About a year ago, I had the privilege of conducting a phone interview with Duffy Robbins’ about his senior youth ministry seminar at Eastern University. Duffy started the interview with this curious statement: “My class liked your book and everything, but a number of students made the same comment, and I’d love to hear your response.…
Not all parents are capable or willing to join your youth ministry team in a relational role (hanging out with and loving on teenagers). Today, we will look at some ways to involve parents who aren’t ready to serve on the “front lines” but can definitely make a big difference behind the scenes.…
Today we are finishing our series with a 2nd part article on decision making. CLICK HERE to read yesterday’s article. 4. Ask for advice from a trusted few. If it’s a difficult decision you’re facing, don’t be afraid to tap into wisdom from within the Body of Christ.…
Ever wish you weren’t a leader? Good leaders take people to places where they don’t always want to go. If people want to go there on their own, either they don’t need a leader or you’re not leading them–you just happen to be on the front of them.…
You’ve been there: you need to initiate a confrontation and you feel like you’ve swallowed an anchor. Every leader will face confrontation because it’s impossible to please everyone and your decisions will be ticking people off. No one is perfect, and your leadership will lead to mistakes and misunderstandings.…
Ever feel like you want to quit youth ministry? It’s a normal feeling! Every veteran youth worker has dealt with the debilitating desire to throw in the towel and walk away. It feels like a death grip on your heart and it’s very difficult to press toward the finish line.…
If there’s anything we’ve learned as leaders is that being a leader isn’t easy. Usually, the most difficult part of leadership is the inner battles. Within a divided heart, internal conflicts can wage a terrible war. When the war is finally won, there still remains unsettling causalities.…
Messages are prepped, Small Group leaders have been communicated with, staff meetings are over, the critical emails have been answered, and now it’s time for you day off. You do take days off, right? Well here are a couple ideas for how to take full advantage of that time.…
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the September/October 2010 issue of Group Magazine. Go to http://youthmindev.wpengine.com/group to subscribe. Ever had a neighbor who played his music so loud you could feel the vibrations in your fingernails? That guy probably played music you hate, and you had to listen to it all the time.…
What an incredible summer we’re been having! Two missions trips, summer camp, several service projects in our community. Yet in the midst of it all, I’ve had a tough few weeks. Trying to remain upbeat and function as a leader has been challenging.…
