Painting the Picture:It is easy for the students in our ministries to get the wrong idea about Christianity.  To be fair, it isn't their fault; most of our students are connected to our ministries bec...

This year for Lent, I decided not just to give up coffee but to give up caffeine. I knew this was going to be difficult, but that is partially why I chose this discipline. In my mind, I know that I don't w...

YouthWorker Journal always has been good at fostering healthy dialog in a professional spirit. It is, after all, a professional journal. We recognize that Rob Bell is a significant voice in the world of youth m...

The Hidden Danger of Short-Term Mission Trips for StudentsIt is once again time to start gearing up our annual mission trips. There are so many great options out there. Some are as close as an urban setting; so...

There is something magical about the Christmas season. From Thanksgiving on, people spend a significant amount of their free time and extra money preparing for one day. There are cookies to bake, cards to ...

From Average Youth Ministry: "This last week, I had the honor of participating in grandparents and "special friends" day at a local high school ... while this isn't a new concept, I was very surprised that...

For the longest time, I have tried really hard to relate to students. I have known that music was a very powerful gateway, and if I just had a little guidance I would be able to relate to them, to understand th...

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 a...

It is impossible to walk through a retail store these days and not be overwhelmed with Halloween. Since the beginning of September, aisles of orange and black decorations, bags of candy and costumes have been c...

A couple of weeks ago, I experienced the "Twilight Zone" in Sunday School. Even though the room was full of students, there was this strange silence. At first, I couldn't tell what was happening. I know Sunday ...