Coaching

I’m often asked in youth ministry circles, what curriculum do use for Sunday School? I answer, we don’t have Sunday School. The response, how did you do it? Answer: I offered something else and Sunday School died.

There are many stages in life when we would really like to be able to look ahead and know the twists and turns life will take. Adults start asking “What do you want to be?” or “What do you plan to do with your life?” For those active in the church whether in youth groups or more, God would seem to be the best place to find the answers. This is true… up to a point.

There are any number of actions I take as a youth leader assuming that my students will respond or at least understand why we are doing it. I have been very intentional in my ministry designs and decisions for many years, but realized that I had not communicated to my students my intentionality.

Underneath all the stuff, there are some basic fundamentals that all youth ministries must have. We get busy and focused on what we think we need to succeed and forget the basics. How are you doing with these musts of youth ministry? What are you missing and what would you add?

I want to transform fundraising into something that feels more like ministry and less like selling used cars. I know it enables students to be part of life-changing minsitry, but with the time and effort that most youth ministers put into fundriasing, there has to be a way to make it more than earning money to go on a trip.

We have all been asked some variation of the question, “Is your student ministry a success?” Our response can be more than, We have so much fun! We have so many great relationships.

What's the best way to honor your high school seniors? Andrew Chappell has some suggestions.

This past March we held our largest retreat of the year. It’s one that brings in students from all over our community. Here are the steps and tools that we use to promote the weekend.

I'm a youth pastor in Memphis, TN. It's a job I love and want to do super-well. I'm in charge of pastoring and leading...

Are you looking for ideas to help your students really understand the message of Lent? Scott Meier has you covered!