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School Shootings, Sandy Hook and Perspective in the Aftermath
According to NBC News, 173 kids under the age of 12-years old have been killed by guns since Sandy Hook. And yet… according to the mother of one Sandy Hook victim, “evil did not win.”...
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[Special Issue] My Daughter In a School Hallway With a Shooter
The 1999 Columbine shootings happened near my home in Denver, and in the aftermath I was invited into the community of first-responder youth workers, to come alongside them as a resource and a friend....
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3 Principles On Discipleship To Remember
I had the opportunity to give a few thoughts on discipleship to our small group leaders. So I thought I’d share them with you all. I’m a firm believer that small groups are messy and not as clear cut...
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[The Power of a Gift] Christmas is about Presents
There is a reason. It’s why people smile while wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, as if they don’t know they’re wearing an ugly Christmas sweater (even though we know they absolutely do). It’s why...
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A little (or a LOT) of inspiration
I just spent the last 20 minutes of my day watching this video. And, I must say, I don’t regret it one bit. I don’t think you will either. What were your reactions to the video? Would love to hear...
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Discussion Starter: ‘Affluenza’ Defense Keeps Teen Out of Jail
In The News Houston—Sixteen-year-old Ethan Couch, who killed four people and severely injured two others in a drunk driving crash, was sentenced to 10 years of probation but no jail time. The...
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FREE GAME! National Bubble Wrap Day Game
In celebration of a Brand New downloadable 10-game pack, Absurd Holiday Games, being available on SimplyYouthMinistry.com, we are giving you a FREE download of the National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day...
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[The Power of a Gift] The $1.95 Day-Changer
It finally happened to me. I had heard about the practice, and had even participated a few times myself. But I’d never actually been the recipient. As is my daily routine, I was in line at Starbucks...
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Reconnecting With Students During Holidays, Pt. 1
Working in a church where most of your students go away to college can be bring some unique aspects to ministry – especially over the holidays. And even if “most” don’t move away, those that leave will...
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Are you Having a Super Bowl® party?
You may have heard back in 2006, when my Chicago Bears we playing the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl®, that the NFL told Fall Creek Baptist Church they were in violation of trademark laws for...
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Small Churches: Christmas Eve Blunders!
Next week, my sister and I are singing with my mom’s little country church choir for their C.E. service. I’m excited about the opportunity. I’ve missed the chaotic “birth-giving process” of a Christmas...
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TOP 10 Reasons to Attend #SYMC 2014!
It’s Time to Register for Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2014 in Columbus, OH on March 7-10! Here are the Top 10 Reasons why: 10. Bumping into Youth Ministry legends! 9. Deep conversations with...
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“Wait, You are Going on a Mission Trip to Cuba?”
“You are going on a mission trip to Cuba?! I didn’t even know you could go to Cuba!” This is the exclamation, Patty Smith, Cuba Lifetree Adventure leader, usually gets when she tells people that she...
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[The Power of a Gift] The Best .Gif Of All
I’m not going to pretend that I understand the humor of the .gif. Most of the time, I just don’t get it. I’ve never been a fan of slapstick, so maybe that’s what I’m missing. But one thing I do know,...
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FREEBIE: Merry Christmas Slides!
Merry Christmas Simply Insiders! Have we told you guys that yet?! And for your Christmastime freebie, we’ve got some very Merry Christmas slides for you… Kinda like this one… JUST KIDDING! But we do...
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4 RESPONSES TO #SEXTING
Think back when you were a Jr. High or High School student. What would’ve been the equivalent to sexting? I’m guessing it would probably be flashing. The only difference between the two (besides the...
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Phil Robertson: Duck Calls and Sound-Bytes
Remember when everyone loved the Robertson family and Duck Dynasty? (You know, like six seconds ago?) The news is out, and apparently (hang on to your duck call) there is the possibility that the Bible...
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Reconnecting With Students During Holidays, Pt. 2
In the last post, I shared how coming back home for the holidays can be a relationally awkward time for college students. I also shared one idea for reconnecting with them: asking direct and specific...
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[CIY Guest Post] Do, Be, Go Be: Three Stages of Missional Thinking – PART 2 of 3
By Chris Roberts, with Aaron Molesky, director of CIY’s Engage In Part 1 of this 3-part series on missional thinking, Christ In Youth’s Senior Director of Engage Matt Gilchrist said that “every...
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My Thoughts on the Duck Controversy
I’m not sure why its all such a big deal. Sure, I have feelings about the subject, personal ones, but I thought I’d be able to get away with keeping them private. However, many of my colleagues are...
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