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Everyone Needs Someone Who Knows Everything
“It is not good for the man to be alone.” – Genesis 2 From the beginning, God designed each and every one of us to connect with one another. But, not just superficial connection. God designed us to...
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Scheduling Yourself for Success
As many of us in the ministry world are about to head back into the fast paced environment of school year ministry, we have to be extra diligent in making sure that we are scheduling ourselves for...
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6 Tips for Planning Youth Group Nights
Ready or not here it comes. Youth group is going to happen weekly no matter what, and it is your job to have something awesome planned and ready to go. But let’s be honest, that can be the hardest...
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Student Pastor, Stand Against Evil
In the wake of the Charlottesville protests – and the ongoing racial turmoil our country has been in since its founding – it is time for more student pastors to leverage their influence to lead young...
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A Response to Charlottesville
In the wake of events this weekend in Charlottesville, we at Youth Specialties are grieved by the hatred and violence fueled by white supremacy. We stand against racism, bigotry and discrimination in...
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Back-To-School Tips for Your Ministry
Whether your ministry takes a break for the summer, reduces or rearranges its schedule, or is business as usual through the break, there’s no denying there is a change in energy that first...
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Back to School Big Focus: Begin With the End in Mind
As you enter the new school year, the energy and excitement within your ministry will begin to build. Students are back from vacation, getting into a regular routine, and pulling into your church...
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Youth Workers Respond in the Wake of Charlottesville
I have the privilege of sharing a little bit of life with a variety of incredible youth workers. They come from across the theological and denominational spectrums, ministering in a range of church and...
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Jump starting the Fall Season
We have all been there – those deadly moments where good ideas escape us and we are 30 minutes away from a meeting. Or those moments where the individual in charge of devotions doesn’t show up and...
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Barefoot Republic: A Conversation with Amy Grant, Tommy Rhodes, and Thomas Rose
Maina Mwuara and Sabrena Klausman sat down for a conversation with Amy Grant, Tommy Rhodes, and Thomas Rose about all the incredible work that Barefoot Republic is doing to build bridges and encourage...
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Taught VS. Caught: Saying More, Speaking Less
“What are you teaching, this week?” It is the question that students, parents and others ask us so very often. We study, plan and prepare to get ready for that moment when we stand up in front of our...
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I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now!
Starting out in youth ministry can be a very daunting journey, and sometimes we feel that we are not ready to take the reins of a youth ministry. This is serious business, after all, we are in the care...
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You Can Fake It
There’s a man who calls himself a doctor, but all he ever does is tell his patients to exercise a little more and eat a little healthier. He has memorable phrases like “More salads than donuts!” that...
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Don’t Forget the Basics
This is my first year coaching High School soccer. During our first practice, we started off with one of the most basic skills in all of soccer: dribbling the soccer ball. During an 80 minute High...
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Moonlight: 3 Thoughts About Youth Ministry
Ever since I was a young kid, movies captivated me. I vividly remember all the times I sat in the dimly lit theater with my bag of popcorn awaiting the lowering of the lights, excited for the story...
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What’s on Your Youth Ministry TO DO LIST?
In youth ministry, the start of a new school year brings lots of excitement to re-engage students with new program launches like small groups and leadership development or just starting up the weekly...
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Not Getting Your Way in Ministry
Maybe you are unlike me. Maybe you are never out of your comfort zone in ministry. Maybe your own personal preferences never get in the way of your decision-making. Maybe you never (internally) lose...
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7 Tips for an Incredible Fall Semester
Students have spent their entire summer waiting for school to be back in session. Ok, that statement isn’t true. Honestly, they are probably dreading school, structure, and homework. But the fall...
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Habsburgs: Building a Legacy in youth ministry
On my recent holiday to Austria, I had the chance to explore the history of the Habsburg empire. Although not always as famous as the French, Spanish or English monarchies, the Habsburgs managed to...
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Reflections on high school football
I have spent a career working with high school students in a variety of capacities: teacher, youth pastor, camp director- and now as a parent. For the past couple weeks, I have been following the story...
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