EnglishLiderazgo Juvenil is a youth leader training organization dedicated to training Spanish-speaking youth leaders across the United States and Latin America though seminars and resources made available via the internet on their website: www.liderazgojuvenil.com.
For the past thr
Imagine the Holy Spirit hovering like a cloud over your community. With His all-seeing eyes, He can clearly see the needs of the people who live there. At the same time, He has also placed the resources in the community to meet those needs – if those who are stewards of those resources will work together to meet the needs.
You’ve probably heard the question: Why can’t today’s kids just grow up?
In this digital issue of YouthWorker Journal, we get answers from Chap Clark, Robert Epstein, Amy Jacober, Jeffrey Arnett, Lauren Winner, Kelly Lashly, Jeff Baxter, Rick Dunn and Jana Sundene.
Some people call the new reality “emerging adulthood.” Others say, “21 is the new 16.” However you describe it, these authors and experts can help you figure out the best ways to help your students grow up.
You've probably heard the question: Why can’t today’s kids just grow up?
In this digital issue of YouthWorker Journal, we get answers from Chap Clark, Robert Epstein, Amy Jacober, Jeffrey Arnett, Lauren Winner, Kelly Lashly, Jeff Baxter, Rick Dunn and Jana Sundene.
The May-June edition of YouthWorker Journal is the "Isms" issue, in which you'll find articles such as:
As well as content from the regular columnists and more! Check it out here.
Ever feel alone in ministry? Boy, I sure have. I remember one time being so depressed that I could not even get off the floor to go to speak at my youth group. Isolation, abandonment and desperation can all combine to push us away from those who can help us most. Thankfully, I had friends in ministry who took the initiative and helped me work through my issues. But
In the winter of 2009, youth leaders from four small Lutheran denominations had the privilege of sitting under the training of Tiger McCluen director Youth Leadership out of Minneapolis. The training was entitled Principles of Effective Youth ministry- The Timothy Project.
Each year our ministry talks about the role of how families impact teenagers. Really youth ministry circles have been talking about youth and their families for over two decades. My bias is that Dr. Karla Powell and Dr. Chap Clark are clearly kicking butt in leading the charge in equipping youth workers to work with families.
So in a very brief 20 minutes at our monthly In-service we do a big perspective / general idea about family systems thinking. I use a powerful visual for this.
Do you feel stuck as you try to work together with others in reaching teenagers in your community? You may have been there from the beginning of your network -- it is pretty exciting to launch an effort to unite those in a community for youth ministry. But now that the newness has worn off and some of the core team may have moved to other
"Build it, and they will come."
That may be a great movie tagline, but it doesn't necessarily work for building a healthy ministry network in your community. It’s not enough to just open your doors once a month, invite a bunch of youth workers, set up chairs around a table, and expect that will result in more ministry to youth. We have got to give youth workers a good reason to leave their offices to share their lives and ministries, and to be part of a community-wide vision.
In your networking with others, does your prayer time sometimes seem flat? it is easy to get into a rut in our prayer. Sometimes we think of prayer only as a "to-do" list for God.
However, there are ways to bring new dimensions to prayer in your network. During a break at a recent youth ministry conference, Mark Orr, our New England regional coordinator, shares simple principle
Welcome to February.
It's time for the newest digital edition of the YouthWorker Journal.
This month has articles from:
And the Winter 2012 College Spotlight.
I love encouraging students in rock climbing. There are many spiritual breakthroughs that people accomplish on the side of the rock. They are stretching their mind and bodies beyond their perceived limitations. I have been privileged to be a teacher's assistant for climbing classes through Biola University for the last five years.
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Have you ever felt spritually thirsty, where your soul feels dried like a sun-baked desert? You are not alone. I am a great fan of Henri Nouwen. His depth and simplicity brings me back to what is truly important. I just reordered his book "Out of Solitude" that I loaned to a friend. In this book Nouwen shares the story of Mark 1 where Jesus spends a busy day of ministering, healing and preaching. Then He goes into the wilderness for time with His Father. Even Jesus needed time to reconnect and take care of His Soul.
As a Network member, you can receive a $25 discount on the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in March 2012 by using your discount code: nnymsymc12. Follow the links below, and don't forget to register by October 31 to maximize your savings.
NNYM is excited to partner with Simply Youth Ministry. Our team will be leading a seminar and have a special partner area set up where we can help attendees connect in their communities more effectively. Come join us!
Adolescence cannot last from 11 years old to 29 years old. Our society will crumble economically & socially under the pressure.
I think most people understand that intuitively. They reflect on their teenage years and their early twenties as a time of coming of age.
But times have changed. Most sociologists believe adolescence stretches from the onset of puberty (11-12 years old) until the late 20s. In other words, the adolescence you and I knew is now 8-10 years LONGER than when we went through it just 20 years ago.
Are young people really leaving the church in droves as some studies say? If so, what can we do to develop deeper ties between youth and communities of faith?
