Category: youth ministry
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Retreating
A couple weeks back I wrote about our free retreat. I just got back. It was a quick, but profitable time. I’m more convinced than ever that when you are good news first, not only will the Good News be received, but the news of Good News will spread like wild fire as a result.…
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Choosing a new identity for youth ministry
Disorganized. Uncommitted. Unreliable. Unprepared. Unprofessional. Immature. Hot-headed. Last in, first out. One-dimensional. Sloppy. Youth pastors are disposable. These are the words used to describe our profession by outsiders. Youth ministry needs a makeover. While that makeover may need to include some changes in strategy this is really a makeover of something far more important than…
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One year later
A year ago today the sale of Youth Specialties from Zondervan to YouthWorks became official. On December 16th, 2009 I was on burning bush patrol. My prayer for wisdom was simple: “God, make it clear what I’m supposed to do.” As I went to the office that day– I was almost giddy to see the day…
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Beg, Borrow, and Steal our Retreat!
That’s the goal of our high school ministries Winter retreat. I’m not talking about a cash neutral event to the youth budget. I’m talking about… we’ve got no money so we need to do this retreat for free. We don’t have budget money and our students literally have no cash to offset expenses. Here’s what…
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The Emotionally Healthy Youth Pastor
For the past 2.5 years my job has shifted from being a youth pastor to being a cheerleader, encourager, and fan of youth workers around the country. And, not surprisingly, I’ve bumped into a lot of youth workers with a shared story. Careers flopping. Getting fired. Financial struggles. And marriages crumbing. As you’d expect during…
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My Kids Aren’t Your Target Audience
Imagine the freedom of hearing this one phrase. A parent affirming a youth pastor by saying, “My kids aren’t your target audience. Reach the lost.” What would happen if parents stepped into their role and discipled their teenage children, and at the same time affirmed the church’s youth pastor by saying, “My kids aren’t your…
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Firework by Katy Perry
Gosh, I really love the message of this video. I want to encourage youth workers to watch this video twice. Watch it the first time with your adult glasses on. Get annoyed that there are fireworks shooting out of her chest or two boys kissing or even that a girl strips down and jumps in…
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Fact: Brian Berry Hates Boobies
It is true. Journey Community Church senior high pastor and NYWC presenter, Brian Berry, hates boobies. At least, I know for a fact he hates the “I love boobies” bracelets which are all the rage these days with high school students. I’ve heard his rant about them a few times in person, so I was…
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Second Fiddle
Last night, a co-worker posted a link on Facebook to a Mint.com blog post called, “Top 10 Things That Determine Happiness.” That post resonated with me because a lot of people in my life are unhappy because they don’t want to be happy. They seem to have a co-dependency with angst. And they tend to…