Change the World
I’ll admit it. One of my weaknesses in life is reality TV. Most of it’s awful, brain-numbing material, yet, there’s something about it that I find highly entertaining. So I watch it, show after show, year after year. Such is the...
Archive for 2010
A Sacred Moment Amidst a Missed Opportunity
When I entered youth ministry, I naively thought that if I effectively ministered to the youth in my care than I would have done my job well. Yet, the longer I’ve been in youth ministry, the more convinced I’ve become that for better...
The Case Against the 22 Year Old Youth Worker
When I began my career as a professional youth worker, I was 22 years old and newly married. Both I, and my first church, viewed my age as an asset that would allow me to better relate to the youth I was ministering to.
Such a belief is neither...
Practicing Bad Theology
Tomorrow, my youth ministry will hold it’s largest fundraiser of the year, a Silent Auction, designed to raise money for our summer mission trip to Booneville, Arkansas.
In theory, it sounds like a great event – an event with the...
The Gleaner
My small group is currently reading the book, “Take This Bread” by Sara Miles. In this book, Miles describes her journey to begin a food pantry at her church in California. She also talks extensively about how she experiences communion...
The Extravaganza
I’ll admit it… Reluctantly.
When it comes to youth ministry, I’ve gotten a bit arrogant.
So last weekend, when I got to the “Extravaganza,” a conference put on by the ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network, and...
Trimming the Fat
Last week, I met with an adult leader who is stepping down from serving in my youth ministry.
I wholeheartedly believe that it should be difficult for an adult to start serving in youth ministry but easy for him to stop serving. For this reason, I...
To My Extroverted Classmate
Dear Extroverted Classmate -
Last week, I sat in class with you for three days and really enjoyed getting to know you, though I fear you left without really knowing me.
On our second day of class, Professor Gerali talked about how women use seven...
Relegating people to tasks
I’m a classic type A personality.
Most of the time this serves me quite well. Take, for example, the last two weeks when, in addition, to the holidays, travel, and working, I’ve also had an article and curriculum due, and I’ve...