What would be your first guess as to the average age of youth workers in local churches? Most of us may imagine a young 20 something who speaks the student’s language with lots of energy. There are obviously a million styles, situations and settings for local church youth ministry and the leaders vary just as … Read more
It seems that once a student gets a drivers license, their days in youth group become numbered. It’s hard to compete with school, part-time jobs, and social lives of a mobile upperclassman. I recently heard it succinctly put this way, “older students in our youth ministries will either lead or leave.” It’s easy to become … Read more
It’s the cry of most every youth pastor – “How do I get kids to turn in their registration forms on time?” “Our kids are so bad at getting registered for events!” Here are some thoughts you can try – some of these are field tested and some of them aren’t. As my dad always jokes … Read more
Here are a few things that student ministry leaders need to make part of their lives in order to have thriving and healthy ministries: Prayer (March 11:24, Jeremiah 33:3) – Prayer is our lifeline. We need to pray to sense God’s leading in our lives and wisdom as we serve his church. We need to pray … Read more
For many student ministries, the summer is a crazy, schedule filled season of trips, camps and missions. Planning now will help maximize the energy, the attendance, the momentum, the memories, and the connections as you enter the fall. But planning ahead also brings balance in life and allows you time to find the needed volunteers … Read more
By having a “youth pastor” a local church is indicating two things: 1) they are allocating resources to keep ministry to the students and families organized and moving and 2) they are asking that leader to help equip the congregation for life changing ministry to the next generation. The job of the youth ministry leader is … Read more
The Well, a seminar for youth workers, has been happening each year since 2005. It’s one of my favorite ways to help encourage and equip youth ministry leaders to effectively help the church reach the next generation. My vision for The Well is that it would be an annual, no strings attached event for … Read more