simplyinsider.com

What It Is All About?

I, Jon Batch, am apart of the SYMC team and have been helping with the conference for several reasons allow me to explain.

DISCOUNTED REGISTRATIONS are still AVAILABLE

1. I really get pumped pup and renewed when I am with people (friends really) who are alongside me in the youth ministry trenches and they get me.
2. I really enjoy extra learning and time developing my youth ministry mind and faith in God
3. I spend a lot of time in my student ministry creating and fostering a safe place mentality, a place where any student can come to and feel safe to be at, and I want that for each youth worker who comes to the simply youth ministry conference. Each person who walks the halls or browses the book store or sits in the main session and needs a renewal.

DISCOUNTED REGISTRATIONS are still AVAILABLE

My prayer is that this conference helps you feel inspired, challenged, loved, equipped, supported and a part of the family. Then you can return to the trenches and help students and their families to Christ.

Jon Batch Director of Student Ministries Dearborn Hills UMC jbatch@dhumc.com twitter: @jonbatch

juniorhighministry.com

Keys To Longevity #5: BLEED IT, BUT DON?T BLEED TO DEATH

Posted by Kurt Johnston

This is the 5th in a little series about some of the things that have helped me last for almost 25 years. There is no silver bullet here, just a little insight about things that have seemed to make a difference in my journey as a youth worker.

BLEED IT, BUT DON’T BLEED TO DEATH!

Every now and then, a young youth worker will say something like this, “Youth ministry is my life!”. To which I always reply internally, and upon occasion even blurt out, “Really? That’s too bad.”

I think youth ministry, or any ministry endeavor for that matter, deserves some extra effort. Youth ministry isn’t for folks who are clock-watchers, who only want to do the minimum job requirements. I actually think it deserves to be led by men and women who aren’t afraid to “bleed” it a little bit. But we should NEVER bleed to death!

- When you consistently sacrifice your family for the sake of your youth ministry…you are bleeding to death. - When your friendships suffer because you spend too much time at youth ministry events…you are bleeding to death. - When you have no outside hobbies because you spend your free time with teenagers or planning events for teenagers…you are bleeding to death. - When you fail to take your day off, or you skimp on vacation time due to the demands of youth ministry…you are bleeding to death. - When you spend time in the word out of the need to [...]

youthmissionsinsider.com

Short-Term Missions A Waste?

Our good friend (and founder) Thom Schultz has an interesting take on one of the ongoing debates in youth missions – Are they really worth it?

Short-Term Missions A Waste?

What do you think? Did Thom get it right?

marriedtoayouthpastor.com

In regards to a comment?

You are right, there are far more dangerous jobs than youth ministry. I am extremely thankful that my husband does not stare down the barrel of a gun. I cannot imagine the kind of strength a wife would need for that. No matter what the job each one of us, including myself, has and will face great tragedies. Just in each day there are so many ups and downs. Our lives are sprinkled with many different feelings and emotions from happiness to thankfulness, to frustration to sorrow. My hope is that not one of us would deny ourselves the right to feel validated in each and every feeling that we have that gets mixed up inside of us. I hope that in some small way this blog may be a place for someone in ministry to feel heard, connected, and uplifted through a comment, a funny story, or a serious post. And what I love so much about this community of women is the honesty shared about their lives, and the tone that we all take loving God and our husbands seriously but don’t take ourselves too seriously.

I write this in no way with a defensive voice, but with so much concern that many pastor’s wives are told that their feelings are silly or not important. Whether from someone at church or their own inner dialogue. Our “perspective” should be to accept and embrace our feelings whatever they may be and then with God [...]

morethangossip.com

the end game

I’ve noticed something lately about the way the church and youth ministries tend to talk to girls. We (unfortunately at times I would include myself) communicate that the end game for a girl is getting the right kind of guy. Even though we don’t mean to it just happens. Books sold to teen girls about how to get the right kind of guy (a christian book nonetheless…and I haven’t read it but I am assuming the title is meant to mislead by promising to help girls snag a guy.) A youtube video for Christian girls on how to attract a godly guy. And than we are surprised and frustrated that all girls care about is boys. Oh the irony.

We need to change the end game.

The end game for every girl we encounter should be a radical life following after Jesus. That life may include an occupation in the public circles, a life of full time ministry, marriage, kids or all of the above.

When we begin to believe in a bigger or more radical end game for girls it changes how we communicate to them. We tell their stories better. And in my heart I believe we help girls move their attention from dating to bigger dreams…from drama to radical living. Don’t we all really want that for our girls?

What do you think? What are your thoughts about changing the end game?

smallchurchyouthministry.com

#4 Top Twelve Ideas for a GREAT YM Year

#4 – Let Ephesians 4:29 be the measuring stick for our posts, tweets, emails, etc.

I’m up early. The reason? I was really disturbed by the number of negative comments made by people in ministry about yesterday’s half-time show. I am hurt and discouraged.

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve never been a purchaser of Madonna’s CDs. But the comments about her age, relevancy, past-her-prime…were hurtful. To whom, you may wonder?

To the Youth Watching With Us: If the same negative comments on Facebook and Twitter were made out loud to the students gathered around us watching the half-time show, then our students will think its OK to be mean because “well, she’s not one of us.”

To Madonna: She and so many others are watching us for the love we show. They know our motto is “Love Jesus – Love each other.” I don’t think yesterday was collectively our best example of that.

To Me: I am the same age as Madonna. The many comments about her age from ministry people made me wonder: Are you also saying I’m too old, too? Am I irrelevant? Have I crossed an unseen finished youth ministry line where my gifts are no longer valid, needed, necessary? Let me know because I’ll learn to knit or start playing Bingo if that’s the case.

Don’t worry; I know I’m among the chief of sinners in having a quick tongue. I’m examining myself, too. One thing I do know: no one is built up when we criticize and post with negativity.

Is this [...]

holysoup.com

Dumb Questions Heard in Church

simplyurbanministry.com

You need VISION

q Jeremiah 1:4 ?The Word of God came to me saying, before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.?

q God had a vision a plan for you. Do you have one for the assignment He has given you?

q Vision: The picture of God?s potential, purpose, and possibilities for your life.

q Show me a person without vision, and I will show you a person who is at a standstill in life.

q Proverbs 29:18 ?Where there is no vision the people perish.?

q Life Point: The key element to getting out of my present state is the vision that I have for myself.

q Jeremiah 29:11 ?For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope,

q True vision goes beyond what I can accomplish on my own.

q True vision adds value to others.

q True vision attracts vision.

q True vision must have God in it.

q Acts 2:17 ?And it shall come to pass in the last days says God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams.?

1. Not knowing who you are. If you don?t know who you [...]