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Ministry burnout is real. I talk to thousands of Youth Pastors throughout the year. One thing that crosses denominations, size of churches, and different parts of the country, is the tiredness and weariness that many Youth Pastors feel in their ministry. I wanted to encourage you with six things on how not to grow weary in an environment that is easily tiresome.

Having run groups for years in a clinical setting as a licensed counselor, Brendt Blanks knows that many of the characteristics of running a successful discipleship group are quite similar. Yet, there are some that are unique to leading students in meaningful spiritual growth. Here are seven characteristics of running an effective small group.

Andy Blanks examines some of the challenges we face in leading students to develop good spiritual habits.

In this article, Andy Blanks writes that if we are to be effective at leading students in spiritual transformation, we have to do so in the context of real relationship.

Somewhere along the way, we began to communicate to students that the best way (or maybe even the only way) to help introduce their peers to Christ was to simply invite them to Church. But what does this look like if it is the primary objective of our evangelism? 

Want to know the most dynamic, most useful, most flexible youth ministry resource there is? The one thing that, if implemented, will super-charge your youth ministry and dramatically transform the lives of your students?

As Christ-followers it seems like the promise of Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter should have us singing in our souls. As you reflect on the provision of the cross and the reality of the empty tomb, here are 99 songs (in no particular order) for your playlist to help you celebrate the Easter season.

Good Friday is a day of reflection, gratefulness, and in some sense, wonder. The Cross is the central point in all of history. And yet, there are many days when the grace of God expressed at that moment is simply too overwhelming to comprehend. At best, we can respond with thankful awe, knowing only that Christ loved us enough to willingly face His crucifixion.

The world is increasingly wired and digitized and it will only become more so. 

So how should we handle social media and students' attachment to their devices?

 

Honest doubt, and honest questioning is how teenagers begin to own a faith that is theirs, not their parents’, or grandparents’, or even yours.

But what do we do with those questions? What is the right attitude or approach toward having these questions or doubts?

Here’s a challenging thought:

If you were to start taking away elements of your youth ministry, what would you actually need to do be able to still do ministry?

Now, before you answer, I’m not talking about some theoretical youth group. I’m talking about YOUR youth ministry.

Senior Adults range from some of the nicest people you will meet in the church to well some of the most difficult people you will deal with. Here are a few thoughts on why they are so crucial to your ministry even though your title may be Youth Pastor.