The power of facebook in youth ministry

As many youth pastors have been forced to learn, facebook can be a very helpful tool to them in the youth ministry field. There are several different ways in which facebook can help your youth ministry.

1. Private messaging- Many students have gone away from using email because of all the spam and the convenience of using facebook messaging. This allows youth pastors to send mass facebook messages, but in a private way just to the members of their youth group facebook group.

2. Youth Group facebook group- Students can join this group on facebook and recieve the messages for the group. Along with messages and announcements, these students can share photos, videos, and have a blog type thing within the group to share thoughts. They can find others from the youth group in the facebook group and add them to their friends list.

3. Event RSVP- With having facebook, it is free and easy to make facebook event postings for any youth group events. This is something that can be openly viewed by anyone, or only people within the group. With these events students can mark if they are attending, not attending, or maybe attending, aloowing the youth staff to get a better view of the numbers.

4. News Application- This is a program that provides a news feed on all the latest news within friends on facebook. A youth pastor could put updates about events, or any other announcements on this for the students to see when they log on to facebook. Again it is a free and easy way to get the word out.

5. Track the youth's activity- although this is a reason that some students do not wish to be facebook friends with their youth pastors in fear that they will constantly be checking up on them, it can serve as a good conversation and accountability piece. The youth pastor, if friends with the student on facebook, can look at pictures, wall posts, and news feed that will somewhat update the person on what they have done.


In majority it is a very helpful tool when used in the right way, it can do great things for a youth group to connect to youth pastor!

Partnership with parents

As youth workers, we are not called to step in and take the role of a parent in the students' lives, but rather be a support for both the parents and students. any youth pastors have struggled with this in the past and have stepped on the parents' toes with some things. The best ministry that can affect the youth the most powerfully is one that is done from a youth worker and from the parents, both of them supporting each other. It is important for youth pastors to understand the impact that they can have not only on the students, but more so on the parents, and then the impact that parents have on the students. Here is an article that talks more about it with helpful hints and verses about it.

Generation Next

As Christians it is easy to look around at the world and be discouraged about all the sin and darkness that the world has. More specifically I find it very frustrating as a Christian in America to see what America has become. We are a nation that was classified as a Christian nation, and now has become seemingly the opposite. Even among the people who still claim to be Christians in the United States today, there are again even fewer who actually live out their faith. It breaks my heart to hear what the world says about Christians. They do not think happy things about Christians, but instead first think of the negatives. Often when I am interacting with people who know I am a Christian and we begin to talk about our faith, I find that many people are shocked at the fact that I really try to have my faith affect my life. When I lived abroad with a house full of girls last fall, many of them were shocked to find out that I had never drank or done drugs and could not understand why. When I told them that it was because I was a Christian, they told me that they were too, or that they knew lots of Christians who did those things. This is another reason why I think youth ministry is so important. Youth leaders need to talk about living out faith. If the youth, this next generation, will rise up and accept the challenge to as Christian young people be different, they could make a huge difference for the name of Christianity, and for the world as a whole. If the Christians in the world started to act as Christ calls us to, then imagine how positively the world would be changed. The youth has the potential to do this more than anyone, because their minds are still so young and fresh and positive. Youth leaders need to believe in the power that this generation has and then go on to encourage them in it.

Kissing retreats goodbye...

This is in response to an article that I read about a youth pastor who stopped doing retreats in his youth group because they kept arranging them with very little response and very few people singing up for them. Now he has tried to incorporate pieces that he has had in the retreats into his regular ministry. You can read it here for more info on it.

