Editor’s Note: The content of this article was developed in Advanced Studies in Youth, Church and Culture taught by Andrew Zirschky at Memphis Theological Seminary in partnership with CYMT. To learn more about the CYMT graduate residency, visit cymt.org. by Joanna Simmerman The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has quickly become one of the most […]
by Deech Kirk I was reminded recently about how much technology is changing youth ministry. A friend had just returned from a youth trip and was dealing with the aftermath of a high school kid having shown inappropriate YouTube videos to some middle schoolers. Gone are the days when we can feel safe simply asking […]
by Hank Hilliard and Mary Dell Deweese My oldest son, Tanner, played baseball last spring in what is called a “modified coach-pitch league,” which is one step up from T-ball. The batter gets seven pitches from the coach (which actually turned into more like 10-12 pitches) to try to get a hit. If he fails […]
by Will Penner Approximate length: 35 minutes Primary Theme: Commitment Themes: Discipleship, Social Status, Humility, Death Scripture: Mark 2:1-12 The gospels are full of stories of people who desperately wanted to see Jesus. Some want to learn from him, because they hear he was a great teacher. Some want to be healed by him. Others […]
What led you to coaching at CYMT? Lesleigh Carmichael, CYMT Director of Coaching, is a mentor to me in youth ministry. Back when I was an intern at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville during my time at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Lesleigh was the Associate Minister in charge of youth ministry. Before enrolling in Divinity School, […]
by Deech Kirk Last week, I attended an ordination mentor training, equipping me to serve others by helping them navigate the challenging process of ordination. I tweeted during the training: “Does the UMC encourage or discourage ordination with its process?” I got a lot of responses to the tweet and a few questions from those […]
by Steph Dodge Overview: This activity is meant to model for the students what the early Christians went through meeting in the catacombs to avoid Roman persecution. It requires a lot of preparation and a number of volunteers but it can be a very powerful exercise to help youth understand what it is like to […]
by Deech Kirk Create a worship experience that your students will not forget. Jesus bled from seven places when he gave his life for our sins. He bled from both hands, both feet, his head, his back, and his side. Each of these places remind us of all the ways Christ wholly forgives our sins. […]
by Stephen Ingram When I do small group training I often like to talk about the 3 “Be”s of Being a Good Small Group Leader. This is obviously not an exhaustive list but can certainly serve as a great reminder for all of our small group leaders as many of us are heading into retreat […]
It’s the end of the Church as we know it, and they (youth) feel fine. The Western church is an inconsequential place in the life of many students. The research from the NSYR (National Study of Youth and Religion) points to this fact. Is it true? The Church has become a destination or a building. […]
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