I spend my days writing for and training youth workers JUST LIKE YOU.
Youth Camp Tip #3: Six Best Practices for Camp Discipline
https://soundcloud.com/yminmotion/best-practices-for-camp-discipline Discipline is no fun, but especially no fun at camp; but sometimes it has to be done. I had a student one time who had signed up for our camp. I did not know the camper very well,...
Youth Camp Tip #2: Three Ideas To Get Your Campers To Bed
I am old. Yes, old. I am old and I like to sleep, a lot. I have a routine and I do not like it messed with. "Then why are you at youth camp?" Good question. I have to be, I'm the youth pastor. Just because I am old and like to sleep does not mean...
Youth Camp Tip # 1: 3 Tips For Sharing Devotions
https://soundcloud.com/yminmotion/three-tips-for-doing-devotions-at-youth-camp I love youth camp. I gave my heart to Christ for the first time at a camp called Life For Youth Camp in Vero Beach, Fl. I worked there for 7 summers and four years full...
Games, God, and Youth Ministry: My Interview with Mikee Bridges of GameChurch.com
I had a great chat with Mikee Bridges of GameChurch.com today and I wanted to share it with you today. Mikee pulls no punches when it comes to Christianity, the church, and culture, and that is why I think you'll love our...
Finding Your Youth Ministry Path: Experience vs Academic
photo credit I have been thinking about this issue of youth ministry education and education in general for a while, but first let me give you a little history on my education journey. I was 17 years old when I received the call to ministry...
Is The “Old Way” Of Doing Youth Ministry Really The Best Way?
I love learning new things, new technology, and especially better ways to do youth ministry. I saw this video, and as usual, I have some questions for you. Watch and then respond. What new problem are you facing that you are trying an old...
Three Life Lessons For Youth Pastors From Iron Man 3
I went and saw Iron Man 3 on Thursday of last week. I was deeply troubled that I had to see it at 9:00 p.m. instead of at midnight as I usually do. I was afraid something would be lost with a potentially uncommitted audience (Midnight...
Take Note Youth Pastors, Your Teens Are Taking Notes
This past Wednesday I was blown away after youth group. I spoke with a senior high girl after youth, who had come with her boy friend, and saw her holding a bunch scrap paper with scribbling in her hand. They were notes from my message. I didn't...
Comic Book Movies As A Catalyst For Spiritual Growth
Yesterday I was listening to the Iron Man 3 soundtrack (songs inspired by the movie) and was saddened by the lack of inspiration on the songs. Looks like the bands did not see the movie. This is an action movie, but the songs don't take me...
What if Jason Collins Was Your Student?
The news broke yesterday that NBA Jason Collins came out as gay. The full story will be in the new issue of Sports Illustrated. As a Christian, I am not dismayed, but to be honest, I have other issues, 10 to be exact, that I am focused on at...
We Raise The Dead
We're youth workers. We raise the dead, every week We have The Power on our lips We speak life We share Jesus We play games to resucitate the joy of living We lead songs of victory to a life-giving, soul stirring, resurrected Savior who...
Who’s Leading You?
The worst example of a boss, in my opinion, is Bill Lumbergh from the movie Office Space. He is a coffee sipping, pencil pushing, disengaged, visionless knucklehead and some of you work for him or someone like him. It's appropriate to scream...
My Take On The Book: Firsthand
I was looking forward to receiving the book First Hand by Ryan and Josh Shook and was only slightly disappointed. I was disappointed because I thought it was a book for me to help me with all the mistakes I've made with all the young adults...
My Take On The Song: God Is Dead? By Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath
If you were one of the more controversial figures of the 80's, biting the heads off of bats and such, then this certainly is the way to make a comeback, just declare God dead (again) I won't go into an entire treatise on the song, because...
4 Ways You May Be Hurting Your Youth Ministry’s Brand
Whether we like it or not, our youth ministry is a brand. It's how our parents, church, kids, and community sees us. Does your youth ministry have a logo? Do you slap it on everything? That is called branding. Like cowboys burning their...
The Disciple Project OUTREACH MANUAL
HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR DECAYING YOUTH MEETING INTO A FLOURISHING CITY-WIDE MOVEMENT