I got a new job! Well, kinda. I have “new” job parameters. Pastor Loretta Sunderland has been the High School Youth pastor for over 15 years and she is transitioning into a new role at Hayward Wesleyan Church. So I will be assuming the high school ministry at Hayward Wesleyan starting sometime this summer. I’ll be […]
There might be a variety of reasons why any sane adult would willingly give up a couple hours of their time every week to attempt to disciple middle school and high school students: Laughter Teenagers say and do some pretty goofy things. Perhaps some people volunteer because they love to laugh. Insanity Teenagers have a […]
My First Hands-On Bible Read the full review over at Wesleyan Kids.
I think it’s been almost a year since this idea started, but it is finally here! FUEL Online Join Scott Simmons, Jamie Cambers, Chase Smith, and myself in a 45-minute conversation about: “What’s Happening Now?” (trending topics in the news and how it relates to youth ministry and the Gospel) “What’s Going Down?” (practical stuff […]
Where do we find identity? How is our identity shaped? In whom is our identity formed? These are pertinent questions for your middle school and high school student. And they are always asking the big identity question: Does anyone like me? The question for us as parents and small group leaders is: Do we have […]
Boy, I must’ve been under a rock because I missed this post when it happened. Top 10 Reasons our Kids Leave Church Here is the list: They don’t need it They know the truth They got tired of pretending They found better feelings Community You gave them hand-me-downs You sent them out unarmed They get […]
My favorite part of this article was the first two paragraphs: “To truly disciple is to realign our affections – and those of the person we’re discipling – to a greater Person. Unfortunately, many youth ministries do not focus on making disciples or the heart change of their young people. “Instead, behavior modification, moral change, or intellectual assent are often emphasized. This […]
Well, yesterday morning we had our first ever “Parent/Child Dedication” class where we talked through the role of the individual, family, and the church in the spiritual formation of the dedicated child. It was great. We wanted to take some time to emphasize, in a formal class setting, the importance of training up a child […]
The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments Check out this review of “The Gospel Story Bible” over at WesleyanKids.org
Spark Story Bible Check out this review of the “Spark Story Bible” over at WesleyanKids.org
This past Sunday I preached a message called: “Repent and Believe.” It was a very personal message about what God has been doing in my life the past 31 years and how Christianity is as simple as: Repent and believe Here is the link below: haywardwesleyan.org/2013/04/21/repent-and-believe-the-gospel/
Read and Share Bible Check out this review of the “Read and Share Bibles” over at WesleyanKids.org
The Big Picture Story Bible Check out this review of “The Big Picture Story Bible” over at WesleyanKids.org
“I just think [discipleship] has a lot more to do with following Jesus, and pulling some people close to you so they can follow Jesus, too.” – Connie Patty
In 21 years, I see 1500 students who have been discipled and are reproducing disciples. They believe in the kingdom of God by faith, and surrender/sacrifice their lives in pursuit of God’s kind of world. These students give and serve generously. They are humble. Ordinary, yet extra-ordinary. Natural, yet super-natural. These 1500 disciples depend on […]
“Men [and women] were to be his method of winning the world to God.” — Steve Patty in Impact: Student Ministry That Will Transform a Generation (pg. 5)
“Youth ministry exists to somehow get these church kids, these adolescent versions of scribes and Pharisees to be true disciples. That is its purpose. It has no other.” “Youth ministry exists to somehow get these unchurched kids, these adolescent versions of sinners and tax collectors to be true disciples. That is also its purpose. It […]
“Evidence of numbers, creative programming, great relationships, exotic mission trips, the satisfaction of parents, the praise of senior pastors—none of these measure effectiveness. Instead, the extent to which ministry produces true, loyal, and enduring disciples is the mark of its success.” — Steve Patty in Impact: Student Ministry That Will Transform a Generation (pg. ix)
“Do you know this picture of church and unchurched kids? “Students from the church filing into the youth room, excited about everything except God, bored with the whole ‘church’ thing, daring you to somehow make them feel something? “Or students so secular, pierced and tattooed, living only to secure a college scholarship, thinking of only […]
Here is a list of “Family Ministry” and some “Parenting” books I have consolidated into a list. If I’m missing something on this list, please comment below with the title and the author and I’ll update the list. Family Ministry Field Guide: How Your Church Can Equip Parents to Make Disciples Timothy Paul Jones Perspectives […]