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Happy New Year | 2019 Is Here!
Happy New Year to all of our YS family! 2018 was a year of change and transition for YS (as perhaps with you all) so we are looking forward to 2019 in taking steps forward in ministry and direction...
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Organization Matters | Part 1
Youth Ministers did not answer the call to ministry because they are gifted in accounting, organizational management or event planning. Still, that is not an excuse to avoid learning and developing...
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Organization Matters | Part 2
Have you ever walked into your office or “youth closet” and had no idea where to find something? Well, I say this kindly, it is time to get organized! An unorganized space often leads to a wasteful...
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Organization Matters | Part 3
Youth ministers have a lot of information to process and organize. It is imperative that a youth minister, or any leader for that matter, process and organize information efficiently so they can...
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5 Youth Ministry Trends For 2019
Youth ministry swings have been fascinating to watch over the last 10 – 15 years. From big to small, from verbage to ideas, from organizations to people, there has been some flash in the pan concepts...
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8 Most Popular Books @ NYWC 2018
NYWC 2018 is passed but we are already looking forward to an amazing NYWC in Tampa, FL on November 21 – 24, 2019. A huge part of the experience is learning about new books and resources through Youth...
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The Most Important Resource (Besides Jesus)
I feel like I’m always on the lookout for the next resource. The next one that will help me more effectively put together a student leader team or lead that team beyond just having them do menial...
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Star Wars + Youth Ministry
There are many memorable quotes from the Star Wars movies. “May the Force be with you”, “No, I am your father” and “Never tell me the odds” are some of my favorite ones. Well, in the movie “The Last...
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Resource Review | SideKick by DYM
Do you ever find yourself wanting an assistant, intern, or more volunteers to help you? I know I have, as I realized early in ministry that there is always more work to be done. I will never arrive, so...
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3 New Things In 2019
Whether you love making New Year’s resolutions or despise them, we can probably all agree that the beginning of the year is a good time to evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re going, and not...
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CLEAR Work Week For Youth Workers
Growing up, I had a dog that enjoyed bursting through an open door and running free. Because it was often my brother or me that let her sneak out, it was our responsibility to run her down and bring...
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(Never Too Early) Summer Planning
Some youth groups keep the same programming through the summer months as they do in during the school year. If that’s you…well… wow. I honestly have no idea how you do it. I used to be borderline...
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When Being Cool is Not Cool
Being cool. Those words come out of our mouths or the mouths of our students often and in different forms. I wish I had that cool car, or those new sunglasses are cool, or I want the cool overalls...
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Note To My Younger Youth Worker Self (Part 2)
The High School end-of-year banquet had a rich tradition at one of the churches where I served as youth pastor. Students looked forward to this extravagant evening all through their high school years,...
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How the Enneagram has Helped My Leadership
If you are a ministry leader, odds are you have been curious on how to improve as a leader. Over the years I have listened to podcasts, read books, and confided in mentors to learn how to grow as a...
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5 Videos to Help Your Teaching Come Alive
There’s a reason why the movie theatre is recession proof. There’s a reason why production companies pay so much money for commercial trailers (Does Captain Marvel really not come out until March!)....
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3 Throwback Youth Ministry Games (That We Still Play)
Often in ministry we are looking for the next “big thing”. Whether it’s a new game, curriculum, devotion, videos, or app, we are always searching out new ideas that might help us connect and impact the...
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Resource Review | What Is The Gospel?
Students are asked many questions every day. These questions come up in conversations and involve schoolwork, pertain to activities with their friends, and even how to navigate family life. Students...
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The Best Family Connection I’ve Ever Made
“How could this happen in my own house?” “It feels like you’re pushing us out the door.” “I trusted you with my kid on your retreat, and you brought them back all banged up.” That’s quite a way to...
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Welcome New Youth Worker | Candid Conversations
I was hired ten days before running my first youth group as a “professional.” I had met only a few of the youth and none of the volunteers. All I knew was that a bunch of kids, and probably even a few...
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