by Denise McKinney I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership lately. Most of it is from a ministry context, but those thoughts and reflections are spilling over into a variety of leadership situations I’ve been observing. I recently watched an episode of Undercover Boss and was reminded of the kinds of issues employees can face—inside […]
by Courtney Blacksten Editor’s Note: When Courtney Blacksten and her husband Brandon were in their first year of marriage, they were excited to begin to create their own holiday traditions as a new family. They chose to focus on celebrating Advent well. Courtney says, “Each evening of Advent we light the appropriate candles on our […]
by Gary Wake If someone’s driving and they have no idea where they are, it’s helpful for them to stop and figure out where they went off track, so that they don’t move further from their intended destination. There are more directions that churches want to go with youth groups than there are youth group […]
To my Dearest Sojourner in Ministry to Youth, You are wise, my friend, to seek out and learn from the experience of others, others who have been educated with an often painful curriculum. And so, as one who has had the privilege of walking with many who have suffered their way into wisdom in youth […]
I live in Lake Wobegon, where all the men are good-looking, the women are strong, and the children above average. Or at least, that’s what you’d think if you just glanced in on a given Sunday morning. To the common eye First Presbyterian Church Nashville may look like the perfect church. I grew up at […]
Editor’s Note: This letter is excerpted from CYMT’s book Letters to a Youth Worker, edited by Mark DeVries. Dear Youthworker, Sometimes I’ve wondered, “Which am I? Youth Leader? Mother? Hmmm…Youth Leader? Mother? I’m both. And when I really dig deep, I begin to realize that the only difference between the two is the fact that […]
by Andrew Zirschky The careful balance and integration of coaching, church experience, cohort interaction, and the academic study of youth ministry are at the heart of the Center for Youth Ministry Training‘s (CYMT) mission to educate and equip youth ministers as practical theologians. By bringing together expert-guided congregational practice and theological reflection within a cohort […]
by Peter Carlson Youth group ski trips are often a highlight of the year to both students and adult leaders (especially if your church covers the cost of your leaders’ lift tickets). However, when planning these trips it’s easy to focus on the logistics of this event and place any spiritual element as an afterthought. […]
by Jason Sansbury When you’ve been in ministry long enough (and sometimes when you’re just starting out), there are certain “moments” that you’ll experience. One of those moments is when the “haters” come for you. I wish I could tell you that being in the church world and in ministry meant that you wouldn’t have […]
Editor’s Note: This letter is an excerpt from CYMT’s book Letters to a Youth Worker, edited by Mark DeVries. Dear Theologian, Yes. You are a theologian. Anytime you open the Bible and read the scriptures, anytime you talk about God or your Christian faith, you do theology. It may not be intentional, but it’s inescapable: […]
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