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State of Youth Ministry Through the Eyes of a Senior Pastor
Join us for a panel discussion on the State of Youth Ministry Report Thursday, Jan 26th, 12-12:45pm CST. “There is nothing new under the sun.” For centuries, the people of God have made intentional...
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A Video Training Series: Social Media
As leaders of students, we must be able to “reach them” where they are or communicate with them where they are. If we are going minister effectively to teens using Social Media can be an extremely...
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3 Ways to Prepare for Your Next Ministry Role NOW
Water? Check. Batteries? Check. Candles? Check. Non-Perishable Food Supply? Check. Whether it be “Storm Watch 2017” or preparing for “The Big Earthquake” we all know the importance of being prepared...
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A Refreshing Season
A new year and a new season come to mind in January. Student pastors across America look at the new year through a different lens. It could bring thoughts of Disciple Now weekends on the horizon or...
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5 Things You Can Do About Self Harm
Just under the surface, under her smile, heavy eyeliner and glittering eyelids. Was nothing. A feeling of complete emptiness. An emotional flat line. Maren sat down in her lime green Dodge Neon and put...
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Inauguration Day
Waking up the morning after the election, I was greeted with the headline “President Trump”. I wish I had stayed awake that night to watch the turn of events, but my warm and comfy bed was calling my...
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Your Vision is Too Small
Do you know what irks your principal? Do students know your story? How many teachers know your name? How many parents in the community know what you do? If you never went to your campus again, would...
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Caring for Me? Really?
Exercise! Work out! Care for yourself! These mantras flood social media, articles, and websites especially at the start of the new year. Honestly, it’s easy for those good meaning mantras to become...
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ESCHATOLOGY AND YOUTH MINISTRY – PART 2
In the last post in this series, I insisted that helping our youth think about their eschatology can help them in several ways. That is because, if someone actually believes in an eschatology, it is...
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Youth Ministry and the Post-Modern Learner
I facilitate group therapy for amazing people. We have people of color, various sexual orientations and genders, abled and disabled, employed and unemployed, affluent and poor, mentally ill, substance...
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Retreat and Refill
We run at full speed 90% of the year- non-profit staff needs to balance work, life, and ministry. It can wear a person out. Because our mission is massive and the hours we work are long, it is easy for...
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Thirteen
Thirteen, to some it’s just a number, to others it’s a time of coming of age. But to me, 13 signified so much more. 13: The number of years the abuse went on for. 13: The age I was freed from the...
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5 Excuses for NOT Going to Graduate School
I remember vividly sitting in class during my graduate program wondering if what I was learning that day would have any benefit for the student Bible study I was teaching that night. The subtle...
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How do you disciple students who have ZERO touch points with Christianity?
Our students are increasingly living in a post-Christian world and this means that they have a worldview and moral outlook that has almost zero touch points with Christianity. If that is the case,...
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How to Write an Engaging Message for Students
If you are a youth worker, and especially if you are the main youth worker, one of your biggest duties is to write and deliver the weekly lesson. Writing messages can be difficult, especially when...
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The World Did Not Stop: Reflections from a Social Media Fast
“Hello, my name is David and I am a social media addict!” I have discovered this truth while in my recent Social Media Fast adventure. Many times over the last few weeks, I have reached for and/or...
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Your Best Staff Meeting (in 30 minutes or less)
Staff meetings often feel like frustrated, fast food drive-thru lines: everyone is there, but in a hurry to be somewhere else. When drivers take too long and orders are confused, drivers begin to stew...
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Youth Ministry as Homecoming
It happened again. A kid showed up at my door. He was looking for my son (who is his age) but came in anyway when he discovered that my son was not home. He spent some time chatting with my wife and...
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ESCHATOLOGY AND YOUTH MINISTRY – PART 3
Surprisingly, almost all New Testament scholars today are convinced that the Kingdom of God is the center of what Jesus was talking about during his life. While it might not be the most important thing...
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Three Main Virtues That Will Make Or Break Your Leadership Team
Team player – every single one of us is one or isn’t – in a variety of different circles of life. Most folks can determine, from their gut, if someone they work with or live with is being a team player...
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