Getting it right, effective youth ministry teaching, the task of teaching the Bible is daunting when you think about it. Not only do you have to stand in front of people and present. You have to do so and get what God said right(!) even though everyone listening already has a preconceived notion about what […]
Beware of Ministry Pied Pipers… As the legend goes, the little town of Hamelin was overrun with rats. They tried as they could, but the town could not get rid of the rats, then came a pied piper, a man dressed in fun, colorful clothes and playing beautiful music. He claimed he could rid the […]
People all the time ask me “how do you define success?” or “how do I know I am being successful?” It fills blogs, books, and staff meetings. It is the make or break for many in youth ministry, and often is the difference between keeping or losing a job. Here are 4 keys ways to defined success for yourself and your ministry.
The cure to busyness in ministry is being selfish. “It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: “What are we busy about?”-Henry David Thoreau In my 20+ years in youth ministry, one thing is guaranteed every week: busyness. When I talk with youth leaders all over the country, I […]
Being Critical vs. Critical Thinking… As leaders in your church or ministry especially if you are the youth pastor maybe a struggle
Tired of the weekly question from your parents and students, “Is there anything special happening this week?” Now you can answer honestly… “EVERY WEEK IS SPECIAL!!” by actually making every week special, unique and fun. It is not that hard or expensive. Below are all REAL, “in-the-trenches” Youth Ministry Nights I have done or am currently doing! These are […]
Launching a Campus Ministry
A few years ago, while writing monthly top ten lists for Group Magazine, they asked me to come up with a list of things that youth pastors “settle for”? Here is what I came up with… 10. Mid-90’s 15-Passenger Van as Your Ministry Transportation. 9. $5 Little Caesar’s Pizzas as the Meal for Every Event. […]
Get Your Game Face On! What if the teens don’t like the game? What if the game is a flop? How can I get more game ideas? These questions are normal for anyone who has been working in the youth ministry for any amount of time. We want to focus on the most important thing, […]
Why Talk About Technology? If you are working in children’s ministry (Generation Alpha) or youth ministry (Generation Z), you are working with “Digital Natives.” Young people have never experienced a world without the internet, cell phones, and digital devices. We live in an advancing digital, technological age. The future is now, and it will just keep […]
