Earlier this year, this youth minister meme began showing up everywhere in social media:
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...
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...
About four years ago, my student leaders suggested our youth ministry begin hosting book clubs. They wanted a time outside of our regular youth ministry gatherings to come together and discuss interesting books.
As someone who loves to read, I...
Over the past four weeks, my youth ministry has been experimenting with student led small groups.
Truth be told, this experiment was birthed out of a shortage of adult leaders. In an effort to keep the size of our small groups small, I invited...
This year in my youth ministry, I wanted to try utilizing student-led small groups.
Notice the operative word there: TRY.
In theory, I believe that student-led small groups are a good idea.
Yet, in reality, I feared they would prove disastrous.
...
In a recent blog post, Andy Blanks offers 20 ways to spruce up your Bible study. His suggestions are good and well worth a read.
That said, I struggled with one of them.
“Let students teach--Adapt your lesson so students are teaching each other,...
What the book's about: Speak by Nish Weiseth is about embracing, telling, and using your story to change the world.
Why I read this book: I'm a big fan of Deeper Story, the online storytelling community founded by Nish Weiseth....
Throughout the last week, I've been knee-deep in confirmation home visits. During these, I visit each soon-to-be-confirmed 9th grader in their home.
I used to do these visits myself.
A few years ago, I began bringing one of my student leaders...
During my youth ministry's mission trip to Milwaukee through Youth Works Missions, we spent time serving at Adullam. While there, we got to be part of Katie's Closet.
Katie's Closet is a thrift store that's open once a week. Community members...
During a recent mission trip, I asked various leaders to share their faith stories with everyone.
The first night, our youngest adult leader, who graduated from college just a few short weeks ago, shared hers. Without a doubt, it was powerful –...