YMJen
Jen Bradbury on Youth Ministry
  • Home
  • Books
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Articles
Jen Bradbury
Apr 26 · 5 min read

10 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHETHER TO STAY OR GO

Note: I wrote this piece a while ago, in connection with my new book, Called. In the days since when it live, however, I have accepted a new job with Fuller Youth Institute and so am now (ironically) in the process of transitioning out of my role...

Read more

#vocation #conflict #parents #church #youth pastor #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Feb 08 · 5 min read

Review: How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk

Filed in Book Review

I’m an introverted youth pastor who has, for years, considered myself to be a pretty good listener. Sadly, I fear that I sometimes listen BETTER to other people’s kids than I do my own. Having recognized this in myself, I was excited to read Becky...

Read more

#books #introvert #youth pastor #parenting #children's ministry #children #Pandemic #conflict

Jen Bradbury
Jul 06 · 5 min read

When to Report Up

As a youth pastor, as much as you might like to be the one who’s in charge of your church, you’re not. Whether it’s another person in the youth ministry or an associate or senior / lead pastor, you’ve got a boss who directly supervises you.

One of...

Read more

#youth ministry #youth pastor #youth worker #church #Missions #Leaders #conflict #parents #youth ministry management

Jen Bradbury
Jun 27 · 5 min read

12 Things Students Need from Adult Leaders on Mission Trips

Filed in Missions

I've just returned from one mission trip and now my focus turns to the next one. This week is littered with several meetings related to our upcoming mission trip, one of which is our adult leader's meeting.

At this meeting, we'll cover logistics...

Read more

#youth ministry #Missions #Leaders #leadership #conflict #scripture #doubt #grace

Jen Bradbury
Apr 12 · 5 min read

Review: The Self-Aware Leader by Terry Linhart

Filed in Book Review

My work as a youth pastor requires me to lead. Together with my colleagues, we provide leadership for our entire congregation. More specifically, I lead teams of adult and student leaders. Together, we lead our congregation's youth ministry.

...

Read more

#student leadership #books #conflict #scripture #Leaders #leadership #youth worker #youth pastor

Jen Bradbury
Apr 01 · 5 min read

Student Leadership Team Basics: The interview

As part of my student leadership team application process, I interview every teen who applies to be part of our team. This part of the application process is not only valuable, but necessary. To that end, here are 8 reasons why you should include...

Read more

#conflict #student leadership #youth ministry #faith formation

Jen Bradbury
Feb 11 · 5 min read

No Cell Phones Allowed

No Cell Phones Sign K 4121

During last summer's international mission trip, I didn't allow participants to have cell phones. Throughout our time away, we did, however, blog.

Teens often joked at the irony of being totally disengaged from their cell phones and technology...

Read more

#Sabbath #conflict #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Nov 19 · 5 min read

Why'd you stay?

I've been in ministry at my church for seven years.

One thing I love about having been in the same context for a while is that alumni from my ministry are starting to serve with me as adult leaders.

One of those leaders was a senior my first year...

Read more

#longevity #conflict #Leaders #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Mar 20 · 5 min read

Dealing with the Crazies


Window

Recently, I had a window replaced. Consistently poor service left me disgruntled. After expressing my frustration to the installer, I received a call from the company’s district manager.

Still frustrated, I quickly rattled off a list of the...

Read more

#conflict #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Feb 04 · 5 min read

What I Wish I Would Have Done

In Mark Oestreicher's recent post, he wrestles with why so many youth workers are abused by their churches. After suggesting several reasons for this, he then turns the question on it's head and asks, “What if the reason so many youth workers are...

Read more

#conflict #affirmation #youth ministry

« 1 2 »

Tags

youth ministry books church Jesus parenting Missions scripture student leadership Leaders youth pastor babies Pandemic worship Prayer toddlers

Latest Posts

  • 10 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHETHER TO STAY OR GO
  • Review: How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk
  • When to Report Up
  • 12 Things Students Need from Adult Leaders on Mission Trips
  • Review: The Self-Aware Leader by Terry Linhart
  • Student Leadership Team Basics: The interview
  • No Cell Phones Allowed
  • Why'd you stay?
  • Dealing with the Crazies
  • What I Wish I Would Have Done

Copyright © 2025 YMJen