We are on the brink of Christmas, I mean almost minutes away from the big day. Many people keep asking me if we are “ready.” The answer is of course, “No.” I would love to be one of those amazing people who have been prepped..
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The post Show Parents They Matter This Christmas appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Every year Christmas rolls around and we are always thinking about what we should do. And what normally comes to mind is the same formula most churches in America takes. Christmas songs and a Christmas message. Of course, we have to throw a Christmas themed..
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The post Ideas For Christmas Youth Group Night appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Can I encourage you into this next year? It actually involves sharing how I was caught off guard this past month. There I was, sitting in a dark room by myself while weeping hot tears. A couple from our church had stopped by only moments earlier to surprise..
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The post You Are Not Alone appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
This message is from a former student who goes to a church where I onced served… Hey! I went to church yesterday and it made me wish you were still there! I hope you, Keri, and the kids are doing well! These 120 characters made my day...
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The post 160-Character Gift [FREE] appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Like many of you, I (Tim) have a lot of plates spinning in my life. But my primary calling, vocation, and passion is as a full-time youth pastor. As you consider what (if any) training events you’re able to join in 2016, I wanted to..
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The post Four Reasons Why You Should Join Us for SYMC 2016 appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
“Shoot for the moon, and you just might hit the street light!” I’m not sure where I first heard it, but that pithy little quote has served me well over the years. I think it’s a perfect reminder for all of us as we head..
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The post An Impossibly Large List of Youth Ministry Resolutions appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Top Youth Ministry Posts of 2015 Another great year flown by. Wow, we can’t believe we are wishing y’all a happy new year already. We are grateful for your faithfulness in loving students and pointing them to Jesus. Our goal is to serve you and..
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The post Top Youth Ministry Posts of 2015 appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
During the polar vortex 2 winters ago I realized (right before bed time) that I had to pull my car in the drive way so I didn’t get a ticket. I honestly considered calling the police and leaving my car on the street because it..
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The post Four Ways to Navigate Change In Ministry appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
In the News Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—Eighteen-year-old Ethan Couch, captured in Mexico after several weeks on the run, is now fighting extradition back to Texas. Meanwhile, his mom, Tonya, who had fled with him, has returned to the United States. In 2013, Couch used an “affluenza”..
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The post Discussion Starter: Captured ‘Affluenza’ Teen Fights Extradition appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
It’s here. 2016 is calling out to us. Every new year inspires us to be who God has created us to be in a more committed and faithful way. We all hope to rise above our failures and to enjoy even the smallest victories throughout..
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The post 3 Essential Youth Ministry Prayers appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Dear PK’s, I was you once. Well, I guess I still am, a ‘Preacher’s Kid’ even though my Dad went home to the Lord a few years back. I wanted to say “thank you.” Thank you for all the time you sacrificed with your mom..
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The post A Letter to the Pastor’s Kids appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
One of the most frustrating conversations I have with friends is the “You should quit ministry” conversation. Sure, there are days when I want to quit, more than I care to admit. You know those days. They are filled with church politics, angry parents, mess-ups,..
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The post When You Want to Quit Youth Ministry appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
“Have you seen The Force Awakens yet?” You’re probably used to hearing this question by now. Whether your students are die-hard Star Wars fanatics or stumbled into the hype about events from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, teenagers are talking..
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The post A No-Spoilers Star Wars Discussion Starter appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Youth Ministry 101: Let’s Talk About What We Should Talk About Pretend a junior higher comes to youth group every week without fail. In two years she will sit through about 100 lessons. A committed high schooler will get about 200. So the teenager who..
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The post Three Themes to Rotate Your Lessons Around appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
In the News Sinaloa, Mexico—Before being captured after months on the run, notorious drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman met with actor Sean Penn and apparently wanted to make a movie about his life. Guzman was arrested during a shootout last week, following his July..
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The post Discussion Starter: Actor Meets With Wanted Fugitive appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
We have to do better than this. We can do better than this! These two sentences formed in my mind and pulled at my heart as I watched students come in the door confused and ready to turn around and walk right back out the..
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The post Create a Welcoming Environment at Youth Group appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Confession: I don’t enjoy structure for the sake of structure. Thankfully, others came along and shared how the structure that helps some people grow spiritually doesn’t always work for others. One person explained, “Don’t let anyone impose their habits on you. The main goal is to nurture your..
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The post Your Anti-Plan for the New Year appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
I looked over the crowd of students as they stared at me blankly. My hope had been for a reaction filled with excitement and wonderment, and that overwhelming number of students would raise their hands when we asked who would want to sign up for a local..
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The post Motivate Students to Care About Your Community appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Group, a non-denominational Christian publisher, is partnering with Biblica to produce a New Testament Bible for youth. What will make this Bible unique is the editorial and visual elements featured in this Bible will be created by teenagers. We are looking for teenage artists to..
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The post Call for Art Submissions for Group Publishing’s Biblica Bible project appeared first on YouthMinistry.com.
Will You Be My Friend? The Benefits and Killers of BFF’s An article from David R. Smith at The Source for Youth Ministry Today’s teenagers have no shortage of influencers; celebrities, media, parents, technology, and a host of others vie for the attention of adolescents...
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