Sabbatical Begins
I have been looking forward to my sabbatical. The rest and recalibration has been necessary, but I have also been looking forward to spending some dedicated time with friends and colleagues about what life-long faith is really about. Along with interviews I will be making along the way, to go towards a podcast that I […]
The Book on My Lap: Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints
This is not a children’s book. This is a book for anyone looking for examples of real life, imperfect people engaged in relationship with the Holy.
Growing Young Book Review
I am a youth minister because I love the church. One reason I fell in love with Growing Young from the first page was because it’s all about the church. It’s all about the intrinsic link of loving the church and loving young people. Not only is this a book with compelling statistics, it is […]
Growing Young, Chapter 8 Reflection
Growing Young in Your Context Context is critical. Never forget that while we may learn from the experiences of others, how what has been learned is lived out in your context will most likely look very different. A strength in one congregation’s experience with the “Growing Young Wheel” may be the commitment that is most […]
Growing Young, Chapter 7 Reflection
Be the Best Neighbors Churches that grow young recognize the careful dance that values both fidelity to Scripture’s commands for holiness and knowing and graciously loving their neighbors… Much more than developing detailed policies or releasing theological position papers, these churches train and infuse their young people with an integrated discipleship that enables them to […]
Growing Young, Chapter 6 reflection
Prioritize Young People (and Families) Everywhere This chapter is important because it cuts to the heart of it all. The idea of prioritizing young people and families remains just that in many churches, a nice idea that is an assumed reality without being followed up by intentional action. As someone who has dedicated their lives […]
Growing Young, Chapter 5 Reflection
Fuel a Warm Community It wasn’t the preaching or teaching. It certainly wasn’t the building or the worship style. It was the life shared among the congregation that drew them in (164). As a Pastor’s Kid, lifelong Christian, and leader in the church for as long as I can remember, I’ve been to quite a few […]
Growing Young, Chapters 3 & 4 Reflection
Empathize with Today’s Young People & Take Jesus’ Message Seriously Growing Young is a book that can be easily read in small bites. Each chapter stands alone with its own message and data to be mulled over. However, they are part of a greater message and it is helpful to remember that they are pieces to […]
Growing Young, Ch. 2 Reflection
Unlock Keychain Leadership: Sharing Power with the Right People at the Right Time Definitions are a good place to start, so I appreciate that the authors took time defining what they mean by “keys” and “keychain leaders” at the very beginning of this chapter (53). I’ll do that too. Keys: Capabilities, power, and access of […]
Growing Young, Ch. 1 Reflection
I am thrilled to be part of the #growingyoung launch team for Fuller Youth Institute. I just received my copy of the book and have eagerly begun to read it. I’ll be posting my reflections and chapter highlights here. The book is Growing Young: 6 Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church […]