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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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Families, Leadership, Culture

Running on Empty: A Response

Roy Probus Thursday, February 14, 2013
Many of us don't ever think about doing anything else besides youth ministry. We live and breathe youth ministry. We have the scars to prove it, so it’s hard to ever think about leaving it. Deep down, we all know it can happen. While there are some lifetimers out there, many of us will move beyond... read more
Leadership, Discipleship, Speaking, Small Groups, Programming

No More Secondhand Faith

Troy Richards Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The “Telephone” game is a youth ministry standard—you tell the first person in a long line a message, usually a movie quote like this one from Braveheart: “They may take our lives but they’ll never take our freedom.” That person then whispers the message to the next person in line, who whispers it... read more
Leadership

Finding Your Edge

Mark Devries Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Most of my ministry pals want to be on the “cutting edge”—blazing trails, multiplying effectiveness, and awakening fresh faithfulness. In the words of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, they want to “skate to where the puck is going to be.” Recently, I stumbled onto an important distinction that can... read more
Leadership, Discipleship

The Bus-Driver’s Rant

Rick Lawrence Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Not long ago I was at an annual three-day forum for youth ministry professors—I’ve been an interloper at this gathering for 15 years. One night, all 125 of us loaded onto school buses for a cross-town trip to a Bible college campus, where the “entertainment” for the evening was a panel discussion... read more
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Leadership, Volunteers

I’ve Seen It All

Kurt and Josh Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Kicking off the school year. Launch of small groups. Youth group. Adult services. Speaking in big church. Christmas chaos. Overnighter. New Year’s party. Scavenger hunt. Parent drama. Driving the kid home after waiting an hour because his mom never did show up. Trying to finish a seminary course so... read more
Families, Leadership

Running on Empty

Kurt and Josh Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Running on empty? We know the feeling. The energy of the fall is gone, seniors are already starting to head toward the door, and you’re questioning your own sanity because you were the one championing the junior high overnighter this Friday night. What do you do? You’ll need to find what is... read more
Culture

Have You Been Claimed?

Lane Palmer Monday, February 11, 2013
By Lane Palmer at Dare 2 Share What a way to engage a teen audience during Valentine season – with the release of a totally original, never before conceived movie that connects a soapy teen romance with supernatural teen powers. As you already know,Twilight Beautiful Creatures is out for public... read more
Leadership, Volunteers

Yes, The Volunteers Are Out There

Youth Ministry ... Friday, February 8, 2013
blog by Jeff Dunn-Rankin   “Hey Jeff,” he said.  “You’ll never guess where I’m going!”   Will sounded eager and excited. But he sounds like that most of the time.   “I’m going to the beach,” he said.  “Isn’t that amazing?”   Not so much, actually. Will’s a... read more
Leadership, Volunteers, Programming

Yes, the Volunteers Are Out There

Youth Ministry ... Friday, February 8, 2013
blog by Jeff Dunn-Rankin “Hey Jeff,” he said. “You’ll never guess where I’m going!” Will sounded eager and excited. But he sounds like that most of the time. “I’m going to the beach,” he said. “Isn’t that amazing?” Not so much, actually. Will’s a surfer dude youth pastor. Where else would he be... read more
Culture

Military Lifts Combat Ban for Women

Steph Martin Friday, February 8, 2013
  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has announced that female soldiers will now be able to serve in combat roles. About a quarter of a million positions had been off-limits to women. President Obama said the decision will “strengthen our military, enhance our readiness, and be another step... read more