Perry Noble closed out the 2011 Orange Conference with a very powerful message to all who work with children, youth, and families within the church. He believes we all deal with fear on some level, even if you don't want to admit it. One of the biggest fears we have, as children and youth workers, … Continue reading What Children and Youth Workers are Doing Today Matters, According to Perry Noble (Orange 2011)
Reggie Joiner Interviews Geoffrey Canada (Orange 2011)
At the closing session of the 2011 Orange Conference, Reggie Joiner sat down with Geoffrey Canada for a chat about his childhood and how that shaped his passion for the younger generation today. When asked about the idea behind his movie Waiting for Superman: Geoffrey talks about how he grew up in the south Bronx, … Continue reading Reggie Joiner Interviews Geoffrey Canada (Orange 2011)
Stuart Hall Urges Children and Youth Workers to Rage Against the Machine (Orange 2011)
For a lot of us, our environment does not match our mission and values. That is the point Stuart Hall led with as he discussed how we need to "Rage Against the Machine." The machine he refers to is what we refer to as Christianity in our modern culture. This machine is all about getting … Continue reading Stuart Hall Urges Children and Youth Workers to Rage Against the Machine (Orange 2011)
Doug Fields Explains the Essentials of Youth Ministry Discipleship (Orange 2011)
Discipleship is not a short-term process. It is a question of where they are going to be 5, 10, 20, 30+ years from now. That is something Doug Fields and I both agree upon. In his breakout workshop, Doug goes explains some "Essentials of Youth Ministry Discipleship." Above all, he reminds us that "We do the … Continue reading Doug Fields Explains the Essentials of Youth Ministry Discipleship (Orange 2011)
Doug Fields Calls Church Leaders to Move Others Into the Spotlight (Orange 2011)
Doug Fields has a new idea for leadership. He explains that a new perspective is often needed to see clearly. Perspective is a powerful tool in the life of a leader. Doug's recent change of career helped him see his life from a different perspective. He realized that those in the church are often not good … Continue reading Doug Fields Calls Church Leaders to Move Others Into the Spotlight (Orange 2011)
Jud Wilhite Explains That Ministry is Messy, So Clean it Up (Orange 2011)
On Thursday night, I had the privilege of listening to Jud Wilhite tell a story of how he recently visited his childhood home. It was there, at age 17, when he first broke down and gave God his life, after several years of drug addiction. He remembered everything God forgave him for and has since forgiven him. We … Continue reading Jud Wilhite Explains That Ministry is Messy, So Clean it Up (Orange 2011)
Gordon MacDonald Speaks to the Older Generations in the Church (Orange 2011)
In what was probably one of the best interviews I have seen at Orange, Reggie Joiner sat down with Gordon MacDonald. Gordon was a pastor for over 40 years, and he still volunteers with the youth and children in his church. Through his years of experience, he says, "I am convoked that most of us … Continue reading Gordon MacDonald Speaks to the Older Generations in the Church (Orange 2011)
Katie Garver Offers Suggestions to Successfully Include Teens with Autism (Orange 2011)
When it comes to kids with special needs, Katie Garvert knows her stuff. Starting out as a special education teacher, she now helps the church reach out to special needs children. Included among those are teenagers with autism. Unfortunately, though, these are the ones many do not know how to include them in church-life and especially … Continue reading Katie Garver Offers Suggestions to Successfully Include Teens with Autism (Orange 2011)
Chuck Bomar Explains the New In-Betweeners (Orange 2011)
Chuck Bomar has a huge heart for reaching the college-age people in this world. For the past couple years, he has been pointing out that churches are often overlooking this stage of life. They have something for birth through high school, and they have something for older adults and parents. However, this in-between stage is … Continue reading Chuck Bomar Explains the New In-Betweeners (Orange 2011)
Jeff Manion Describes The Land Between (Orange 2011)
What is "The Land Between?" It is when a girl gets dumped when she is expecting a proposal. It is when parents have a miscarriage after celebrating the pregnancy. It is when parents have kids in the middle of teenage angst. It is when you get a call in the middle of the night when … Continue reading Jeff Manion Describes The Land Between (Orange 2011)
Steve Cullum 