Discussing Incarnational Youthwork – the reader’s digest version
Back in June I wrote a 5-part series on Incarnational Youth Work. This was, in itself, a reader’s digest version of a forthcoming journal that’s being published later in the year by Brill. It strikes me, however, that 6926 words over five posts still wasn’t that digestible or ‘blog friendly.’ So here is a reader’s […]
Reflections on the hardest year of my life
I recently wrote a celebration and thanks piece about my book. All that I wrote is true – but now for the other side of the coin. Last year was hard. Not just a little hard, but hard. Very hard, stupidly hard. I started a full-time Master’s degree, while still working full-time as a local […]
YouthWorkHacks shortlisted for ‘Most Inspiring Leadership Blog’
I’ve once again been utterly blown away to receive a nomination for the Premier Digital Awards, and then to have been shortlisted in the category of Most Inspiring Leadership Blog. Incredibly, youthworkhacks has won this award three times since 2016! We’re so blessed to have been shortlisted among so many worthy online warriors. Do check […]
Working with visiting speakers – 9 tips
Over the past twelve months I’ve been on both sides of the visiting speaker divide. I’ve been touring my book, and running events that needed outside help. Some churches have policies and budgets for speakers, but in youth work land, we easily neglect these in the wake of enthusiasm and last minute planning! I’ve had […]
A micro-theology of ‘being nice’
Back in the day, when I was just a young ginger sprout in 6th form college, I remember having a full-on debate with my enigmatic psychology teacher about the virtues of being ‘nice.’ She took the approach that humans are competitive beings who – by their very nature – will only ever use ‘niceness’ as […]
Living with cancer as a volunteer youth worker
This brave and honest anonymous post has been written by a youth work volunteer who recently was given the all clear after treatment for cancer. We hope this will be an encouragement to anyone walking through similar challenges. Cancer, My Youth Group & Me. Cancer: In August 2016 I was diagnosed with a Hodgkin’s […]
One year today since the launch of Rebooted!
Exactly one year ago today IVP released my book, Rebooted: Reclaiming youth ministry for the long haul – a biblical framework. I’m so grateful to the publisher, editors, designers, readers, reviewers, prayer team, family, fantastic sidebar authors, and my employer – who all worked hard to make Rebooted a reality. To be honest, I’m utterly […]
The Harry Potter debate – a readers digest version
Back in April I wrote ‘The best arguments against reading Harry Potter, with some critical responses – a faux debate.’ It was over three and a half thousand words long with twenty-two headings, and thirteen discussed Bible verses. It was long! It seems to me, therefore, that a ‘readers digest’ version might be called for […]
Two dads are better than one – talk
A short Father’s Day talk from 2017 on God being our dad. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
“Everything is permissible…” helping young people understand the balance between grace and holiness
When working with young people we need to teach them about grace. We need to help them know, love, and swim around in the depths of God’s riches given to them at Christ’s expense. We also, however, need to help them wrestle with holiness and obedience – what does it mean to live righteous and […]
Awkward open prayer in youth groups – Comic
Chloe’s back – fresh from her Uni offices and with her weirdly wonderful wired brain – to give us some insight into those more awkward moments of open prayer in youth clubs.
The Gospel and Jurassic Park – talk
A talk I gave a couple of years ago in a church series called ‘God at the Movies’. This is mine on Jurassic Park. This was first published on a church website which is now closed, so I’m re-posting here. Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
The guy behind youthworkhacks…
I thought it would be nice to give you a chance to meet me – the guy behind the blog. A lot of what I’ve been doing this last year has been hyper polished and promo-y – and I’m just not really, so I wanted a minute to right the ship, add some balance, and […]
Transforming the Church through Transforming Youth Ministry – talk
A talk I gave a couple of years ago on young people and the church. The church website has now closed, so I’m re-posting the messages I gave here. (Note: The last 5mins is about local work of Youth for Christ in North Wales). Photo by Jason Wong on Unsplash
Is preaching the most effective method to teach teenagers?
Most of what I remember of my youth pastor from being a teenager his him giving talks. He and his small team would take it in turns to deliver the message each Sunday night. Some of these we would look forward to more than others because they would be funny or moving or poignant. Others, […]