The Breakdown of Perfection
In the Gospel of Matthew, right after the beatitudes and in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ speaks to his disciples about loving your enemies and then gives them the highest expectation: “Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48)...
Supporting Your Teens While Social Distancing
It’s not always the case that we can know with certainty that we are living through a historic time. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that the only certain thing we can know at this point. With the news reports changing everyday, the number of cases fluctuating...
Your Worth as a Youth Minister
One of the worst feelings I have ever felt was on a Sunday night in the middle of the summer. I had prepared a fun youth event that included tye-dye and a bible study on the Creation story. Ten minutes had gone by and no one had showed up. Not a single soul. I sat in...
Joy in Youth Ministry: Being Buoyed by Hope
While not-so-innocently meandering around the Hobby Lobby this month, I found myself drawn, as usual, to the décor aisles. Scattered about the adorable canvas signs (silently beckoning, “Buy me!”) I noticed a few signs with the phrase “Choose Joy” artfully painted on...