And This Too Shall Pass

And This Too Shall Pass

When I was a teenager, all bad things in the moment felt like the end of the world. My Grandma was a fantastic listener so I often complained to her about the troubles I was facing. She would always listen to me as if I was the center of her world in that moment. When...
Who Cares?

Who Cares?

I saw a video clip of a woman going before a judge to address a ticket she received for a moving violation, and in this exchange, the lady’s 3-digit license plate became the focal point of their discussion. Apparently, you have to be somebody special to have a...
The Challenge of Leading Your Own Kids

The Challenge of Leading Your Own Kids

This is probably the hardest article for me to write as it pokes at a pain that runs deeper than anything I have encountered as a youth leader. The problem: My children in youth group are the kids that are the hardest to lead and those that I fear I am failing. As I...
Encouragement When You Least Expect It

Encouragement When You Least Expect It

When I started youth ministry about 7 years ago I thought I could do it all. I had great ideas for games, sermon series, etc. I did what most of youth pastors would do. I would think outside the box. I even had a sermon about shaping your character and I cut my hair...
The Invisible Will Move the Visible

The Invisible Will Move the Visible

Typically, at least for me, this “job” of being a student pastor is never ending.  I always hear at our staff meeting around May that our slow season is about to start, and I’m always thinking, “Nope!”  Now I’m sure I can blame some of the busyness on myself and my...