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Jen Bradbury
Dec 02 · 5 min read

Budgeting Basics: Crafting Your Budget Proposal

Once you've translated your dreams into numbers and figured out the various revenue streams you'll use to fund your ministry, the next step in the budget process is actually crafting your proposal.

Your budget proposal should contain two things:...

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#retreats #social events #youth ministry management #student leadership #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Oct 01 · 5 min read

Why I don't hold lock-ins and you shouldn't either

If you look in Webster's dictionary, I'm pretty sure lock-in is defined as a youth worker's hell.

OK, maybe not... But let's be honest, they're certainly not our favorite events, or at least, they're not the easiest events.

Maybe they're also not...

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#30 Hour Famine #retreats #cliques #social events #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Aug 27 · 5 min read

Can it really all be catch free?

In response to last week's post, “What's the Catch?”, Kyle asked a great question:

I love the catch-free scenarios that we can come up with. The only thing I struggle with is making that connection of a kickball game attender to something else...

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#small group #social events #youth ministry #worship

Jen Bradbury
Mar 17 · 5 min read

What youth workers can learn from McFarland USA

Mcfarland Usa

Over the weekend, I saw the movie McFarland, USA.

In so many ways, this is a youth ministry movie – a powerful example of the impact adults can have in the lives of teens.

In the movie, Mr. White – a teacher who's been laid off by several...

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#youth ministry #movies #music #Teaching #small group #social events #service projects #retreats #Missions #Leaders #faith formation #Jesus

Jen Bradbury
Dec 18 · 5 min read

A week in the life of a youth pastor

Earlier this year, this youth minister meme began showing up everywhere in social media:

Youth Pastor Meme

While it made me chuckle, I couldn't help but think, “This confusion is real.” People really don't understand what it is we do.

And this is true not just of...

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#youth ministry management #youth ministry #student leadership #Missions #social events #service projects #Leaders #books #retreats #Jesus

Jen Bradbury
Dec 17 · 5 min read

How to brainstorm with teens

Over the Christmas holiday, I've got an entire day blocked out in my schedule in order to figure out our ministry's spring calendar. The dates of our major events (like retreats) were announced months ago, but things like trip meetings and events...

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#service projects #social events #youth ministry management #student leadership #graduating seniors #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Sep 24 · 5 min read

How much should we invest in those who don't come?

My first year in ministry, I was haunted by a girl I never met.

Her name was Laura and she never attended anything.

She didn't come to our weekly youth ministry gatherings.

She didn't come to our special events – regardless of whether they were ...

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#justice #church #social events #evangelism #Missions #youth ministry

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Latest Posts

  • Budgeting Basics: Crafting Your Budget Proposal
  • Why I don't hold lock-ins and you shouldn't either
  • Can it really all be catch free?
  • What youth workers can learn from McFarland USA
  • A week in the life of a youth pastor
  • How to brainstorm with teens
  • How much should we invest in those who don't come?

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