Anytime I see something that might be useful one day as an illustration either for teaching my small group or for the high school pastor speaking on the weekend, I snap a picture. The picture below is a great example of something that can be used when at the weekend service on the screen when [...]

Filed under: Lesson Helpers | 1 Comment »

I was looking through old pics today and I came across this. The girls in our group made caramel apples to have a contest for the guys. The winner was the one who ate the apple the fastest. They seemed a little “too” excited about this, but I couldn’t figure out what they were up [...]

Filed under: Just for fun | No Comments »

Devin is doing a great blog series entitled How to Volunteer Like a Pro based on his readings from the book by the same title. I recommend checking it out. If you’re a youth pastor, consider sending links to your volunteers, too. To pick up a copy of the book, click this link: How to [...]

Filed under: For your newsletter, Resources | No Comments »

Youth Specialties said, “We want to hear your worst game idea. Something you actually did that was a complete disaster.” The comments below are off their Facebook page. If you’re not a fan already, visit their Facebook page to become one. Here’s what youth leaders said: Alecia Fischer Several years ago, I played the measle [...]

Filed under: Just for fun, Ministry Lessons | No Comments »

For tonight’s small group, we combined two of our guy groups with one of our girls groups to discuss relationships, dating and sex. It was a little slow-going at first, but the students really got into it once a few took the brave step of opening up. We threw out some provocative questions then let [...]

Filed under: Lesson Helpers | No Comments »

When the day comes to stop doing youth ministry, commit to making your departure a smooth transition. Josh Griffin over at MoreThanDodgeball.com has some great thoughts on this. Here are his main points. Go to his blog to catch the wisdom behind each point. ___ == Finish Out Your Commitment == Communicate with the Small [...]

Filed under: For your newsletter, Training | No Comments »

If you’ve already seen this movie, check out Vince Parker’s post about it. He’s started a conversation that you’ll want to be part of. Caution: There are spoilers in his post (which he states up front). Don’t read his post if you haven’t watched the movie. I saw The Book of Eli with a little [...]

Filed under: Book/Movie Reviews | No Comments »

My friend Matt McGill has a great (and incredibly short) post today about getting out of a rut. Here’s a clip. I recommend taking a minute to go there and check out the rest. ___ Come now, let us reason together . . . Isaiah 1:18 Very early in the morning, while it was still [...]

Filed under: For your newsletter, Training | No Comments »

I helped a friend edit an upcoming book. My reward is a $250 gift certificate to the place of my choice. I chose Starbucks. That will last at least a week.

Filed under: Just for fun | 2 Comments »

YouthMinistry.com’s newsletter this week is full of material for helping small church youth workers thrive. Check it out here

Filed under: Resources | No Comments »