I was a new youth ministry pastor when an adult friend confessed, “Our youth pastor taught us that drinking, drugs, and sex were bad,” she said. “I know he told some funny stories; but beyond that, I don’t remember much.” Her statement scared me. I couldn’t help but wonder if I were any more effective...

I NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT SOMETHING: I don’t believe in youth ministry. In fact, more often than not I believe youth ministry is a colossal waste of time. There is a growing consensus among youth workers that we all need to “get real” about the fact that if and when youth ministry is effective, it is...

For more than 50 of his 71 years, Tony Campolo has focused on youth and youth ministry. And as a card-carrying sociologist, he has kept his eyes and ears open for important cultural trends. It’s when you get Tony talking about the intersections of his passion for youth ministry and his unique perspective...

It’s the question no one wants to ask, but you find yourself asking it anyway: “What are you running these days?” The answer helps you get a sense of the issues the other leader deals with, but the numbers in the answer also help you compare your youth ministry to hers. Or when others get promoted and...