In this months digital issue of YouthWorker Journal we sought answers and articles from: Kenda Creasy Dean, Mike King, Heidi Hagstrom, Dick Hardel, Dave Rahn, Kara Powell, Brad Griffin, Drew Dyck, Lars Rood and more!
We pray you and your students find this material helpful!
Do you have any “broken” kids in your ministry? They’re the focus of articles in the August digital issue ofYouthWorker Journal, which we’re passing on to you thanks to our partnership with YWJ.
We start with “Kids At the Margins” by Chap Clark. This is a new chapter in Chap’s latest book Hurt 2.0.
No, I don't have gas. I wish it were that simple.
I recently had to let a volunteer youth leader go. It sucked. Within our youth ministry community, leaders are not just church members – we are like family! And letting a family member know that it's time to step down from youth ministry is hard. Especially when it is not a cut and dried issue such as moral failure. Some poor choices were made that called for a period of time away from youth ministry leadership.
Before the dreaded conversation, much prayer took place. But I also spent some time looking around the internet for some guidance. To no avail. The only information I could find was on “when it's time to let go of a volunteer ministry leader,” but nothing on HOW to let them go. So I found myself in some conversations with God and with other ministry leaders I trust. And before I turned the key in the ignition to meet with the volunteer I was about to have a hard conversation with, I penned a plan.
Is the Bible historically accurate?
The Scriptures claim to be an inspired message from God — but can students (or their parents) confidently and reasonably defend biblical beliefs—and the Bible itself - when peers or university professors challenge their worldview?
From the creators of The Truth Project comes TrueU, an engaging DVD series that presents undeniable facts supporting a Christian worldview to equip youth to defend their faith, especially in public university.
When my sons were four and six, I was at church on a Sunday morning. (I was at work, I was the youth pastor.) The head usher came up to me after the service and said, “Did you see what your kids were doing during the service?”
I responded that “I had no idea what my kids were doing, they were in their class.” He said, “Your kids--the high school kids.” I said, “They are not my kids, you should talk to them or talk to their parents.”
Have you ever felt that part of job description was to control students? Or do you think that controlling students is part of the job of youth ministry?
I will confess that there was day when I would get a little nuts when students acted inappropriately or behaved badly.
As spring turns into summer, here are some great resources to help you plan your programs with kids.
Walt Mueller and Dan Kimball share insights about how our worship services and other gatherings can be more Christ-like and less showbizzy.
Missions expert Paul Filidis describes the shift toward “Business as Mission,” an approach that mixes work with the great commission.
Youth Specialties' National Youth Workers Convention early bird discount is coming up soon
! Below is information that will make it much easier to use the NNYM discount code with your churches and affiliates. This year, like last, our special partner discount code (NNYMNY1) will give you $25 off the current ticket price for 4 ticket types: Individual, Alumni, Spouse & Full-time Student. The Group (4+) rate does not qualify for this discount, but only because it is already LOWER, currently only $198/person!
Below you will see the links for both San Diego and Atlanta. Feel free to pass these on to others in your network. When you click on the link, the prices already reflect your $25 discount.
San Diego http://nywc2011-san-diego.eventbrite.com/?discount=NNYMNY1
Atlanta http://nywc2011-atlanta.eventbrite.com/?discount=NNYMNY1
San Diego NYWCis September 30-October 2, 2011.
Atlanta NYWC is November 18-20, 2011.
This September 21-25, pro and amatuer athletes, youth pastors, company owners, artists, musicians and youth workers will gather together at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 2011 Skate & Action Sports Conference.
Wakeboarders, skateboarders, surfers, bmx riders, motocross riders, and even snowboarders will flock to the area. They will be taking part in a 4-day conference that will equip and encourage them as they reach out to a generation of youth impacted around the world by things like violence, drug use, broken homes, and suicide.
Last week I had the chance to chat with Jeff Goins from Adventures in Missions about a new project he is working on. The project is called Kingdom Dreams, which is a new approach to helping people find their ministry calling.
Kingdom Dreams desires to inspire, equip and resource people to pursue one's God-given dreams and passions. It's the catalyst for the next generation of Christians focused on changing the world. It offers people the space, freedom, guidance, and confidence to dream and experiment, through the channel of meaningful personal connections.
Evangelism. For many, this word conjures up images of a street-corner preacher or a madman using a bullhorn and thumping people on the head with a Bible. But are those the only options?
Join Greg Stier, president of Dare 2 Share Ministries, for a lively, interactive webcast about sharing our faith and its role in youth ministry.
You and other youth leaders will explore some of the common fears surrounding evangelism, learn how it can help accelerate spiritual growth in your teenagers, and discover simple steps you can take to make it fit within your current youth ministry.
It's camp for junior high youth workers!
Let's be honest about this: it's not every adult who wakes up thinking, "How can I spend some time with 13 year-olds today, and influence them for Jesus?"
