by Abraham McIntyre, Chief Volunteer Officer, Appalachia Service Project It is your turn to give a gift. Unfortunately, we give you no guarantee that you will receive a thank you, an "atta-boy," or even a handshake of appreciation. This is ...
by Rachel Drummond, Program Manager—Recruitment & Hiring, Appalachia Service Project When Rev. Glenn “Tex” Evans founded Appalachia Service Project back in 1969, he didn’t want volunteers to come for a week, go home, and return to their normal lives. He ...
by Walter Crouch, Chief Executive Officer, Appalachia Service Project According to the Housing Assistance Council in Washington D.C., Central Appalachia is one of five chronically poverty stricken rural regions in the United States. When President Lyndon Johnson declared a war ...
by Lisa Pierce, Executive Director, Alabama Rural Ministry What really can happen on a mission trip? In what ways are youth impacted and how does that impact translate into a more mature disciple of Jesus? Can this be a space ...
by Joe Davis, Director of Ministry Operations, Alabama Rural Ministry If we're serious about practicing Jesus' mission as mission with, our relationships with those we serve have to be at the center of all our ministry efforts. And not just ...
by Joe Davis, Director of Ministry Operations, Alabama Rural Ministry Language is powerful. When it comes to being on mission with Christ, the way we talk about people not only reveals what we think about them—it can actually change the ...
by Diane Maloney In a world that is quick to post a picture, status, or tweet about every little action or thought, teenagers are so slow to express what they really believe about their faith. Most teenagers are not even ...
Editor’s Note: This post is a product of the Youth Minister as Pastor and Leader class, taught by Dr. Andrew Zirschky as part of CYMT’s Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree program through Memphis Theological Seminary. by Tina Boyd ...
Editor’s Note: This post is a product of the Youth Minister as Pastor and Leader class, taught by Dr. Andrew Zirschky as part of CYMT’s Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree program through Memphis Theological Seminary. by Samantha Hassell ...
by Dietrich Kirk 9/17/15 Handling personality types in small groups can be difficult. Groups are made up of a variety of people with a variety of personalities which play out in a variety of ways as we seek to facilitate healthy ...
Good discussions are rooted in good questions. Bad questions lead to bad discussion, but good questions can draw youth into the discussion and engage them in deep theological reflection. And don't forget that if you do all the talking then ...
As youth workers, we find ourselves leading discussion groups regularly. Some discussions happen over coffee, some after significant life events, and some are a part of our regular weekly lessons. Knowing how to lead and guide a discussion is essential ...
by Hank Hilliard I was one day graduated from college when I started my first youth ministry job. I was confident but clueless. There were several committed volunteers, but less than a week after I started, they all quit. They ...
In a nearby coffee shop, a pastor told Kim*, a youth minister, that he hoped she enjoyed her "summer break." Kim promptly pulled out her phone and texted her outrage at such a comment to Sam*, another youth minister. Sam ...
by Andrew Mochrie Growing up Polish Catholic I was not really exposed to contemporary Christian worship. It’s not that we never had guitars in worship, it was mostly about the tradition (which isn’t a bad thing) and the rituals (again, ...
by Tony Akers Youth ministry trips can be a major catalyst of growth in our youth and they are worth the effort. As good shepherds we must plan smart, pray often, and be aware of ongoing group dynamics. Hopefully, our ...
by Jason Sansbury Recently, I shared some ideas on using young adult (or YA) fiction in your youth ministry and some of the ways that can be beneficial to your ministry and outreach. Click here to read "6 Tips for ...
by Jason Sansbury If you haven’t been paying attention to pop culture, you may be missing one of the most significant trends happening in films (after superhero movies): Young Adult Fiction. Commonly called "YA," these stories are all over the ...
Editor's Note: This article was inspired by John Nixdor's article on youthspecialties.com, "Ministering to Teenagers with Disabilities: Part 1 and Part 2." by Rev. Phil Rogers Click here to read Honoring Their Unique Gifts and Talents: Ministering to Teens with ...
Editor's Note: This article was inspired by John Nixdor's article on youthspecialties.com, "Ministering to Teenagers with Disabilities: Part 1 and Part 2." by Rev. Phil Rogers In our deinstitutionalized society, we find that more and more people with disabilities are ...
