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Instagram Will Kill Your Youth Ministry

Daniel Beckworth Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Social media has swept across this great nation like wildfire. Facebook is on its way out. If you still use Myspace you’re most likely a stalker—or very lonely. Twitter is still rocking along quite steadily and has yet to be completely infiltrated by preteens...
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Leadership

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 “... read more
Leadership

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... read more
Leadership

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™.... read more
Leadership, Discipleship, Programming

What I Learned On The Road...

Jordan Davis Monday, May 6, 2013
Have you ever had a great idea you thought would rock, and it just didn’t go as well as it could have? I live in northeast Wyoming. Recently I took a group of 10 kids on a surprise destination road trip. I gave them a cost and a packing list and they got in the van. A few hours in they found out... read more
Culture

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,... read more
Leadership

Youth Ministry Apps: A Response

Bill Nance Thursday, May 2, 2013
Josh and Kurt shared some great apps for us to check out in the previous two days. I am a big technophile and am always on the lookout for new apps to download. I’ve owned an iPhone for nearly five years and just got myself an iPad mini. I’ve downloaded hundreds of apps over the years. I’ve even... read more
Leadership

The 3: Best Youth Ministry Apps (Kurt)

Kurt and Josh Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Got a smartphone? Chances are you’re working at integrating some great apps into your youth ministry world. We do the same thing—and while Angry Birds Star Wars and Temple Run 2 take up a little too much of our time if we’re honest, there are some incredible apps for youth ministry. Josh gave... read more
Leadership, Volunteers

The 3: Best Youth Ministry Apps (Josh)

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Got a smartphone? Chances are you’re working at integrating some great apps into your youth ministry world. We do the same thing—and while Angry Birds Star Wars and Temple Run 2 take up a little too much of our time if we’re honest, there are some incredible apps for youth ministry. This week... read more
Leadership

Ideas to Increase Relational Ministry (Part 3)

Darren Sutton Thursday, April 25, 2013
Relational ministry can seem like a no-brainer. It’s simply being “in relationship” with students, right? Well yes…and no. It IS being in relationship with students, but how we evaluate that is everything. Simple things, like sending a student a well-worded text message or showing up at a football... read more
Leadership, Volunteers, Programming

20 Ideas to Increase Relational Ministry (Part 2)

Kurt and Josh Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Yesterday we ran down 10 quick hits on increasing relational ministry in your youth group; today we’re back with 10 more and hoping you contribute another couple in the comments, too! Here we go: 11. Set up shop at a fast-food place right next to the school that has open lunch. Send a group text... read more