Teen Tithing?
This can’t be a popular subject but I think the church is being hurt because it is so unpopular… I have reluctantly taught tithing in youth group over the years but figured out that my reluctance has been a BIG problem. …
Tag: Protestant
Love Your Spouse
Married? Not married? Not married, and haven’t had a date in years? Wherever you find yourself today, here are some thoughts about loving your current…or future…spouse. Love unexpectedly. Youth workers love surprises—but too often our spouses end up with the predictable and stable part of our lives.…
Let’s Talk About You-Know-What…
Sex. Is there any topic more scary for adults to talk about with students? Whether you’re a parent, full-time youth worker, pastor, or volunteer, sex is a topic that turns faces red and makes adults shift uncomfortably in their seats. Have you ever noticed how awkwardly people even say the word?…
Taming the Ministry Tongue
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.…
Wants, Needs and Choices
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.…
People-Pleasing, Over-Achiever Syndrome
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! …
Youth Games that Changed My Life
This marks my 20th year as a youth pastor in Southern California. I began youth ministry as a 20-year-old when a college girl invited me to come help lead as some guys began showing up at a girl’s Bible study she was leading.…
Jesus Doesn’t Play There!
How often do we give advice that it equivalent to adding EQUAL to cow manure to try to make it easier to swallow for the recipient of our advice? I don’t know about you all out there in ministry world, but for me I struggle with giving the 100% accurate, God-fearing guidance when people come to me with their problem.…
Things 6th Graders Say
“I thought a virgin was somebody with small ears.” A few years ago a sixth grader really said this in a small group that I was helping lead. More recently another interaction with a Middle School student went like this: I asked, “Why did you get pulled out of your small group?”…