Introduction An inquisitive visiting parent once asked me a good question during the holiday season, “I can tell that you have a strong children’s ministry just by the number of children involved, but what can you tell me about the depth of your ministry? How do you evaluate what is happening with children from the…
Youth Ministry is tough, and can often be really lonely. As youth leaders, we face challenges that are unique and different. It’s all too easy to feel alone and powerless, and that’s exactly where the enemy wants you to be. I’ve been serving in youth ministry for over 13 years now, and I can’t tell…
Introduction Christmas is approaching fast. You’ve just completed your annual, well-loved Youth Christmas Progressive Dinner. You’re thinking about that last Christmas present that is yet to be bought, when a concerned parent walks up to you and asks, “Hey, when are registration materials for the February retreat going to be available?”.All of a sudden it…
Introduction Okay, let’s get this straight – this is not a “Bah, humbug!” blog post. I love Christmas! And I love Jesus! And I love celebrating Christmas with my family and church. But I ran across something just recently that got me to thinking. Like the rest of you, I’ve spent some of the last…
Put up the Christmas tree…..check. Bake cookies and take them to the neighbors….check. Choose gifts for loved ones….check. Attend holiday parties….check. Be present with the children in your Sunday school class or small group….check. Wait. There are so many things demanding your attention during this season. A good portion of them are beautiful, and sacred,…
The art of Sabbath is difficult for most pastors and church leaders today. In the hustle and bustle of the twenty first century, it’s easy to find yourself feeling like you’re always “on.” We know that taking a Sabbath is important, but preaching it and living it are two very different things. In all reality,…
Introduction Which of us has not finished our training and entered the workforce of the Church with great dreams of helping young people “find Jesus” and move on to become giants of the faith, filling their personal pews for years on end, serving God’s children from a purity of heart, and raising themselves a whole…
Introduction Last night my neighborhood sponsored a hayride for our neighborhood trick-or-treaters who, like children all over the country, raked in the treats, sorted and traded, then ate themselves sick and bounced off the ceiling all night on a Halloween-induced sugar high that unofficially proclaimed the beginning of an annual holiday season packed to the…