Leadership
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Youth Ministry Handoff: A Response

Scott Cohoon Thursday, May 9, 2013

Kurt & Josh continue to offer great topics and content with SYM Today. I was both challenged by the thought-provoking journal questions and encouraged by the practical transition suggestions. This week they have out done themselves by including a Football analogy. So, in keeping with the “football” theme, I wanted to play a little Thursday morning quarterback.

It starts with the General Manager (Christian Education Committee) -
One way we have found to create harmony, is to know and develop together each departments 3 year scope. Knowing what other classes are teaching and what is coming next allows us to teach on the same topic or book of the Bible throughout the many classes. This doesn’t always work through “Big Church”, but if a series is known early enough we can connect to that topic as well....

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youth ministry transitions
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Youth Ministry Transitions

Kurt and Josh Wednesday, May 8, 2013

This is a season of transitions in our ministry. In just a couple of weeks the 6th-graders will be moving into our junior high ministry, our new freshman will be entering high school, and our just-graduated seniors will be moving up into the college-level program. It’s a bittersweet time of excitement for the new, mixed with the loss of incredible students who are no longer formally in your care.

Today we hope to provide you with a few keys to make the transitions smooth in your church. As we learned yesterday, the youth ministry “handoff” can be a time when students fail to make the move up in one of their life’s most challenging times. Here are some thoughts to make them go well.

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Leadership
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The Youth Ministry Handoff

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The quarterback takes the ball, and hands it to the running back. The running back forgot the play for a second, maybe the quarterback goofed and was a split-second late—either way there’s a problem with the exchange and before you know it the ball squirts from his hands on to the AstroTurf™. FUMBLE!

Something went wrong and the end of the play usually leaves everybody wondering what it was and how to make sure it never happens again.

The children’s ministry is doing their own thing. The college ministry is on their own page, too. Big church is doing something completely different. Oh boy. Here come the kids—there go the seniors. How can we be better at the crucial handoffs between our ministries? Is it possible not to fumble this important part of youth ministry?

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Culture
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Discussion Starter: News of Gay Athlete Leads to Controversy

Steph Martin Friday, May 3, 2013

Washington, D.C.—In a first for American professional team sports, an active athlete has come out as homosexual. NBA free agent Jason Collins announced this week that he’s gay, leading to overwhelming support from fellow players, media, and even President Obama.

Collins, a 34-year-old center, averaged only 1.1 points for the Washington Wizards this year, so league insiders aren’t convinced that another team will pick him up. But several general managers said the player’s sexuality wouldn’t be an issue; they’ll only ask if he can help a team win.

In a Sports Illustrated cover article, Collins said he dealt with many emotions before finally accepting his sexuality. “There’s nothing more beautiful than just allowing yourself to really be happy and be comfortable in your own skin,” he said. Collins also emphasized the importance of his Christian faith, saying, “I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on...

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