I did not agree with this method. I think that retreats can not only serve as a time for students to connect with God in a deeper way, but they also provide a time for youth to get to know the staff and each other better than they ever could in a Sunday or Wednesday service. I switched youth groups in 7th grade, and it was a very difficult transition for me. I didn't miss my old youth group, but in this new bigger one I just felt like another person and felt completely lost in the crowd. This continued for weeks and I only continued going because my best friend went there and it was time to spend with her. About a month and a half in there was a Fall Retreat planned. I did not want to go, because I thought it would just be more of feeling left out and I did not want that for a whole weekend. But my friend convinced me, and I am so glad she did. At that retreat I met people who are still my friends today, and I also connected with some of the leaders in a way I never had before. The next youth group meeting that following Wednesday was wonderful! I felt completely different! I had people to talk to and no longer felt lost in a crowd. From that point on I never missed a retreat, and on the last one had a very hard time accepting that I would not get to go on the next one. Not only did I connect with people who many of them now are my best friends even here at Bethel, but I was also continuously challenged. I was told that I was, with the power of Christ within me, able to stand up against the things that the world would try to force on me. It was through these leaders at these retreats teaching me about the Bible and faith, and how it should look in life, that I made it through my jr. high and high school years overcoming many of the common obstacles that pull people away. I do not think that these things could be replicated in the context of a few hour youth meeting.

Looking for a job in youh ministry?

The job market is down. Many companies are on freeze mode as far as hiring goes. But for those of us interested in youth ministry there is hope. There are many churches that are committed to the ministry of bringing God's word to youth all over the country, and there fore there are still many jobs for those going into youth ministry. These may not be the highest paid jobs, but that is not going to change if the economy gets better, ministry is always going to remain in the area of low paying jobs. The point is that there are many churches out there looking for youth pastors, associates, interns, and volunteers. I still need to go on into seminary to be able to be qualified for any of them, but that does not excuse me from trying for the internships or becoming a regular volunteer. There is no better way to learn and grow in skills that to be fully involved in it. There are many jobs listed at this site. If you are looking for a job in youth ministries, check some out here.

Is bigger better?

The trend in youth groups these days is to make everything as big as possible. Many new or remodeling churches are being constructed with huge youth buildings or at least rooms that seat over 1000 people. This is a great idea, that this big of rooms are needed to hold everyone in the youth group. But often these facilities are made hoping that they will bring in the numbers. Millions of dollars are spent on getting the latest technology, and state of the art facilities in hopes of drawing people in. This may work to draw people in, but are these youth facilities ready with the staff and volunteer to put time into all these visitors that come to see the place? I think it is great that people are being drawn into churches, especially young people. But it all means nothing if when there someone is not there to connect with them and have something more than a building or free food to have them continue coming. I encourage everyone who is thinking about youth ministry to never forget that it is not about how big your youth group is in numbers or how beautiful or large your facility is. It is about truly connecting as many as people as possible with Jesus and then walking with them to help them strengthen this new faith. That is something that too many youth pastors, and pastors in general have forgotten.

Start with a bang!

Even in my earliest years going to youth group meetings I remember a common theme that existed then and continued on as I grew older, and even as I switched churches. In the begging of youth meetings what do most youth groups do to get the time started? Games! Sometimes it is an ice breaker game that everyone does in the group, sometimes it is an embarrassing game that a few brave souls come to the front of the group and do, sometimes it is active, sometimes just questions and a lot of talking. Whatever it may be, these are some of the best times for everyone to let down their guards and just have fun together, and hopefully get to know a few new friends! Here is a link to a website that lists many different games for all situations and locations. Start your youth group meeting with a bang!

The importance of humility

One of the many reasons that I want to go into youth ministry is because I have been blessed with so many wonderful youth workers in my life that have selflessly poured into my life and encouraged me in my life walk with Christ and through everything else I was going through at the time. When I think about the youth workers that stand out in my mind of having the most profound impact on my life, they have at least one thing in common, humility. These people never boasted about how loving they were to youth, they never got rewarded for what they were doing, and they very seldom were appreciated even just through words from us kids or our parents. They did it because they loved us and just had to trust that God was using them to make a difference. Through these examples, I want to be humble as well. I know I am far away from that point right now because I still think about myself much too often and seek recognition for many things I do. But I know that if I am going to reach youth the way that I hope to, then I need to be humble and submit to God and trust that he will use me. I recently met a youth pastor who seemed to me to be very prideful and it immediately saddened me for the youth group because I know the powerful influence that humility can have on people. I think that is something that every person thinking about going into, or in youth ministry needs to step back and pray for, a prayer for humility.

