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Leading Students When Disaster Hits
Leading Students When A Disaster Hits a Community: Lessons Learned From the Louisiana Flood of 2016 On August 12, 2016, a storm with no name flooded south Louisiana. More than 500,000 people (11% of...
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FREEBIE: “Trump’s Evangelical Support Baffles Christian Author” Discussion...
In the News Washington, D.C.—Best-selling author Philip Yancey is shocked that followers of Jesus are supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, a man he says “stands against everything...
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Tensions in Programming: On-Ramps or the Highway?
You only have so much time with students every week. Should you give them an on-ramp… or take them to the highway? Should you begin a youth night with dodgeball or a discussion? Should you end your...
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You Are a Role Model (Even If You Say You Aren’t)
I have something in common with Charles Barkley. In a 1993 commercial for Nike, Charles famously uttered the words, “I’m not a role model,” and the push-back started immediately. “Of course Charles...
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FREEBIE: “No Need to Despair, Christians Advised” Discussion Starter
In the News Washington, D.C.—Christians who are discouraged and disillusioned by the 2016 presidential campaign are being reminded not to give up. In response to a New York Times article that...
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Best Youth Ministry Games from SYMC Pre-Show
Here are three easy-to-replicate games we played in the evening sessions at Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2016. These games are fun, funny, affordable, and are good for groups of any size. These are...
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Think Before You Post
Recently at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, I was challenged by many thoughts and exchanges. It’s funny how you can listen to a speaker or sit in a workshop and there is that one thing that worms...
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Funny Videos for Your Youth Group Gathering
Funny Videos for Youth Group If you ask the average church-goer to list adjectives that describe youth ministry, “fun” will almost always end up on their list. Or at least it should! Tons of research...
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Three Gifts You Can Give Your Ministry Volunteers
My wife, Rachel, doesn’t like to give me a Christmas list. (I’m sitting in Starbucks drinking some sort of holiday themed drink, which serves to remind me that Christmas is just around the corner!)...
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Unlocking the Invitation to Your Youth Ministry
We all want every kid in our community to feel welcome to make our youth ministry their home. Our doors are open and all are welcome. The love of Jesus extends to every teen. If we can reach even one...
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FREEBIE: “Addressing Your Future Self” Discussion Starter
In the News Ireland—A movement is underway to boost young people’s mental health by having them write positive letters to their future selves. ReachOut, a nonprofit group based in Ireland, began the...
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Two Hit Songs to Remove From Your Students’ Musical Diet
Two Hit Songs to Remove From Your Students’ Musical Diet An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com No, they’re not audio files from a porn video. Nor are they old clips from interviews with...
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FREEBIE: “Creepy Clowns Add Fright to Halloween” Discussion Starter
In the News Greenville, S.C.—Due to numerous sightings and threats by people dressed as scary clowns, many towns and school districts have banned clown costumes this Halloween. The creepy-clown craze,...
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Creative Ideas For Getting Students Into Scripture
When teenagers care more about preserving their cell phone battery than opening up the Bible app or spend more time reading Harry Potter than Scripture, it’s challenging to find creative ways to help...
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Re-Thinking Evangelism
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about evangelism, it’s that I have a lot to learn about evangelism… but not really. That sounds arrogant. Let me clarify. I recently took part in a rather intriguing...
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Three Checkpoints for Your First Year in Youth Ministry
This is my first year in youth ministry… I just jumped into a new youth ministry role… What should I do first? Three Checkpoints for Your First Year in Youth Ministry Your first year may be the most...
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What a Bike Robbery Taught Me About Ministry Burnout
Early one afternoon, I walked to throw something out in a back room, when I spotted him outside next to my bike. A large gentleman in his 50’s was doing something, and it hit me immediately, “He is...
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FREEBIE: “Long-Awaited Victory Brings Joy, Tears” Discussion Starter
In the News Chicago—The dramatic end of the sports world’s longest drought was bittersweet for many baseball fans this week. When the Chicago Bears clinched their first World Series title in 108 years,...
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‘Tis the Season for Time Together
Making Sure Tech Doesn’t Hijack Your Holidays An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com This holiday season, millions of teens will gather with their families around a turkey. And most of...
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FREEBIE: “Protesters Express Fear After Trump Victory” Discussion Starter
In the News Washington, D.C.—The election this week of business mogul Donald J. Trump as America’s 45th president left many people stunned and afraid. Although polls had predicted a victory for...
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