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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 30 · 5 min read

5 Realities to Keep in Mind as you Plan for Summer 2021

As news of the vaccine began to spread and more and more people began taking it, like so many other youth workers, I began wondering what implications this would have for my summer ministry, which until now, has largely been on hold.

While my...

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#parents #student leadership #Pandemic #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Oct 02 · 5 min read

What teens need from their youth ministries right now

Yesterday, my student leaders and I were talking about a chapter from Bob Goff’s Everybody Always and wrestling with how we can spread hope & courage within our ministry – now, during a time when we’re meeting virtually, in a season when...

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#student leadership #books #hope #brave #Pandemic #youth ministry #scripture #church

Jen Bradbury
Sep 01 · 5 min read

Social distancing, masks, & caring for one another

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. – 1 Corinthians 12:26

I’ve been thinking about these words of Paul a lot lately, as COVID continues to spread throughout our country...

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#parents #student leadership #Pandemic #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Aug 25 · 5 min read

Review: Made to Move Mountains by Kristen Welch

Filed in Book Review

I’m a fan of Kristen Welch – both her writing and her ministry. My husband gifted me with a subscription to Fair Trade Friday Earrings several years ago and I LOVE it. It’s one of my most favorite gifts EVER. Because of my familiarity with Kristen...

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#Pandemic #books

Jen Bradbury
Jul 14 · 5 min read

6 things I learned from virtual VBS

My congregation held virtual VBS a couple of weeks ago. As I’ve continued to reflect on the experience, I keep returning to these six things I learned from virtual VBS:

1. The problem isn’t Zoom. Four months into this pandemic, you’ve no doubt...

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#children's ministry #Pandemic #discussion #Teaching #student leadership #discipleship #faith formation #children #Leaders #scripture #parents

Jen Bradbury
Jul 13 · 5 min read

17 Keys to Making Virtual VBS a Success

In late April and early May, my VBS leaders and I began wrestling with what to do with VBS this year. We felt skeptical that things would be open enough for us to offer in-person VBS. We felt even more skeptical that people would come if we did...

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#children's ministry #Leaders #Teaching #Jesus #scripture #Intergenerational #communication #Pandemic

Jen Bradbury
Jun 18 · 5 min read

Is this the end of short-term missions?

Filed in Missions

I was supposed to be on a mission trip last week.

With the exception of the two summers I was on maternity leave, this is the first time since 2003 that I haven’t spent my summers leading mission trips.

Mission trips are – for so many junior...

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#grace #hope #justice #A Mission That Matters #pregnancy #Pandemic #Missions

Jen Bradbury
Jun 09 · 5 min read

8 reasons why our youth ministry isn't regathering

As states reopen, the conversations are raging in youth ministry circles about when and how to “reopen” our youth ministries.

My youth ministry will not be regathering this summer.

I'm using that word, regather, intentionally because even though...

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#church #hospitality #Pandemic #Jesus #Missions #culture of welcome #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jun 05 · 5 min read

Is the church going extinct?

Perhaps in the last few weeks, you’ve seen a meme like this one:

Murder Hornets

I certainly have.

Between the pandemic, the murder hornets, the killing of another black man, the protests, and the riots, I've heard more people than ever before say something...

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#youth ministry #scripture #church #Leaders #research #racism #worship #justice #youth pastor #Pandemic

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

Latest Posts

  • The story behind CALLED
  • 5 Realities to Keep in Mind as you Plan for Summer 2021
  • What teens need from their youth ministries right now
  • Social distancing, masks, & caring for one another
  • Review: Made to Move Mountains by Kristen Welch
  • 6 things I learned from virtual VBS
  • 17 Keys to Making Virtual VBS a Success
  • Is this the end of short-term missions?
  • 8 reasons why our youth ministry isn't regathering
  • Is the church going extinct?

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