Youth ministry in the summer has always been a struggle for me. Ministry momentum slows way down because my teenagers re-focus their time on… Summer jobs Family vacations Camps Trips to grandma’s house Attendance is frustratingly inconsistent—without warning, we can go from 24 kids to 87 kids any given week.…
With New Year’s resolutions, I’m always shooting for the moon—I go for big, Batman-sized resolutions. But this year things are going to be different. Big, bold resolutions seems like a recipe for failure. Don’t get me wrong, Batman gets big things done, but this year my strategies will be Robin-sized.…
Looking for a COVID-friendly subsitution for your youth all-nighter? Try pulling off an online lock-in! I’ve never been a huge fan of all-nighter’s, except for when I was a teenager. This Online Lock-In is more of a check-in than an all-nighter and, frankly, it’s one of the best things we’ve done to connect with our middle school students during the pandemic.…
Use these 5 digital tools to help disciple youth in your ministry. In his day, Jesus used one of the most powerful communication tools known to man—it’s called “the parable.” He was a master storyteller. And so, we read in Matthew 13, when he has gathered a large crowd, he leverages the moment by telling five parables in a row.…
I remember asking my supervisor for budget approval to purchase a new video camera. I was ready for him to tell me I was asking for too much money. I presented my request, and there was no discussion. It was a resounding “yes.”…
Chances are, your online ministry strategy is now the lifeblood of your ministry. But a time is coming (sooner than you think) when we’ll be allowed to gather in person for face-to-face ministry. What will you do? Instead of waiting until we have permission to reopen, our youth ministry team is actively planning for it.…
In the shadow of a virus pandemic, digital strategies for doing youth ministry are more important than ever. Necessity breeds invention—so now is the time to try some new ideas. Treat this season as an opportunity for experimenting with new approaches to connecting with your teenagers.…
It has been about a year since I wrote “Sidekick Strategies That Lead to Superhero Habits.” It sounds suspiciously like a “New Year’s Resolutions” blog, but my goal was to kick start some healthy new practices in my life. You can that original post here.…
The holidays can be a magnet for community in your ministry—I’m always looking for creative ways to connect with kids that capitalize on the natural energy the Christmas season generates. Here are 10 of my favorites… Fun Stuff 1. Cookie Decorating We ask volunteers to bake and donate plain sugar cookies for our group.…
The school year is in full swing, our core ministry activities are percolating, and it feels like our leadership team is hitting their stride. It’s tempting to push cruise control. But early fall is a crucial fuel-the-fire season. So one thing I do to keep the momentum going is search for new things that will fill my tank and the tanks of those around me.…
