Working With (or Without) Parents
Last night we ran a training session on working with – and without – parents in youth ministry. Here are some cliff notes… We first explored the history of youth work theories over the last four decades and noticed that parents work was a conspicuously absent element. Of those books and models that do mention […]
I asked 40 youthworkers in 3 countries how many events they run – here’s what they said…
I have had a lot to say on the subject of youth events over the last couple of years. It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s that I think they are often flat-packed, overused, resource draining and strategy defining. I don’t mind them if they are a carefully considered idea off the back of […]
3 Ways To Have A Successful, Yet Unhealthy Youth Ministry
I’ve been an unhealthy, yet relatively ‘successful’ youth worker for a while now. My projects mostly work, events go well, and young people know Jesus – but stress, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and blood-pressure problems have also accompanied those things. Since the doctors started treating me, and my health has started to improve, I’ve wondered if […]
An Attitude for Christian School’s Work – 10 ideas
Last week I was hosting a Q&A for the year 9s from our local school when we broached the topic of suffering. “Why doesn’t God just control everybody to stop them doing bad things!” a young lad asked me. “If He controlled everybody all the time,” I responded “then He could decide to make you […]
3 Overlooked Reasons for School’s Work
There are lots of well known and accepted reasons for school’s work, not least of which is you can kiss your youth ministry goodbye in a few years if you’re not. Here’s a few though that came to mind that are maybe sometimes overlooked: To challenge stereotypes Young people are several generations removed from the […]
Why We Should Cultivate A School Contact Network
In just one local school I have seen four different heads of RE, at least half a dozen changes in senior management and two (about to be three) headteachers – all in the space of five years. This is in no way a unique story. Many quality teachers are being promoted out of teaching positions […]
A big myth that teachers still tell…
There’s been some great posts recently on Things To Tell Young People Often. It’s nice to get a positive spin on the 101 Things Not To Tell Teenagers angle, which is – frankly – far easier to write! Nonetheless, I heard a doozy this week – an old resurfaced saying that hit me the chest […]
Youthwork Around The Globe: Hungary – with Rob Trenkmann
In this new series, Youth Work Hacks interview experienced youthworkers from around the globe – starting here with Rob Trenkmann in Hungary. Where are you based? My wife, son, and I live and serve in Western Hungary. We serve with Josiah Venture, a missionary team in Central and Eastern Europe committed to equipping young leaders […]
Phenomenology, Faith and Young People
Guest post by Katie Gough. Freelance writer, published poet and independent philosopher. Katie has been involved in Youth Work – across three countries – for nearly a decade. Read more at www.kategough.com Concrete and Abstract – What’s The Difference? When you were five years old, your mother was your mother because of her smell, the […]
Persevering and Pushing Through In Youth work
Guest post by Bex Baillie. A Youth Specialist at Trinity Network and Theology student at Bristol Bible College. Full bio below and check out her blog here. Perseverance plays a big role in every generation of faith. If we stretch our minds back, we can see how our Youth Workers committed endless hours to […]
How NOT to choose Young Leaders – Comics by Chloe
By Chloe Perrin. Volunteer Youth Worker, Musical Theatre Tutor and Youth Charity Trustee.
Youthwork Around The Globe: Australia – with Dave Fagg
Looking at cultural differences and similarities in worldwide youth work, we continue with our ‘Around The Globe’ series with Dave Fagg, in Australia. Check out the first in our series, on Hungary, here. 1. Where are you based? Bendigo, Australia. I live in the suburb of Long Gully, which has a high percent-age of public […]
Why I don’t do wasteful food games – by Ryan Rudolph
Youth work has a long tradition of using food. We love to use it for eating, especially. The Bible gives us great encouragement to use food for eating with one another. Celebrating, fellowship, parties, and communion. Food is a wonderful tool for authentic ministry. But there is another use for food that Youth Workers revel […]
Youthwork Around The Globe: South Africa – with Ryan Rudolph
Another great guest Post By Ryan Rudolph. Youth Worker in South Africa, graduate of Oak Hill College and blogger at ryangrudolph.wordpress.com 1. Where are you based? A medium sized Baptist Church in the CBD of East London, South Africa. It is a small, coastal city on the east coast, and is affectionately called “Slummies”, […]
Sola Powered Youth Work – by Todd Warden Owen
Guest post by Todd Warden-Owen; musician, comic-book lover, volunteer youth worker and administrator for Llandudno Youth For Christ. Check out more at www.llandudnoyfc.com Now by the title, despite the picture above, I don’t really mean ‘solar powered’ like the pictured superhero; but rather ‘sola powered’, referring to the five solas of the Protestant Reformation. […]