MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP MISTAKES AND MISSES, For 10-15 years, I chose to run my own camps for my groups and/or decided to run missions trips in place of summer camp. In my last two churches, we have rented out camps, hired outside speakers and musicians, and ran most of the programming and activities ourselves. In […]
INCLUDING PARENTS IN SUMMER TRIPS, Summer trips (camps, conferences, missions trips…) can be a massive moment in the life of children and teens to create memories that last a lifetime. In many ways, it is a rite of passage. Even if the location is not that far away, it may be the first extended time away from […]
The Summer Youth Ministry Battle… If your church is like ours, and most that I talk to are, summertime is the ever-constant battle..
Ten Youth Ministry Mistakes… People always ask me what I would tell my younger self, starting out in youth ministry. What are the mistakes that you made that you wish someone would have told you about during your first year in youth ministry? The other question I get is what I observe as the big […]
The Youth Pastor Box and Bag: For years, I have created two things that have rescued my trips over and over again! Whether it be summer camp, a mission trip, or a short retreat, These two things have been my essential resource for close to 30 years. These are the “in-the-trenches” and […]
Ten Youth Group Bus Games for your upcoming summer trips and other amazing moments you are stuck in a bus trying to kill time, beyond everyone on the phone or sleeping. The first set of ten FREE youth group favorites of my students from over the years. These are simple, low, or no-prep games that […]
June Hilarious Youth Ministry Holidays. A collection of fun ways to make every week special for your youth group this month! June 1st: National Dare Day. Perfect day for crazy youth ministry challenges and games!? June 5th: National Frozen Yogurt Day: Take the group out for Frozen Yogurt and Celebrate. June 8th: Best Friends Day: Perfect invite a […]
Successful Big Parent Meetings- Parent meetings can be intimidating but they do not have to be. So many youth leaders/pastor dread these meetings, as moments where they are put on the spot, questioned, or even feel like they are being critiqued. Often younger leaders feel threatened, put-down, or disrespected as they walk away from […]
Why Join a Local Network of Youth Pastors and Leaders? We are wrapping up our Chicago Area Youth Workers Hub Group for this school year. I have partnered with groups like National Network for most of my 30ish years of youth ministry. I believe that we are “BETTER TOGETHER” and that we survive as a […]
What is holding your ministry back? What are things that might be keeping you and your ministry from God’s best and blessing? Working beside and for various leaders has continued to give me reflections and insights on leadership- negative and positive. There are particular things I have personally witnessed working at a variety of churches. […]
