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 more than 27 years. These are the “in-the-trenches” and […]
Five Indoor Messy Games Tips- Messy Games are a staple of youth ministry, right up there with lock-ins and Mountain Dew. But does it mean we have to ditch the mess and sit quietly instead when the weather is uncooperative? No! Messy Games are huge, gross spectacles outside, but you can scale them to fit […]
Like many homes where adults choose to make the children the center of attention and decision making, there are ALSO many youth ministries and churches doing the SAME thing. Like homes that are consumed with making sure children are not bored or unhappy, we as youth ministries may also be unknowingly doing the same thing […]
We know that youth workers need tools that equip parents as the primary faith influencers at home. We also know how challenging it can be for parents to find the time to make discipleship a priority. Faith at Home Resources Based on our Discipleship Model, every Faith at Home starts with a fun, everyday activity […]
We know that youth workers need tools that equip parents as the primary faith influencers at home. We also know how challenging it can be for parents to find the time to make discipleship a priority. Faith at Home Resources Based on our Discipleship Model, every Faith at Home starts with a fun, everyday activity […]
Using Parents as Parents As Youth Leaders. Does the sound of that idea make you quake in your Vans? It doesn’t have to. Parent volunteers can be our allies, our trusted group of faithful, hard-working ministers whom we link arms with. There are many reasons why having parents as youth ministry volunteers is a good […]
HELP US, HELP YOU… WHILE I KNOW YOU ARE COMING TO THE END OF YOUR YEAR, I WANTED TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU, AS YOU HEAD INTO THE SUMMER AND PLAN FOR YOUR FALL! Every fall, right before we kick off our youth ministry year. I started with a couple of things. I always seek […]
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 […]
Parents Can Make Great Leaders. I’m going on record: parents have been some of my greatest youth ministry leaders. Yes, moms and dads, or “old people,” as my 20-somethings would say. They are my go-to volunteers. I love recruiting parents. I guess some could call me biased. After all, I’m a parent! I have two […]
ENGAGING MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN SMALL GROUPS IS SOMETIMES CHALLENGING; OTHER TIMES, IT MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE. She was awkwardly staring me down, like only a middle school girl with a little too much attitude could. We had dismissed into small groups a while ago. I had asked her a simple question, “Why aren’t you in your […]
