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The Male and the Manly: The lie of two-tiered masculinity that we’re peddling...
Kenny winced as the needle pressed into his skin. Then he set his jaw. The pain felt good. Manly. He thought about the “men” back on campus. The guy who held the door for him as he walked into class....
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Rethinking our Theology of Evangelism
The biblical conversation on evangelism starts at the very beginning of the Hebrew Bible. I know that’s not typically what you think of when you think about evangelism. We tend to think about Gospel...
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Evangelism 101
We are now in March and the following questions begin to be asked in our ministry: Are we ready for our mission trip(s)? What is this year’s theme for camp? When is our deposit due again? What mission...
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When the Back-Biters Bite at Your Leadership
Being in a youth leader role shines a spotlight on a life in a way that rivals a political candidate. Even the simplest actions can be interpreted as ulterior motives by followers. There are points...
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Four on a Couch
This is a great game for over 20 people, with a good mix of boys and girls, although you can divide up however you see fit. Supplies needed Slips of paper, pens, pencils Goal of Game To get all of the...
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Mentioning the Unmentionable: Sex Ed in the Church (Part 3)
This is part three of a three-part series. Click here to read Part 1 and Part 2. There are those who believe there is no need for sex education in the church. They argue if we simply teach students to...
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3 Views of Atonement and Their Impact on Youth Ministry
As we approach Easter each year, Christians often find themselves contemplating the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christians have understood the atonement Jesus brings in very different ways...
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To Rest is Human and Holy
I will be the first to say that ministry people, especially cough, youth, cough ministry people, are uber bad at resting. In attending numerous seminars, reading posts on-line and in talking with said...
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A Different Summer in Youth Ministry
Summer time in youth ministry can become very busy, especially if you are the one that goes to camp two weeks in the summer, then the mission trip and lastly try to program events and gatherings. The...
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What Kids Need From Their Parents More Than Anything Else
There’s no question that students face a lot of pressure these days. Actually, students today are under a lot more pressure than their parents were at their age. The academic requirements to get into...
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A Video Training Series: Big Rules in Student Ministry
In this video, we will look at the Big Rules of student ministry. These rules are practical rules that all leaders need to and must follow to be most effective in serving in a student ministry. These...
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3 Questions to Ask When Recruiting a Youth Leader
I will never forget this one time when I was candidating at a church to be their youth pastor. Though I wasn’t offered the position, one particular experience while I was there will always stick with...
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Tips on Taking Care of Your Soul
In the pace of a busy ministry life, it is so easy to forget to take time for our personal needs. Many times we justify not doing so because of the importance of our work. There are students to...
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A Single Perspective in Ministry
Spring may be my second favorite season. It brings with its warmth, brightness and hope; which sometimes reminds me of the hope we have of glory in eternity that can feel lost during the long and cold...
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4 Simple Mistakes Churches Make In The Hiring Process
I almost got side-swiped while traveling 65 mph (okay, more like 70) on the freeway recently. The driver of an F-250 pickup apparently did not see me. Though I was likely in this person’s blind spot,...
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Youth Ministry Game: Make Your Own Foam Lightsabers
PAUL TURNER is a long-time youth worker, speaker, and blogger of all things youth ministry. He’s the youth pastor at Pleasant Grove Assembly in Birmingham, AL and writes regularly at...
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Resurrection on Easter
Resurrection is the central theme of Easter, but it is often misunderstood. Resurrection is literally living again after death, in the exact same way Jesus lived after He died (1 Cor 15:20-28). We...
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6 Diagnostic Questions for Social Media and Video Games
Social media and video games occupy the time of both young and old. Teenagers lead the way in engaging on social media and video game play. However, adults are increasingly active on social media and...
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7 Ideas for Summer Ministry
Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner and that means it’s time to start planning your summer ministry if you haven’t already! I know some youth programs take the summer off to give...
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Helping Students and their Families Resolve Difficulties
Over the years, I have sat through countless meetings with students and their families. Often when a family is sitting in my office it is due to a conflict that has come to a head. Early in my career,...
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