YouthWorker Journal was founded 25 years ago to promote professionalism in youth work, and our slogan is: “The Professional Resource for Youth Ministry.” If you Google the words “define professional” you’ll get nearly 30 million matches. So much for finding a definitive meaning!

Rob Bell is the founding pastor of the Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His most recent book, Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering released in August. A graduate of Wheaton College and Fuller Theological Seminary, he is one of the most popular preachers in America....

Honestly, I never intended to betray my first love (youth ministry). The thought of defecting to the other side of church leadership was unpleasant at best. Yet here I am...

Has it really been 25 years? I still remember the staff meeting at Youth Specialties when we made the decision to launch this humble rag. One big debate was whether to name our new journal YouthWorker (one word) or Youth Worker (two words). We decided to go with one word, unaware this would generate...