By Center for Youth Ministry Training 5/28/19 How do you prepare for your summer ministry trip? What will youth remember from summer experiences? Will they remember the messy games, staying up all night with friends, the closeness of a group of believers, an encounter with the living God? This summer youth ministries will set off […]
by Samantha Hassell 90 = percentage of pastors who report working between 55 to 75 hours per week. 90 = percentage of youth workers who are classifiably work-a-holics 14 = the number of real actual Sabbath days the average youth worker takes in a year I could go on with a few of the other […]
by Kris Lott Each year I, like many of you, am handed the reins to the worship services for YOUTH SUNDAY. This has become one of my favorite Sundays of the year at my church. While we try to incorporate youth and children in weekly worship throughout the year, this is a great opportunity for […]
by Hank Hilliard Several years ago I was playing golf with John, a former youth group member who had gone on to college. John shared a story about his little sister Kate. He had driven Kate to a friend’s house for a birthday party the previous night. Because John’s car was old with a worn […]
by Sarah Arthur It’s Sunday morning and my toddler has a fever. Again. For the fourteenth time this winter. Clingy, sweaty, he hovers by my thigh as I dial one parent after another. All the usual volunteers are unavailable. Someone has to be on hand at the last minute to sub for me back in […]
Human flourishing and theology of the body Currently, the trend we see in both youth ministry and the church at large in regards to issues of physical behaviors (especially, but not exclusively, sexual) is one of policing said behaviors in isolation from a larger holistic theological context. When we talk about sexuality or homosexuality we […]
When the Christian story no longer seems compelling The looming crisis in youth ministry is that young people have examined the church and judged it to be inauthentic and irrelevant. In spite of our best efforts, young people in our culture are simply not convinced that the church is an important or necessary voice in […]
by Amy Jacober A Public Service Announcement to youth pastors Connections are my great reminder that God designed us to be a communal people. Technology has allowed us to be connected more than ever. Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, texting, Instagram and a whole lot more let us catch glimpses into the lives of our friends, family […]
by Brian Kirk A friend from my seminary days recently contacted me to ask if I had any suggestions on ways to engage students in discussion so they wouldn’t get bored. A tall order, as the last thing most teenagers want out of youth group is to feel like they are at school. And nothing […]
Friends, Your investment in the Center for Youth Ministry Training continues to pay huge dividends and we are grateful for your support. This month ordination boards are meeting with individuals who have felt called by God to serve the church. The board’s job is to affirm a visible call and preparedness for ministry. Approximately one-third […]
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