I’m going to be honest and say I have not mastered what I’m about to share with you. I’m in the middle of this one-sided wrestling match with you. The school year will soon begin. Youth groups across the country will soon be having or are planning kickoff events.…
My name’s Shawn. Can I chat with you for a moment? I know you and I probably don’t know each other or follow one another on social media, but we actually have some things in common. Like you, [tweet_dis]I know all too well what it means to go through school as a gay teenager.[/tweet_dis]…
“Homosexuals” are not an “issue.” I’m guilty of this. When talking about homosexuality, we tend to tag on the word “issue.” And I’m sure most of us don’t mean it in a demeaning way. We are simply trying to speak about an issue that is deeply concerning to the Church – or at least it should be.…
“I deserve to go to hell.” “Why do you say that, Scott?” I asked. “Because it’s what I deserve. I’m going to hell, no matter what,” he said. Long pause. “I know hell’s a real place, and I know what goes on there… I’ve done too many bad things… I deserve to go to hell.”…
On a Friday night in 1998, after watching a comedy with friends at a movie theatre, my brother came home, kissed my mom goodnight, went into his room, and hung himself. We don’t know the exact reasons why Brandon took his life, but we know he wrestled with depression on a daily basis.…
Last Spring, during the SYM Conference, I filmed a teaching video for teams on the Simply Youth Ministry TOOLS site. The video was on creating a safe place within small groups and Sunday school. I wanted to share some of these thoughts with you.…
Film Testimony on Homosexuality and Christianity Earlier this month, a video testimony was released online featuring my friend Colby Adams. The film project, called ‘Hear Me,’ was recorded by a few Moody college students, where Colby also attends. The piece centers around Colby’s journey with same-sex attractions, and his struggle with finding acceptance within the church.…
Here’s an all-in-one packet for your student ministry. All you have to do is fill in your ministry/church name, then pass it off and have your parents and students fill out the rest. The packet includes: Insurance form – personal info, health issues, medical release Permission form – general release Student Covenant – expectations around RESPECT, boundaries, consequences of behavior Media release – parents can either give or decline permission *Download your New Student Information Packet here or click the image below!*…
Last month, my wife and I attended some seminars by my friend Christopher Yuan. Along with his parents, Christopher shared his struggles with homosexuality, drug addiction, HIV, and Christianity. If you have never heard him speak before, do so. One of the seminars was done by Yuan’s parents, and focused on helping parents renew their minds towards their gay children.…
There is an ever-growing conversation around the end of youth ministry as we know it. Whether it be the end of paid full-time positions, the end of weekly youth group meetings, or the end of youth ministry altogether. At times these discussions get deeply heated and personal.…
