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 ‘Youth Ministry’
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
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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. 5 – physical disabilities)
Posted: August 31, 2011 in Spirituality, Teens, Youth With DisabilitiesTags: Disabilities, Disability, Disabled, Hearing impairment, Student, Youth Ministry, Youth worker
As a general modification to the typical youth ministry gathering, it is necessary to accept different types of body positioning for people with disabilities – some people may need to stand up or move during group, and this activity should not be considered rude. Youth workers may have to keep group meetings short or schedule frequent breaks [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Balance (youth pastor life skills series pt. 5)
Posted: February 17, 2011 in Mental HealthTags: Christianity, God, Religion and Spirituality, Teens, United States, Youth, Youth Ministry, Youth worker
Often, our lives in youth ministry seem like a never-ending whirlwind of activity. With deadlines on the one hand, and student athletic events/school activities on the other, most youth workers are caught in a perpetual motion machine of doing, going, and giving too much. Studies continue to show an unequal division of conjugal labour, a situation [...]
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, [...]
