After more than 25 years of youth ministry, God opened a new door for me! And, let me tell you, you need to come through the door with me, friends.

Coming In Through The Backdoor

When I first started full-time …

Most youth pastors don’t think much about fifth graders. After all, they’re still in kids’ ministry, right? But what if the best time to connect with future youth group members isn’t when they walk through your doors as nervous middle …

1) Don’t Try to Be One of Them

There’s a big difference between relating to middle schoolers and trying to be one of them. Deep down, they don’t want you to be their peer—they need a shepherd to guide them. …

The first time a brand-new sixth grader walks into youth group, you can tell within seconds whether they feel ready or overwhelmed. Some walk in with confidence, already familiar with the rhythms of your ministry. Others look like they just …

If you’ve been in youth ministry long enough, you’ve probably noticed a bit of a gap between youth pastors and kids pastors. It’s not always intentional, but let’s be honest—sometimes we’re so focused on middle school and high school students …