The One-Year Rule
A few years ago, I faced a dilemma. Debbie, one of my graduating seniors, wanted to stick around in the fall and help out with our youth program. She had no plans to attend college…
Category Archives: Christian Leadership
Flat tires and flexible schedules
It’s 6:30 in the morning and my cell phone is ringing. As a youth pastor, that’s usually not a good sign. “Hello,” I answer. “You’re never going to believe this, but I’m on the side…
Lesson from a Racing Homing Pigeon…
The bird on the right came to visit my family last weekend. It is a Racing Homing Pigeon (yes, people do this) that had lost its way. It was tame enough that we could capture it,…
Dress for Success: Response
The original article this post addresses is found here… In 13 years of Rural Youth Ministry, there are a few things I’ve learned. One of these important lessons is that the daily schedule of a…
Dress for success
I am not your typical youth pastor. For one, I detest coffee. I don’t touch the stuff. I also don’t dress like the “typical” youth minister does. I hate flip flops. I’ve never worn them,…
A Day at DOFO with Michael Brown
When we get groups to come and visit our home one of the questions they always ask is what does an average day at DOFO look like? So here is my attempt… The day starts…
You are an expert
In my first ministry, I had the dreaded conversation many youth ministers fear. As I was gently talking to a parent about their child’s behavior, the father placed his hand on my shoulder and said,…
Take Advange of Light Weeks
If your office is like mine, it stays perpetually busy (a polite way of saying messy). I always have stacks of papers, books, folders and mail that I will get to later. It’s stuff I…
4 Years…
A lot can change in four years. Two weeks ago, my youngest child turned four. She was the child that the doctors said would not make it. God had other plans. After a near miscarriage…
There Are Slow Periods in Ministry
Ah, Spring Break. This week is different than most weeks. With no school in session, many of my normal youth ministry activities are cancelled for the week. There are no ball games to watch, no…
Take Time to be Relevant
What a great week to do ministry. Right now, in our country, debate is raging about marriage equality. My Facebook and Twitter timelines are filling up with articles, messages, icons and new profile pictures that…
Sunrise service is perfect place for youth pastor
This week, I’m preparing to preach our Easter sunrise worship service. It’s the fifth consecutive year I’ve had that privilege. That spans two churches, two pastors and an interim period. I enjoy preaching that service. I…