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Introverts and Ministry DO Mix: Finding your place as an introvert in ministry
I am an introvert. Big time. I recently mentioned this to a few of my students and they could hardly believe it. I didn’t come across as an introvert! Well, of course not. When I am with them I exude...
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The Power of Story
The theme of “story” has been a popular one as of late. Multiple camps have used it. I’ve seen it as a sermon series at youth groups. There’s been different takes on it. Some have emphasized the idea...
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Managing Momentum in Youth Ministry
Growing up as a kid in rural Indiana, our winters gave our neighborhood gang of kids a lot of opportunity to sled. Our favorite game was to run and flop belly down on our flexible flyers and make the...
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Having Trust in Your Volunteers to Lead
As youth pastors, we have the responsibility of helping our students grow in a closer relationship with Christ. One of the best ways that I have come up with, is to trust my volunteers to take the lead...
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Building a Culture of Love
The Triad of Life is a distillation of Scripture’s most basic building blocks for the Christian life—a three-pronged, mutually enforcing and informing concept that shapes everything we do as believers....
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A WEEKEND MOM – YOUTH WORKER IN YOUR 30S.
I have this running joke with a couple of teenagers I work with. They are daughters of dear friends of mine but also in my youth work circles. Sometimes they come and hang out on the weekends because...
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34 Ways for Youth Leaders to Be Present
One of the high priorities in our youth ministry is that each student has a caring adult in their life who loves God and has a heart for them, even on their bad days. As Josh Shipp has stated, “Every...
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Self-Care Basics for Longevity in Ministry
In my 12 years of youth ministry in various settings, the most important thing that I’ve learned is that I am both my own greatest tool (this is clearly outside of the Bible, the Spirit and my calling...
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The Best Relational Summer Activity Ever
Summer is a magical time to take leaps and bounds ahead in relational ministry. School is out of session, students have extra time on their hands, and things in the office are a little slower so you...
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Leaders Say “No”
Last week we looked at the idea that leaders say yes. Leaders say yes to the right things based on their values and priorities. They are able to weigh a question or an opportunity based on their values...
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The Earl of Sandwich: What to do when someone takes credit for your hard work
John Montagu was an Earl during the 1700s who was known for his statesmanship and prowess as a military officer. During his career, he served as Postmaster General, First Lord of the Admiralty and...
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9 Delightful Ways to Wrap up Your Summer
You’re busy. You don’t want another to do list item to add to your ever growing checklist. But at the same time, I imagine you don’t want to miss out on low hanging fruit to propel the ministry...
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Why it’s worth it
Ministry–let’s be real shall we–it isn’t always glorious. It isn’t always rewarding. It isn’t always easy. You don’t usually hear that right out of Bible college or seminary. You hear just the...
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Why Kids Choose Sports Over Your Youth Ministry
The Applause For better or worse students choose sports because of the applause. Are we applauding our students? Not in prideful or wrong ways, but do kids come to our youth ministry and feel like they...
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Celebrating Teen Milestones
Think for a minute of all the life “firsts” that are experienced from the ages of 12-18, the typical age range of teens in a youth ministry. First date, first job, first kiss (maybe). And then there...
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Addressing Sexuality with Teenagers
In our families and in our churches, we are far too often late to the conversation about sexuality with our teenagers and reactionary once we speak up. This should not be the case. The kitchen table...
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Loving when the space in the margins is thin
We’ve all got them. The super awkward kids. The ones who don’t have friends or places in our youth ministries. Those who are desperately searching for places to belong; pleading for somebody to show...
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Self Care for a New School Year
One of the first classes I took in seminary was taught by a modern day monastic. As I read about my upcoming assignments, the prof’s syllabus taunted me. “A solitude retreat?” I shouted to my...
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3 Questions To Ask When You Meet With Local School Administrators
School is starting back which means you need to schedule a meeting with the administration of your local middle and high schools. All youth pastors know that the local schools are the biggest ministry...
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Forgiveness Amid Hurt: How to forgive those who hurt you
If you are human…check, working in ministry…check, dealing with other humans in ministry…check, you will get hurt…check…. Hurt Happens in Ministry I’ve been in two very different ministry settings in...
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