I made a remarkable scientific discovery in the fifth grade. Actually I did not discover this scientific principle: I just became aware of it. I was playing with two magnets, watching them attract each other, and that’s when it happened. I turned them around and voila! …they repelled one another. I know this is not “earth shattering” information. Most of…
Category Archives Leadership
Ministry should be dynamic and exciting; it is too important to approach casually or passively. Ministry should always be changing because culture constantly evolves. It is imperative that we be anchored firmly in our Biblical Principles while assessing and changing our methods. I recently read While You Were Micro-Sleeping, Fresh Insights on the Changing Face of North American Missions by…
It does not take long in a conversation with Dr. Jay Strack to sense his passion for developing student leaders. His perspective of teens is refreshing. He does not believe teens are just overgrown children but sees their potential as student leaders. This belief permeates the entire staff of the Student Leadership University organization, as well as the content of…
Networking is more than handing out your business cards to complete strangers. It’s about making meaningful connections with others and coordinating with them to achieve common goals. Ministry Networking should produce a “Win – Win” effect for both ministry partners. It is about relationships, it is not about brokering a merger. The goal is to leverage the strengths of both…
The teen years are not a “holding pattern” but should be a time of utilizing the power of youth. We are not preparing them to be leaders in the future; we are preparing them now for this moment. Being salt and light is not a post-graduate concept. Some of the most vocal advocates for change in student ministry are the…
The clock is ticking, the time is approaching, the students are coming and you still have not settled on what you are going to teach tonight. If you say, “I never did that,” then either you are not really in youth ministry or you are being delusional is a comfortable state of mind. At some point in our ministries, all…
I have a burden and passion for Student ministry around the world. I am privileged in my travels to connect with men and women who share that passion. Today was one of those days but it was especially rewarding because it was here in Alabama, my home state. Student ministry in Alabama is alive and well and especially in the…
“I’ve tried everything!” I frequently hear these frustrated words from well meaning people who want to make an eternal impact on the lives of students. They work hard trying various approaches but are unable to grasp the illusive key to successful ministry. Over the last thirty years, I have observed some of these valiant efforts which I call “erroneous youth…
Perhaps you remember the commercial of the rugged cowboys riding across the prairie ropes in hand. Due to historical reference you think they are herding cattle but then as the camera pans out, your senses are momentarily confused as you see thousands of . . . . . cats. I really do not remember the point of the commercial but…
Someone has said that a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out. My take-away from this statement is that whether you are in a grave or in a rut, your horizons are limited. It is so easy to become comfortable with the routine and familiar. One of my greatest challenges is to keep growing and learning. The…