Youth Specialties Blog
Trending: Sacred movement, Discipleship Failure, Current Race Issues, Power, and more
By Youth Specialties on May 02 2013 | 0 Comments
Sacred movement, discipleship failure, current race issues, power, time off or time forward? Some thought-provoking stuff from around the web.
Links:
Finding God In Movement - Steven Argue (stickyfaith)
While Failure is Okay in Discleship - Andy Blanks (youthministry360)
Denying Race - Efrem Smith (efremsmith.com)
Taking Time "Toward," vs Taking Time Off - Terry Linhart (In This Corner of the World)
Power: An Unseen Commodity or Position of Influence - Randy Brown (Youthworker)
By Youth Specialties on May 02 2013 | 0 Comments
YS Roundtable Episode 5: Sharon Ketcham
By Youth Specialties on April 25 2013 | 0 Comments
In this episode of the YS Roundtable Terry Linhart talks with Sharon Ketcham, professor at Gordon College, about what makes up a successful youth ministry.
This is a new video show hosted by Terry Linhart, director of the Youth Specialties Academic Support Network (YSASN) and Professor of Youth Ministry & Adolescent Studies at Bethel College in Indiana.
YS Roundtable is produced by our friends at RemedyLive.
By Youth Specialties on April 25 2013 | 0 Comments
Trending: Response to teen suicide, leadership loneliness, movie review of “Oblivion,” and more
By Youth Specialties on April 24 2013 | 0 Comments
Response to teen suicide (Walt Mueller), leadership loneliness (Doug Fields), movie review and discussion questions for "Oblivion" from the Source for Youth Ministry, defining urban (Fuller Youth Institute), how animals eat, and more.
Links:
Leadership is [often] lonely - Doug Fields
Responding to Kids Who "Can't Handle this Sucky World any Longer"... - Walt Mueller
A Right Approach to the Bible in Your Youth Ministry - Youth Ministry 360
Movie Reviews: Oblivion - the Source for Youth Ministry
What's the Definition of "urban" youth ministry? - FYI
Video:
Here's a little video fun for the week.
By Youth Specialties on April 24 2013 | 0 Comments
Trending: Thoughts, viewpoints, and ideas on the incidents in Boston
By Youth Specialties on April 17 2013 | 0 Comments
We were all saddened by the events in Boston this week, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.
Links:
Boston's Massacre, Media's Response, and a Telling Imbalance - Walt Mueller
The Ultimate Terrorist - Greg Steir
Friends Show Up! - (not directly related to Boston, but great thoughts on hurt and grieving) Doug Fields
Today (like everyday), We Pray For Our Enemies - John Huckins
Here's a great resource for helping students during a time of crisis:
The Youth Worker’s Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis
When youth work becomes crisis managers. Anyone who stays in youth ministry for a while will encounter significant crises. Family break-ups, substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, cutting, suicide, gun violence. But without proper and immediate care, crises like these can cause years of emotional pain and spiritual scarring in students.
By Youth Specialties on April 17 2013 | 0 Comments
Real Beauty Sketches
By Youth Specialties on April 17 2013 | 0 Comments
This was a great video showing a social experiment that contrasts how people see themselves vs how others see them. It's a great reminder for our students.
Learn more about the entire project:
Dove Real Beauty Sketches
By Youth Specialties on April 17 2013 | 0 Comments
Good Bye, Brennan Manning
By Youth Specialties on April 14 2013 | 0 Comments
Brennan Manning
April 27, 1934 – April 12, 2013
It was sad to hear about the passing of Brennan Manning this weekend. This clip is a reminder of how he influenced YS and the National Youth Workers Convention. Such a great reminder today, youth leaders, when you feel ______ (fill in the blank)--know you are loved just as you are.
Read his complete obituary HERE.
By Youth Specialties on April 14 2013 | 0 Comments
Entertainment That Delivers For Youth Ministry
By Youth Specialties on April 10 2013 | 1 Comments
Using films, music and pop culture as tools in youth ministry is nothing new. Though sometimes, it does take some creativity to make the connection. King’s Faith is a new film that walks a fine line and does it well – it’s entertaining, has good production values and great acting while also providing a strong ministry connection. Blogger and youth worker, Paul Turner said on his site:
“Let me say up front that I am critical of Christian movies. Ask anyone. And yet, Christian films are getting better. Two years ago I took my kids to see To Save A Life. The story was good, the acting was above average, and the stars passed the teen-cool litmus test. That was the last Christian movie I was excited about, until now. Kings Faith, from Faith Street Films, will be coming to theaters April 26th. I did not have high expectations for this film, but what I found was not a Christian movie, but a movie done well.”
Youth workers who have seen King’s Faith are excited about using it to spur on important conversations about second chances, what grace really means and how we should treat those who are outcasts. Youth Specialties is working with King’s Faith to offer leaders a chance to screen the film online – and to get your hands on a free copy of the study created just for youth.
Randy Rainwater, head of student ministries at Grace Fellowship Church in Georgia said, “This is a really well done film featuring award winning actors and is not cheesy!!!! I think the best faith based film I have seen.” Join the conversation on Facebook and let the producers know how you’d like to use this film for your group. www.facebook.com/kingsfaith
By Youth Specialties on April 10 2013 | 1 Comments
