Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do

What do we do with the stuff we don't want to do? Everyone—whether grade school student, college student, first-time mom, mailman, telemarketer, professional athlete, CEO or youth pastor—from time to time ...

The Ministry of Solidarity

John was the first to arrive for the lock-in. I asked how he was, and he said he was fine. However, I could tell he wasn't OK. In the previous couple of weeks, he had received some very painful news re...

Five Ways to Save a Girl

Chloe* was one of the pillars of youth group USA; the kind of girl who draws you in and makes you actually glad to work more hours for less pay than 99 percent of your co-workers. Chloe rarely missed Wednes...

Failure to Thrive

There is a medical term related to children called “Failure to Thrive.” At least I think there is. I don’t know if you know this, but I’m not a doctor (though I promise I’m a youth pastor)!  I’ve ...

We Lost a Senior Higher

Whenever there is a change in church leadership, we face one of the difficult truths of youth ministry; the church inevitably “loses” their juniors and seniors.

7 Ways to use Evernote in Youth Ministry

At first glance Evernote is a pretty simple app. You can take notes, insert photos and even record audio but however you use this product you can find ways to be a bit more productive in your ministry.

Seek What God Wants

The programmatic model is focused on activity, particularly those that will attract youth. The missional approach is focused on ministry, continually asking, “What is our mission, and how do we follow it?”

3 Reasons Why My Parent’s Bible Bored Me

The Bible often lays dusty in our hands and in the hands of our kids (and parents), but it shouldn’t. My prayer is that it will come alive – come alive in our hands and in the next generation we serve.

Two Ways to Make Better Decisions

Hindsight is always full of wisdom. Looking back, we all have decisions we regret, choices that didn't work out so well. And let’s face it: in youth ministry, we are bombarded with choices, constantly have ...

Don’t Skip the Game

Many youth groups have a simple formula for their meetings: game + lesson, with the occasional pizza order or lock-in. It’s a centuries old formula dating back to youth ministries out of Ancient Mesopotamia...