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Jen Bradbury
Sep 23 · 5 min read

Why you should meet with teens in public places

My church is just a few blocks away from Panera, which serves as my second office. On occasion, we hold our staff meetings there. I also regularly meet with adult leaders and students there. I do so for many reasons. As a youth worker, I want to...

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#Leaders #church #youth ministry management #mentor #babies #youth ministry #discipleship

Jen Bradbury
Sep 16 · 5 min read

Student Leadership Basics: Announcing Your Team

In junior high, I was a member of my school's volleyball team.

I loved being part of the team. I even enjoyed playing volleyball. Here's the catch: I wasn't very good. I just happened to attend a school that was so small that in order to field a...

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#student leadership #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Sep 14 · 5 min read

Really just the same

Today, I'm linking up with Kate Motaung's Five Minute Friday. The rules: Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

This week's prompt: Same.

Five Minute Friday 4 300x300

You and I, we're different.

I was born in the United States. You...

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#refugee #war #babies #parenting

Jen Bradbury
Sep 11 · 5 min read

What to say (and not say) when someone miscarries

Since my husband and I have been very public about our experience with miscarriage, we're often asked by people, “What should I say to someone who's had a miscarriage?” Based on our experience, here are 5 things we recommend you avoid saying and 7...

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#hope #Prayer #youth pastor #enough #miscarriage #grief

Jen Bradbury
Sep 09 · 5 min read

How to teach teens empathy

It's easy, I think, for teens to pity people, to feel sorry for someone else. It's much harder for teens to cultivate and develop empathy, the ability to feel and understand another person's experience. This is true, I'm afraid, even for church...

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#student leadership #culture of welcome #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Sep 04 · 5 min read

Dead Syrian Boys

Dead Syrian Boy

Image Credit: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/02/shocking-image-of-drowned-syrian-boy-shows-tragic-plight-of-refugees

Like so many others, I wept when I saw the image of the dead Syrian boy on the news the other night. How can you...

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#refugee #Congo

Jen Bradbury
Sep 02 · 5 min read

Student Leadership Basics: Crafting Vision

You Belong

When they hear how much of a role my student leaders have in creating our ministry's vision, other youth workers often look at me as though I'm crazy. They wonder, Why would you entrust your teens with creating your vision?

To which I say, Why...

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#church #student leadership #youth ministry #books #discipleship

Jen Bradbury
Sep 01 · 5 min read

Recent Reads: Holy is the day by Carolyn Weber

Filed in Recent Reads

Holy Is The Day

What the book's about: In Holy is the Day, Carolyn Weber explores what it means to experience God's grace in the ordinariness of daily life, as well as in the extraordinariness of life's defining moments. 

Why I read this book: I heard...

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#grace #crucifixion #Jesus #books

Jen Bradbury
Aug 31 · 5 min read

Recent Reads: For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

Filed in Recent Reads

For The Love

What the book's about: For the Love is a collection of essays from Jen Hatmaker about topics including parenting and faith. 

Why I read this book: Ever since reading Seven, I've been a fan of Jen Hatmaker. Naturally, I was eager to get my...

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#vocation #Community #church #parenting #books

Jen Bradbury
Aug 28 · 5 min read

To my daughter on her baptism

Sweet Girl -

This is the week of your baptism, an event which is a big deal to your dad and I.

Baptism is a strange thing for us... Something we both have some baggage with.

Our parents had each of us baptized when we were babies. Me at your...

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#church #baptism #babies #mentor #Jesus #scripture #Prayer #justice #confirmation #Community #grace #worship #crucifixion #evangelism

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Latest Posts

  • Why you should meet with teens in public places
  • Student Leadership Basics: Announcing Your Team
  • Really just the same
  • What to say (and not say) when someone miscarries
  • How to teach teens empathy
  • Dead Syrian Boys
  • Student Leadership Basics: Crafting Vision
  • Recent Reads: Holy is the day by Carolyn Weber
  • Recent Reads: For the Love by Jen Hatmaker
  • To my daughter on her baptism

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