Feeding Your Hungry Soul

I was reading through Arnold van Gennep's 1909 classic, The Rites of Passage, which argued that separation, transition and incorporation were three stages that mark the passage from childhood to adulthood and ...

Helping Parents Reclaim Beauty

I have three amazing children. I never knew how scary the world could be until I became a parent. When I was single or just married, the world was my playground and I had free reign in it. But something happens...

Using Social Media to Build Community

The parachurch ministry, Young Life, has a saying in regards to contact work. They say that in order to reach teens you need to “go where kids are”.  This may be hard for us to comprehend because many of ...

5 Ways to Get Out of a Youth Ministry Rut

Youth ministry may be more of a calling than a job, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get somewhat monotonous. When you keep doing your thing, year after year, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. You throw a k...

Preparing to Encounter God Through Advent

Advent is the season of waiting, the season of preparation, the season of nearly but not yet. We prepare the manger, but the Baby isn't here yet. The season of Advent, traditionally the four weeks prior to Chr...

Living Into Thankfulness

Ok, so I know that Thanksgiving is behind us. Still, there's plenty of things to be thankful for. This year, I'm thankful for... 1. The glimpses God gives you into the lives you've impacted. I love watching so...

Give Thanks

Stressed-out high schoolers, hyperactive junior highers, angry parents, a temperamental church van and leadership that wants to “have a talk.” For many ministries, it’s easy to get down in the dumps and, ...

Engaging Student Athletes

Last week I overheard another youth worker sharing his frustration about students constantly prioritizing their sports commitments over youth ministry events. I could relate. I have often found myself frustra...