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.
So, celebrity interviews aren’t a regular staple on my Outlook calendar, but a few weeks ago I interviewed Roma Downey and Mark Burnett in the backseat of their limo when they were on their way to… somewhere in Los Angeles. I wasn’t exactly in the back of the limo with them—we talked in machine-gun bursts dictated by terrible cell-phone reception.…
Time to get highly pragmatic: Theology = What you believe about God. Practical Theology = How you put into practice what you believe about God. Concerning a theology of sexuality: I’ve discovered most youth pastors have one. Concerning a practical theology of sexuality: I’ve discovered that most youth pastors are wrestling with what a practical theology of sexuality should look like in their churches and the ministries they lead.…
Every year our junior high, high school and college teams sneak away for “Staff Camp”. We jam-pack the 36 hours away with training, dreaming, planning, laughing, playing and eating…lots of eating. It’s at Staff Camp that I introduce the area(s) of our ministry that I’d like us to give extra attention in the upcoming year.…
Among most church-going teenagers, the Bible has a PR problem. Sure, they know where it is, and at which youth group programs they are expected to bring it along. But very few find it compelling enough to read on their own. …
This year with my small group I decided to try somethings that I didn’t do with my last group, and boy has it paid off. So I thought I’d share with you five things that I’ve tried this year in my small group that has brought them closer, and has also made them more interested in their life with God.…
First off, I realize this title may be the most obvious declaration in the history of column-writing. But I need constant reminding of this simple truth: [tweet_dis]Junior high ministry is about junior highers, not about me.[/tweet_dis] Let me paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, who said, “When I write a speech, I spend 75 percent of my time thinking about what the audience wants to hear and 25 percent thinking about what I want to say.”…
In the interest of full disclosure, let me say this: I’m a fan of virtually every organization, event and effort that exists to minister to junior highers! If young teens are the focus of somebody’s efforts, then I’m probably a fan.…
There we were. Our small groups simply weren’t “working.” Sure, there were weeks when leaders felt great about what they preached. It was usually the week when the same students would complain about their small group. This is when I embarked on my grand experiment.…
I totally revamped my approach to small groups in our ministry recently. We have tried a multitude of curriculums, ideas, books, formulas and approaches. It has been topical and as simple as opening the Bible and walking verse by verse. Still I was finding an interesting trend.…
You know the temptation. It goes something like this: Plan for your program. High-five some kids as they come in. Say something profound in your message or class time. Talk up the next big event. Run the next event. Over-hype everything you did so your church is glad they hired you.…
