What would it mean to envision youth ministry as healing and restoration—to see youth ministry as grounded in a theology of restoration between oneself and God, others, and even the cosmos? The youth worker in this understanding would accept the ...
Editor's Note: This article was inspired by Michael Bayne's 4 ways for student and kids pastors to work together. by Chris and Joanna Cummings It's not often that we find those in youth ministry working alongside those serving in children's ...
When the Christian story no longer seems compelling The looming crisis in youth ministry is that young people have examined the church and judged it to be inauthentic and irrelevant. In spite of our best efforts, young people in our ...
Radically local but intentionally global Our understanding of mission within youth ministry should be highly contextualized at the local level but also open to learning from the global context. The challenge within this approach is to practice co-mission: seeing ourselves ...
Finding ourselves and one another in God's story We have domesticated the Bible. We are teaching a one-dimensional Bible. We've left out the lament, the trouble, the danger, the conflict, and the drama, and along with it the beauty, the ...
It's the end of the Church as we know it, and they (youth) feel fine. The Western church is an inconsequential place in the life of many students. The research from the NSYR (National Study of Youth and Religion) points ...
In January 2012, the Center for Youth Ministry Training held our fourth annual Lilly Laboratory Think Tank. Youth ministry practitioners and academics for across the country came together to discuss the future of youth ministry. Prior to gathering in Nashville, ...
Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a 12-part series on spiritual disciplines for youth workers, based on Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. by Kelly Soifer Say the word "prayer" to a youth worker, and I'm sure a slide show ...
by Amy Jacober A Public Service Announcement to youth pastors Connections are my great reminder that God designed us to be a communal people. Technology has allowed us to be connected more than ever. Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, texting, Instagram and ...
Editor's Note: This is the third in a 12-part series on spiritual disciplines for youth workers, based on Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. by Kelly Soifer I started working with teenagers when I was a senior in college, volunteering with ...
by Amy Jacober What happens when a teenager has a vision from God and a praying mom who takes her seriously. Every once in a while there is a teen situated in that sweet spot of being open to the ...
Editor's Note: This is the second in a 12-part series on spiritual disciplines for youth workers, based on Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. by Kelly Soifer There is a great deal of conversation about spiritual disciplines in the Christian world ...
Editor's Note: This is the first in a 12-part series on spiritual disciplines for youth workers, based on Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. by Kelly Soifer Fall 2011 marked the beginning of my thirtieth year in youth ministry. There is ...
by Will Penner Approximate length: 35 minute The story of the prodigal son is most often told from the viewpoint of the prodigal himself. Through the eyes of the prodigal, we are given a sense of God's love and mercy. ...
by Will Penner Approximate length: 90 minutes Supplies: • VCR or DVD player, and TV or projector and screen • Video or DVD copy of An Insiders View of Jesus, 2002, YS/Zondervan • Video or DVD copy of Cruel Intentions, ...
If asked an important question about the youth ministry at your church, would your pastor know the answer or have to say "I don't know." Not sure. What about these questions: 1. What is the mission of the youth ministry? ...
As I was meeting with one of our graduate residents at the Center for Youth Ministry Training (CYMT) this past week, he talked about how hard a time he was having fitting time with God into his schedule. He rattled ...
Is mission only an adjective at your church? Seems like the only use or understanding of the word mission is to preceed other words: Mission Statement Mission Team Mission Budget Mission Trip Mission is used throughout our culture to mean ...
Church staff's are notorious for not having any fun. Everyone on staffs task list is longer than they can possible do on their own. We get together and talk about all the details of what needs to happen and to ...
by Nate Davis Every year, youth workers expend vast amounts of energy and resources planning programs and events that are aimed at reaching students who seem to be slipping away despite their best efforts to keep them plugged into the ...
