The Silent Suffering... If the statistics are right then within the walls of our churches… sitting in our youth ministries … there is a group I call “the silent suffering.” They are the ones whose pain, self-image, peer pressure or perspective has camouflaged the truth. They are deceived and have believed a lie. The narratives of their lives are written…
Category Archives Student Ministry
John and Kelly Halligan lost their thirteen year old son, Ryan, to suicide on October 7, 2003. At the time of his death, Ryan was a middle school student in Essex Junction, Vermont. It was revealed in much greater detail after Ryan’s death that he had been ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school as well as on-line. In memory…
October marks the fifth anniversary of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month and specifically October 20 as a day for all of us to raise our voice against this injustice. As I stated in my previous post, “Warning Signs of Bullying,” this is not a new issue but it is one that seems to be out of control. Everyone is familiar…
Bullying is not a new problem in society but it is one that has grown to epidemic proportions. Bullies prey on those who are weak, different, and unique as well as those they deem a threat to their personal ego. I like these simple definitions from The Free Dictionary: bul·ly 1 n. pl. bul·lies 1. A person who is habitually cruel…
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…
Okay, I know that no self respecting teen would ever say call my “telephone” instead of “cell” but “cell” just did not ring (no pun intended – well maybe a little pun) when I posted teens and texts. Teens and cell phones have become synonymous with current statistics stating that 75% of all teens 12-17 own one. One 14-year-old recently…
Let’s face it. Summertime student ministry is different and sometimes difficult. The familiar routine of the school year is in chaos, and students either have a ton of free time or are busier than ever. The change of seasons usually results in a change of strategy for the majority of youth groups around the country. There are tons of ideas…
Transitions are important. Often we lose students when their transition from one level to another is uncomfortable or awkward. Even lifetime churchgoers can feel like first-time visitors when it’s time to move up to a new class. Intentional student transitions help to ensure that the transition doesn’t become an exit. Middle School to High School In his chapter in The…
I cannot get the image of Phoebe Prince out of my mind. The first time her photo was flashed on my TV screen my heart was broken for her, her family and all the other “Phoebes” of this world. The tragic end of a life so short, so needlessly snatched at the tender age of 15 reminds us that life…
Women who faithfully serve in Youth Ministry are the heart and soul of reaching and discipling students. They play a vital role and their contribution to the cause of Christ will only be measured in eternity. As a consultant to Local Churches, I have the privilege of working alongside great Student Ministry leaders who are having a global impact. Some…