Prayer for Humility

Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that you may fortify me with the grace of your Holy Spirit, and give your peace to my soul, that I may be free from all nedless anxiety and worry. Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to you, so that your will may be my will.

Grant that I may be free from unholy desires, and that , for your love, I may remain obscure and unknown in this world, to be known only to you.

Do not permit me to attribute to myself the good that you perform in me and through me, but rather, referring all honor to you, may I admit only to my infirmities, so that renouncing sincerely all vainglory which comes from the world, I may aspire to that true and lasting glory that comes from you. Amen

St. Frances Cabrini

How can I get prepared to lead youth?!?!

I recently spoke with a woman who is now a college professor, but was previously a youth pastor.  I asked her "what can I do to best prepare to go into youth ministry?" to which she responded that I was doing many of the things that she would recommend.  She said that first it was important to have mentors, and for me specifically female mentors who work in ministry.  It would be very important for me to talk with women in ministry to talk about the things that they have learned through their experience, the challenges, and anything else they wanted to share.  This would help me avoid hopefully some of the problems that they experienced.  She said that it is important for me, before committing to going to seminary for two years for youth ministry, to get a summer internship in a church working with youth.  Through doing this I could have a real life experience that would show me the joys and challenges of this area of work for myself.  When getting into it I could see that this fit me even better than what I had imagined, or on the other hand that maybe this was not where I felt God calling me.  Either way it would be a good learning experience.  Third she told me that it was great that I am a communication major.  She said that youth ministry can not be taught in a classroom, but if it could, the communication classes come the closest to teaching things that would really help during being in youth ministry.  She spoke of how you need to know things like interpersonal communication skills, mediation, and other areas of communication.  If you are a good communicator, you will be much better in youth ministry.  These are things that were very helpful to me, and I hope they will be to you as well if you are considering going into youth ministry.

Another call to service

Not all of us are called to go and serve in other countries.  I have been in many other countries on mission trips, and I have loved my time and learned so much through these trips.  But something that I think is often under estimated is serving in our own community.  It seems much easier to give two weeks to going to another country than to make a regular commitment to an organization in your area.  There are many places in each city that needs help in some way.  How many of us can say that we volunteer as much as we should.  Challenging youth at a young age to do this is the beginning of a good habit in their lives.  There are many positive opportunities for youth groups or small groups within the youth group to go somewhere and serve together.  Not only are you helping those in need, but it is often very rewarding and very fun.  Here is a website for different volunteer opportunities in the Minneapolis area. Check it out.

Christian Music Trying to Break through the darkness...

I love music, almost all genres. Music is something that in many people has the capability to really affect and move the heart and mind. Music has more power in it than we often realize. I am not someone who would say that Christians should not listen to any secular music, because even now as I am writing this I am listening to secular music and enjoying it. But I do think that it is very important to be discerning in the kind of music and lyrics that we allow to enter into our ears and mind. We may think that we just listen to the music, but ultimately the words do affect us. As Christian music has continually been in a growing period over the last ten years. Currently there are many more Christian music options than people realizing. Here is just a small list at comparisons and alternatives of Christian music that is a similar sound to some secular music. This was taken from http://christianmusic.about.com/library/blcomparea.htm.

