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Discover the Power of Art Journals with Teens in Your Youth Ministry
Creating art journals with teens helps them make sense of their lives and relationships and encourages growth. As youth walk through the world, they face several difficult things to navigate, including heartbreak, sexual development, friendship, drug and alcohol use, family dynamics and decisions about the future. Being a mentor for youth, you are in a unique position to help them make sense of it. And art, with all its applications, is a great way to do so. Do you incorporate art journaling with teens in your ministry? We’d love to know how in the comments below! Just a Starting Point…
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Craft a Morning Routine That Will Revolutionize Your Family’s Life
Invite joy into your family’s life by creating a morning routine. It’s all about pure consistency. Quieting the clutter of the mind and daily rhythms allows your children (and you!) to connect to what God is up to more easily. Share what your mornings are like in the comments below! Creating the Best-Ever Morning Routine Children, like all of us, thrive with healthy structure. A healthy structure is consistent yet adaptable. Our mind and body know what to expect with consistency. And adaptability means we listen to our current needs, notice what is possible at the time and shift in necessary…
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To the Outrageously Fabulous Parents with Your Kids in Church: I Salute You
Having your kids in church with you is hard. And it matters. I promise. DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF COPY TO GIVE TO FAMILIES: This is our encouragement letter to all the parents out there, and we think families in your congregations might really enjoy reading it. Click here to download a copy to share with families at your church or parents you know. You Are Fabulous To all the parents out there: You are fabulous. Yes, you! I guarantee you that you’re better at raising kids than you often think you are. And all you’re investing in those little humans…
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Unearth God’s Calling for Your Ministry’s Purpose in the World
So, what is God’s calling? And how does your ministry fit into it here and now? Read on for a few helpful steps that will guide you in your discovery for the upcoming program year. Where do your ministry’s gladness and the world’s hunger intersect these days? Tell us in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear! DON’T HAVE TIME TO READ THIS POST RIGHT NOW? Download a PDF copy of this blog post to read later, or to share with friends or colleagues. Click here to access the downloadable PDF. Assessing Health Just like in our personal lives,…
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Astoundingly Simple Tips for Your Best-Ever Backpack Blessing
Holding a backpack blessing during worship is a great way to encourage students preparing for the new school year. What’s a Backpack Blessing? A backpack blessing is a moment set aside during your worship service to encourage students. Doing so celebrates with the excited, and soothes the anxious. No matter the age or how a student is feeling about the upcoming school year, a backpack blessing is a valuable ritual within a faith family. Students bring their backpack with them to church on an assigned morning. Then, if the worship space is conducive, they head up front with their bag…
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Intergenerational Ministry: 5 Reasons It’s Absolutely Essential for Church Health
An intergenerational ministry is essential to church health. Read on and find out why we think it’s a must for a thriving community of faith. Also, if you’re in the market for great ways to foster intergenerational ministry in your church, take a look at our post here. How are you living out intergenerational ministry in your church? We’d love to hear in the comments below! Intergenerational Ministry Provides Varied Leadership Perspectives When your group of leaders has a diverse range of background and context, the same will be true of the wider church. And, as a result, your church…
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3 Ways to Avoid Burnout by Being Fantastically Lazy
Avoid burnout and recharge your mind, body, and spirit by creating healthy boundaries and rhythms this summer. So, I’m writing to help you do less. Be a little more lazy. Most of you reading this are seriously dedicated to your calling. If you’re taking the time to read blogs on ministry, especially a post on burnout, you likely give a lot of yourself to those you serve. And you probably need a break. Do More. Be More. Or Maybe Not. Many of us have learned that in order to do a good job we must just keep pushing harder. You…
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How to Create A Dream Team of Spectacular Volunteers
If you’re like most ministry leaders, your search for amazing volunteers is always underway. Whatever the season, you’d be happy to find another few mentors to work with children and youth. Share in the comments below what you look for in potential volunteers! Why You Need Spectacular Volunteers You, as a ministry leader, cannot do this job alone. First, you’re not paid enough to run yourself into the ground. Although, I’d advise not doing that no matter your paycheck. Second, you are fantastic. However, you aren’t gifted in every area. And you need others to fill the roles you can’t.…
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Traveling with Kids: Turn Any Trek into a Monumental Art Road Trip
Traveling with kids can be…lots of things: tiring, intimidating, overwhelming, irritating. But, traveling with kids is also joyous, exciting, and awe-inspiring. Family travel coming up? Consider making it an art road trip, and you’ll be even more amazed at the trek’s richness. Seeing the world through children’s eyes gives us hope and revitalization that few things can. We’ve also talked about art’s powerful impact on children’s lives. What if you could bottle all that potential up and take it on a vacation with you? An art road trip is an amazing way of doing that. DO YOU WANT FREE COLORING…
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5 Fun Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Your Kids
Reflecting on the upcoming summer solstice got me thinking about how much of our connection to the rhythms of life and creation we’ve lost. As technology and industrialization has increased, even much of our interaction with the circle of the seasons has been minimized or lost. For example, many of us are unaware of what produce is grown when. Also, we pay little attention to the moon’s waxing and waning. And the sun doesn’t dictate our waking and sleeping anymore. Consequently, life has shifted in big ways for most of us since our agrarian ancestors lived. As a result, we…
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5 Powerful Father’s Day Gifts That Keep On Giving
Father’s Day is right around the corner. And there are so many fabulous men who are worthy of celebration. So, we’ve put together a list of ways to honor them this year. Perhaps Dad isn’t any longer with you or isn’t the father you’d hope for. But, Father’s Day can still be a day of joy. You can simply celebrate the men in your life who have been steadfast, supportive and nurturing. Share with them how significant they are to you. Showing Gratitude on Father’s Day No matter our life’s situation we all have father figures, biologically related or not,…
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Raise Extraordinarily Confident Kids by Never Saying “Good Job!” Again
Don’t we all hope to raise confident kids, ready to head out into the world with high self-esteem? We want them to maintain their sense of worth through life’s ups and downs, appreciate who God is ever-creating them to be, have the courage to face challenges and enough hope to go after opportunities. How do parents do this? Now, of course, there are several ways to raise confident kids with high self-esteem. One of the most essential to all others is the way we think about children’s efforts and associated outcomes. Many of us watch children and focus on whether…