rick’s been editor of group for 19 years. that’s a long time. you can reach him at rlawrence@group.com. About a month ago I went to a presentation by Dr. David Walsh, founder and president of the National Institute on Media and the Family (www.mediafamily.org).…
‘The editors of Rev! magazine sat down with Christine Yount Jones, executive editor of Children’s Ministry Magazine and Rick Lawrence, executive editor of Group Magazine, to listen to their views on what’s happening in the areas of children’s and youth ministry.…
Had a bummer of an experience yesterday evening at Lone Star Steakhouse. We ordered up 3 big meals for the adults and there was plenty of food to share with the kids to save a few bucks and not buy kids meals, and just get them drinks.…
This summer I got so tired of hearing and seeing the results of sin at our summer camp that I wanted to quit everything. One night I actually cried myself to sleep from a combination of tiredness and my hatred for sin.…
Mike Yaconelli died suddenly. He was one of my youth ministry heroes but more importantly, a personal friend. I went to the family funeral last week and it’s still difficult to believe that Mike is gone. My friendship with Mike started 17 years ago with a practical joke and ended with Mike praying for me a week before he died.…
I always ask permission before I share with you an e-mail from a fellow youth worker and I’m thankful that I can share this with you. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s a great reminder to know your priorities and manage your time.…
Despite the fact that most youth workers take part in a variety of important activities, effective youth workers learn to focus on what is even more important. I want to share with you some of what I shared at our recent PDYM conference regarding important verses most important.…
I just returned from our Mexico spring break mission trip exhausted when a parent met me in the parking lot screaming. A minute later she was in tears. I wanted to come home to a bunch of “thank you’s Doug”…well, I also wanted to come home to a huge bonus.…
It’s about that time of year now–right around Thanksgiving and Christmas–when your students who recently graduated from youth group come back to visit and check-in. After all the small talk, you’ll probably ask the question that’s been in the back of your mind ever since the conversation started.…
I remember one time when we held a discipleship retreat for our students — but only about one-fifth of our regular students attended. For many youth workers, a turnout this low might arouse feelings of anguish and failure. I wasn’t surprised by the turnout, though, because the retreat called for a very big commitment from students.…
