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Jen Bradbury
Dec 14 · 5 min read

The outsourcing of faith formation

I am extraordinarily thankful for the work I get to do with young people.

Even so, I wholeheartedly believe that the primary spiritual influencer in a young person’s life is their parents. As Kenda Creasy Dean says in Almost Christian, “When it...

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#Missions #faith formation #youth ministry #parents #parenting #communication #marriage #children

Jen Bradbury
Jul 13 · 5 min read

17 Keys to Making Virtual VBS a Success

In late April and early May, my VBS leaders and I began wrestling with what to do with VBS this year. We felt skeptical that things would be open enough for us to offer in-person VBS. We felt even more skeptical that people would come if we did...

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#children's ministry #Leaders #Teaching #Jesus #scripture #Intergenerational #communication #Pandemic

Jen Bradbury
Apr 11 · 5 min read

Using communication to create ministry champions

My congregation is led by a team of lay-leaders called our Congregational Council, a group similar in function to a board of elders. When I was first hired nearly nine years ago, I was asked to write a monthly report to keep the council informed...

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#church #youth ministry management #communication #leadership #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Aug 05 · 5 min read

7 tips for dealing with spaceship parents

A few weeks ago, we looked at 3 types of parents that you'll work with as a youth pastor. Today, we'll continue looking at strategies for dealing with each type of parent. Here are 7 strategies for working with spaceship parents – those who are...

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#parents #discussion #communication #youth ministry #worship

Jen Bradbury
Jul 30 · 5 min read

7 tips for dealing with airplane parents

A few weeks ago, we looked at 3 types of parents that you'll work with as a youth pastor. Today, we'll continue looking at strategies for dealing with each type of parent. Here are 7 strategies for working with airplane parents, those parents who...

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#parents #youth ministry management #communication #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Apr 22 · 5 min read

Student Leadership Team Basics: Blogging

In addition to requiring student leaders to read, another way I train and equip students for leadership and in particular, for creating a culture of welcome is through blogging. Blogging forces teens to intentionally think about their faith...

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#accountability #scripture #student leadership #communication #youth ministry #faith formation

Jen Bradbury
Mar 11 · 5 min read

Student Leadership Team Basics: Covenants

Clear communication greatly contributes to effective ministry, especially when you're dealing with your ministry's leaders. When it comes to student leadership teams, one thing that can aid in this process is establishing a covenant.

A covenant is...

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#church #student leadership #communication #Jesus #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Feb 19 · 5 min read

Write So They Know You Exist

A few years ago, I conducted a thorough assessment of my youth ministry. As part of this, I surveyed students, interviewed them, and conducted focus groups for parents of former, current, and future students.

One of the findings that most...

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#evaluation #communication #writing #youth ministry

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Latest Posts

  • The outsourcing of faith formation
  • 17 Keys to Making Virtual VBS a Success
  • Using communication to create ministry champions
  • 7 tips for dealing with spaceship parents
  • 7 tips for dealing with airplane parents
  • Student Leadership Team Basics: Blogging
  • Student Leadership Team Basics: Covenants
  • Write So They Know You Exist

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