Discipleship Articles

Sort Articles
1

How to Get the Most Out of a Youth Ministry Conference

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Our favorite time of the year is quickly approaching – the Simply Youth Ministry Conference is just around the corner. This March in Louisville we’re going to be hanging with 3,000 of our closest youth ministry friends. Hope you can join us! Even if you aren’t coming to SYMC, the chances are pretty... read more

Don't Pick On My Little Brother

Greg Stier Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Filmmaking brothers Philip and Chris Leclerc, in their new documentary Divided, don’t beat around the bush: “Modern youth ministry,” they say, “is contrary to scripture.” Their overarching argument is that youth workers have systematically “aided and abetted” in the transfer of spiritual leadership... read more

The Secret Dreams of Teenagers

Rick Lawrence Wednesday, December 21, 2011
I was in Canada, leading a mix of adults and teenagers through an experience I call “Jesus-Centered Ministry.” Three-quarters of the way through theexperience I had trios focus on an assigned scripture passage that offered a little taste of Jesus. I asked groups to imagine that their unique passage... read more

I Want Both

Mark Devries Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Senior Pastor:We’re looking for more fruit in our youth ministry. I appreciate those 15 kids who are coming, but we have another 200 who aren’t. Youth Leader:What good is it if we reach hundreds of kids but none are living their faith when they graduate? Senior Pastor:No good at all. I want to get... read more
1

3 Things That AREN'T Changing in Youth Ministry

Kurt and Josh Wednesday, December 21, 2011
There’s been quite a bit of talk this past year about youth ministry changing drastically in the future. And while we agree youth ministry must always be in a state of evolution and change, our minds wandered to what isn’t going to change anytime soon…or at least shouldn’t! If you spend your time... read more
4

3 Things That Are Changing in Youth Ministry

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, December 20, 2011
There has been a lot of talk this year about the changing shape of youth ministry. As we wrap up one of our last articles of 2011, we thought it was a good idea to talk about a few of these changes … and point out a few things that don’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Up today, a few ways youth... read more

Taming the Ministry Tongue

Jake and Meliss... Monday, December 5, 2011
Ministry work often feels like a 24/7 job. The hours are long, the parishioners are many, and the needs are great. It is important for all ministry workers to separate themselves at times and focus on all the other wonderful aspects of life outside of church; marriage, children, hobbies, pleasures... read more

Pursuing Thankfulness in YM

Tim Blake Wednesday, November 9, 2011
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” – Psalm 106:1. “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” – Colossians 2:6-7... read more
2

Mentoring: A Response

Joe Marinich Thursday, November 3, 2011
I will never forget the day, it was a few years ago and I was meeting my former Sunday School teacher for lunch. The cool thing was that after almost 15 years from being in his class we were still friends and we still get together for lunch from time to time. He was one of my favorite teachers... read more
3

The Importance of a Youth Ministry Yoda in Your Life

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Gandalf, Albus Dumbledore. In just about every good story, the young hero has an older, wiser mentor; one who has traveled a similar journey at an earlier point. At a critical moment in the story, the hero consults the wise old sage for wisdom and encouragement in the journey... read more