Sometimes the only way I can adequately express myself, emphatically, is with a swear word. I’ve heard someone recently say “the best strategy for life is to not give a damn” I want to believe that. It certainly would be easier than caring. Caring hurts and is exhausting. Giving a damn means you’re exposed to…
Have you ever had someone check you out at the grocery store or wait on you in a restaurant that made you feel like they would rather be doing anything but helping you? Me too. I think about these people who act like they have something better to do because I have been that person…
In a previous article I asked the question, “Do you have anything better to do?” and it’s about my attitude towards work, dreams and acceptance. Today, I want to help you define the better in better things to do and I’ll start with a story about a young lady who loves roller skating. Makayla was…
I asked this question a lot as a youth worker, but I asked it way too early in my career. I wanted to know immediately what I only deserve to know four years from that moment. Making a difference should not be a short term goal. Making a difference is long term work. The key…
2020 has been a rough year for most everyone due to the pandemic, but my year of angst had nothing to do with pandemic. My kids are grown and out of the house, so no home schooling. My job was protected because I was considered essential staff. So what was my issue? God and I…
If you’re wondering what makes a successful youth ministry, it may help to look at some words and phrases that make for an unsuccessful youth ministry. I asked my youth ministry friends, and others, to chime in on what words describe unsuccessful youth ministry, and these the one’s they submitted. Which of these words do…
It’s been a year since I’ve put my coaching shingle out and said, “Hey Youth Workers, I can help you build a successful youth ministry”. It’s been quite the year but it’s been educational as well and I thought I’d pass on what I’ve learned to you. It’s more than x’s and o’s Part of…
This is Cheryl. She made my biscuits this morning at a fast food place called Jacks. My biscuit was delicious. Good job Cheryl! Jacks understands that transparency creates trust. I can see who is making my food, whether they’re in a good mood or not and I know her name, Cheryl. Were the biscuits good…
“Let’s make this clear, I am a believer, but sometimes it gets hard.” says the rapper Dax as he stands in front of the camera dressed in biblical garb, beaten, with a crown of thorns on his head giving his best pre-cross Jesus. I’ve never heard of Dax before today, but he is currently trending…
I only make one announcement a the beginning of the podcast and that is about my new book The Youth Ministry Playbook available as a physical book, a pdf or a bundle of five. That’s it, onward. Well, it only took 89 episodes but I finally get to use the word farts when talking about…
