Fotoshop: Illustration for Talk on Beauty [video]

This is a great video, and a wonderful reminder of just how much (artificiality) goes into the “beautiful” images we see every day. This could be very useful illustration for a talk on beauty, image, hypocrisy, idols, and many other topics. Or just something to post to your Facebook page for the teens to find.

Another great source for this style of video is the “True Beauty” campaign that Dove had a couple years back. You can some of those videos here and here.

Youth Ministry Bootcamp [video]

Youth Specialties made this video about training youth leaders, or how not to. It pokes fun at some of the negative stereotypes about youth ministers… it is also hilarious.

“C’mon, you’re throwing like a bunch of Senior Pastors!”

How To Stay Encouraged

EncouragementBox

I have a little box in my office. It sits in the corner, mostly unnoticed. I only open it every few months or so, but it has been one of the keys to staying encouraged throughout the years. In this box I keep an assortment of notes, cards, and other little scraps of paper that I’ve collected over the years. These are small reminders, tiny altars, that remind me of what God is up to in me, through me, and around me. Continue reading →

Tech Tools: Google Docs

Tech-Tools

My student ministry runs on Google Docs. Lesson plans, teaching schedules, sign-ups, leader teams, address books, and so many more things are all done with the help of this great cloud-based suite of Office products. It has become an invaluable part of how we manage the ministry, and it’s super simple to get set up.  Continue reading →

Jesus > Religion [video]

This is a very well made video.

I’m using it next week as we introduce our new series about having a consistent identity, and I love at around 1:45 when he talks about his own experience living two lives and pretending to be a Christian. It also has some wonderfully poignant reminders of our fallen state, and the grace that God extends. In other words, this guy talks good and says good things too. Enjoy.