by Stephen Ingram The most transformative opportunities one has in student ministry are those 24-48 hour-long free-for-alls we call retreats. Retreats are excellent places to bring our groups together and create bonds and memories that will last for years to come. If, however, we only think of retreats as youth group vacations, we’re missing out […]
Finding ourselves and one another in God’s story We have domesticated the Bible. We are teaching a one-dimensional Bible. We’ve left out the lament, the trouble, the danger, the conflict, and the drama, and along with it the beauty, the poetry, and the wonder. When leading Children Worship and Wonder, adult volunteers are stunned by […]
by Kelly Soifer Originating in the fourth century of the church, the season of Lent spans 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter. Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate […]
by Amy Jacober What happens when a teenager has a vision from God and a praying mom who takes her seriously. Every once in a while there is a teen situated in that sweet spot of being open to the voice of God and surrounded by adults who will help discern what to do with […]
by Hank Hilliard Editor’s Note: This exercise can also be used with parents. A pathway has to do with the way we most naturally sense God’s presence and experience spiritual growth. You have at least one pathway that comes most easily to you. You also will have one or two pathways that are the most […]
by Stephen Ingram Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Pilgrimage Both Here and There Want to Get Away? Do you remember the “Wanna Get Away” Southwest Airline commercials? In youth ministry between the hectic schedule, high stress situations, and lock-ins, wanting to get away seems to be a common mantra. Getting away often comes by way […]
by Mike Kupferer No youth ministry is immune to the economic hardship facing our country. In order to be better stewards of our resources (and possibly stay afloat), we all need to learn to save a few bucks. Spending a youth ministry budget wisely encompasses a number of things. It’s the big things such as […]
by Stephen Ingram We have moved into a new age in student ministry. Working with parents—long seen in youth ministry as a nice addition to our programs—now might need to become the central way we understand our students’ spirituality and the future of the church. The need to shift to a new age is emphasized in […]
Radically local but intentionally global Our understanding of mission within youth ministry should be highly contextualized at the local level but also open to learning from the global context. The challenge within this approach is to practice co-mission: seeing ourselves as called to share what we have with others but also ready to receive what […]
by Steph Dodge Overview: This activity will help your youth understand who they are in God’s eyes. Materials: Picture frames or small mirrors for each participant Permanent markers Bibles Handouts or PowerPoint slides with verses related to how God views us: Ephesians 1:11-12 2 Corinthians 6:18 Jeremiah 29:11 Galatians 3:26 Psalm 103:11-12 Song of Solomon […]
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