I hear the lament often, or a version of it: “My Senior Pastor doesn’t support our ministry; I never get any of his/her time.” I understand where that statement is coming from, the feelings associated with it, and the frustration behind it. But every coin has two sides. Let me take a few minutes to [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
3 Reasons Why It’s Good Your Senior Pastor Never Thinks About You
↧
↧
Parody Accounts = Parody Reactions?
Twitter is full of parody accounts, including those that only those who work or serve in a church may fully appreciate. For example, here’s “The Deacon.” Or if you like your deacons a little more “surly,” try the “Surly Deacon.” There are those who represent the grumbling we hear from the congregation, such as the [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
How To Focus…
So, I was doing sermon prep today and started browsing twitter. Why browse Twitter? Do I get great sermon illustrations there? Have I locked into a hub of Bible knowledge help there? Nope.. I got distracted. In my distraction I found this infographic about being distracted on my Twitter wondering. Did it help me get [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
When You Live With A JH Youth Group…
One of my favorite twitter hash-tags to use is #ilivewithayouthgroup. Like the time that my son told me he decided his nickname should be “Thunder,” or the other day when my daughter decided to have an in depth conversation on how often the average person poops in any given week. I have 3 kids at [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
5.5 Ways to Really Connect With Others At Work
Hey Insiders! Brooklyn Lindsey has written up a little reverse list of how to connect with people in your workplace. Whether you work in a church office or a high-rise, this short but sweet post can help you to build relationships with co-workers you see everyday! BY BROOKLYN LINDSEY THE *SMH APPROACH 1. Be so busy that any request [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
ATTENTION YOUTH WORKERS! WE NEED ALL AGES!
Two days ago I interviewed a 75 year old man to come and work with our students. In his lifetime he has been a missionary in Japan, a suburban High School teacher, a substitute teacher in an urban school, and a woodworker. His first language was German, and he waxes the ends of his [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Multi-site Youth Ministry Raises Multiple Questions
It appears that the multi-campus strategy for church growth is here to stay…for a while, anyway. And regardless of how you might feel about it, if your church decides to launch a new campus or two or three, you will quickly find yourself trying to figure out what that looks like in your youth ministry [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Scouting for Alternatives
You probably have an opinion about this. According to NBC News, a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts of America has started in response to BSA voting to drop its ban on gay youth earlier this year. The new organization – Trail Life USA – has the support of more than 1,200 former Scout [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
How Christian Org’s SHOULD Fire People
I don’t care what you call it: “Asked to resign,” “not renewing your contract,” “not invited back,” “you no longer fit our needs.” You can dress it up with ruffles and lipstick, but if its on a pig – its still a pig. Whatever the church or organization names it – it still FEELS like [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Take This Suggestion And…
Hey y’all! We have a great post from Tim and Tasha Levert on suggestion boxes and learning how to love the complainers in our lives. Read on, Insiders! BY TIM & TASHA LEVERT A few months ago, we got an email from a complaining parent. Shocking, we know. It’s funny how an email like that can [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Top Articles of the Week
Howdy friends! Take a look at the Top 3 Articles from this week! We encourage you to check out all of our articles and awesome authors, but here are the highlights this week from Kurt Johnston, Brooklyn Lindsey, and Tony Myles. 1. 3 Reasons It’s Good that Your Senior Pastor Doesn’t Think About You [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Flood Update from Group Publishing!
Hey Insiders! Many of you have heard about the floods moving through northern Colorado right now. Group Publishing, headquarters of Simply Youth Ministry and Group Mission Trips, is right at the heart of this. Our building is currently in good shape and out of danger, but many homes, businesses and families all around us are in danger. Major roads [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
The Profane Jesus
Good morning Simply Insiders, Rick Lawrence is up to bat with his latest devotional for y’all. Trust me, it’s as interesting as the title sounds! Read on and be challenged and encouraged. BY RICK LAWRENCE Yesterday I picked up my daughter and her best friend from their first-ever Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting—they’re both high [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Colorado Flood Recovery Update!
Hey Insiders! Thank you for praying and sharing with your communities about the floods here in Colorado. Here is an update on the situation since Friday’s post… The rain continued throughout the weekend. National Guard helicopters flew back and forth bringing relief to those stranded in their homes due to roads and bridges being closed or [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
I got married for the wrong reasons, but…
Looking back over the last 14 years, I’ve realized I got married for the wrong reasons. Well, not entirely, but let me briefly explain. I was attracted to my wife and thought she was a good fit for me and thought she’d be a great mom…and I really enjoyed being around her. Not bad things, [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Balance is a Myth
Most of you have bought a lie. You’ve been sold beachfront property in Idaho and now wonder why you’re frustrated. Many of you reading this article are in your 20’s and have listened to and bought into an approach to life and ministry presented by men and women who aren’t like you—people in their 40’s [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Yet Another Gay Post… But Not Really
Can we try it again? Last week we had a great dialogue on the topic of gay youth, the Boy Scouts of America.and a new alternative called Trail Life USA. The ground rules were simple - “Let’s see if we can keep this respectable and God-honoring. Remember, the eternities of students are on the line.” [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Growing Up A Girl: True Story
I hear weekly from preteen and teen girls what they believe is “wrong” with them. Their teeth are too yellow. Their hair is too straight or curly. They are too short or tall, chubby or skinny, busty or flat chested. They are in a constant state of trying to look “right” so they can [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Rockstar Graphic Designer Wanted!
Calling all Simply Insiders! Do you know any killer graphic designers that are looking for full-time work? Simply Youth Ministry is looking to hire a new Senior Graphic Designer who can create original designs to help us market resources and communicate with you guys!! Below is the URL to the job description, title and description [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Slow Down and See Kids Like Tyler
Hey Insiders, We have a moving story for you today from Neely McQueen. There is something to learn for all of us here about slowing down and SEEING people. What can you take away as a lesson from Tyler’s story? By NEELY MCQUEEN My husband is a missions pastor at our church, and his office is about [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
