My 17 year old is studying multiple languages and chemistry over summer break just to get a jump start, she thinks calculus is fun, and she reads complex literature in her spare time. The truth is that she’s really not that unusual. This is what today’s high school students do. And yet in youth ministry,…… Continue reading My Commitment to an Intellectually Stimulating Youth Ministry
Category: youth ministry
13 Thoughts on 13 Reasons Why
Like [apparently] everyone else I watched the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why last week. I actually started watching it a couple weeks back but stopped after the first episode, it just wasn’t for me. But I watched the other 12 episodes in two days as I was traveling to New Jersey. It was an intense…… Continue reading 13 Thoughts on 13 Reasons Why
Coaching Newer Youth Workers
Historically, youth ministry has always been a young adults game. For many their first foray into working on staff at a church/parachurch, or even a first real professional job of any kind, comes with a call to youth ministry. As I’ve gone to youth ministry conferences and youth pastor meet-ups over the years they always seem dominated…… Continue reading Coaching Newer Youth Workers
Why We Progress
Sometimes life gives you glimpses of cultural progress. I got one of them yesterday. In a Facebook group I’m part of a youth worker posted this question: Any suggestions on how to handle homosexual or bisexual relationships in the group. We have a new attendee that I want to be careful with teaching in love…… Continue reading Why We Progress
Pokémon Go and Your Youth Ministry
There’s a new fad that’s completely wholesome, brings people to church, and is 100% free. In that sense Pokémon Go is pure youth ministry gold. But, like the 1849 Gold Rush, you’ll need to act fast because it won’t last long. I don’t see Pokémon Go lasting in the mainstream for very long… but it’ll be…… Continue reading Pokémon Go and Your Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry as an Advocate for Vulnerable Children
Perfect. No really, perfect. With my sarcasm volume cranked up to 100% I say it again, “We had the perfect ending to a perfect school year.” How perfect was this school year? It was so perfect that we’re planning a bonfire at the beach this weekend where we will burn everything. And I mean that literally.…… Continue reading Youth Ministry as an Advocate for Vulnerable Children
I’m Still Here
It’s 2016. Duh. But I started on this journey in 1994. Whoa. How many people can say that they set out to join a profession at 17 that they are still in at 39? Not just ministry-types… adults, in general? Not that many. Looking back at it now I see three waypoints that have me…… Continue reading I’m Still Here
Where Are Our Heroes?
A youth worker from Arizona posted in a Facebook group: Do you any of you carry during youth events? Concealed or open? A shocking number of practicing ministers responded affirmatively. They carry a gun while working with teenagers. A minister of the Good News of Jesus Christ standing before his flock armed with a loaded…… Continue reading Where Are Our Heroes?
February 2016 – “Youth Pastor” in the News
Each month I publish a list of the search term “youth pastor” in Google News. Yes, this is an attack on youth ministry. Yes, this is personal. But it’s not me attacking us. It’s us attacking us. Our tribe destroys itself but while no self-change occurs. Collectively we devalue our profession in the eyes of…… Continue reading February 2016 – “Youth Pastor” in the News
January 2016 – Youth Pastors in the News
Here’s a list of headlines from the month of January 2016 for the Google News search term, “Youth Pastor.” I’ve deleted multiple links to the same instance. 1/7/16 – Youth pastor charged with sexually assaulting five underaged boys while working at Aliso Viejo church – OC Register (CA) Former Youth Pastor Caught With Underage Girl Behind Genghis Grill…… Continue reading January 2016 – Youth Pastors in the News