Theme Park Youth Ministry

Going on trips is a necessary part of any youth ministry. After my first couple years of taking youth to Christian Family Night at Magic Mountain, I learned that something freeing seems to happen on these trips–youth talk waiting in lines. At theme parks young people open up in ways that they just don’t do [...]

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0 comments Read the full article → January 2, 2012

Liberal Legalism

On this New Year’s day I only have one thing on my mind.  I admit it’s kind of random for the first post of the year–legalism.  I have been kicking this idea around in my head so I decided to write on it. If your looking for definitions on legalism you can find it here, here, [...]

0 comments Read the full article → January 2, 2012

Can you spot what is wrong with this photo?

My brother and I were doing some last minute shopping around mission/fashion valley and we noticed on several street corners these Christians with yellow signs. The signs said, “Jesus died for you” “Jesus loves you” “Jesus bore your sin.” On the same street corners were people begging for money. I felt like there was something [...]

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1 comment Read the full article → December 23, 2011

The In-Between Place

For the last couple of days, I have been reading repeatedly an account and commentary by Rev. Rich Lane on being pepper sprayed during an Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demonstration in Seattle.  I have come back to it many times because I find it to be both thought-provoking and troubling.  I suggest you read the whole [...]

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1 comment Read the full article → November 28, 2011

How to keep a Youth Minister /Pastor /Director

Here is my top 15 things a church can do to keep their youth worker. Pay well.  A first year youth worker in a church should earn the starting salary of a first year teacher in the area. Give vacations.  At least 3 weeks a year and 4 Sundays. Give “comp time.”  If they worked [...]

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3 comments Read the full article → November 18, 2011

Sin Boldly (Did Luther Really Mean It The Way We Use It Today?)

At PLTS, a popular phrase quoted is two words from Martin Luther.  Students will triumphantly announce something like, “Well, Luther tells us to SIN BOLDLY.” It seems it is more often than not used as an excuse to allow sins (not Sin) to continue in the life of the believer.  It has become a license [...]

2 comments Read the full article → November 16, 2011

Youth Ministry Corrections

I have been in youth and family ministry for 10 years, worked for 4 congregations under 7 different Pastors.  In my experience here are some corrections that need to be made in youth ministry (in no particular order). 1. Being late or ending late (please respect my time and the time of the youth by starting and [...]

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1 comment Read the full article → October 31, 2011

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