By Becky Jackson

Here are a few things that I would tell a Pastor if one was to ever ask.  They are in no particular order, and may be found offensive by your typical senior Pastor.  They also might be found offensive by youth pastors.  Do not be offended that I refer to the senior Pastor as a him.  It’s like the him that’s used in the Bible – it encompasses both genders. The other Him I speak of is…well, you know. 

By Meg Lassiat

As high school seniors transition into college, one of the greatest gifts their youth ministers can give them is a way to become active in a United Methodist campus ministry or Wesley Foundation as they begin college. While exciting and full of many new opportunities, starting at a new school can be an extremely stressful time for many students.

By Dr. Ed Trimmer

Last week my stepdaughter, Michelle age 9, had a sleep over. It was full of the normal things I remember nine year old girls doing, laughing at lot, being in love with Hanna Montana, giggling, whispered conversations but this sleep over was different. Besides the “normal” nine year old girls, one nine year old girl was a foot taller than every one else, had a bra on for obvious reasons and had her period, which meant that I had to find my wife’s tampons for her. After we all got over the embarrassment, shock and so forth, I began to reflect on a nine-year-old girl menstruating.

The Risks Continue to Escalate

As I read the article Lawsuit Filed Against Ohio Church in Teen’s Death from the May 11th, 2007 edition of Newscope May 11, 2007, (printed below for your reference) it gave me great pause for the role of youth workers in the volatile climate we all work and live in these days. I thought it might be helpful to share my thoughts with you simply as a way to stimulate meaningful conversation at the local level. I see many points for discussion, but will raise just two briefly.

So I’m sitting in the Convention Hall in Gatlinburg, Tennessee manning a booth for Pfeiffer University during the Holston Conference Resurrection Youth Events surrounded by the manifestation of capitalism and consumerism America, blocks and blocks of tourist shops, wondering is this what youth ministry has become?  Like many of the United Methodist Conferences Holston Conference has a VERY large weekend gathering of youth (two weekends in fact back to back) who gather to hear inspirational speakers and praise and worship music.  The event is similar to events a variety of UM

Just what do American teens really believe about religion and spirituality? This question is what the new book by Christian Smith, (Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Soul Searching (Oxford, 2005), attempts to answer as he analyzes the data from the largest survey of American teens on this topic ever done.

By: Dr. Ed Trimmer, Fall 2005

In an attempt to improve the educational level of people working for the church in specialized forms of ministry, namely Christian Education, the UM Church adopted a "certification program" in the 1970’s. The hope was that by having seminaries offer a few classes that would directly assist Christian Educators, the professional level of this vital ministry in local churches could be improved.

Being an adult worker with young people can be tough work. Sometimes there is not enough time, money, or support for the work that needs to be done and we spread ourselves thin trying to make it all happen. How do we as adult workers stay on track when everyone seems to be demanding more and more of our time and energies? How do we keep the fire of our call alive when so many people seem to be carrying damp blankets and buckets of water looking for a place to unload?

What Do Youthworkers Say?

The following is a summary of responses from youthworkers who were asked: What are current “best practices” that can make churches more effective at helping young people relate to faith in
Christ. Respondents included experienced youthworkers, new youthworkers, parents, pastors, Christian educators, social workers, campus ministers, and professors.

What do you say when a youth tells you she or he is considering a career in ministry and wants your advice?

By Meg Lassiat with Deborah Bushfield

Abby had been quiet all day. While the rest of the youth group had been their usual rowdy selves on the park trail, running down ravines and hollering in the canyon, she had hung back by the leaders, Jodi and Rob.

By. Terry Carty

Can your congregation become a magnet for young people? Most churches are not able to make the complex and costly changes necessary to attract youth and young adults...