His name was Andy, and some weeks he was the only teenager who showed up for my youth group. It was a small church. And when things were good, the youth group might have 15 kids show up. But things suddenly became not-so-good as our senior pastor and congregation battled over whether or not he should resign. …
The Old Testament and the New Testament both have the phrase “chosen ones,” but with very different meanings. When it comes to salvation, what qualifies a person to be “chosen”? Join Rick as we continue a series exploring the foundational truths connected to Jesus and his mission in our lives.…
It starts innocently enough. She brings sandwiches for a Sunday-night event. She hangs out in the kitchen area, coyly watching all the fun and dreaming of what could be. Over the next few weeks, she strategically positions herself so she’s near the student room.…
Ever feel like a mess? Sometimes it seems like we’re a mess of parts thrown on a table that’s certainly not beautiful. What would it look like to start thinking of our lives like a “messy song” and Jesus as a creative artist who finds our mess exciting?…
Put 20 youth pastors in a room and tell them they can’t come out until the agree on a definition of discipleship and it’s possible their friends and families will never see them again! And IF they can agree, the odds of them implementing that definition in their youth ministries are about the same odds as me slam-dunking on a 10-foot rim (zero, in case you’re wondering).…
When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, they did it because they were deceived. Let’s slow down and revisit how every problem we have faced is rooted in this virus or “the work of the devil.” Join Rick as we continue a series exploring the foundational truths connected to Jesus and his mission in our lives.…
On this episode of the “O Ye of Middle Faith” podcast, Rick Lawrence talks about the state of youth ministry and an approach to discipleship that’s patterned after the way Jesus created transformational environments. Also on the podcast: Wende returns from paradise.…
Imagine your ministry isn’t going very well. (For some of you, this may not take much effort.) Maybe students are abandoning ship, heading to a flashier program down the street. Maybe youth night has been a train-wreck lately. Maybe kids aren’t inviting friends, no matter what you try.…
Whether it’s a small rumor or a major misconception – we have all faced a wrongful accusation against us. Even when it’s false, we begin to question how we portray ourselves and how the world sees us. What can we learn from Paul’s method of defending himself, and why is it the very message we need at the start of a new year?…
Remember when you had the perfect ministry role? It was the night before you started serving in it. After that, and every day forward, you likely thought: “This isn’t exactly what I expected.” Maybe it was close enough that you stuck it out.…
 Foundations: Who Can Be Saved?){kind=link}
 Foundations: Building a Song from a Mess){kind=link}
 Foundations: Destroying the Works of the Devil){kind=link}
 Best of PRATJ: The New-ness of You—Thorns){kind=link}
