Blog

Archive for 2015

The earthquake in Nepal

In my adulthood, there have been a number of devastating natural disasters that have ravaged our world including the tsunami in Indonesia and the typhoons in the Philippines. Each time, I've watched the scant news coverage, stunned by the horrific...

The impact of 8th grade orientation

Like many other congregations, ours has struggled with transitioning 8th graders into our high school ministry after confirmation. Over the past several years, we've put a lot of time and energy into strengthening this transition process. To that...

The Rwandan Genocide - A different Holocaust

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.

As I've seen news coverage leading up to this day, I've been reminded that the Holocaust isn't the only holocaust that's happened in our world.

Even though the world said, “Never Again” after the Holocaust,...

The stripping of the altar, Jesus, & me

I am pregnant right now, heavily pregnant.

32 Weeks

My husband tells me I look beautiful and that he's in awe of what my body is doing. While I, too, am in awe of my what my body is doing, of the miracle inside me, as my pregnancy progresses, I've also...

Can you be a youth pastor & a mom?

32 Weeks

I'm at the stage of pregnancy where people no longer have to wonder whether or not I'm pregnant. At 32 weeks, this pregnancy is obvious. In fact, my new entertainment is watching my stomach move as the baby shifts.

As my pregnancy has grown...

The Final Frontier

Not long ago, popular Christian author Annie Downs tweeted “Sometimes it feels like youth ministry is the final frontier for women in leadership.”

A friend asked me what I thought of this. To be honest, I’m not sure I agree with Annie’s premise.

...

Do you skip Jesus?

Last week, my high school youth ministry finished it's discussion of Gospel Journey Maui by wrestling with the question, “Who is Jesus?” Because I've used this curriculum before, I searched my computer for our “Who is Jesus?” discussion from five...

Jen Bradbury on Youth Ministry

Jen serves as the Minister of Youth and Family at Atonement Lutheran Church in Barrington, Illinois. A veteran youth worker, Jen holds an MA in Youth Ministry Leadership from Huntington University. Jen is the author of The Jesus Gap: What Teens Actually Believe about Jesus (The Youth Cartel), The Real Jesus (The Youth Cartel), Unleashing the Hidden Potential of Your Student Leaders (Abingdon), and A Mission That Matters (Abingdon). Her writing has also appeared in YouthWorker Journal, Immerse, and The Christian Century. Jen is also the Assistant Director of Arbor Research Group where she has led many national studies. When not doing ministry or research, she and her husband, Doug, and daughter, Hope, can be found traveling and enjoying life together.

More about Jen

Jen's Books

Now Available!

A Mission That Matters: How To Do Short-Term Missions Without Long-Term Harm

Order Now

Now Available!

Unleashing the Hidden Potential of your Student Leaders

Order Now

The Real Jesus

Order Now

The Jesus Gap

What Teens Actually Believe About Jesus

Based on National Research

Order Now

Subscribe

Categories

Tags

Recent Posts

Archives