Social Media and the Anxiety Pandemic
by Rev. Dr. David White Rev. Dr. White is the C. Ellis and Nancy Gribble Nelson Professor of Christian Education, Professor in Methodist Studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX Storm and Stress Adolescence has been considered, almost by definition, a period of heightened “storm and stress” due to the many changes youth […]
Under the Microscope: Your Assumptions Might be an Innovation Roadblock
By Meghan Hatcher When I talk with ministry leaders who are applying to participate in the Lab’s cohorts, they often tell me about their innovative ministry ideas. I love hearing what they’re dreaming about, but I’m quick to tell leaders that, at the Lab, we’ll intentionally invite them to put their ideas on the back […]
Mission Trips and The Art of Theological Reflection
by Andrew Mochrie As director of Theology Together Andrews manages its initiatives and programs. He oversees the Theology Together 2.0 grant project and is charged to develop and execute a plan that creates a sustainable model for Theology Together. Most often our opportunities for faith formation with our students are executed in a very curated […]
Missional Practice: Exercises in Empathy
by Aaron Kick Aaron is the City Service Mission (CSM) City Coordinator for Kansas City. Each Summer Aaron leads hundreds of students and leaders in community and justice work in Kansas City. As the Kansas City Director for CSM, it’s my job to not only connect student volunteer groups with a network of local nonprofits, […]
Mission, the Mother of Theology
Dr. Andrew Zirschky Andrew has more than 20 years of congregational youth ministry experience and holds an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of Beyond the Screen: Youth Ministry for the Connected but Alone Generation and Teaching Outside the Box: Five Approaches to Opening the Bible with Youth. “Mission is the mother of […]
Under the Microscope: Innovation + Frustration They don’t have to go hand in hand.
by Meghan Hatcher I’ve been where you are. One of the reasons I’m so compelled by the work we’re doing at the Innovation Lab is because I’ve personally sat where many of our Lab participants sit. When I was in seminary, I participated in a cohort program with other ministry leaders. The goal was for […]
A Letter to a Small Church Youth Worker
by Rev. Samantha Hassell Samantha is the Associate Pastor of Youth & Christian Education at Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church and has served the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as a Youth Pastor and Christian Educator since 2001. Dear Small Church Youth Worker, I see you. I see you squeezing every penny of your tight budget. I see […]
A(nother) Letter to a Small Church Youth Worker
by Bryant Fisher Bryant is the Director of Student Ministry at Brentwood United Methodist Church in Brentwood, TN. You’re doing it! All the hours you spend wondering what your faithful few need from you. The time you spend making sure the space you create is for the teenagers coming and teenagers missing. Do you know […]
The Beauty of the Small Things
by Stephen Ingram Stephen is a 25+ year youth ministry veteran and the Sr. Director of Resource Development for CYMT. The Blessing of Small I work in a big church. I mean a really big church. My church has more members than my hometown has people! I love my job. It provides me many incredible […]
Hey Large Church Youth Leader!
by Andrew Mochrie Andrew is the leader of the Theology Together Program at CYMT as well as a veteran youth worker. Don’t Forget, You Matter Too It’s here! Summer. You’re confident it’ll be another blockbuster, another couple months filled with the adrenaline of going from trip to trip. Summer brings less weekly programming and more […]