MOVIE REVIEW: To Save A Life (2010)

Every few months youth pastors get a promotional box in the mail luring them to jump on the bandwagon of the next big Christian movie, book, conference or concert.  Marketing madness bombards you with free promotinal posters, t-shirts, devotionals, bookmarks, bumper stickers. Sadly, the Christian entertainment sub-culture often disappoints. I usually don’t bite.  I’m the … More MOVIE REVIEW: To Save A Life (2010)

Shimmer & Shine ’09

Once and awhile I like to post a video giving my readers a glimpse into the wonderful high school ministry I get to lead.  Here’s a peak at our annual Christmas dance we call “Shimmer & Shine.”  This year we went back to the 1940s to the Hollywood Canteen for some swing dancing.  Enjoy!

VIDEO: “Love Is An Orientation” (Andrew Marin)

YouthWorker Journal editor Steve Rabey talks with Andrew Marin about ways youth workers can reach out to gay and lesbian youth, and how in the past churches have failed to minister to those struggling with same-sex attraction in a Christ-like manner. Andrew is the director of The Marin Foundation, and the author of “Love Is an … More VIDEO: “Love Is An Orientation” (Andrew Marin)

Welcome to Guyland – What’s up with Guys?

One of my favorite resources for finding timely research on youth culture and understanding teenagers is the Fuller Youth Institute. A recent article explores the “secret underworld” of what Michael Kimmel calls “Guyland.”  I highly recommend reading the FULL ARTICLE HERE. So, what’s going on in the hearts and minds of today’s teenage boys?  What … More Welcome to Guyland – What’s up with Guys?

Teens & Sexting – Why?

Associated Press featured an article this week entitled, ‘Sexting’ Is More Common Than You Think.  The article begins: WASHINGTON (AP) — Think your kid is not ”sexting”? Think again. Sexting — sharing sexually explicit photos, videos and chat by cell phone or online — is fairly commonplace among young people, despite sometimes grim consequences for … More Teens & Sexting – Why?

Jesus-Shaped Evangelism for the 21st Century

FROM THE DI ARCHIVES: Prior to my current ministry role  I spent a few years living “missionally” in a smaller town community where God called me to use new and innovative means of reaching unchurched and ‘de-churched’ teens for Christ. Check out The Revolution. I wrote the following reflections while in the trenches trying to … More Jesus-Shaped Evangelism for the 21st Century

MOVIE REVIEW: “Twilight: New Moon” – Part 2

In my first review of this film I pointed out some of the underlying spiritual/psychological themes in the film: (1) the danger of letting a relationship take over one’s entire life, (2) turning a relationship into an idol which we cannot live without, (3) engaging in self-destructive behaviors (e.g., self-injury, suicide attempts) as a desperate … More MOVIE REVIEW: “Twilight: New Moon” – Part 2

MOVIE REVIEW: “Twilight: New Moon” – A Youth Pastor’s Perspective

This particular Friday night I was proudly wearing both my “good husband hat” and my “committed youth pastor hat” as I went to see the much anticipated “Twilight: New Moon” film on opening night.  (Keri asked me to go to the midnight opener the previous night and I had to draw the line somewhere!) Gazillions … More MOVIE REVIEW: “Twilight: New Moon” – A Youth Pastor’s Perspective

Teens and Stress

USA TODAY.com News featured a story entitled How Stressed Are Kids?  More Than We Think. I care deeply about the world today’s teens inhabit and the unique challenges they are facing.  To the best of my knowledge and from my own personal observation, the world of teenagers has been changing over the last couple decades … More Teens and Stress

Fusion Fall Retreat

I spent the weekend with 400+ senior high teens at Trout Lake Camp’s fall “Break-away” retreat.  The weekend featured energetic worship led by the talented and fun Bensonwells and animated speaker Ketric Newell.  Most excitingly, I saw students ministered to and challenged to be a generation that rises up and takes the baton and lives all … More Fusion Fall Retreat

Teenagers & Money

Many families have been blessed by the common sense, biblical approach to money management taught by Dave Ramsey. Financial Peace University is bringing hope to those drowning in financial debt and providing a way forward toward a debt-free lifestyle and wise stewardship of our money. But what if we could help young people avoid the … More Teenagers & Money