Junior highers are my people. For most of ministry career I’ve had the privilege (did I really just say junior high ministry is a PRIVILEGE?) of focusing exclusively on this age group, and even as my role has changed this wonderful little tribe has remained the closest to my heart!…
The story goes that street performer Jesse Rya was doing what he does best, playing guitar and singing. Jamie Maldonado of Dallas was headed to the grocery store when he took notice of Jesse, liked what he heard and started to video him.…
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a student that was really fascinating. She made the statement, “I feel like adults always feel like they need to tell teens the same thing. They tell us about how we can’t ever do anything so bad that God won’t love us.…
The eyes of our students have shifted from camps and mission trips to the daily grind. If you are one of the lucky few who get to start post-Labor Day, that first day of school is looming right on the horizon.…
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.…
By now, you’ve probably seen the #MeToo hashtag. And maybe you’ve been surprised at how many teenagers and adults you know are using it to publicly acknowledge sexual assault or harassment. The hashtag emerged after multiple actresses came forward to expose the predatory patterns of powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.…
Once, I had the awesome opportunity to offer some training and speaking in a dear friend’s small town in Kansas. After five days away, I sat on the plane ready for home. Plugging into music, a favorite worship song came on just as the plane engines started to roar.…
Editor’s Note: If you’re headed to a Christian conference in North America, it’s a solid bet that you’re about to see The Skit Guys perform. They’re everywhere, because their 20-year comedy partnership has made them the most in-demand performers in the Christian subculture.…
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 News Ireland—A movement is underway to boost young people’s mental health by having them write positive letters to their future selves. ReachOut, a nonprofit group based in Ireland, began the “Note to Self” campaign on college campuses, and it’s since gone viral.…
