Articles
Recent Articles
The 3 Foundations to Small Groups You Must Know
by Laurie Polich Posted in Adolescent DevelopmentArticlesAdviceFeatured ArticleFeatured ReviewHigh SchoolMiddle SchoolParentsProgrammingResource and Book ReviewsTrainingYouth Worker DevelopmentSmall groups are not the end of ministry; they are the beginning. Many youth workers believe that if they can get kids into small groups, their job is done. But the real job has just begun. Ministry is about life change, and for this to happen, there needs to be an intentional ap- proach to HOW small groups will nurture and shape students’ lives. Exerpt from "Small Group Strategies" by Laurie Polich
An Interview with Jared Herd of XP3 Students
by Youth Specialties Posted in Featured ReviewResource and Book ReviewsAt Youth Specialties we are always on the lookout for ministry resources that are excellent. While we love our own products we fully recognize that there are fantastic resources available to youth workers that aren't published by YS. Recently, I had the opportunity to catch-up with Jared Herd, the Creative Director of XP3 Students. XP3 has taken the idea of curriculum development for youth ministry to a whole different level of engagement with in-the-trenches youth workers. Here's my interview with Jared.
Review: Source Code
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewMovie Study GuidesI love movies about dimensions. Whether it's traveling through time or jumping through some portal into another world, the idea that there is more than one possible reality fascinates me. These are the kinds of movies that stretch the imagination to its limit, forcing us to wonder if what we're…Read More
Review: The King’s Speech
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewMovie Study GuidesI'm a professional communicator of sorts. A central part of my job as a pastor is standing up in front of people and sharing the truths of Scripture. Some call it "preaching" or "teaching." In any case, it's like giving a spiritual speech. I genuinely enjoy this aspect of my vocation.…Read More
Book Review: Generous Justice
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewResource and Book ReviewsWhen I first heard the statistic that over one billion people don't have access to clean drinking water, it floored me. When I see pictures or videos of the ponds and ditches that people use for drinking, cooking, and bathing, it breaks my heart. A resource that is found in incredible abundance--a necessity that I use nearly constantly without a second thought--is not even available to people? It doesn't seem fair.
Movie Review: The Social Network
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewMovie Study GuidesWalking out of the theater this past weekend, I turned to my friend Jon and made an observation: "we may have just watched this year's Best Picture winner." Granted, we still have nearly a quarter of the year left on the calendar, but I would not be surprised if The Social…Read More
Review: The Children of Divorce
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewResource and Book ReviewsWhile I try to maintain boundaries on sharing the intimate details of my personal life on my blog, I cannot help but draw connections between my own story and Andrew Root's newest book, The Children of Divorce. Root's premise is that divorce is not only a sociological or psychological upheaval, but that at its roots has ontological implications. Divorce affects our very sense of being in the world.
Thoughts on The Other Guys and a Theology of Humor
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewMusic Reviews and InterviewsThe Other Guys (2010): If I've learned anything from having an infant son, it is that laughter doesn't need to be taught. Laughing comes naturally, spontaneously, in fits and spurts, but always with an innate sense of joy. That we can somehow find a moment of respite in our chaotic…Read More
Review: Helping our Children Grow in Faith
by Sara Evanchick Posted in Featured ReviewResource and Book ReviewsHelping our Children Grow in Faith addresses an issue with which many of us in the church struggle: How can we nurture a faith in our children that they won’t outgrow? In this book, author Robert J. Keeley writes about making sure children develop a ‘three dimensional faith’. He addresses…Read More
Movie Review: Despicable Me
by Joel Mayward Posted in Featured ReviewResource and Book ReviewsIt's a hard life being a villain in this economy. The banks won't give you loans for your evil plans to steal famous works of art or national monuments. There are pesky international laws that prevent the theft and usage of shrink rays. And there's the responsibility of taking care…Read More
