Trouble in Paradise: When Disciples Just Can’t Get Along
As the Campus Minister at a Catholic School, I have the unique opportunity of being present for all the little arguments and disagreements that happen throughout the day with the kids I minister to. Sometimes these conflicts are minor; a girl snaps at her friend, or a boy brushes past a classmate a little too […]
One Body and One Spirit
Last week we had our monthly Middle School Family Dinner at St. Joseph’s parish. We talked about the negative and positive pressure of our peers and the value of true friends. If you take those things a little bit deeper, we were really getting at the need for good community, for a group of people […]
Expect the Unexpected
In ministry, you have the opportunity to be a part of several retreats. After the fifth or sixth retreat, we as ministers can be tempted to ease into a comfort zone. I have found that there are times when you have to be intentionally open to what God can do in your life and how he can use […]
Share the Vision
Ask any minister and they’ll tell you, “we could never do what we do without our volunteers.” Events, giving talks, leading small groups, being in dramas or skits on retreats… I mean, there’s no way that one minister could dress up as the entire cast from the Hunger Games all by themselves. Volunteers really are […]
Tell Them A Jesus Kind of Truth
Sometimes, I think we make ministry way more complicated than it needs to be. We agonize over curriculum, content, and delivery, and while these things are important, they should not be our focus. When they are, I think we miss out on the simplicity of what God is actually asking us to do as ministers. […]
Volunteer Training, Simplified
The ministry year is in full swing! We’re drinking more coffee than ever and have full voicemail inboxes, but to God be the glory! At this point in the fall semester, you might still be searching for volunteers, or you may be realizing that the ones you have still need some help. Today’s post is to […]
Resolve to Listen Better! – 9 “Action” Tips for Listening Success
Have you ever struggled with what to say when? Want to have more intentional conversations with teens, parents, friends, or strangers? Pick one or all of the tips to help you have better conversations with those around you. Love a person where they are – but love them even more to not leave them there. […]
3 Cities, 7 Deaths…NOW WHAT?!
You’d have to be living under a rock to not know what has been happening in our country over the past week. There were multiple fatal shootings by police officers being called into question with a public outcry helped by witness’s video, then someone taking the law into his own hands and ending the lives […]
4 things I learned about Evangelization from Vacation Bible School
This past week our church hosted Cave Quest VBS. It was an outstanding adventure… and a significant amount of work. Here are a few lessons I learned about Evangelization from Vacation Bible School. Evangelization is Joy-filled At the morning VBS meeting, the leaders reminded the volunteers that the energy they bring is the energy that […]
YM Exposed: Things I Never Thought I’d Do
Whenever you began your youth ministry career you had hopes and aspirations. You may have been excited to lead teens to Christ, catechize them on the truths of the faith, and build relationships with them. You probably expected some joys and challenges to take place like teens encountering Christ, occasional difficulties with co-workers or parents, […]