If you like ...	You should try ...
2 Unlimited	Lisa Bevill
A*Teens	Jump5
Aaron Carter	Jump5
Avril Lavigne	Jennifer Knapp
Babyface	Tonex
Bad Religion	MxPx
Billy Joel	The Swift
Black Eyed Peas	tobyMac or Group 1 Crew
Celine Dion	Lisa Bevill
Coldplay	Tree63
Creed	Kutless or 12 Stones
Dave Matthews Band	Caedmon's Call
Depeche Mode	Joy Electric or Newsboys
Destiny's Child	ZOEgirl or Mary Mary
Dixie Chicks	Watermark
Eminem	tobyMac
Erasure	The Echoing Green
Evanescence	BarlowGirl
Fiona Apple	Nichole Nordeman
Gavin DeGraw	The Swift or John David Webster
Geto Boys	Nuwine
Good Charlotte	MxPx
Goo Goo Dolls	Jars of Clay
Jewel	Rebecca St. James
Limp Bizkit	P.O.D. or Project 86
Linkin Park	Kutless
Master P	Nuwine
Notorious B.I.G.	B.B.Jay
Outkast	tobyMac
Pet Shop Boys	The Echoing Green
Rage Against The Machine	Pillar or Spoken
Scarface	Nuwine
Simple Plan	Stellar Kart
Slayer	Living Sacrifice
Stone Temple Pilots	Big Dismal
Sugar Ray	Audio Adrenaline
Tori Amos	Michelle Tumes
Tyrese	Lamar Campbell

The call to service

As Christians, we are called to go out into the world and make a difference. Some are not called to literally go out into the world, as into other countries, but everyone is called to service in some way. I believe that people have the greatest potential to grow when they are out of their comfort zone, and serving Christ in the midst of that. There are so many opportunities to serve with mission agencies and go across the world, and there are countless ways to serve in our own country and in our own communities. There are far too many Christians just sitting around in their comfortable life. We all are called by Christ to go and make a difference in his name. I challenge my readers to think about how right now in your life are you being called to make a difference. Maybe it is giving a week for spring break to a service project or mission trip. Maybe it is volunteering at a local food shelf. Maybe it is babysitting for free for your neighbor. Whatever it is, get out there and serve the world! Get out and serve those who do and do not know Christ because that is how Christ's love becomes known! Here is a website with some great opportunities for youth to take this call to serve seriously. Check it out here.

How much are we affected by the media?

I have in the last few months really been convicted about the things that I watch in terms of movies and TV shows and how much of it is really affecting me. We generally tend to assume that nothing gets to us, that we can listen to or watch whatever we want while maintaining our same values and morals. I submit that as Christian young people we should be careful about what we let into our eyes, ears, and mind. If we are in fact letting much of these secular shows in that we enjoy, then are we constantly counteracting it with more time in the Bible to help us to stay pure in our mind and heart. I think that that is rarely the case, and I know not often enough the case in my own life. I want to challenge those around me to stop the watching of some things that really are not adding to our faith in any way shape or form, but then also to combat that things of the world that we are watching or listening to, to take the responsibility to balance it out with the Bible and prayer seriously. Otherwise how do we expect to grow?

There are however, good shows and move out there that can entertain us and help us to grow in our faith. One that is currently showing in theaters is the movie Fireproof. You can learn more about it here!

Jesus Paid it All!

This song is one that is often in my head, and I think it is one that holds an important message for todays youth.  That Jesus did pay it all, we owe him everything, our sin is gone, and now we obey him because he paid it all!  It doesn't matter what we have done, he paid for it with his life.  How often do we really think about the songs that we sing?  Many, like this one, hold such a powerful message we need to constantly remember!

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Refrain

And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

Refrain

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Refrain

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

Refrain

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Refrain

Reaching Global Youth Culture

A man named David Pierce came and spoke in Bethel's chapel service this week and he is the director of Steiger International.  The best way to describe what they do is by their mission statement which says, "Secularized global youth make up the largest un-reached people group in the world, held together by common values, symbols, and legends. These are formed by the shallow entertainment industry, pop culture, and economic strategies that prey on a whole generation. This, combined with a break down in family structure and values, sets the stage for anger, despair, hopelessness, and apathy.
We share God's broken heart for these young people. global youth make up the largest un-reached people group in the world, held together by common values, symbols, and legends. These are formed by the shallow entertainment industry, pop culture, and economic strategies that prey on a whole generation. This, combined with a break down in family structure and values, sets the stage for anger, despair, hopelessness, and apathy.

We share God's broken heart for these young people."

I think this is an awesome organization making a difference in a powerful way!  Check out more at their website!

