It's almost time for the Orange Conference again! I'm headed back down to Atlanta from April 26-28, 2023, for my ninth conference. It all started in April 2010. I was 2 1/2 years into my ministry at a new church, beginning to see momentum in the ministry, married for just over a year, and excited … Continue reading Why I Go To The Same Conference Every Year
Recap from Orange Conference 2022
Be human. If you were like me, you immediately thought, “Well, that’s not difficult!” In spite of the statement’s simplicity, Orange Conference still chose that as its 2022 theme, and over the course of two and a half days, they unpacked in a such a way that made me think about my own humanity and … Continue reading Recap from Orange Conference 2022
Reflecting on DYM100 2021
News flash! We're in a global pandemic! Okay, maybe you already knew that. And I think I did too, but in many ways, I'm just now realizing many of the ways it has affected me. I was going strong for a while, and I felt really excited about the future of ministry, but then I … Continue reading Reflecting on DYM100 2021
I’m here to play because compassion changes everything (Jon Acuff – Youth Ministry Exchange)
Jon Acuff is an amazing leader in both the church world and the business world. At the Youth Ministry Exchange, he spoke about the importance of compassion, especially during this current season. Here are my notes from his talk: Compassion = kindness + actionThe emotional supply chain has also been disrupted.Isolation has made compassion the … Continue reading I’m here to play because compassion changes everything (Jon Acuff – Youth Ministry Exchange)
Redefining Your Role as a Youth Pastor (Reggie Joiner – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Reggie Joiner is a great leader, whom I've really enjoyed learning from over the years. While I usually hear him talk about bigger vision topics, this was one of the first times I've heard him explain a specific leadership move. During one of his workshops at Youth Ministry Exchange, he talked about redefining our role … Continue reading Redefining Your Role as a Youth Pastor (Reggie Joiner – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
I’m here to play so the rest of the world will want to play as well (Gerald Fadayomi – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Gerald Fadayomi brought a message at Youth Ministry Exchange that focused on Matthew 5:13-14, where Jesus calls us the salt of the earth. It's a passage many of us have probably taught many times to teenagers and kids, but Gerald brought some amazing truths that I had not really considered before. Here are my notes … Continue reading I’m here to play so the rest of the world will want to play as well (Gerald Fadayomi – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
I’m here to play so you can keep playing (Doug Fields – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Doug Fields not only leads Download Youth Ministry, but he has been a youth pastor for many years. At Youth Ministry Exchange 2020, he spoke about the importance of setting up others to lead. Here are my notes from his talk: As a child, playing basketball… I struggled to leave the court. Over time, I … Continue reading I’m here to play so you can keep playing (Doug Fields – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
I’m here to play so I can show someone how to play (Kara Powell – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Kara Powell is one of the best researchers in the youth ministry world, and she works at one of the best researching organizations in the youth ministry world, Fuller Youth Institute. At Youth Ministry Exchange 2020, she shared about the importance of handing over the "keys of leadership" to students. Here are my notes from … Continue reading I’m here to play so I can show someone how to play (Kara Powell – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Re-Imagining Events for Students (Trey McKnight – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Trey McKnight runs BigStuf Camps. Like many/most of us, they had to pivot this year due to the pandemic. At Youth Ministry Exchange, he shared some great thoughts around the importance of events and how to think about changing events moving forward. Here are my notes from his breakout session: 1. Events are (still) important. … Continue reading Re-Imagining Events for Students (Trey McKnight – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
I’m here to play so we can learn to trust each other (Reggie Joiner – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Reggie Joiner is one of the best thinkers not just in family ministry but in the entire church-world. I love hearing him speak, especially when he addresses issues that most others avoid for whatever reason. Here are my notes from his talk all about trust: I grew up in a denomination that was theologically correct. … Continue reading I’m here to play so we can learn to trust each other (Reggie Joiner – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Steve Cullum 