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Know Your Audiences
by Jillianne Myers Davis Posted in ProgrammingYouth Worker DevelopmentWhen I think about a time when something didn’t go according to plan, four words come to mind: ski trip epic fail. Four months into my tenure as a director of student ministries at a new church, I booked a slope-side cabin that slept 40 for the annual ski trip. I’d had the privilege of leading and organizing about 6 or 7 other ski trips at the past two churches where I had served, and I’d been told the ski trip was a tradition at this church as well.
Boys Will Be Boys
by Andrew Burden Posted in High SchoolYouth Worker DevelopmentFrom the sandbox to the construction site, being male is often associated with a natural spirit of trouble-making. You don’t have to be on John Eldridge’s mailing list to recognize that there is an untamed energy that is uniquely masculine. Middle school boys at church camp are no exception. After…Read More
Bad Judgment, Detached Retinas, and a Lot of Stupid
by Brock Morgan Posted in AdviceYouth Worker DevelopmentI remember when I was 18-years-old and it first dawned upon me, “If I become a youth pastor, I’ll get to play dodge-ball for the rest of my life!” That was twenty years ago and I’m still in youth ministry and loving it. The past few summers we’ve had…Read More
How Many Turns?
by Russ Cantu Posted in Youth Worker DevelopmentAfter a long and grueling week serving the great sunny city of Ensenada, Mexico, our misson team packed up the vans and headed for the border. Oh how I love the border; it’s one of my favorite places. There’s such a beautiful clash of culture that just stares back at…Read More
Leadership is Lonely - Are You?
by Brian Berry Posted in AdviceYouth Worker DevelopmentWANTED: a friend in ministry who won’t get angry at my church and leave me in the wake of their angst, won’t gossip my dirt to the masses, and isn’t impressed with my job title. Must be my gender, about my age (bonus if our families are similar), authentically seeking Jesus, and in need of a good friend. For more info, please contact soundstogoodtobetrue@mychurch.com. If you have ever felt like you could have posted that ad, then I feel your pain.
Waking Up From The Nightmare
by Youth Specialties Posted in Youth Worker DevelopmentI love Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America. The premise of the show is pretty simple. Ramsey shows up at a struggling restaurant and helps the owner face a reality they are often avoiding. If the restaurant doesn't make money the doors will close. The formula for the show is simple. He teaches them to keep the kitchen clean, the wait staff happy, and to simplify their menu. Over and over again Ramsey goes to restaurants and implements that same simple 3-step strategy... and it always works.
Entering the Story of Bomb Threats and Drive Bys
by Jon Huckins Posted in High SchoolYouth Worker DevelopmentLast week I found myself lying on the grass in the middle of a public park while my little dog Harry sniffed and "marked" every bush around us. With the warm sun beating down on me, I couldn't help but close my eyes and enjoy this peaceful setting that was enhanced by the slight breeze brushing over me. In what seemed like a perfect place, I reflected on the journey I’ve been on over the last few years.
Les Christie’s Response to “Why Church Kids Must Go Bad”
by Les Christie Posted in Resource and Book ReviewsYouth Worker DevelopmentMy book, When Church Kids Go Bad, was written to help youth workers make our youth ministries safe places for hurting kids. We need youth ministries that are a refuge for kids to feel both physically and emotionally safe. Places for all kids, and especially troubled kids, so they can hear…Read More
Why Church Kids Must Go Bad
by Andrew Root Posted in Youth Worker DevelopmentI’m a book nerd. I never thought I would be such a person. As a matter of fact, most of the people that knew me in high school would never guess that I would become such a book person, or ever even finish reading a book for that matter. But…Read More
Daily Withdrawals
by Brooklyn Lindsey Posted in Youth Worker DevelopmentWould you like to make a withdrawal? The ATM blinked… I withdrew $20 cash from my account today because I can’t remember the last time I had cash in my wallet. Honestly, life has become so automated that I rarely have need for tangible green. So it felt good to put a $20 bill in my wallet and know that if I came across someone selling strawberries or roses on the side of the street today I would be able to stop, if I wanted to.
