Nick Sirianni is the head football coach of the Philadephia Eagles, who I hate, as a football team because I am a Giants fan. Yes, I’m petty and a little salty considering my Giants are in the toilet this year and the Eagles are probably going back to the Superbowl. Regardless of my feeling towards…
Over on my Youtube channel I had someone leave this comment, “I enjoy your podcast and store as well. I have a small youth group and been praying for wisdom how to grow Question I have and I don’t mean any disrespect at all. Why do you have a small youth group? Blessings!” I take…
One of my friends posted: Plugging youth into jobs in your youth program is not student-led ministry. Far from it. We’re hearing from God but falling short of understanding. Time to equip youth to lead ministries of their own, not ours. Let me first say that I think the quote is true. Plugging kids into…
I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and feel privileged to have grown up in that time because it was wild and unique. I grew up in a time when disco had it’s moment and rock n roll was getting harder and louder. I became a Christian in the fall of 1981, I was…
Many youth ministries are in decline and dying. Yes, there are cycles, ups and downs and seasons, but there are some youth ministries that are just plain dying. If you’re one of these youth pastors whose youth group is in decline, I feel for you. I’ve been there. A declining youth ministry is hard on…
I had that unique opportunity where all the staff were going to be out of town and I was the only one left to preach and, at 55, I still wring my hands and laugh maniacally, “Muahahahahahaha!” because it’s my chance to involve students in “big church” I asked my youth, “Who wants to tag…
Worship Bands can be a hassle. Personalities, Divas, Want to be the next _____________ (write popular worship leader name here), practice times, no commitment, etc. etc. They can be more trouble than they are worth but I’ve always valued them because it gives kids roles and responsibilities and ways to use the gifts and talents…
All roads may lead to Rome but not all youth programs lead to discipled young people. Youth Pastors have all kinds of words to describe their youth program, some call it youth group, others call it youth ministry, some call it student ministry but these titles don’t really give a true picture of what is…
It’s currently 2023, and even though I wrote this in 2011, things have not only changed but gotten worse. It is now a foregone conclusion that graduates will not be back to church any time soon, but, our calling as youth pastors and college and career directors hasn’t quit just because they have. Where we…
This article, as well as graduation forms graduation gift ideas graduation service sample and graduation song suggestions (over 40) Are a part of Launching Well: Graduating Your Senior Class In Style resource. If you are not subscribed to the Youth Ministry Round Up newsletter, subscribe now and receive all these graduation resources. “If it weren’t…
