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To See or Not To See: Leveraging Summer Movies
Summer movies. We often try to leverage them to reach students, but they come with as many liabilities as they do opportunities. Can I tell you a personal story? Years ago, I was watching our teens...
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Day Off Do’s and Don’ts
When I was asked to write a little post encouraging my youth worker friends to maximize their day off, I became a little anxious. Mostly because I don’t like reading stuff from people telling me how to...
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What Simply Youth Ministry Conference Means to Me
STRONGER! His Strength is my strength. Those are the words written on a card I received from Joani Schultz when I got home from the Simply Youth Ministry Conference (SYMC) in 2013. Every time I look at...
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ALL-ACCESS Giveaway to Simply Youth Ministry Conference!
ALL-ACCESS Giveaway to SYMC! Enter to win the ALL-ACCESS giveaway to Simply Youth Ministry Conference happening at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago on October 7-9, 2016! What’s included: Free SYMC...
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Helping Teens Manage Social Media
Living in the Online Village An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Everyone has an opinion about the influence these social media giants have...
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Helping Students Transition from Children’s Ministry to Youth Group
Last week I looked into the eyes of some very apprehensive 11-year-olds. It was their last Sunday in “KidzTown.” Even though we made a big deal about “graduating them” up to youth group, still some...
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You’re Making A Difference
Yo, so this weekend I got to support one of my small group guys as he shared his testimony in the adult service at church. It was a very proud moment for me. He is an awesome dude who loves Jesus with...
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Discussion Starter: Satan Clubs Launched as After-School Alternative
In the News Salem, Mass.— Citing a need to “counterbalance” extracurricular options at public schools, a group called the Satanic Temple is launching a nationwide After School Satan Club. It’s a...
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Rethinking Sacrificial Generosity on Mission Trips
Everyone wants to feel like they’re making a difference. The problem is not everyone wants to actually make a difference. I was reminded of this by the sacrificial generosity I’m seeing this week while...
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Following Up On Summertime Decisions
Summer is winding down. The students in your youth ministry are sadly putting away their beach towels and dusting off their school backpacks; they are about to trade their long days on the couch...
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ALL-ACCESS Giveaway to SYMC Ends TOMORROW!
Contest ends TOMORROW, August 12, 2016 at 11:59 pm (MDT). Don’t miss your chance to win the ALL-ACCESS giveaway to Simply Youth Ministry Conference happening at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago on...
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God Works During Forgettable Moments
They will remember camping under the stars. They will remember the day at the water park. They will remember staying up for 24 hours at the lock-in. These unforgettable moments in youth ministry build...
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Maximizing Time with Students Graduating Out of Student Ministry
Launching recent graduates out of student ministry can be a mixed bag of emotions. Some students have been rock stars in your ministry, and their absence leaves leadership gaps that will be difficult...
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Discussion Starter: U.S. Swimmer Blasts Foe for Doping
In the News Rio de Janeiro—After calling out a Russian rival who’d served a 16-month suspension for doping, U.S. swimmer Lilly King received both praise and criticism this week. The dustup started when...
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Release my grip: A Mother’s Prayer for College Drop-off
Originally posted by our friends at Soulfeed Lord have mercy—it’s the night before we take our son to college. This is his last night in the bed that he’s slept in for the past 18 years. Release me...
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The “Downside” of Mission Trips
“The Mission Trip High.” It’s addicting, isn’t it? It can cause us and our students to seek the same experience every year for the “Jesus feelies.” Meanwhile, there’s a whole lot of space in between...
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Olympic Lessons for Students
Usain Bolt is the first athlete to win the gold for the 100 meters at three different sets of Olympic games. By the time you read this there is a good chance he will have medaled again in another race....
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Discussion Starter: Gabby Douglas Deals With Social Media Criticism
In the News Rio de Janeiro—In addition to a disappointing showing at the Summer Olympics, U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas also faced harsh words online. People criticized her appearance, her stance during...
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How To Avoid Placing the Volunteer Round Peg in the Ministry Square Hole
Do you make it a habit of sitting down with potential volunteers and asking them questions…even uncomfortable ones? I once had a ‘Volunteer from Hell.’ Our ministry was growing logarithmically and I...
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Remember This When Relaunching/Revamping
Yo, Youth Ministry Nation, got a few things I want to share with you concerning what’s going on with me. The last 6 months have been pretty crazy. Let me start off by saying, one of the joys of...
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