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Three Things I Found at Simply Youth Ministry Conference
Originally posted at The Cost, The Joy By my third year in youth ministry, everything seemed flat. My church was not Willow Creek, and I found myself and our ministry in two totally different places....
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Traditions: Keep or Toss?
Ten years ago my wife and I made the biggest transition in the history of our lives together. We moved from Michigan to California. My first thought when we started discussing it was, “You don’t move...
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Interacting with Students Outside of “Church”
Interacting With Students Outside of “Church” Several years ago our church built an amazing youth ministry facility; the type of place that should be a magnet to teenagers. And to be honest, we nailed...
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Discussion Starter: Orlando Massacre Leads to Calls for Love and Action
In the News Orlando, Fla.—After the country’s deadliest mass shooting, Americans are struggling with how to respond—and how to bring about change. Early Sunday, a gunman loyal to ISIS killed 49 people...
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Peer-to-Peer Mentoring: How to Set It Up
Read part one here: Peer-to-peer Mentoring: What is it? In 2005, I was serving in a church where my lead pastor, Kevin, said to me: “If we were a factory that made cars, how would we make cars?” It...
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Fight Against Desensitization to Tragedy
I remember like it was yesterday. I was sitting on my couch eating lunch watching TV. My wife was at work and I was at home. 9/11 had happened and it literally shook my world. Stopped my wife and I...
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Turning Hot Topics Into Deep Discipleship
It’s been another weird week, hasn’t it? I mean that in the most sensitive way possible. We have had one cultural event after another, not to mention within Christendom – each with its own ripples that...
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Can I Have a Phone?
“Can I Have a Phone?” Answering Every Kid’s Burning Question An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com Parents with kids understand the dilemma smartphones bring. On one hand, getting kids a...
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How to Send Apps For Encouragement
I spoke with a teen in our ministry today who needs a little encouragement. He is struggling through some typical teen/parent issues, issues that he needs to wrestle with and submit to. You can see...
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Three Questions to Re-brand Your Ministry
Three Questions to Re-brand Your Ministry When was the last time you “re-branded” your youth ministry? Or even just thought about whether or not your logo, name, or shirts reflect who you are as an...
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Simply Youth Ministry Conference: It’s All About Relationships
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for the Simply Youth Ministry Conference! If you haven’t ever been to Simply Youth Ministry Conference (SYMC), it’s exactly what you’d hope for in terms of...
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What’s the Feel of Your Youth Ministry?
What’s the feel of your youth ministry? Why does our ministry exist? If you’ve never asked yourself that question, you should. Knowing why you exist as a ministry will help you draft a mission/purpose...
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Discussion Starter: Pokemon Go Craze Sparks Movement, Mishaps
In the News Washington, D.C.—In what’s being called the future of gaming, Pokemon Go players are using smartphones to “capture” digital creatures at real-life locations. The free game uses augmented...
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See Parents Through New Eyes
I talked to a fellow youth worker this morning who made the comment, “I feel like I am so behind already in planning the coming school year.” Although it’s only July, before we know it students will...
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Reconciling the Lack of Reconciliation
It’s not getting better, is it? The elusiveness of racial reconciliation. Insurgent tensions with police officers. Mass shootings in public forums Terrorist attacks around the world. Isn’t this the...
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It Can’t Be Ministry As Usual
I’ve been thinking for the past three weeks about writing this post. My hope in writing it is to stir up those who are leading the next generation. You need to know that you’re not just leading...
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25 Truths About Parenting Teenagers I Learned From the Toddler Years
Originally posted by our friends on MyLifetree.com. The toddler and teenage years are separated by a decade of time I refer to as the “sweet season,” which gives a bit of respite between the two most...
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Is It Worth It? (Bose, iPad, Apple Watch)
When we look at the investment of cash in some tech items, we have to determine whether or not they’re worth the cost. I have purchased a lot of things that turned out to be worth it, but I have also...
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Before You Share Your Opinion
The world is a restless place these days. In the last few weeks we have experienced everything from unrest and tragedy in the world to a new app-based game. If anyone is like me, it isn’t even that we...
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Discussion Starter: Rapper Urges Christians to Address Racial Injustice
In the News Atlanta—As America tackles the tough problems of racial inequality and violence, rapper Lecrae wants fellow Christians to take action. The Grammy winner, an African American who survived a...
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