This happens more often than not in ministry and we can justify it by claiming we are doing “God’s work” or “Kingdom work”. But too often those we love most sit home while we “run the race set before us”. Christian’s a divorcing at a rate comparable to non-Christians and I think neglect is one [...]
Archive for the ‘Misc.’ Category
Warning Signs You May Be Taking Your Spouse For Granted
Posted: July 20, 2011 in Mental Health, Misc., Youth MinistryTags: Christianity, God, Marriage, Organizations, Pastor, Pastoral Resources, Religion and Spirituality, Youth Ministry
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Via: Online IT Degree
When A Student “Falls In Love” With The Youth Worker
Posted: October 29, 2010 in Misc., Uncategorized, Youth MinistryTags: Christianity, Human sexuality, Religion and Spirituality, Student, Youth Ministry, Youth worker
Because of the difficulties students have in early and mid-adolescence to manage strong feelings of intimacy, the new experience of having someone who listens and whom they can trust sometimes lead them to believe that they are in love with their youth worker. Sadly, many at-risk students are so accustomed to negative feelings (shame, fear, [...]
Compassion Fatigue in Youth Ministry
Posted: August 10, 2010 in Mental Health, Misc., Uncategorized, Youth MinistryTags: Compassion Fatigue
Compassion Fatigue affects a broad range of health care professionals as well as others who provide a myriad of listening and support services. This condition occurs when professionals, family, friends, or caregivers are continually exposed to extreme emotional circumstances wither directly or indirectly, in an attempt to treat or support those they serve. Because the effects [...]
To many parents in the pew, the youth pastor represents the “authority and will of God. Wherever you have an authority role, a very specific kind of transference happens. The “role” of pastor, not the “person,” but the “role” encourages a complex set of transference reactions. Students and parents tend to idealize you and then “transfer” [...]
Common Conflict Resolution Mistakes
Posted: August 2, 2010 in Mental Health, Misc., Parenting, Teens, Uncategorized, Youth MinistryTags: Dealing with Conflict
Conventional wisdom (and research) says that good communication can improve relationships, increasing intimacy, trust and support. The converse is also true: poor communication can weaken bonds, creating mistrust and even contempt! The Scriptures also tell us that it is wise to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Here are some examples of negative and even [...]
“I’m a lesbian.” she said. She chose to self-disclose right in the middle of a youth group gathering. She just dropped a big elephant right in the center of the group. We were rocked. Moments before we were discussing the importance of being transparent with each other. God has a funny sense of humor. The [...]
Coping With Burnout
Posted: July 1, 2010 in Mental Health, Misc., Spirituality, Teens, Uncategorized, Youth MinistryTags: Abba, Burn-Out, burnout, God, Health, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Suicide, Youth Ministry, Youth worker
For youth workers (paid or volunteer), there can be nothing more frightening than the belief that something terrible might happen to a student that you have invested so much time and energy in. As a substance abuse counselor, I struggle with the reality that one day someone could overdose and die regardless of how much I try [...]
As a parent I sometimes think this is really what’s happening.
What’s a Trigger?
Posted: June 14, 2010 in Addiction, Anxiety, Mental Health, Misc.Tags: Addiction, Anxiety, depression, Eating Disorder, self injury, Teens
Often, we as youth workers, parents, teacher, etc. don’t realize the impact our words can have on our students. When a student has experienced trauma or substance abuse problems they can be “triggered” by elements in their environment that leads them back into their pain or negative behaviors. We, as caregivers, need to understand what [...]
