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

On Anti-Racism Training

I had the opportunity this last month to participate in a two day anti-racism training at my seminary. I really appreciated the effort of the seminary to bring the problem of racism to the forefront of the thoughts of the whole campus, alongside those whom deal with it on a regular basis.  Those who call [...]

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2 comments Read the full article → October 26, 2011

I’m the Youth Minister

I found this on youtube.

0 comments Read the full article → October 21, 2011

R.I.P. Youth Director as a Position in the Church

I am of the firm belief that we should take the position of Youth Director in the ELCA hit it with a shovel in the back of the head and bury it.  It no longer does the Church any good to look for a “youth director” in order to provide the inadequate forms youth ministry [...]

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0 comments Read the full article → October 17, 2011

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