The world is a restless place these days. In the last few weeks we have experienced everything from unrest and tragedy in the world to a new app-based game. If anyone is like me, it isn’t even that we don’t know what to say.…
I talked to a fellow youth worker this morning who made the comment, “I feel like I am so behind already in planning the coming school year.” Although it’s only July, before we know it students will be home from vacation and back in school. …
If you could be a fly on the wall at my house at dinner time you would probably bust a gut. I live with three teens ages 14, 15 & 16 as you might remember, and the evenings when our schedule allows us to all eat at one table at the same time resembles something between a game show, reality television drama, and any typical youth group.…
In the last two months, it has seemed like everywhere I’ve turned students have been bringing up the topic of sex. This is not the conversation I expected to have at the end of the school year as we look to summer, graduations, camps, trips and vacations.…
Dating starts at different ages for different kids. All of a sudden bodies change and hormones take over and our teens want the label of “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.” They’ve noticed that they have feelings for a boy or girl and want to do SOMETHING to express these emotions.…
I looked over the crowd of students as they stared at me blankly. My hope had been for a reaction filled with excitement and wonderment, and that overwhelming number of students would raise their hands when we asked who would want to sign up for a local service opportunity.…
One of the most frustrating conversations I have with friends is the “You should quit ministry” conversation. Sure, there are days when I want to quit, more than I care to admit. You know those days. They are filled with church politics, angry parents, mess-ups, complacent students, bad youth nights, and heartache.…
The 3 “P’s” For Your Volunteer Team It’s football season! It’s on everyone’s mind and so it’s an analogy I like to use when it comes to working with our support team in ministry. Imagine your team has shown up for their first game. …
Look at this sweet picture of a Junior High girls volleyball team. Do you see the camaraderie as they come together after a game that they had lost to be supportive and encouraging of each other? I hope it makes you smile, if not just a little.…
Once when I was discouraged in ministry a friend of mine suggested that I start keeping a file of encouragement. I could put all of the thank-you notes and bits of paper given to me over the years to keep in one place.…
