Though no is a short word, many people in ministry find it difficult to say. Saying no is an important aspect of dealing with stress and preventing burnout, as we see from this conversation with Greg Cootsona, ...

So, does your life seem busy and hectic? Well, we have news for you. Many of today’s mid-adolescents are busier, and they’re not enjoying it any more than you are!The Reality of Their LivesAs David ...

Youth workers are intimately acquainted with stress. After all, our jobs are about people; and people cause stress, especially when their problems and crises become ours. Though all of us live with constant str...

Most people reading this recently enjoyed the holidays and maybe even a few days away from work.So, does that mean all of us are rested and relaxed? Probably not. Stress is a problem that follows us into holida...

The future of the church is five people sipping lattes while studying a copy of the Purpose Driven something or other. In 15 years, present trends continuing, the church in America will be half of what it is....

The word fellowship just sounds old. For the “35 and over” crowd—an increasing demographic among youth ministry vets—it conjures up the sights and smells of a potluck dinner. Google &#...

My high school history teacher used to say, “Every four years, we have an election, whether we need one or not.”So whether we needed it or not, the 2008 election is behind us; later this month, we w...

As soon as children can hold a crayon, an adult in their lives usually teaches them to color inside the lines. The free-thinking child scribbles anywhere; while the child who wishes to please colors a picture w...

We felt like we were stuck in a rut. We had our usual weekly youth meetings, which are a must; and we always try to provide some special trips during the year, such as a winter skiing retreat to Lake Placid or ...

I’m going to do something foolish and write about a spiritual practice I’ve only just begun: the practice of silence and solitude. Because I’m a novice, I barely know what I’m talking ab...