connect with...
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PREACH FROM PERSPECTIVE: HOW TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO COMMON BIBLE STORIES
He was just one of many. A small boy in a large crowd. He wasn’t even sure where they were going, he just saw a mass of people and decided to follow. Why not? Then he overheard a single word whispered...
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