This afternoon, I spent some time relaxing by the lake, reflecting on a question I'm often asked by adults and students about how to grow in relationship with God. Here's a video I took while I was there.
A Story about My Grandfather
Our Worship-Arts Minister and I recorded this for our church, during our series on the book of First Peter.
How Much Do We Have to Hate…?
Tonight, as I do quite often, I taught the high school students at Youth Group. The lesson itself was on the basic Gospel message. After trying to summarize the story and importance of Jesus, I brought up Acts 2:38, where Peter shares a simple message of what to do after hearing and believing this story … Continue reading How Much Do We Have to Hate…?
Please Consider Helping Our Students Serve at WorkcampNE 2012
So, guess what! We've got about 30 high school students going on our mission trip this summer to VT. 30!! How awesome is that!? However, trips like this cost money. They have to pay for the supplies, transportation, housing, etc. while we are there. So, my question is this. Would you be willing to allow … Continue reading Please Consider Helping Our Students Serve at WorkcampNE 2012
Not Being Able to See the Trees for the Forest
The other day, we had really strong winds, and by the end of the day, our yard was covered in tree branches. Today, I finally went out to clean them up. As I went around picking up the large branches, I thought I was doing quite well. I stacked them in a nice pile between … Continue reading Not Being Able to See the Trees for the Forest
Moving Forward After Orange 2011
The 2011 Orange Conference is now behind us all. If you were there or just kept up with all my blog posts, you know there was a ton of information. Often, one will be overloaded after a conference like this, wondering what to do first. I know I was like that last year, and I … Continue reading Moving Forward After Orange 2011
What Children and Youth Workers are Doing Today Matters, According to Perry Noble (Orange 2011)
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)
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)
Trying Something New – Time Out
I've been a reader/follower of Tim Schmoyer's "Life in Student Ministry" blog for quite a while. As a reader, I've often thought Monday's "Time Out" devotional thoughts were great. In fact, they have helped me get focused on many occasions. The other day, they made a request for more writers, and I thought to myself … Continue reading Trying Something New – Time Out
What are Your Hardest Times in Youth Ministry?
When I think back to the past several years in youth ministry (almost 10 years, if you count the years as a volunteer when I started college), there have been many times when I thought, "This is the hardest time." However, it seems that another always comes along. What does this mean? I think people … Continue reading What are Your Hardest Times in Youth Ministry?
Steve Cullum 