Youth Ministry and the Means of Grace
The practices we perpetuate in our youth ministries teach and form our students in their Christian walk. What we teach as important, and what we demonstrate as vital, shapes our students in powerful ways. Because of this, we want to make sure we’re thinking holistically and critically about the different methods and practices we use in our ministry to students.
An Overlooked Reason Good Youth Pastors Leave Youth Ministry
It’s a common thing for youth pastors who considered themselves “lifers” to move into new ministry areas. This doesn’t mean they’re unfaithful to their calling. Maybe it means they’ve misunderstood their calling all along - they aren’t called to youth ministry, but to a particular generation.
Fill Their Cup
“How long should I teach at youth group?” This is a common question new youth pastors ask. In the midst of competing emphases on expository preaching and the reality of students’ attention span, it’s hard to know what our teaching should look like in youth ministry. Here’s a basic framework to help you evaluate your teaching.
Commitments of a Youth Pastor Theologian
What is a Youth Pastor Theologian? Is there an academic minimum or a book requirement? No. It’s a commitment to minister to students theologically. Here are three commitments of the youth pastor theologian.
Serving Lonely Teenagers
How can we offer effective comfort through the message of the Gospel to adolescents who suffer from loneliness, especially in the midst of the pandemic? To minister to our kids, the story of Jesus' passion offers an incomparable comfort and hope.
Students are Saints & Sinners
Christians are saints and sinners. When youth pastors teach students about this in their youth groups, they empower students to discover gospel-centered, grace-saturated repentance through faith in Jesus Christ.
5 Reasons Youth Workers Need Theology
Is it a waste of time for youth pastors to study theology? Absolutely not! May we be remembered by students as men and women who take God seriously rather than for our awesome games.
Do Youth Pastors Need Seminary?
Is seminary worth it? That’s a frequent discussion topic on youth ministry facebook groups. Here are some of the common objections I hear and why I think seminary is worth the sacrifice.
Is Youth Ministry Biblical?
Many critics of youth ministry like to point out that it’s never mentioned in the Bible. While that’s true to a certain degree, it’s not entirely honest.