by Heather Hardecopf | January 21, 2022 | Doing Ministry, Winter 2021, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture, Youth Ministry Theory | 0 Comments

Since March of 2020, COVID has drastically changed how Christians around the world see things. We can trust that through faith, God gives us the character and flexibility to not only face change but to allow it produce strength and hope that does not break. In this article we look at how to help youth face of change and adversity while maintaining our faith and integrity?

by Blake Brockman | January 18, 2022 | Doing Ministry, Growing Up, Practical Youth Ministry, Winter 2021, Youth & Culture | 0 Comments

Nearly every church is aware that they need to support young people as they transition out of high school. There are other transitions, however, that youth ministry leaders are less conscious in helping navigate.

by Blake Brockman | January 13, 2022 | Doing Ministry, Growing Up, Practical Youth Ministry, Winter 2021, Youth & Culture | 0 Comments

Helping young people with life-transitions is a blessing. As the church, we are in a wonderful position to speak into and assist in these moments of transition and helping develop skills they need to stay healthy and Christ centered. Here are five transitional skills you might not plan for.

by Brianna Dehn | January 10, 2022 | Free Resources, Skits, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

This skit is designed to start a conversation about the transition out of high school and into what is next. This can be used with other resources to help young people think about how God is with them through all kinds of transitions.

by Blake Brockman | January 6, 2022 | Free Resources, Hot Topics, Talk Sheets, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

Our young people are being raised in an era where being on social media is not only the norm, but the expectation. Use this Conversation Guide to help you have important talks with teens about their usage and engagement on social media.

by Kristin Schmidt | December 21, 2021 | Doing Ministry, Life as a Youth Worker, Practical Youth Ministry, The Youth Worker, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

As a single adult serving in ministry, you experience both blessings and benefits in serving youth ministry, provided appropriate boundaries and cautions are followed. We do not know what the Lord ultimately has planned for our futures, but this article reminds us God calls us to serve as whole and complete in Christ, regardless of our relationship status.

by Brianna Dehn | December 16, 2021 | Free Resources, Skits, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

This skit and devotion work together to talk about the importance of prayer. Youth may doubt God is listening to their prayer, but this discussion will help them think about God’s response. The key focus is that God hears all our prayers to Him. We can love and trust Him to answer our prayers according to His will.

by Thomas Wiemer | December 13, 2021 | Church in Culture, Hot Topics, Winter 2021, Youth & Culture | 0 Comments

Our youth are more and more seeing the cultural trend of “cancelling” someone because of actions now or in the past. As people in youth ministry, we must think long and hard about how we encourage both justice and live as people of grace through Jesus.

by Brianna Dehn | December 9, 2021 | Free Resources, Skits, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

This skit and devotion work together to talk about the importance of context when reading Scripture. The key focus is that God’s Word is a gift that is given to us that should be read in context and not be broken out to prove a point. We hope they help you in exploring these important topics in your youth ministry.

by Blake Brockman | December 7, 2021 | Doing Ministry, Programming, The Youth Worker, Winter 2021, Youth Ministry Theory | 0 Comments

Baseball can be a good metaphor for ministry. Sometimes in the pursuit of hitting home runs, we try push too much too hard. Instead, think about how you can hit singles and work simple, relational things to help develop youth ministry.

by Sarah Dibbern | December 2, 2021 | Bible Studies, Free Resources, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

Jesus at the Center is four studies that are center stories from the Gospels. With each story, we focus on what Jesus has done for us and how through the Holy Spirit, we can model that behavior in our own life. These studies can be done as a stand alone or they can be done together.

by Blake Brockman | November 29, 2021 | Activities & Games, Free Resources, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

Many teens spend time interacting with friends over the internet, and that can lead to feeling nervous our unsure about face to face interactions. In the same way, they may not feel like youth ministry is a place where they can be honest and share their thoughts and feelings. This activity helps you to practice having healthy discussions about their lives and feelings within the Christian community that can offer both Law and Gospel with a sense of warmth, challenge, and grace.

by Julianna Shults | November 23, 2021 | Advent, Church Seasons, Doing Ministry, Media & Technology, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

Here are some social media images for Christmas and Advent

by Ben Meyer | November 19, 2021 | Advent, Bible Studies, Church Seasons, Free Resources, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

In this short Bible study, we think about Christmas from the perspective of the angels. Angels are fascinating creatures give us a new perspective of the God’s story of salvation as we approach the birth of Jesus.

by Joseph Hope-Hull | November 15, 2021 | Doing Ministry, Seven Practices, Supportive Adults, Teaching Tips, Winter 2021 | 0 Comments

Adults can sometimes feel teenagers are impossible to start a conversation with! In this article by DCE Joseph Hope-Hull, he shares three tips to help you feel more equipped to spend some quality time with the teenagers that God has placed into your life.