Now retired after 32 years of pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church, David is visiting a wide variety of churches, a valuable experience for immersing himself in the styles and practices of the modern Church. In retirement he currently pursues his passion for ministry, and for youth ministry in particular, through his expanded work with Ministry Architects. His lifetime work in youth ministry includes work in the local church as youth worker and pastor, at the regional level, and through his leadership in the camping ministries of Mississippi Methodism. David graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, with a B.A. in Sociology, then from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree. David is married to Laura, and they have three grown children—Ben, Kathryn, and Mary Evelyn. He loves the outdoors, traveling with his family, playing golf when he shoots under 95, his awesome back porch, and a good cup of coffee.
Introduction On March 1, 2018 Michael Dimock, President of the Pew Research Center, shared in an article called “Defining Generations: Where Millennials End and Post-millennials Begin” that the Pew Center would use the year 1996 as the last year of the Millennial Generation. And while there is some disagreement amongst experts in the fields of…
Introduction Like many churched children, I was one of those who received my first “real” Bible when I was very young. It was my birthday, and it was also Easter, the perfect time to receive such a gift. I remember thumbing through the pages and being just a little distressed that there weren’t more pictures,…
Introduction I was talking with a very faithful, loving parent the other day, a parent whose faith journey I admire and whose opinion I greatly respect. I asked her, “If you could say one thing to the people at your church who work in youth ministry, what would it be?” Knowing that she comes from…
[mp_row] [mp_span col=”12″] Introduction A young college student approached me one day and said, “I’m in a part-time youth ministry job in a small, growing church. My brother gave me a ‘youth ministry manual’ that had enough content for about three good program nights in it, and that’s about all I know about youth ministry….