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Jen Bradbury
Mar 16 · 5 min read

How do you not hate them?

I preached on March 5, when the lectionary text of the day was John 3:1-17. This passage includes the beloved (or despised, depending on who you are) John 3:16.

As part of my sermon, I talked about how while I was in college, my friends from the...

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#Women #ecumenical #justice #baptism #privilege #marriage #worship

Jen Bradbury
Aug 11 · 5 min read

Jesus & justice

Is it easier to bring Jesus to the progressives or social justice to the evangelicals?

This is the question I’ve spent most of my professional life wondering, as I’ve alternated between evangelical and progressive settings, respecting both for...

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#Jesus #ecumenical #justice #church #worship #culture of welcome #hospitality #communion

Jen Bradbury
Feb 10 · 5 min read

Review: Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha

Filed in Book Review

I'm a Lutheran Youth Pastor who, until now, could count on one hand the things I knew about Martin Luther, a key player in the Reformation and the person for whom my tradition is named. 

1. He believed in the importance of Scripture alone.
...

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#grace #ecumenical #church #scripture #marriage #parenting #books

Jen Bradbury
Apr 14 · 5 min read

Review: Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans

Filed in Book Review and Book Review

Searching For Sunday

I used to believe there was such a thing as a perfect church. Then I became a youth pastor and started working for the church. I quickly realized just how imperfect the church is.

Of course, this shouldn't be surprising. The church is made of...

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#books #church #hope #scripture #Community #ecumenical #grace #Jesus

Jen Bradbury
Feb 17 · 5 min read

Is a master's degree worth it?

Yesterday, this question popped up in a youth ministry forum I'm a part of:

Do you believe that a Master's Degree is worth it (professionally and economically) for youth pastors? Do the Pros outweigh the Cons? More education is always positive,...

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#youth ministry #education #Huntington #mentor #conferences #counseling #research #scripture #InterVarsity #The Youth Cartel #Jesus gap #ecumenical

Jen Bradbury
Jul 19 · 5 min read

I am a Spiritual Misfit

I Am A Spiritual Misfit

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of speaking at The Progressive Youth Ministry conference.

I went, genuinely excited not only to be sharing my research about what high school teens believe about Jesus, but also eager to try a new youth...

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#Jesus gap #ecumenical #justice #Jesus #youth ministry #books

Jen Bradbury
Jul 15 · 5 min read

Where's your allegiance?

Having attended a Lutheran grade school, a Catholic high school, and a Methodist church, I grew up with very ecumenical influences. Even so, as an 18-year-old heading off to college, I considered myself to be Methodist. So upon going to college, I...

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#ecumenical #Sticky faith #InterVarsity #church #Jesus #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jul 03 · 5 min read

Our limitless God

Last week, I led our youth ministry's junior high and high school mission trip to Milwaukee. While there, we served at a warehouse in the inner city called Adullam. The warehouse is located very near what police have deemed to be the worst...

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#ecumenical #Prayer #Missions #processing #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
May 19 · 5 min read

Review: Youth Ministry in a Multifaith Society by Len Kageler

Filed in Book Review and Book Review

If you pick up my copy of Youth Ministry in a Multifaith Society by Len Kageler, you'll notice that nearly every page in the last three chapters is dog-eared. It's that good.

In this book, youth ministry researcher, professor, and practitioner,...

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#Jesus gap #ecumenical #research #Jesus #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Apr 18 · 5 min read

Spiritual Misfit Review & Giveaway

Filed in Book Review and Book Review

For many years, my husband and I led a small group we affectionately called the Palatine misfits. The group earned it's name because of where we met and who we were. Our group could not easily be categorized as singles, couples, or families....

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#ecumenical #Jesus #books #faith formation

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Latest Posts

  • How do you not hate them?
  • Jesus & justice
  • Review: Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha
  • Review: Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans
  • Is a master's degree worth it?
  • I am a Spiritual Misfit
  • Where's your allegiance?
  • Our limitless God
  • Review: Youth Ministry in a Multifaith Society by Len Kageler
  • Spiritual Misfit Review & Giveaway

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