I spend my days writing for and training youth workers JUST LIKE YOU.
This Easter, I Still Believe
https://soundcloud.com/yminmotion/pushing-through-your-doubts I listened to an album for what seems like the the 100th time yesterday and it might have been. The first time I heard I Still Believe it was in the movie The Lost Boys in 1987. I was an...
Using Prayer Stations To Share The Gospel With Your Youth Ministry
Last night a used a tool that has served me well over the years. I would go as far to say that prayer stations may be the most powerful tool I have used in youth ministry. Let me explain why. Prayer stations engage our kids in a way that preaching...
What This Youth Pastor Learned At Killer Tribes Day 3: What Makes A Movement?
I think anything worth learning is worth processing. This is why I am taking a few days to unpack these conference thoughts and apply it to a youth ministry and life context. Another reason I am braking it down is because many you have not...
What This Youth Pastor Learned At Killer Tribes: Day 2
I am up way to early this morning but I went to bed too early as well. Does going to be bed at 9:30 mean I am officially old? Instead of tossing and turning, I am turning out another post about what I learned at the Killer Tribes conference...
This Youth Pastor’s Killer Tribe Conference Experience Day 1: John Saddington
Happy Monday everyone, I spent the weekend at a new event, for me, in both name and content. I attended the Killer Tribes Conference in Snellville, Ga. hosted by Bryan Allain. Like every conference it had it's hits and misses. To my...
4 Ways To Expand Your Horizons Beyond Youth Ministry
Being a youth pastor is a dream job. The kids and the church I serve are amazing. It's fun to watch where we've been and where we are going but I am no fool, it could end tomorrow. Cue dramatic music: Dun Dun Dun! One thing I have learned over the...
25 Things You May Not Know About Me
You don't know me and that's my fault. You've been a faithful read and today you deserve to know more about the person behind this keyboard. Some facts are innocuous and some are fun, and some may just be weird and that's o.k., I trust you'll be...
The Struggle Of The “Identified”
I have been meditating on culture lately. The culture of the church, the culture of youth ministry, and culture in general and how to change it. I was taught to be a thermostat, one who changes the temperature, not a thermometer, one who simply...
Painters and Players: Game Store Discipleship Part 2
Yesterday I shared a conversion I had at a game store that sold me on a hobby I was interested in. As a youth pastor who focuses, (some say obsess) over the process of discipleship, I knew what was happening to me, I was being evangelized and...
Painters and Players: One Game Store’s Way of Making Disciples Part 1
My son and I recently took up a new hobby together, Warhammer 40k by Games Workshop. It's expensive, time intensive, and we love it. Everything about the hobby says "this hobby is going to cost you in time, money, and relational energy" and yet...
Before You Preach The Good News, Tell Yourself First
If you over the age of 30 you may think of this when you think of positive thinking: This is not what I am talking about doing to change our negative thought patterns. Negative thinking is the opposite of good news. Negative thinking is bad...
Detecting and Protecting Your Team From The Negativity Virus
Super-bug viruses are powerful and deadly. Doctors are frantically trying to keep up with how it spreads, where it is spreading, and it's make up to come up with a shot that will counteract it. Equally as powerful and deadly is the super bug...
Dealing With Pastor Debbie Downer
Remember Debbie Downer from SNL? If not, take a moment to watch it here. O.k., now that you wiped the tears from your eyes from laughing so hard, think about the Debbie Downers we deal with in the church. Debbie Downers can always find a reason for...
5 Negative Youth Ministry Assumptions And How To Avoid Them
In my devotion time yesterday, I read about the transition of leadership in Egypt which led to the Israelites being enslaved. This transition of leadership began with a negative assumption. 8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing,...
Get It First Newsletter March Preview: Just in Time For St. Patricks Day
Just in time for St. Patricks Day, I have a few resource to get your kids playing and praying. In addition, I offer a way for your kids to save some of their green with 4 small group lessons on money. Check the video for these and a bonus...
The Disciple Project OUTREACH MANUAL
HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR DECAYING YOUTH MEETING INTO A FLOURISHING CITY-WIDE MOVEMENT