It’s been said that you don’t forgive someone for his or her sake – you forgive them for your sake. Sounds great… Wait, what? Is that our best option? Much has been written recently about Coach Monty Williams and the intentional forgiveness he extended to a negligent driver whose actions killed Williams’ wife and injured their children.…
Sara came to youth group committed to three things: 1) Never make eye contact with any adult no matter how hard they try to connect with you. 2) Never leave without professing your undying hatred for youth group. 3) Complain, about anyone or anything.…
Imagine that one of your volunteers smells a little funny sometimes. He tries hiding it under other scents he’s sprayed on or is chewing, but the odor remains and even makes you a bit spacey being around him. Do you weed him out, or take the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy?…
He stared right through me. I said his name over and over, but he just didn’t’ have the strength to look me in the eye or respond. If he stopped staring at the wall or dared to break the silence, then time would begin to move and he would be forced to figure out how to live life without her.…
Confession: I don’t enjoy structure for the sake of structure. Thankfully, others came along and shared how the structure that helps some people grow spiritually doesn’t always work for others. One person explained, “Don’t let anyone impose their habits on you.…
One of the most frustrating conversations I have with friends is the “You should quit ministry” conversation. Sure, there are days when I want to quit, more than I care to admit. You know those days. They are filled with church politics, angry parents, mess-ups, complacent students, bad youth nights, and heartache.…
Can I encourage you into this next year? It actually involves sharing how I was caught off guard this past month. There I was, sitting in a dark room by myself while weeping hot tears. A couple from our church had stopped by only moments earlier to surprise my family with an end-of-the-year gift.…
Once upon a time, George Lucas was the creator of Star Wars. Some would argue he still is. Unfortunately, most of us know better…sort of like how it is in any kind of church ministry. Depending upon how old you are, you either grew up with Star Wars or inherited it from the generation before you.…
Ministry is so, so busy. Your life likely is, too. The last thing you need is another meeting, right? So why in the world would you want to take part in a local youth ministry network? (Don’t worry – since you’re in ministry, you’re one of my heroes and I’m going to do my best to talk you out of networking…but then I’ll try to talk you into it, because you’re one of my heroes.)…
As a youth worker, nothing was more exciting to me than getting out of the church, out of my office, and reaching students in public schools. I never found much success doing that behind my desk, with the expectation that they would come to me, participate in my youth program, on my turf.…
