How would you define the irreducible minimums of your student ministry? Can you write them into a sentence, paragraph or a list? What would that look like? I suggest every youth leader do this exercise to establish a baseline for their ministry. Recently my wife and I attended a Poetry Recital for our Granddaughter’s third grade class. Each student chose…
Some of the people in the seminar were shocked since I was the speaker and the topic was Evangelism. I began by saying, “I love Jesus and want everybody to know Him but I don’t do evangelism!” After a brief pause, I explained, “Evangelism is not what I do…it is who I am!” If we relegate evangelism to an event…
John and Christy Page lead an incredible team for Word of Life that is impacting the youth of South Africa. I had the privilege of serving with John and Christy in the States for several years before God called them to this amazing country, and I am real fans of their ministry. Listen to John’s passion for the students in…
I was running late for an appointment so the slow traffic was an annoyance. My bright idea was to take a short cut. I was cruising until I turned down an unfamiliar street, coming to a screeching halt at a “Dead End” sign. It was not the end of the world but in my current state of mind you would…
Columbus may have proven that the world is geographically round but the internet has flattened it again as it relates to culture and trends. When students look at the world they see no barriers, only the horizon. Globalization plays a major role in the molding of student culture thus effecting student leaders. The fact that trends can be global rather…
Millennials have been the recipients of some harsh judgements and labels, some earned…some not. They are referred to as everything from entitled to self-centered. Others have branded them with terms like the “Me Generation,” “Trophy Kids” and “The Narcissism Epidemic.” No generation can be singularly characterized by any one label or term. For example Millennials have morphed in many ways…
Every college student sits in a classroom but only a few are launched globally for ten days as part of their development strategy. Imagine learning principles and practices from professors for months, knowing that these are in preparation for real life opportunities. Then envision those same students under the supervision of seasoned practitioners blending classroom knowledge with real world experience.…
Talk is cheap or so goes the maxim. Every generation esteems authenticity but especially the present one. This generation is more impressed with the way you live than the words you say. FutureCast executive Greg Vodicka has discussed this concept extensively and challenges organizations to consider the difference between “StoryLiving and Storytelling.” The learning curve for “Next-Gen” students may be…
Graduation is quickly approaching. Are you are searching for just the right gift for your seniors? Giving something of meaning without it being another trinket bound for the attic is always a challenge. My friends at Interlinc have created just such a gift with the added bonus of also challenging students to continue their walk with Christ. ConGRADulations, consisting of both music…
There is one ministry that every person, in every church, on every continent can do without excuse, theological degree or cooperate strategy and that is…Pray. My friend Tim Eldred of Endeavor Ministries believes the best way to make the ministry of prayer an investment for the present as well as the future is to get adults praying with students. Pray…