Serving in youth ministry is both rewarding and challenging. As a leader, you’re a catalyst for helping teenagers grow as disciples of Jesus, a counselor who must deal with upset parents and discouraged adolescents, and an EMT who has to treat the occasional dodgeball injury. Often, all in the same day. As you walk through the ups and downs of your calling, we’re here to support, encourage, and equip you with ideas that will fuel your journey as a Jesus-centered leader.
What You’ll Find
Our leadership topics are designed to give you the knowledge and skills to confidently guide your ministry. We’ll cover the must-know areas—including working with parents and volunteers, planning and productivity, and the broad range of skills you need as an adolescent specialist in ministry. And, most important, we’ll help you grow your own relationship with Jesus so your leadership flows out of a “deeper well.”
Heard a quote today through the FB posting of a friend (Thanks, @bradfiscus): “The needs of the students must drive your ministry not the needs of the campus (youth) minister.” – Marilyn Thornton (Marilyn is the Wesley Foundation Director at Fisk University.)…
5 Pinterest Boards to Help Your Youth Ministry Have you followed the official pinterest account of Youth Ministry Nation, yet?! This is a great way to browse ideas or resources and get encouragement. Here are 5 of the TOP Boards on the Simply Youth pinterest account that you need to check out: 1.…
Women in Youth Ministry In this episode, we inquire the wisdom of women in youth ministry (Angela, Emma and Ashley). We discuss: Is youth ministry dominated by males? How to make sure everyone is being ministered to. Being single in ministry.…
When it comes to students living out their faith in Christ, we can be super influential in how they go about it. I would say in an attempt to help students see the seriousness of living for Christ, I believe sometimes we use our influence and scare the crap out of them.…
The other day a youth pastor friend asked me a question that pinpoints a major shift that’s changing his ministry landscape: “How do I get my kids to care about worship? Nothing seems to be working.” My friend isn’t alone. The “worship problem” is quickly spreading, and deepening, in youth ministry.…
The note my middle-school daughter brought home from her Sunday school class asked parents to help out with a fund-raiser for the poor. They wanted a $20 donation along with two pairs of gloves for needy children living overseas, the focus of the ministry’s Christmas outreach program.…
If teen spending in the U.S. tell us anything about what teens care about most, it may not surprise you to know that they spend 21% of their budget on clothing and 20% on food (according to investment management firm Piper Jaffray’s 2014 report on teen spending).…
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.…
I used to coach basketball at one of our local high schools, and one of the biggest reasons students would try out for the team is so that they could connect with other students. It totally works! I’ve had students on my the team who are still friends with each other today.…
The current issue of GROUP Magazine features a study on what Christian kids today fear most. For the next few weeks, we will be posting individual students’ responses that are insightful but not featured in the original article. To read the full article, subscribe to GROUP Magazine today!…
