By Seth Vopat “My dog,” one replied. Another said, “Beauty and the Beast.” Agreeing with the first response, another responded, “My dog.” “I think the couple in the movie The Fault in Our Stars,” someone else said. The question: Does…
Network provides ‘Oasis’ from youth minister burnout
By Jeff Brumley Ministry burnout is far from being a new concept with even the most hard-working pastors and demanding congregations admitting it can happen to them and their clergy, too. But one group often left out of the equation…
Baptist ministries see spike in young applicants
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of student-based service programs across Baptist life are reporting significant increases in volunteers due, they say, to shifting attitudes among youth about missions and ministry. From Atlanta to Texas and beyond, organizations that depend on seasonal…
At 10, Facebook making major ministry impact
By Jeff Brumley Facebook turned 10 this month, eliciting countless articles and blogs about the cultural, personal and technological changes the world’s most popular social media site has generated in the past decade. But another area of major impact is…
Many congregations are stuck in an overly churched culture
In the midst of a region of the world where the impact of a churched culture is fading, many congregations in North America are stuck in an overly churched culture perspective. As a result these congregations become insulated, isolated, and…
Bivocational ministry is a thing of great beauty
Jack was the bivocational pastor of the church I attended in Pennsylvania when that church licensed me to ministry as a step towards my ordination. Dale was the bivocational national leader for bivocational ministries among Baptists. Glenn was the bivocational…
The hidden cost to teens of adult mistakes
In the last 3 days I have had conversations about 5 different instances where a youth minister or key volunteer made a poor choice and it cost them their jobs, and consequently, their relationships with most of the teens with…
Mo. youth group safe after bus wreck
By Bob Allen Quick thinking by a church bus driver is credited with saving lives in a July 17 crash at a youth camp in Georgia. Seventeen people were injured when a bus carrying the First Baptist Church of St….
Youth trip boosts Miss. Delta town
By Jeff Brumley No one expected a vacation Bible school run by a visiting Baptist youth group to be a catalyst for racial healing in Shaw,Miss. Yet, by all accounts that’s just what the June visit by 34 youngsters from Houston’s South Main…
Baptist youth gather in Singapore
By Eron Henry German Baptist youth leader Christian Rommert reminded youth from more than 60 countries gathered in Singapore that life in Christ is not about rules or systems but relationships. Rommert cautioned the 16th Baptist Youth World Conference against…
‘Lord, bless these graduates’
By Mark Wingfield Graduate recognition Sunday at church always makes me a bit teary. I held it together this year, but only by a thread, even though I was the one voicing the prayer of blessing in morning worship today….
How to be a child again
By Darrell Gwaltney It is that time of year again. The pitchers and catchers have reported. The Spring Training games have begun. Baseball is back. Rogers Hornsby, the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer, once said: “People ask me what…