Don’t Underestimate the Younger Generation
“How can a good God let bad things happen?” . . . “What even is blasphemy of the Spirit?” . . . “Is that technically a sin, even if my heart is in the right place?” . . . “I go to church every single Sunday. Why do I need to do more?” . . […]
What Are Your 20s For?
Every fall when I give my “welcome to college” talk to our incoming class of first-year students, I tell them that they will likely experience more changes over the next ten years than any other ten year period of their lives. Many of them will graduate from college, get their first “adult” job, fall in […]
Don’t Miss This About Gen Z
Older generations are pretty hard on Gen Z. It’s easy to dissect what we believe to be generational weaknesses, but I want to share a few observations I’ve made serving these young men in youth ministry. In my opinion, something amazing is happening. I don’t want you to miss it. I just got back from […]
10 Reasons to Send a Student to Christian College for a Year
I have met innumerable donors, volunteers, lifelong ministers, and other Christian leaders who have this in common: They attended a Christian college planning to stay only for a year, and the experience changed their lives for the better. Several of these individuals stuck to their original plan and switched to a secular university after a year, […]
4 Spiritual Pitfalls at the University
It was August of 2009. I was just days away from moving into a Missouri State University residence hall and beginning my college experience. I was a nervous wreck. I had grown up in a church environment that discipled me well. I was taught the Word of God accurately, I was given opportunities to serve […]
Reaching the Next Generation Using the Methods of Jesus
One can read hundreds of articles on why the Church is losing the young. Through statistics and studies, we can point to psychological reasons, cultural reasonings, and more. Too many churches have believed the lie that the key to reaching the young is “figuring out” this generation. We change worship styles, hire hipster ministers, and […]
College Chaos: Beyond the Bad News (Part 1)
While serving in the full-time ministry for over twenty years, I have periodically taken on the role of a college professor as a way to stay relevant and understand the needs of the community. I have had the privilege of teaching World History at the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, the only all-male historically […]
3 Reasons Why I (Still) Serve in Student Ministry
Kids these days. In my four-ish years of serving in student ministry, I’ve learned it’s not for the faint of heart. I’ve wanted to quit. I’ve felt like a failure. So, here’s why I’m convinced you should try it. #1 – Because It’s Hard. I was fresh out of college when I began volunteering with […]
