Yesterday I celebrated my 46th birthday, and in November I celebrated my 26th year of youth ministry. I am now into my 27th year of youth ministry, 23 years of full-time, on-staff church youth ministry. Here are just three lessons I have learned from being “over the hill”. There is a growing trend among youth […]
Another Classic, That Has Been Reborn with the Return of “Name That Tune!” , Hosted by Jane Krakowski & Randy Jackson on Fox! We Also Brought It Back This Christmas During our December In-person COVID Shutdown. We Made It Part of the Our Christmas Face-offs on our YouTube Live Show! We Did It Using […]
“Teens tend to respond to significant unwanted restrictions in one of two ways: with devastation or defiance. Eyes brighten with wetness; tear-stained faces swell; anger reigns — until, that is, desire to see anyone or do anything fades away as depression sets in. This has been the reliable trajectory over the last year for conscientious […]
10. McDonald’s: Parents put up with going there, because the kids love the playland? 9. Burger King: Have It Your Way Sermons? 8. Taco Bell: Same sermon content every week, just with a different title and packaging? 7. KFC: Original or Extra Crispy Theology of the Final Judgements? 6. Dunkin’ Donuts: Full-Immersion Baptism, Of Course? 5. Wendy’s: Known for […]
People all the time ask me “how do you define success?” or “how do I know I am being successful?” It fills blogs, books, and staff meetings. It is the make or break for many in youth ministry, and often is the difference between keeping or losing a job. It is tricky question with a […]
10. I Will Not Do A Lock-In This Year? (* no matter what your students, parents, and Facebook walls say) 9. I Will Drink Less Coffee, Monster, and Red Bull? (*your energy will come from the spirit this year…the Holy Spirit, just to clarify! ) 8. I Will Not Call the Sr. Pastor “Dude”, “Dawg”, or “Bro”? (try […]
10. He Is At Least 2 Feet Taller Than Anybody He Works With? (hello- little 6th grader way down there.) 9. Tummy That Jiggles Like a “Bowl Full of Jelly”? (more like a bowl full of pizza!?) 8. Beard? (Hipster Beard?) 7. Is All Into Giving Away Stuff? (who wants a cool Free t-shirt or […]
I recently read the Instagram post from Skillet frontman, John Copper, called “Make Pastors Uncool Again”. In it, he addresses the continual trend of cool and hip pastors that acts more like rockstars than pastors… “..promotes himself, builds his brand, and entertains people..” This continues to be true for so many pastors in general, but […]
I don’t know about you but I am always trying to find a way to “land the plane” at the end of my lesson? Do I go emotional, quiet, or loud? Do leave it off with a little something to come back for next week? Then I read a great post by John Cooper, […]
The conversation would be similar each week as I walked through the plan for that night and it would always end the same before I left the office. I would be asked about my lesson. Each time I would hear the same thing… “Is it a home run, a triple, a double, or a single? […]