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Jen Bradbury
May 07 · 5 min read

Church homes

In every church I’ve ever been on staff at, we've inevitably wrestled with the question, “Who belongs?”

Oh, we never say it like that.

Instead, we raise questions like, “Who is active here? Who worships here? Or who gives an offering here?”

We...

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#church #discipleship #worship #Jesus #hospitality #Youth Sunday #graduating seniors #confirmation #parents

Jen Bradbury
Apr 02 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Grief

Over the weekend, I had a pretty awful mental health day. I spent much of the weekend in tears. Since writing has always been how I've processed and made sense of the world, I decided to write about the experience. The simple act of writing did my...

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#death #graduating seniors #children #grief #Pandemic #marriage

Jen Bradbury
Jun 27 · 5 min read

Why you shouldn't build mission trips around seniors

There’s a fairly common perception in the youth ministry world that graduated seniors are a critical part of a mission trip and as such, should be honored accordingly during such a trip (with things like special anointings or opportunities just...

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#student leadership #graduating seniors #Missions #youth ministry #discipleship

Jen Bradbury
Mar 07 · 5 min read

To those who think youth group is no longer fun

I’ve lost track of the number of times in my career in youth ministry when a high school senior has confronted me because they don’t like the direction our ministry is going. This confrontation always comes after a transition – usually within the...

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#vocation #transitions #church #scripture #youth pastor #graduating seniors #Jesus

Jen Bradbury
Apr 25 · 5 min read

Recognizing Graduates with Prayer Books

Img 1962

This time of year, youth ministry discussion boards are filled with posts about what to get seniors for graduates. My ministry also gives gifts to graduating seniors: Prayer books.

I started this tradition several years ago. I solicited prayers...

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#Prayer #graduating seniors #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Dec 02 · 5 min read

The Problem with Hipster Christianity

Before my seniors leave for college, we spend a good deal of time talking about various campus ministries. Our hope is to encourage students to get involved in them (or in a church on their college campus).

As part of this ongoing conversation, I...

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#church #graduating seniors #Jesus #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
May 18 · 5 min read

Why I Don't Do End-Of-The-Year Parties

In my community, it's officially the end of the year. Schools get out in the next couple of weeks and it seems that between now and then, there's a steady onslaught of end-of-the-year festivities, including parties. In some instances, students...

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#youth ministry management #graduating seniors #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jul 15 · 5 min read

3 types of parents

The other day, I ran into a youth ministry graduate who's now coaching summer sports. His job brings him into lots of contact not just with his students (who range in age from 5 – 15), but their parents. As we talked, he began reflecting on his...

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#parents #graduating seniors #parenting #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Apr 30 · 5 min read

Recognizing Graduates: Senior Bios

My husband and I both grew up doing theater. In college, we even directed a show together. As part of that show, my husband introduced me to the concept of writing the actors' bios (the ones that appear in the program) for them – something that...

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#Sticky faith #Prayer #graduating seniors #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Mar 12 · 5 min read

In defense of Youth Sunday

Youth Sunday Readings

When I first interviewed for my current position, I remember asking the pastors, “How are youth involved in worship?”

Their answer to this question was important to me because I was coming from a non-denominational setting wherein we had a...

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#youth ministry #Youth Sunday #worship #faith formation #Jesus #Missions #graduating seniors #scripture #church #evangelism

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Latest Posts

  • Church homes
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Grief
  • Why you shouldn't build mission trips around seniors
  • To those who think youth group is no longer fun
  • Recognizing Graduates with Prayer Books
  • The Problem with Hipster Christianity
  • Why I Don't Do End-Of-The-Year Parties
  • 3 types of parents
  • Recognizing Graduates: Senior Bios
  • In defense of Youth Sunday

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