Today, more and more pastors—especially those serving in next-gen, discipleship, and family ministry roles—find themselves functioning less like shepherds and more like program managers. Our jobs have become a swirl of logistics, communication funnels, volunteer pipelines, branding, event architecture, risk management, and administrative oversight. The focus has drifted from..
CHUCK BUTLER has been in ministry since he was 18 years old, most of which was in student ministry in all sizes of churches, from very small to very large. Chuck realizes that he needs to fit into your ministry culture and vision and to be a part of your ministry’s overall journey when he […]
Measure Up: Student Discipleship Metrics- how to measure discipleship progress within a youth group and student ministry.
Inviting your senior pastor into youth ministry sends a powerful message—to students, parents, and the church as a whole.
If you’re a youth pastor looking for a high-quality overnight Christian camp in the Midwest of the U.S., this A–Z list highlights twelve standout options known for strong programming, solid lodging, great food service, and memorable outdoor experiences. Based on a combination of things: parent reviews, youth pastor recommendations, online ratings, and general reputation for 2025.
JOSHUA MCFANN is a passionate communicator of the Gospel who describes himself as “a friend to all and a stranger to none.” Joshua travels both locally and globally preaching the Gospel, equipping believers to share Jesus with their neighbors, and calling people to live fully focused on King Jesus and His Kingdom. He is earning his bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies at Trinity Bible College. Joshua serves with Forge, a ministry committed to raising up more Kingdom laborers.
Bored with the Bible? Helping the Next Generation Engage with God’s Word “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”— 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) As a youth pastor, I hear a lot of things—but two […]
Regular self-evaluation helps you grow as a communicator and shepherd. It’s not about perfection—it’s about faithfulness and progress.
If you’re a youth pastor looking for a high-quality overnight Christian camp in the Western U.S., this A–Z list highlights twelve standout options known for strong programming, solid lodging, great food service, and memorable outdoor experiences. Based on a combination of things: parent reviews, youth pastor recommendations, online ratings, and general reputation for 2025.
TRAVIS DEANS has been in full-time youth ministry since 1996 as a youth pastor, campus ministry director, and youth network coordinator. Through Travis’s role, he mentors youth workers, consults for churches, assists youth workers to collaborate through evangelistic outreaches, equips students to share their faith, shares strategies for students to form campus ministries in their schools, and organizes youth ministry conferences.
