The Parachurch Mistake

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by Rick Lawrence on July 19, 2010

A couple of weeks ago I did something I quickly (and deeply) regretted—I took my 5th-grade daughter Lucy to a local parachurch ministry’s “get to know you” gathering for incoming middle-schoolers. A good friend whose older teenagers had plugged in to this ministry urged us to go, and recruited my daughter’s best friends and their parents to show up....

Vacation Breakaways for Tired Heroes

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by Jeanne Mayo on July 19, 2010

It’s summer and time for you to take a well-deserved break from youth ministry, whether it’s for two days or two weeks. I can attest that vacations and even short getaways are huge for “staying in the game” for the long haul. Don’t think vacation is impossible, even if money and time are really tight. Some of our family’s best breaks have been cheap and short.

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5 Things I Could’ve Done Better, Now That I’m Out

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by Anonymous on July 19, 2010

After eight years in youth ministry I recently stepped into a new role as a teaching pastor at a suburban church. If you’ve ever transitioned from one career path to another, you know how challenging it can be. Although I can point to many examples of effective ministry, I’ve been reflecting lately on what I would’ve done differently if I could do it over again….

1. I’d be more intentional in my relationships.

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Exclusive Survey Report: Teenagers’ Top Needs

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by Rick Lawrence on April 18, 2010

The results of our annual massive survey of almost 20,000 Christian teenagers reveal what they say they need most in life—the needs they’re most desperate for someone to meet. PLUS: “Why Some Youth Workers Stay Longer” by Tom Wanberg

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