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Get Your 2015 Graduation Presents!
Time to Prepare for Grad Season! Check out the incredible deals, packages and products we have going on to help you get ready to send off your seniors meaningfully and memorably. Top Graduation Gift...
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On Those Days Students Tick You Off
I was talking, but they weren’t listening. From up front I could witness a laugh-fest in the back row, several students were obviously dozing, while others were just having a side conversation. My...
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Graduation Sunday: No New Ideas
Our graduation Sunday is quickly approaching. We have a celebration Sunday in our high school ministry and we want to make it great. Here are a few ideas that you are free to use…I did! The Board: I’m...
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Reaching Kids Experiencing Same-Sex Attraction
Reaching Kids Experiencing Same Sex Attraction An article from Jonathan McKee at TheSource4YM.com “We are confident in our theology concerning sexuality. We are equally confident that how we’ve...
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What You’re Overlooking: A Shrewd Lesson from David Letterman
I grew up watching David Letterman at night. That probably explains a lot about me. Admittedly, I haven’t watched Letterman in a while. I’ve been tuning back in due to his retirement (and yes, even was...
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Why Your Church Needs a Preteen Ministry
You are not a horse. While this may seem like fairly common knowledge (unless this blog post has found itself on some Planet of the Horses), sometimes we need to be reminded of the simplest of things....
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Graduation Sunday: No New Ideas
Our graduation Sunday is quickly approaching. We have a celebration Sunday in our high school ministry and we want to make it great. Here are a few ideas that you are free to use…I did! The Board: I’m...
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How to Teach Junior Highers Without Losing Your Mind
Junior highers are my people. For most of ministry career I’ve had the privilege (did I really just say junior high ministry is a PRIVILEGE?) of focusing exclusively on this age group, and even as my...
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Graphic Design Hacks: Live on Periscope
Click in tomorrow for another Youth Ministry Tech Talk (Tuesday, May 12). We will go live at 3:00pm Central time for 15 minutes revealing a few “Graphic Design Hacks” for youth workers and...
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Youth Ministry Moms
[Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form am I aiming to disrespect moms of our youth ministry kids with this post. But for real, I’m just say’n.] There’s these moms… Sorry I’m late! No, no, I don’t think...
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Words of Wisdom for Graduates
A few years ago, our goal was to have at least one of our adult staff or volunteers at every one of our graduates’ parties. As our number of high school seniors grew, this task became more and more...
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Your Struggle to Say Something Profound: A Short Perspective
Ned Nederlander. Franck. Jiminy Glick. These popular fictional characters were given life through the creative mind and talent of Martin Short. And then there’s Ed Grimley… Martin Short’s first...
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How to Teach Junior Highers Without Losing Your Mind, Part 2
Last week I had the joy to “preach” in our church’s weekly staff meeting. Somebody teaches every week; I hadn’t in a very long time. Afterwards, no fewer than a dozen people pulled me aside to share...
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Celebrating the Average Among Us
It’s that time of year again, school awards, sports awards, and more awards for teens. All of those who care about teens will sit in a chair for what will seem to be the longest hours of your life....
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Four Things You Need To Do Before Youth Camp
We love summer! No more alarm clocks, bonfires, and planned spontaneity! And if you’re a youth worker, we’re guessing you probably love it too. Our summer youth calendar is jam-packed with cool stuff...
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4 Ways to Take Time Off: Do You Need a Break?
I’m taking a week off from youth ministry. It’s not because I’m going on vacation. It’s not because I have too many things in my schedule. It’s not because I no longer love students. I’m just about...
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I Promise. They ARE Listening.
About six months ago I had this idea to put a fire under a group of apathetic students. I started teaching about injustice in the world and how God handles it. We discussed our responsibility alongside...
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LTYM: 1st Thing To Do When Planning Events
In this episode we give some thoughts and ideas on events. We would love to hear from you. So if you have a question email: talkyouthministry@gmail.com. Also, We are excited about Simply One Day youth...
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How to Teach Junior Highers without Losing Your Mind, Part 3
Teaching junior highers; I’m not sure a higher calling exists! Churches often make the mistake of seeing junior high ministry as a place for young, or spiritually immature, leaders to cut their teeth...
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Ranking Social Media Sites
Which Are Teens’ Favorites…and Why? An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com Some teens like to keep up with their friends on Facebook. Some like to shoot short clips for Vine. Others keep it...
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