That calling, that wiring, is extremely unique and wonderful. And our wise and wonderful God, who cares so passionately about the young teens in your church, chose YOU! You are truly one of the few, one of the unique; and you are God’s plan for showing love to middle schoolers.
It’s been a week since the Simply Youth Ministry Conference and I’ve been talking to some youth workers about other gatherings and trainings that are more frequent than a once-a-year, mega-conference. While I love the large gathering and enjoy seeing a bunch of fun youth workers together, I know it’s just one training option.
Here are some other training options that I’m excited about:
1. Being involved in a local network: I’m a huge believer that we’re “better together” and local youth workers should unite on a regular basis with others who are sharing trench work. While a network may not be considered official training, I always find myself learning from other workers who I dine, chat and hang with. If you’re not part of a local network, I highly encourage you to connect with the National Network of Youth Ministries and get connected… immediately! It could save your ministry and enhance your primary relationships!
We understand how difficult and important it is for youth leaders to share relevant messages of hope and self worth to teenage girls everywhere. But how exactly can you do this? What goes on in the hearts and minds of girls? What are ways you can make an eternal impact in the window you’re given?
The Revolve Tour wants to help you answer these questions. Revolve is a one-of-a-kind inspirational weekend for 6th to 12th grade girls that combines award-winning bands, dramas, and speakers with real, relevant messages. But Revolve is much more than just a fun time for girls. Since it began, more than 35,000 girls have indicated they made first-time decisions for Christ at a Revolve Tour event. More than 16,000 children have been sponsored through World Vision as a result of The Revolve Tour.
We’ve partnered again with our friends at Group to help connect youth workers together during the Simply Youth Ministry Conference! The NNYM leadership team will be serving at this gathering and we’re looking forward to seeing our NNYM members! The Early Bird discount is approaching fast.
SYMC is March 4-7, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago.
As part of our ongoing partnership with SYMC, all NNYM members and anyone else from your church will get an additional $25 discount for the Simply Youth Ministry Conference! Register with the promo code NNYMSYMC --and if you register before October 31 you’ll save $65 per person—and up to $85 per person for teams of five or more!* (there’s also special pricing for spouses!) You can even lock in your rate and save your seat now with a deposit and pay the rest in January. Hurry! Seats are filling fast and last year sold out early!
Duffy Robbins and several other youth ministry veterans will be featured at a network-sponsored event on Saturday, May 8 in upstate NY.
Still room to register and at a very reasonable rate! Learn more AND register at www.bloomday.org.
-Syracuse Area Youth Workers
I'm a Network Coordinator in Sunland, California. Being a part-time youth pastor and going to seminary takes up most of my time. However, I also do a blog at Ministryallies.com that showcases great resources for youth ministry.
Here's my introduction to how to use Youthworkers.net. Having the proper set of tools is key to networking with other youth leaders. The new YouthWorkers.net website is one great tool for you to use. But… instead of typing a long, boring tutorial, I decided to make a video of me showing you around. Take a look.
Nick Arnold, a youth worker in the Los Angeles area, recently began a blog called ministryallies.com as a resource to help churches network more effectively. Check out what Nick has to say in this clip, and take a look at his blog.
Prayer is a vital part of cultivating unity in our nation, and so, “How can we be praying for Las Vegas?”
I recently met with the Las Vegas Network and took part in a discussion for a campus strategy in their city. We were overwhelmed and excited at the possibilities of connecting with campuses throughout the area. Here is how we can be praying for what God is up to in Vegas.
The new Youth Leaders University under the Training tab has help for you. Listen to the dean of that school, Bo Boshers, explain what is available to you. Click here.
That's one of the topics discussed in the new Youth Leader University under the Training tab. See the answer here.
Networking, partnership and collaboration are all common words used among youth ministers and other ministry leaders today. It seems like virtually everyone says they value networking in some form or function. Some choose to mention it in their mission statement, others list it as a core value, and some see it as a far-off goal. No matter which way you categorize networking, often times we do not make an effort to put the rhetoric aside and actually share experiences of networking that work.
Here is our story...
Last spring, our small network of youth pastors and para-church leaders in Orange County California had been meeting on a bi-monthly basis for a few years.
Editor's Note: Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, a ministry dedicated to creating tools and resources to enable youth workers to develop students into leaders. Doug's blog, www.dougfranklinonline.com, has a wealth of insights.
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Basic Premise: Leadership changes everything.
This statement is hard to deny. It is easy to think of many examples in the Bible where God used leaders to make great changes. Biblical examples like David, Nehemiah, Joshua, Peter, and Paul were men who not only led but also pursued God with their whole hearts. At a young age Joshua started following Moses around. Moses built into Joshua with the purpose of creating a leader who could lead the people when he was gone. Joshua became the man God used to lead His people into the Promised Land. Jesus found a rough fisherman named Peter and took him under His wing for three years. Through the process of failure and mentoring, Peter was shaped for leadership. He became the backbone of the early church and his influence is still felt today.
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