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A collection of interviews, ideas, theories, notes, and resources written by youth workers, for youth workers.
YouTube Channel
Brand new YouTube Channel looking at theory, ideas, tips, and more behind the world of youth work.
Recent posts
11 Essential Youth Ministry Books
So I love books. Love em! I like to hold them, smell them, lick them. I love how they look on my shelves. I even like reading them occasionally. Speaking of my epic-book-shelf-of-awesomeness, I have exactly 113 youth and children’s work books. Which is a nice ego stroking humble brag to add in. I’ve even […]
Youth Ministry training and the battle for professionalism. Is it worth it?
In the red corner, weighing in at -£30,000 (debt that is); a youth ministry professional with certificates, training and qualifications. They boast a long list of module credentials, and a mental catalogue of praxis, quotes and bibliographic data. I give you… the qualified youth worker. In the blue corner, weighing in at 12 years; a […]
Is critical thinking the same as overthinking? Some self-indulgent epistemological musings.
Sometimes critical thinking is ignored, shunned, mocked, or worse, flat out rejected as overthinking. However, in a world of fake news, tabloid drama, and social media reporting – critical thinking just couldn’t be more important. Dismissing genuine critical engagement with ideas as overthinking is more than biting the hand that feeds, it’s covering it in […]
The best arguments against reading Harry Potter, with some critical responses – a faux debate.
During my first degree over a decade ago, I wrote a paper for a Youth Ministry module basically discussing whether or not a Christian should read Harry Potter. It didn’t score massively highly (mostly due to my poor proofreading skills!), but it was still an eye-opening experience. I believed then that the debate was mostly […]
What to do in the first three months of a new youth work job
This won’t be a popular answer, but you should do nothing. Well, almost nothing. I was recently at a conference where I overheard a new youth worker tell another youth worker that she was struggling in her brand-new position. The second youth worker’s advice was ‘change as much as you can as quickly as you […]
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Recent guest posts
Youthwork for the Long Haul – Interview with Ali CampbellJune 4, 2020 - 8:39 amI’m so pleased that Ali dropped by to share from his long experience how to stick at youth work for the long haul. This is an immensely helpful half hour to get more equipped to stick at what we do for years to come! Thanks Ali 🙂 If you want to check out more from […]
“Faith-based videos are too hard to find”. Check out YouthVids storyDecember 16, 2019 - 7:00 amThis Monday I’m promoting a fabulous website that curates quality Christian videos for use with youth groups. Check out the site at www.youthvids.com “Faith-based videos are too hard to find.” That’s the report we got back from many conversations with youth leaders across the U.K. Having spoken to a load of youth pastors they had […]
Should we keep saying that God ‘uses’ His people? – by Jonny PriceDecember 11, 2019 - 10:49 amI have recently been reflecting on the way we speak in church about how God works with us, walks with us, and uses us for revealing His purposes and His goodness in the world. I have come to the conclusion that we need to rethink how we talk about this because of the implications the […]
Bringing the Bible to Life for Young People – by Tim AdamsOctober 15, 2019 - 10:15 amThis week, Communications Manager for British Youth for Christ, Tim Adams, tells us about their incredible new resource, ‘The Good News Bible: The Youth Edition’, that was created in partnership with the Bible Society. At Youth for Christ, we passionately believe that the Bible is foundational to seeing young people’s lives transformed by Jesus. Gen […]
Living with cancer as a volunteer youth workerSeptember 23, 2019 - 4:38 pmThis 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 […]
Awkward open prayer in youth groups – ComicAugust 30, 2019 - 7:30 amChloe’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.
Youth Ministry First Aid
Is something not working? This provides a tailored session to help you identify the root of the obstacle, and how to pass it.
Plateaued growth? Hemorrhaging leaders? Glass ceiling? Can’t get young people to engage with Jesus?
Let’s have a look together at your context, your strategy, and your resources to get to the bottom of the issue – and move through it. Get in touch for a friendly chat about how we can help you move forward as a ministry.
Biblical Theology of Youth Work
Delving into the foundational roots of what we do, why we do it and how we can do it better!
Either run as a whole day, half day or evening, this session unpacks the Bible’s key passages in context to help us understand exactly what it is were doing. It will highlight essential theology for youth ministry, and it will open up some exegetical practice to hone our Bible reading techniques.
This is a deep day for those who want some meat to study – but also has a highly practical element to it that will help you with writing your own Bible Study material.
