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Last night one of my youth leaders went above and beyond the call. He’s been working with the senior high guys for a few years now, and one of them was sharing their FaithStory in front of the group.

This youth leader started a new job last year that forces him to travel a lot, and one of the tensions has been the frequency with which he must miss our Wednesday night meetings. Anyone who spends even a little time doing youth ministry quickly realizes that “showing up” is the most important step in being a part of teenagers’ lives. Not being there can be devastating.

When the youth leader heard that the student would be speaking, he asked me if we could use FaceTime to let him be virtually present. So that’s what we did. Right before the speaking portion of the night, I called him on my iPad and one of the other leaders held it so he could watch this student he cares so much about share his story. I used to think the Apple commercials about FaceTime were corny, last night proved to me they have some truth to them.

This simple act proved to the students that they were valuable, that they were worth his time, and that his thoughts are with them even when he physically cannot be. It was a very simple, but very poignant example of a committed youth leader. And it was wonderful to watch it happen in our group.

What has one of your volunteers done to demonstrate they are committed?

Apparently I am on a movie kick this week. Earlier I was telling you why every student ministry should go see Blue Like Jazz, and even offered tips for taking your youth group to see the film.

But another trailer also caught my eye recently, it’s for the latest 3D/movie/concert experience which will treat viewers to the visual spectacle of a Katy Perry concert while telling the story of her success. If you watched Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never movie last year (full discloure: I didn’t), then you’ll be familiar with the format.

What caught my eye is that the trailer starts off with Katy talking about her church upbringing, saying, “the atmosphere I grew up in was 100% Christian.”  You can view the trailer here: Continue reading →

Last month, I had the opportunity to screen the movie Blue Like Jazz, which releases nationwide on April 13. Throughout the screening I found myself thinking one thing, “my students need to see this movie.” They need to see it because it is authentic, it asks tough questions, and it’s redemptive. It is an honest look at the collision of pursuing Christ in a broken world.

I think this film can be a catalyst for some productive conversations about how our faith plays out in our lives, which is why I’m taking my students to see it on opening day. You should bring your students too. Check out the trailer below and then read on for my reasons why your youth group needs to see Blue Like Jazz. Continue reading →