Theology and teens. Does it sound like an explosive combination? Or a grand exercise in futility, filled with yawns and eye rolling? If you’re like most youth leaders, just the thought of mixing teens and theology can leave you wondering where to start.

Personally, this has been one of the most difficult years of ministry in my eight years of experience. It’s not because of kids’ schedules, a difference of opinions with church leaders or not having enough adult volunteers. Those things always have been issues. What makes this year so different and more...

Late in the evening of the presidential election last November, as Barack Obama addressed the nation for the first time in his role as President-elect, a Facebook (and real life) friend of mine named Brandon posted the following status update: “Brandon is sad that Americans are so naive.”

It was supposed to be an ordinary, six-month dental cleaning. However, something was said in the early moments of my most recent appointment that flat-out messed with my mind. Standing behind me, I heard the disembodied voice of my hygienist announce, "And according to your file, you drove up to Akron...

The six keys to a young person's heart

Reflections from 15 years of youth ministry research

God is the Ultimate Worker — but if we human workers sense our youth ministry is shallow, we need to admit that and make some changes.