Thanks
Thank you for obeying God’s call to do youth ministry: • Thanks for serving. • Thanks for teaching God’s Word to students each week. • Thanks for being silly and fun. • Thanks for be serious, too. • Thanks for listening.…
What If It Happens AFTER You?
“But the Lord said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart’ ” (1 Kings 8:18, ESV). I am convinced that every single youth pastor wants to make an unbelievably huge impact for the kingdom of God.…
Wants, Needs and Choices
It all started with a coffee table. At the time John and I had been married for about three years. While my other friends were coming to a place in life when they were buying homes, cars and new furniture, still I felt like we were living in a college dorm.…
3 Ways to Be a Better Youth Pastor
There are many areas in which youth pastors could use some major improvement. I don’t mean this as a knock against the whole of youth ministry, but that personally and individually, we all know where we are weakest. (Bonus tip: If you don’t know where you are weakest, you can be a better youth pastor by figuring out your strengths and weaknesses.)…
People-Pleasing, Over-Achiever Syndrome
So, I just got off the phone with a youth pastor buddy. He’s over done. Tired. Going in a multitude of directions, at the same time, can’t give enough at home, trying to be who others want him to be, forgetting who God has CALLED him to be, and it sucks! …
Understanding What You’re Worth
A major tension in most marriages is finances. Add an often overworked and underpaid youth worker to the mix and money can become a real source of friction in relationships. Ask most youth workers about recruiting new volunteers, ministry vision or time with teens and they will talk your ear off with excitement and passion.…
Youth Games that Changed My Life
This marks my 20th year as a youth pastor in Southern California. I began youth ministry as a 20-year-old when a college girl invited me to come help lead as some guys began showing up at a girl’s Bible study she was leading.…
Mentoring: A Response
I will never forget the day, it was a few years ago and I was meeting my former Sunday School teacher for lunch. The cool thing was that after almost 15 years from being in his class we were still friends and we still get together for lunch from time to time.…
A Mentoring Strategy
Heading into the Christmas season is a great time for reflection and evaluation. Certainly some of that energy needs to be focused on your ministry, but don’t forget to make sure your mentoring relationships are in order, too. Here is one simple strategy to consider: Look Forward – Who Is Leading You?…
Sometimes I Just Want to Do Bad Youth Ministry
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in Group Magazine–the world’s most-read youth ministry resource. For more information, visit groupmagazine.com and get these great articles delivered right to your mailbox or iPad! Most days, I’m tempted to do bad youth ministry. You know what I mean—throw in a Veggie Tales DVD and call it a “Back to the Basics” week.…