The age of one-size-fits-all youth ministry is over. It has to be. We live in a dynamic time filled with diversity. This is an exciting time to be in ministry to youth. Our world is smaller than ever before. Cultures are not only clashing but blending to create new expressions of culture. In this new era [...]
Posts Tagged ‘God’
Each Student is a Culture (art of connecting pt. 4)
Posted: September 20, 2011 in Adolescent Development, emerging adults, extended adolescence, Spirituality, systemic abandonment, Technology, Teens, Youth MinistryTags: Cultural artifact, Cultural Intelligence, David Livermore, God, IPod, Religion and Spirituality, Youth Ministry
0
Expectations of our Youth (art of connecting pt. 3)
Posted: September 15, 2011 in systemic abandonment, TeensTags: Christ, Down syndrome, God, Jesus, Special Olympics, Student, Youth Ministry
In an experiment, piranha were placed in a large tank separated from their food by a see through glass divider. After several days of ramming their heads against the glass divider the piranha learned that it was a futile effort to try and get the food. The glass divider was then removed yet they starved to death while [...]
Disabled Youth and Youth Ministry Gatherings (pt. 6 – marketing to disabled youth and families)
Posted: August 31, 2011 in Spirituality, Teens, Youth With DisabilitiesTags: Accessibility, Disability, Education, God, Hearing impairment, Student, Youth Ministry, Youth worker
It is not enough for a youth ministry program to simply be ready to serve the Disabled Youth Community. Rather, the ministry should be proactive in making the Disabled Youth Community aware of it’s accessability. It is hoped that any ministry targeting youth with disabilities will be in contact from the outset with any known families or organizations [...]
Disabled Youth and Youth Ministry Gatherings (pt. 1 – overview)
Posted: August 24, 2011 in Spirituality, systemic abandonment, Teens, Youth With DisabilitiesTags: Disabilities, Disability, Disabled, God, Student, Youth, Youth Ministry, Youth worker
This is the first in a series of posts on youth ministry and youth with disabilities. While accommodations may be needed to integrate people with disabilities into your youth ministry group settings, it is important to first emphasize what all group members have in common. Youth workers can emphasize to the group that, despite a wide variety [...]
Goofus and Gallant in Youth Ministry
Posted: August 17, 2011 in Adolescent Development, Spirituality, Teens, Youth MinistryTags: Christianity, God, Highlights for Children, Pastoral Resources, People, Religion and Spirituality, Student, Youth Ministry
Remember the old Highlights Magazine we use to read as kids? I remember spending hours looking for the hidden objects scattered throughout the magazine. I also remember the Goofus and Gallant comics. They were two polar opposite characters meant to teach the children reading about right and wrong. I used to love reading them but must admit [...]
Off The Hook: Blame The Victim
Posted: August 4, 2011 in Teens, Youth MinistryTags: Gay Lesbian and Bisexual, God, Oppression, Religion and Spirituality, Sexual harassment, Sexual orientation, United States
Many well-intentioned people have entered into urban ministry because they believe God can and wants to use them in the lives of people in the city. But all too often we answer that call with preconceived ideas about the problems people in the inner city have and their role in creating those problems. So, we ride [...]
Privilege And Oppression In The American Church
Posted: August 3, 2011 in News, Spirituality, Youth MinistryTags: God, Law of Privilege, Oppression, Racism, Religion and Spirituality, United States, White people
There’s no denying that there are a handful of Evangelical churches that largely shape and control the American Christian culture. You can probably think of a handful of them right off the top of your head. Those churches have contributed much to the Kingdom and this post is not an attempt to argue whether their success is [...]
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
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 [...]
Understanding Family Systems (Exploring Family pt. 1)
Posted: July 13, 2011 in Adolescent Development, Parenting, Youth MinistryTags: Domestic violence, Family, God, Jesus, Parental alienation syndrome
So much has been said about the current state of the family that there’s hardly anything new to add to the conversation. It is regularly reported that the family is under attack and is falling apart due to changes in our culture. However, the future need not be bleak for families that are seeking recovery from [...]
Shame
Posted: February 28, 2011 in Adolescent Development, Anxiety, TeensTags: Anger, Forgiveness, God, Men, People, Relationships, Shame, Thought
Shame is both a feeling and a belief. The feeling is very unpleasant. People usually talk about noticing their face getting red, wanting to run away but finding themselves virtually paralyzed, being unable to maintain eye contact with anyone, losing all their strength and becoming incredibly weak and powerless, feeling totally exposed to people’s scrutiny and criticism, and [...]
