“A-Way” Style Youth Ministry Leadership… We lead people; that is what we do, but how? Is there “a way” that works? Here are three “a-ways” to leading better in your youth ministry. More often than not, the term “pastor” in our leadership role in youth ministry is interchangeable with words such as “leader,” “director,” or […]
City vs. Country Youth Ministry: I have done both in 27+ years, from the deep south, Louisiana to Amish Country Pennsylvania. I have worked with students just outside of Washinton DC and in the western suburbs of Chicago. Here is what I have figured out? So Far… 10. Street Racing? (souped-up cars VS. souped-up horse & […]
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 […]
Things Have to Change Post-Covid! Whether it is finally, truly over, is to be seen but it would seem like after exactly two years, we are emerging from Covid. Schools, restaurants, stores, and yes, the Church. Now as we come out of this as churches and youth ministry, it is time for us to […]
Mark 12:38-40: As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respected title in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.They devour widows’ houses and for a show make […]
Middle School Student Discipleship… You might think I’m joking or that this is a huge oxymoron. Either way, on behalf of middle school students everywhere, I’d like to ask you to pause and hear me out.
If you are anything like me, you got into ministry for the steady diet of greasy pizza and Mountain Dew. But, as the Bible tells us, we cannot live on pizza alone (I think that’s the King James version if you can’t find it in your Bible). Too often, we find our health is the […]
Yep, you read that right. I’m a pastor, and I’m encouraging you to shut down ministry. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not encouraging you to STAY shut down, but if you don’t shut down at some point, you’re setting yourself up for a spiritual desert. God never intended for you to keep going and going […]
I talked to a pastor not long ago about his recent hire of a youth leader for his church. He was so excited by the opportunity to have a “face” for his church’s youth ministry. He described the young man as “attractive” to young people and the kind of “look” and “style” that would be […]
What is holding your ministry back? What are things that might be keeping you and your ministry from God’s best and blessing? Here are 10 Things That Are Personally Holding Your Ministry Back… 10. Your Personal Pride (Prov. 16:18) 9. Your Personal Insecurities (Phil. 4:6-9) 8. Your Personal Purity (Titus 1:15) 7. Your Personal Preferences (John […]