Lessons for Teens

It is so important in youth ministries to have discussions and messages that truly revolve around scripture. Here is a great site with many lesson ideas for youth group topics and discussions! Check it out here!

I found this on http://www.youthpastor.com/youth_ministry/ and I think it is a helpful beginning to explaining just what is this thing we call "Youth Ministry".  

What is Youth Ministry?

Simply put, Youth Ministry is the Church's efforts to help each & every young person grow personally & spiritually.

The purpose of the Youth Ministry program is to prepare students for effective ministry to middle high, senior high, or college students and their families within the context of a local church or a parachurch organization.

Training young people to lead the cause of Christ, and apply Christianity to every area of life is what "youth ministry" is about. If we don't know that, the kids won't either.

Youth ministry is more than programs and events.

Youth Ministry is every effort by the Christian community to reach out to the youth with the love of God as revealed to us in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Youth Ministry is a means for both junior high and high school students to grow as individuals while exploring ideas, values, and faith within the context of a supportive community of peers and adults.

Youth Ministry is a church-wide ministry which strives to provide a variety of opportunities and experiences to draw teens into active, responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community and the greater church.

Youth Ministry is designed to help spiritually train and equip teens in a fun and Godly atmosphere to the Glory of God.

Youth Ministry is an umbrella term that describes the systematic attention the faith community gives to young people which enables them to reach their full God created potential. That is, everything the faith community is involved in that promotes both healthy development and faith growth in adolescents.

Youth Ministry works to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person and seeks to draw young people into responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community.

Youth ministry is the Church in its pastoral concern, reaching out to young people to embrace their gifts and to walk with them in their process of becoming all they can be.

Youth Ministry is defined as the response of the Church to the needs of young people, fostering their faith in Jesus Christ and their communion with the Blessed Trinity, and drawing them into responsible participation in the life, mission and ministry of the Church.

Youth Ministry seeks to help youth share their gifts, grow in life skills, develop a positive self-image, overcome prejudices, develop respect for differences, serve those in need, and foster social change, participate in the sacraments, develop a personal spirituality and prayer life, apply Catholic faith to daily life, integrate Catholic values, participate in the Church, and develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

Youth Ministry is fun, faith, and friends, usually with a little food added to keep our engines going!

Youth Ministry is a series of programs and activities to give young people a chance to participate in Church life, develop their own faith and spirituality, and discover new friendships.

These are just a couple of the definitions for Youth Ministry that I could find online. Many ministries define "what they do" without really defining "who they are" and "why they are". It's good to sit down and ask these questions at least once a year and to make sure that your students understand the answers. If you want to send us your "Youth Ministry is..." definition, send it via email to info@YouthPastor.Com.

A little something for everyone!

When browsing for some sites for Christian youth I came across this site.  It has many resources, but the best part that I found was that it has the option to connect youth all over the country to a youth group in their area.  Getting involved in a youth group as a young person in this country is something that in my experience was priceless, and got me through many of the tough times of jr. hugh and high school.  Many times I think people want to be involved somewhere but don't know where or how.  It is important to invite friends and family to church with us, and hopefully get them connected in that way.  But for those who don't have friends or family in the church, resources like this one are very helpful!

Youth Conferences

One of the best ways for people of all ages to learn about our practical application of Christianity is through attending conferences. These days there are conventions and conferences on every topic imaginable. In the weeks to come I will research some of the touring conferences that I think would be a good investment, or at least looking more into. Here is one that I was looking at today. More to come!

My Dream

Over the past year God has deepen a passion in my heart for youth, specifically the youth of America. I believe that there is a great potential in youth all over the world, and being the generation up and coming, youth is who can and should make the differences that need to be made in the world. My dream and goal for this blog is to find helpful and encouraging websites that will come along side youth and aid them in developing their full potential. My dream is to learn along the way of resources to share, and in the process of me learning be able to share all these resources with others. I hope to one day be a youth pastor, and I know that there are many people and resources that I can learn so much from in order to help me reach my dream and be the best that I can be.