Blog
Creating The Right Environment For Your Brand New Freshmen
Ready or not fall is here. Ready or not the freshmen are here. In some ways it is exciting. New faces, new opportunities, new students to lean into and shape into the people God made them to be—in other ways terrifying. Not just for you, but for them. Imagine that introverted kid you saw walk into youth group early last year. Quiet,...
What Are Job Hazards Pastors Face? Pastorpedia
What are our job hazards? It is true that pastoring a church is not a hard-hat job. It is correct to say that there are not physical dangers that go with the territory. Most of us see no need to “conceal and carry.” But for sure this calling has its hazards and dangers. Just read the newspaper or check your own heart. So may we address...
The Gospel and Our Part in Clarifying and Calling – Pastorpedia
What did he say? I sat in a physics lecture where I was not very sure at all what was being said or what I could do with it. I once tried to stay awake in a theological seminar led by Dr. Carl F. H. Henry—some of you have textbooks or memories—and tried to look like I agreed because of his evangelical scholarship, but realized it was a...
5 Challenges That Keep Students From Sharing Their Faith
The older I get, the more I understand how fast I can get out of touch with youth—their culture, their concerns, and their struggles. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with a few high school students hoping to get some fresh insight. We spoke on several topics, but our conversation continued to swing back to the issue of...
Three Ways to Make Youth Group a Thriving Community
In my early days of ministry, I was all for the big event. After all, go big or go home. Right? So, while teaching in a Christian school, I had this idea for a large youth event. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to see, but I did know that I wanted several great local worship bands and some great speakers. I found all the right...
3 Reasons High School Students Should Mentor Middle School Students
Can high school ministry and middle school ministry work together? Is it possible that students straight out of elementary school could work alongside college-bound seniors? Not only is this possible, but incredibly beneficial to your ministry. In fact, I would even argue that for a successful ministry, it is a must. It is a benefit not...
5 Simple Ways Youth Leaders Can Connect With Parents
Connecting with parents. Getting them in your corner. Getting them to volunteer and be involved in your ministry. We all know we need them, but how in the world do we successfully connect with them and create strong partnerships? The answer oddly enough is found in an unlikely place, that I would bet many of you had not thought of...
Raising Funds for Ministries and Projects
Out of our comfort zones for good reasons When it's time to stand up front and start special fundraising projects in the church, most of us would rather stay in bed. This is not what we signed up for. But we all reap the benefits of what other people have done to make ministries, buildings, and systems possible; we must recognize the...
Plan for Lasting Impact After This Summer’s Big Event
Summer retreat and camp season is just around the corner. As you prepare and plan for the big event, don’t forget to plan for what happens after. Throughout my entire ministry career, retreats have been a vital part of making disciples. At some I have served as the speaker, some I have organized, and others I have enjoyed as an...
3 Things You Must Do To Raise Up Student Leaders
As a youth leader, you pray for those moments; moments when students surprise you, when they take ownership, when they lead others—when they take leaps and bounds in their spiritual growth. Witnessing it is like a shot of adrenaline. Once you experience it, you want more of it. A new standard has been set, the bar raised, and the...
