How many seniors did you graduate this year? Enough to make your youth group radically shrink? I graduated one senior, but in a youth group that consistently runs 7, it’s like losing 5. I also consider the energy this senior brings, he’s a binding agent, a glue that keeps everyone uplifted and is a great…
I just returned from what feel like my 267th time at camp. It’s not far off. I’ve done camp ministry all my life and I believe in it’s power, in conjunction with the power of the Holy Spirit, to transform the spiritual condition of students. The most students I’ve ever taken is probably somewhere around…
We’re just a few days away from hitting the halfway mark of the year and I think it’s a good time to reflect. Here are a few questions I’m asking myself to get my brain juices flowing as I move into the second half of the year. + What were my personal goals starting out…
Maybe you’re an veteran youth pastor. You’ve conquered that mountain you set your sights on years ago. The view from the top is magnificent, a testament to your hard work and dedication. But a nagging feeling persists. The climb, once thrilling, now feels routine. The once-daunting challenges now seem like child’s play. Maybe you’re a…
“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight This multi-layered statement has been rolling around my brain like a pair of sneakers in a dryer. I recently heard the news of Pastor Tony Evans, 74, stepping down from his church due to an…
Kevin Costner, In reference to his movies Tin Cup and Bull Durham, made some comments about the protagonists in these movies not getting what they wanted, “We don’t have to win in order to be respected. We have to stay true to ourselves. We have to find the relevance in who we are and not…
“Today. Today… At the edge of our hope, at the end of our time, we have chosen not only to believe in ourselves, but in each other. Today there is not a man nor woman in here that shall stand alone. Not today. Today we face the monsters that are at our door and bring…
I was wondering one day, “I wonder how much it cost to do car crash tests?” My mind is an ocean of meandering questions like this. I was thinking of this because I was thinking of doing a short term program change in our youth ministry where I saw our students leading small groups. You…
This is not message to every pastor, just to the ones who confuse vision with entitlement. Pastors, a vision is not a program, an ideology or a philosophy. It’s not a statement. A vision is the ability to see what could be if the investment of prayer, hard work and resources (time, people, etc.) are…
Being a youth pastor is a rewarding but demanding role. While the focus is often placed on developing positive habits for success, it’s equally important to identify and avoid behaviors that can hinder your ministry. This article explores 13 common pitfalls that can hold anyone back, but allow me to share why these habits, in…
