In my book, Rural Youth Ministry, I spend some time talking about the future of youth ministry in rural communities. Almost three years out from the publishing of the book, I have seen some things transpire that show where I was right, where I was wrong, and what I didn’t […]
Christian Leadership , Ministry Tech , Mobile Tech , Redneck Tech , Resources , Social Media , Tech Reviews , Technology , YM For Cheap!
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Four Social Media Tools I Use…
Every once in a while, I get asked the question “who has time for social media?”. The answer to that is “nearly everyone”, you just have to use the right tools and manage your time . There are some great tools you can use to both get the information you’re […]
Christian Leadership , Ministry Tech , Rural Ministry , SBC , Social Media , Stories , Student Ministry , Technology
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The Blogging Congregation…
I attend a small church in a rural community. I’m talking less than 150 on Sunday morning small. Yet, I see two trends in our church that I hope speak to the future of growing churches. The first is that the fastest growing and most engaged group is shifting from […]
Christian Leadership , Featured , Ministry , Resources , Rural Ministry , Stories , Student Ministry
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Don’t be a “Bath and Body Works” Youthworker…
Note to our female readers: This post is written by a male. We see things a little differently, and that’s ok. Hang with me, this satire makes a point… When I hear the words “Bath and Body Works” as a guy, two things come to mind. 1) The migraine-inducing mix […]
Christian Leadership , Evangelism , Ministry , Rural Ministry , Student Ministry , Youth Leader Health
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One?
Youthworker, I’m going to ask a single question that I was never asked at the last church where I served, or the church before that, or even the one before that. However, it is vitally important to your ministry. Its a difficult question that should be asked after every event, […]
Christian Leadership , Ministry , Missions , Rural Ministry , Youth Leader Health
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Ramblings from the Desert….
I’m almost a year into a journey that has included time away from being on a church staff. It has been strange to experience (in some ways) a “normal” church member experience. The disorientation of this journey has been a desert of sorts. It has removed me from most of the […]
Christian Leadership , Family Stuff , Ministry , Missions , SBC , Stories
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How to truly #DefundPlannedParenthood …
Unless you have been living under a rock the last few months, you know there is an ongoing battle to defund Planned Parenthood on the state and national level in the legislatures. As the lawmakers return from their month of recess, the rhetoric on both sides will undoubtedly escalate. I […]
Christian Leadership , Family Stuff , Rural Ministry , Student Ministry , Youth Leader Health
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Five Ways to Show Appreciation For Youthworkers…
Youth ministry has changed in the last 15-20 years. For the most part, the days where the youthworkers mainly managed pizza parties and all night video game marathons are behind us. Instead we have youthworkers reaching out to overstimulated, overscheduled teens that are being bombarded with negative messages from society, […]
Christian Leadership , Ministry , Rural Ministry , Stories
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Which Kingdom?…
A few weeks ago, I preached a message on 1 Kings 12. This passage covers the breaking of Israel into the Northern and southern Kingdom, following the death of King Solomon. In the message, I posed the question, “Which kingdom are you in?”. The North had much more in […]
Christian Leadership , Evangelism , Family Stuff , Ministry , Missions , Rural Ministry , Stories , Student Ministry
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Ministry is Generational. We cannot forget this. EVER.
Last week I attended the visitation for a friend that I wish I would have gotten to know more before Alzheimers did the awful things that it does to a person over the process of many years. I can tell you that he served others, and he served his church […]
Christian Leadership , Ministry , Rural Ministry , Stories
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Rural Ministry in a Global Society….
The other day, I was reminded of the globalization of our society when I was at the gas station. No, I am not going to be talking about any stereotypes of workers in your local gas station. I live not far from Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. Its kind […]
Christian Leadership , Family Stuff , Ministry , Ministry Tech , Mobile Tech , Resources , Rural Ministry , Stories , Student Ministry , Technology
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Digital Shadow.
Everything you do online is, for the most part, permanent. Go back and re-read the previous sentence. People and companies are tracking what you do online. Usually it is not for your benefit or gain, its for theirs. Some are legally and ethically ok, others are not. This concept of […]