LTYM: Small Group Leaders – (T)raining (L)eadership (C)are
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People Are Not A Target
Some leaders try to figure out what attracts younger people to a church…but it’s another thing to actually provide belonging for them. Let’s look at that from a little different perspective. Just getting two people from two different generations to sit in the same room at the same time does not mean they are connecting in meaningful and sustainable […]
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3 Incorrect Assumptions About Church Kids
For years now I have worked with primarily “unchurched” students. Honestly, I’ve gotten used to a group of students with no Biblical foundation or pre-conceived ideas about Christianity.Yet, I guess I always thought if more of my students had grown up in the church then it would be different. Then in the last two years […]
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What’s Working?
So… what’s working? Jesus gave us the Great Commision. We’ve been stumbling over ourselves since He did, trying to figure out how to be a movement when it’s a whole lot easier to build an organization. On one hand, we know what isn’t working. There’s the penetrating content from “Why Nobody Wants to Go to […]
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Analog Notebook (Classic)
I recently combined my affection for DIY and my love for writing by creating a few journals. I don’t care if people think these are Pinterest-y, or hipster, or lame…they are perfect for my needs and they were FREE (minus my time). Motivation: No iPad “notepad case” was affordable and thin (I own this and it is […]
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Facebook = Data Hog (Part 2: Android)
Yes, I also own an Android and Facebook is setting the video “Auto-play” on by default. If you own an Android here’s how you shut that off. Click Facebook>Menu>Video Auto-play>Off or Wi-fi only (note: the menu button is off the screen but on the phone) You can turn off Facebook Auto-play on a Windows […]
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Middle School Ministry Cohort…A Big Dose Of Awesomeness!
I’ve been watching, and admiring, the success of The Youth Cartel’s YMCP (Youth Ministry Coaching Program) from a distance for quite some time. And having talked to some men and women who have been part of it, I’m convinced it’s worth every penny of investment. So I was super excited when Marko asked me and […]
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It’s Okay to Use Curriculum
Our student ministry had Kurt Johnston teach for us this past month. “Jealous?” (I tried to write that in my best Jon Lovitz impersonation) TBH – that’s how “the kids” say “To be honest…” – we had Kurt “in house” via video. Our student ministry has been working through a DVD/discussion curriculum called “Smart Stuff.” It’s […]
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LTYM: Small Group Leader Training & Parent Expectations
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Should Small Churches Go to Big Conferences?
I’m in the midst of big youth conference season. REALLY happy to be able to serve small church youth ministries and uber-grateful that I’m invited to the conference table. In these next 7 days, I’ll head to teach at Youth Specialties’ National Youth Workers Convention. From there, I leave to spend time with the Simply […]
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Pet Peeves in Ministry Circles
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3 Ways To Get Students Connected
Ever had students show up to youth group, and they look like a deer caught in head lights? They know no one, and feel super awkward. We’ve definitely experienced this in our ministry, and especially with freshman. So we did a few things to help them out this year. Here they go: Freshman Frenzy - It’s […]
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What to Look for in a Youth Ministry Network
In my last post about whether small church youth workers should or shouldn’t go to big conference, one of the reasons TO go is an opportunity to connect to other youth workers. More directly, youth networks run a-plenty in visibility at conference crossroads whether formally (through sponsorships or booths) or informally (through notes tacked up […]
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Red Bull, Caffeine and Ministry
Anyone out there ever drank a Red Bull? Don’t worry – you don’t have to admit it to us. Admit it to them, though, and you get ten bucks through a class action suit… for real: http://energydrinksettlement.com/claim A lot has been written about the dangers of a “red bull” type of youth ministry. It would be […]
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LTYM: How To Grow Your Youth Ministry
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Worst scare video ever + $249 worth of youth ministry resources for $49.99!
BOO! Hey Simply Insiders! It’s October…so that means its time for the SPPPPOOOOOOKKKKKKYYYYY Awesome Bundle! Get all these great youth ministry resources for one Spooky Awesome price: Jesus Centered Youth Ministry – Physical Price $9.99 Simple Truth Bible – Physical Price $9.99 Pure Sex – Physical Price $29.99 The Volunteer’s Back Pocket Guide to Sex […]
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How To Be Entitled (Or Not)
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More Harm Than Good: Student Leadership
Have you ever asked yourself “am I doing more harm than good?” As broken people we have the ability to do more harm than good. It’s happened over and over throughout history. I believe that we should not feel bad about asking this question. Because this question promotes humility and demotes pride and arrogance. I’ve added it […]
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Teens are officially over Facebook
We said it about a year ago… Surveys of this type are, of course, a dime a dozen, and teen whims are as volatile as Twitter’s trending hashtags. That said, Piper Jaffray’s research is pretty thorough: It surveyed a national group of 7,200 students and accounted for variables like gender and household income. This is […]
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Honoring Creationism and Evolution?
How did the world come to be? You either have a quick response to this question, or find yourself a bit more pensive and contemplative about that questions these days. Students also seem to be stuck between what they’re hearing at church and what they’re finding at school or online. The question used to be […]
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