Seizing Your Red-Light Moments
We were at a red light when my life changed forever. I was on my way to Walmart with my youth pastor—he’d invited me to tag along on a shopping trip for an upcoming lock-in. We needed to buy chips and Hula-Hoops.…
Discipleship
In the often-chaotic cloud that is everyday youth ministry, one goal always rises to the surface—growing disciples who follow Jesus with an all-in commitment. You’re after life-changing, inside-out transformation—driven by a passion for Jesus that spills out onto the lives of others.
What You’ll Find
The Discipleship section offers practical ideas and insights about effective discipleship in youth ministry. We explore the method and models and strategies your ministry can use to help “seed” a generation of teenagers who are all-in for Jesus.
About Discipleship
Unlocking the Invitation to Your Youth Ministry
We all want every kid in our community to feel welcome to make our youth ministry their home. Our doors are open and all are welcome. The love of Jesus extends to every teen. If we can reach even one more teen and introduce them to the love of Jesus, we sure want to.…
To Fall Retreat or Not To Fall Retreat?
Summer is over, students are back in school, and weekends are filled with football. Oh, how I love the fall. Having been in my current role less than two years, I am still in the early stages of the “figuring out the culture of our group” learning curve.…
Youth Group For Everyone: Including Students With Disabilities
The funny thing about growing up with a disabled sibling is that you forget to see the disability. Of course you see the wheelchair that helps them get around, or the cane that aids them when they can’t see. However, they are just your sibling, simple and true.…
Ask a Senior Pastor: Where to Start?
Where to start? That’s a question most of us feel the tension of on a semi-regular basis, whether we’re youth ministry rookies, veterans or something in between. Check out these three questions that all lead to the same actions steps: “What does it mean to recruit passionate volunteers and ignite passion in current volunteers?”…
3 Crucial Back-to-School Reminders for Students
Teenagers have no greater—or scarier—mission field than their own schools. Encourage your students to be a light for the gospel this school year by ramping up your efforts to train and equip them in the areas where they might be nervous to live for Jesus.…
Time Between Graduation & Leaving For College
We have been in the throes of graduations galore. Hats are thrown in the air, celebrations had, and gifts given. Then it’s over, but it’s not. The pomp and circumstance has died away, but students are still in a waiting space for the future to arrive.…
Thoughts on Internships and Interns
I’ve worked with a lot of interns over 30 years. Internships are critical, because they allow people to experience and engage with the environment and responsibilities of the area they are considering vocationally. I handle internships differently than most people I know, but that’s not to say my way is correct.…
Are Your Students OWNING Their Ministry?
A couple of times a year I survey my teen students about our programming. What do we do well? What needs to change? What topics are we missing? There was a time when I recieved an overwhelming response that there was a desire to do more and be more.…
3 Things You’ll Never Hear Me Say in the Spring
Three things you’ll never hear me say in the spring: 1) Everyone’s camp balances are paid in full! 2) I spent way too much time with my small group leaders this semester. 3) I wish these 8th graders would hurry up and transition to high school.…
