Here is a confession of this youth pastor; I am NOT wired for junior high ministry and I never have been. I can pull off junior high camp, events, connect with leaders, but the week-in and week-out just isn’t me.…
If you’re anything like me you have started more journals than you’ve finished. For a while there it seemed to me that every trip to Barnes & Noble resulted in the purchase of a new genuine imitation leather journal. I had high aspirations for every journal I purchased; I intended each one to be filled cover to cover with daily reflections on life and leadership.…
My phone just rang again with another agonizing report of a leader who’s out of the game due to some agonizing personal choices. My mind races with other names who’ve joined that sad list—people who could’ve given so much to kids.…
When I got the privilege of writing this I thought “Sweet! Can’t wait… hope it’s not on teaching.” Dead serious. Then I got the topic. Holy goodness. Some of us are gifted at the whole preaching/teaching gig… others of us just survive this part of the job.…
Ministry work often feels like a 24/7 job. The hours are long, the parishioners are many, and the needs are great. It is important for all ministry workers to separate themselves at times and focus on all the other wonderful aspects of life outside of church; marriage, children, hobbies, pleasures, rest and so forth.…
Lifeguard training isn’t easy. I have to admit, there was one time in particular I thought I was going to die. We were doing life-saving drills. One person had to lie flat at the bottom of the pool – the drowning victim.…
“But the Lord said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart’ ” (1 Kings 8:18, ESV). I am convinced that every single youth pastor wants to make an unbelievably huge impact for the kingdom of God.…
It all started with a coffee table. At the time John and I had been married for about three years. While my other friends were coming to a place in life when they were buying homes, cars and new furniture, still I felt like we were living in a college dorm.…
There are many areas in which youth pastors could use some major improvement. I don’t mean this as a knock against the whole of youth ministry, but that personally and individually, we all know where we are weakest. (Bonus tip: If you don’t know where you are weakest, you can be a better youth pastor by figuring out your strengths and weaknesses.)…
So, I just got off the phone with a youth pastor buddy. He’s over done. Tired. Going in a multitude of directions, at the same time, can’t give enough at home, trying to be who others want him to be, forgetting who God has CALLED him to be, and it sucks! …
