I spend my days writing for and training youth workers JUST LIKE YOU.
Talking About Race In A 95% White Youth Ministry
Photo Source AP Our youth ministry is 95% white. It's a demographic issue. It's a cultural issue. Sunday mornings are still the most segregated moment doing the week. Our youth ministry welcomes any and all kinds of students, but having a majority...
You Can’t Train It Out Of Them Or Into Them
Chuck Todd said it right this morning on Morning Joe concerning the training of police officers "How do you train racism and bigotry out of someone's heart? " The answer is: you don't. The answer is the same for everyone, police officers,...
I’ve Finally Given Up On My Youth Staff
For years I wanted my staff to be more like youth pastors than volunteers. I would train them, and want them to love books about youth ministry, enjoy the training videos or handouts I give them. I've given up trying to put my calling on them. I've...
I Interview My Friend Linda About LGBT Stuff I Don’t Understand
I'm still thinking about the Orlando tragedy. I have no friends, who are gay, with which to chat with through this situation. Well, there is one. Her name is Linda and we’ve known each other for over 30 years. In fact, I didn’t know she was gay...
The Drop Ep 6 William Murphy, Jonathan McReynolds, Da’ Truth
Welcome to Ep 6 of the Drop. This has been a slow month for music but that only challenges me to listen to music I wouldn't normally listen to to find the gem songs you're looking for to use in your ministry. This episode does not...
The Drop Ep 4 Lindy Conant, RED, Jill Parr, Brinson
Come to The Drop Episode 4! This episode is filled with great music of your youth ministry including the best songs for your youth room, worship, bible study, fine arts, and the altar time. Watch the episode here and then grab the...
10 Perfect Songs For That Post Camp Video
Camp is happening but camp is not over until you make that music video filled with great memories and I have the perfect music for you. I like to use a combination of songs when creating my video. Fast songs for all the games and action and some...
The Drop Ep. 5: Jason Gray, Viktory, Union of Sinners and Saints, and TFK
I hope you are enjoying watching my new show The Drop as much as I am making it. The shows are between 12-25 minutes and talk about new Christian Music that drops the week before. I had a ton of fun with this episode because TFK has so much...
Working Yourself Out Of A Job(s) In Three Easy Steps
Yesterday I shared the joy of missing part of a youth event and allowing my leaders, students and adults, to lead. In effect I am decentralizing leadership and working myself out of jobs I no longer want to do to focus on my new job description of...
What If You Didn’t Show Up?
I had the joy of not showing up to an event, until later, for our youth group last night. Why the joy of being not showing up? Because I wasn't in charge of the event, one of my leaders and a few students were. At the end of May we tossed around a...
10 Songs For Your Post Mission Trip Slide Show
I love making slideshows because the music I use is meant to have an impact. The soundtrack to our trip has multiple purposes. It tells the story of our adventure. It creates energy. It make kids reflect on all they accomplished. It sends a message...
What God Showed Me On A Mountain In San Jose, Costa Rica
The picture you see above is the climb I almost didn't make. Our youth ministry got back from a mission trip to San Jose, Costa Rica. As with any trips, we had a free day and our free day included a Zip Line. I was super excited about doing this...
The Drop Ep. 3 Seth and Nirva, Mari Burelle, and Thrice
This is my third episode of my new Youtube show, The Drop where I share with you my choice picks of Christian music that dropped last week and how you can use this music in your youth ministry. Check out the episode below, and don't...
Every Sunday Is Declaration Day
We can think of a Sunday morning and of church as a have to, if we are Christians. But what if we thought of it as Declaration Day. The image that conjured this article was a the song/album but The Alarm called Declaration. The album is...
The Drop Ep. 2: DJ Kirk, Livre’, Jason Fowler, Sean Feucht
I have just uploaded Ep. 2 of my new show The Drop where I examine the newest Christian Music and who you can use it in your youth ministry. Here's the newest episode (don't forget to subscribe) Here's the Spotify playlist
The Disciple Project OUTREACH MANUAL
HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR DECAYING YOUTH MEETING INTO A FLOURISHING CITY-WIDE MOVEMENT