Here are a few things that are working well for Saddleback HSM: 1. Our staff started a Facebook group called iPray. It’s a closed group that students have to request to join. They can post what they need prayer for and pray for each other. 2. Groups – Before or after almost every event there [...]

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I rarely miss teaching my small group or being present for our weekend services. If I’m consistent, it helps me hold my students accountable to also be consistent. It also shows my dedication. Being self-employed, I rely on appointments for my income. I’ll typically lose a good amount of money each year for the sake [...]

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Many things can enhance or kill your ministry effectiveness. Behavior is a biggie. When I served as youth pastor in small churches, this was a bigger deal than it has been as a volunteer in a large youth ministry. That was one of the biggest surprises when I transitioned to this church. We have hundreds [...]

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This year I recruited a co-leader to help lead my expanding small group. As we wade deeper into the waters of leading together, there are some considerations I’m thinking people need to think through as they find the right person to share responsibilities with. So far, we’ve had a great experience together. These are just [...]

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Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com I share this video just as a reminder that even “good” kids do stupid things. In youth ministry, we tend to believe the best in students and give them the benefit of the doubt. However, we must also be wise enough to realize that they can be very good [...]

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Last weekend I did a no-frills overnight party for my guys. I reminded them a few times that I was not bringing any food or games. Anything they wanted, they had to bring with them. Normally I would have spent $50-$100 out of my own pocket on an event like this and stressed about whether [...]

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Tonight I saw two of our students at Taco Bell hanging out with another kid I didn’t know. After a few minutes of chit chat about their fishing trip that day and seeing pictures, I turned to the kid I didn’t know and started this conversation: Me to the kid (Brett): So, are you a [...]

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This was originally posted April 30, 2009. A student watched these videos last week and said they really made her think. I thought I’d bring them to the front of the blog so new readers would get some use out of them, too. Last night I invited my friend Alex who is an Atheist to [...]

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Yesterday I sent out a message on Twitter saying I was going with my small group to meet the president of Chick fil A at an event they were putting on. My pastor, Rick Warren, happens to be friends with him. Within a couple of minutes, he sent a direct message back to me asking [...]

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Recently, Dennis approached me and asked if I would do a post for his blog. I was honored to be asked to do a blog post for him, especially because I’m so new to youth ministry. As a relatively new Junior High small group volunteer, I feel so humbled to be given this opportunity to [...]

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