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Jen Bradbury
Aug 03 · 5 min read

The fantasy youth ministry candidate

Popular youth ministry author and speaker, Doug Franklin, who I greatly respect, recently posted this on social media:

I often get calls from churches seeking great youth ministry candidates for their open positions. They are all looking for the...

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#breastfeeding #marriage #motherhood #parenting #Missions #youth ministry

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
Apr 19 · 5 min read

What it means to be a Bradbury

I first met Grandpa Elmer when I was 19. After a summer apart from each other, my then boyfriend, Doug, invited me to join him for Perry Pioneer Days - a local festival that included a parade that he and his Grandpa always walked in.

As clowns.

...

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#identity #story #church #marriage #culture of welcome

Jen Bradbury
Feb 23 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Pandemic Babies

NBC news has recently been airing a series of reports about the mental health toll of the pandemic on young people. As a youth pastor, I’m well aware of these. I’ve seen the toll this pandemic has taken on the young people in my ministry. I’ve...

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#youth pastor #children #Pandemic #marriage #parenting #books

Jen Bradbury
Jan 15 · 5 min read

The story behind CALLED

Two and a half years ago, I transitioned out of a 10-year call that I loved.

The decision to leave was NOT an easy one. It’s one I struggled with a lot… And along the way, I did what I always do: I turned to books for guidance.

I dutifully read...

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#transitions #vocation #youth ministry #Called #books #The Youth Cartel #breastfeeding #maternity leave #Pandemic #death #baptism #church #marriage

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
Apr 07 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Excuse me, my privilege is showing

During these days of COVID-19 quarantine, I've once again become aware of just how privileged I am. 

I'm aware of my privilege when I watch the nightly news and I'm struck by the disproportionate number of African Americans who have died from...

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#Pandemic #privilege #racism #church #marriage #children's ministry #children #grief

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
Jul 24 · 5 min read

Review: Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom

Filed in Book Review

I’m currently writing a part of a book called Four Views on Talking to Teenagers about Sex for The Youth Cartel (It'll be available in January, 2019). As part of my preparation for this, I’ve been reading all I can about sex… from as many...

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#church #The Youth Cartel #sex #youth worker #youth pastor #marriage #books

Jen Bradbury
Apr 21 · 5 min read

Review: The Gift of Hard Things by Mark Yaconelli

Filed in Book Review

The Yaconelli name is a familiar one to those in youth ministry. Mike Yaconelli was one of the founders of Youth Specialties and a legend in the youth ministry world. His son, Mark, is also a recognized figure in the youth ministry world.

One of...

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#story #burnout #joy #marriage #parenting #books

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Tags

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

Latest Posts

  • The fantasy youth ministry candidate
  • How do you not hate them?
  • What it means to be a Bradbury
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Pandemic Babies
  • The story behind CALLED
  • The outsourcing of faith formation
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Excuse me, my privilege is showing
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Grief
  • Review: Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom
  • Review: The Gift of Hard Things by Mark Yaconelli

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