Fight Club (the 1999 cult classic film) tells the story of two bored men searching for meaning and identity, and finding it in underground bare-knuckle brawls. The film is brutal, violent, and sorta/kinda serves as a metaphor for the life Jesus calls us into.…
Few things have greater leverage for spiritual growth in the lives of your teenagers than summer trips—and that’s just why they’re a magnet for disaster. Embedded in these EpicFail stories are profound lessons on effective youth ministry. Summer trips are the lifeblood of a thriving youth ministry.…
“They got more than me.” “Why do they get to and I don’t?” “That’s not fair.” These are phrases we’ve all used when comparing ourselves to siblings or friends, but if we’re honest, could they also describe our attitude toward Jesus when things don’t seem equal?…
As you ramp up for your summer-trip season and scramble to recruit adult leaders who can serve as chaperones, counselors, and guides, it’s prime time to remember a few imperatives: 1. There is no “perfect” criminal records search that provides every court record.…
Redemption is mostly seen in a positive light, especially when talked about in the context of a relationship with Jesus. But when you slow down to look at the cost, the weight, and pain that comes with the process, does redemption turn into something that’s downright terrible?…
5 Best-practices for communicating the crucial details for your summer-trip adventures. There’s one sure-fire way to frustrate and alienate the parents in your ministry—do such a poor job of communicating the details of your summer trips that they feel disconnected, uninformed, and nervous.…
You can feel it, and observe the symptoms, but it’s difficult to see with the untrained eye. You can’t help but spread it to others, and some would say it’s downright contagious. The description is often associated with the flu, or a common cold, but could it also be a picture of true discipleship?…
Our “Wired Ministry” columnist Brandon Early is a longtime youth pastor who’s collected a few pet peeves along the way. Here’s one that’s focused on financial frustrations that orbit typical youth ministry trips—we asked youth workers who serve on our “In the Trenches” team to take a whack at answering Brandon’s question, below: “What’s the system you use to help students pay for trips and retreats?…
Serving others—we can do that. Loving others—sometimes difficult, but not impossible. Forgiving others—that’s when things get tough. Join Rick as he welcomes back friend of the show and former co-host Becky (the ‘Beckynator’) to discuss what it means to forgive someone rather than taking offense.…
At times, discipleship is based upon measuring how many Bible verses you know by heart, or how well you can articulate the existence of God. Head first. What would look like to approach discipleship not as an academic pursuit, but more like something more intimate and familiar, a friendship.…
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