A youth worker recently invited me to breakfast. He wanted to ask me some questions about ministry and longevity. He has a heart for teens, he felt called into the ministry, and he wanted to steward his personal resources well and hopefully avoid burnout to stick around in youth ministry for the long-haul.…
As youth workers, we give a lot—and we love doing that. We sip coffee with eager volunteers, draft engaging messages for students, support the staff however we can, and still manage to immerse ourselves in family or friends after a long day.…
There’s a universal longing at the heart of every young girl’s soul, and it is, of course, to join the mythic society of pony-owners. Even The Simpsons’ Lisa pines for a pony—so much so that a disgraced and desperate Homer buys her Princess, a pony-gift of appeasement after he ruins her talent-show performance.…
Because Thanksgiving lands on November 24 this year, [tweet_dis]here’s a list of 24 things to be thankful for this season[/tweet_dis]: 1. Pizza—Pizza is to youth ministry as turkey is to Thanksgiving. It wouldn’t be complete without it! 2. Senior Pastors—They paved the way and led the charge.…
Editor’s Note: Jonathan Acuff is a funny guy. He’s also a profound guy who’s transitioned his message from the hilarious Stuff Christians Like website and bestselling book to the message of Quitter, a book about leaving behind what we’ve settled for in life to enter into the dreams God has planted in us.…
Once again, I’m hanging out—rather begrudgingly—in God’s waiting room. Ever been there? It’s the place where answers to prayer seem suspended in the heavens. Where something you thought would take 10 days is still incomplete after 10 years. Where you wonder if hopes you’d labeled as God-given dreams are actually spiritual fantasies caused by too much late-night pizza.…
When Tom Melton, my friend and the senior pastor at my church, describes Jesus’ character and personality, he often has to collect himself and wipe away the tears that come so quickly. I’m riveted by those tears — they preach louder than his words.…
by Jeanne Mayo Ever feel frustrated that new opportunities pass you by—or never even become available? Here’s some advice I recently shared with a youth leader who was in that boat. Follow it to position yourself for advancement in God’s kingdom:1.…
Recently, a friend said something intriguing: “As believers, we aren’t promised a better life but a better hope.” Personally, I wouldn’t mind having both an awesome life and a bright future. My guess is that if I live with rock-solid hope, then the odds go up that I’ll live a more purposeful life.…
Early one afternoon, I walked to throw something out in a back room, when I spotted him outside next to my bike. A large gentleman in his 50’s was doing something, and it hit me immediately, “He is taking my bike!”…
: How to Avoid Youth Ministry Burnout){kind=link}
