I’ve been leading my junior high ministry for almost nine years now, and there is one type of leader I always have wanted to have and that greatly desired to become. I’ve always coveted a leader or two who had been doing youth ministry long enough and had enough life experience that they could speak...

In his latest book Linchpin, Seth Godin argues that in our current economy it is no longer good enough just to show up and be responsible. This attitude leads one to become another cog in the machine, trading a day’s labor for a day’s pay. A linchpin, on the other hand is not replaceable. A linchpin...

A call to student ministry is a special and unique thing. We have been called by God to participate in the spiritual development of students. For a very specific and often chaotic season, we get the privilege and honor of being adults who coach, mentor, disciple and journey with adolescents who are exploring...

Surveys show that most organizations want older youth workers—usually early- to mid-30s, married with families. Some churches even want 40-year-old youth pastors. Calling has little if anything to do with age—yet we often let age determine our calling. It may be time to reevaluate your ministry with...

Youth ministry is more than just a job, but it’s not the sum total of who you are.

Five years later, Ragland remains a youth pastor with a day job, also known as a bi-vocational minister. Ministers such as Ragland are common in the South, where most churches have fewer than 100 members and can't afford to pay a full-time youth minister -- or senior pastor.

The hall was long and dark. Bunkbeds lined the walls, each draped with children and blankets, the rough orange wool pulled up around thin shoulders, muffling giggles and whispers. "Shhhhhhh," the older ones hissed, sending the younger ones deep undercover to stifle the offending laughter. There were...

A youth pastor from Carlsbad, Calif., shares his youth ministry story.

I had read all the books, attended the conferences, classes and seminars. I had a thorough knowledge of every aspect of youth ministry and felt that I was equipped for any obstacle that could come my way, that is, except for what I experienced in August -- leaving.

You work with a group changing so fast they cannot keep up with everything themselves ...