Youth Specialties Blog
Rolly, We’ll Miss You
By Mark Matlock on February 11 2012 | 9 Comments
Heaven welcomed Rolly Richert early this morning after an ongoing fight against cancer. Rolly has been a significant influence on TheNational Youth Worker’s Convention, DCLA, Dare 2 Share and countless other events. For YS he was an advisor and producer of the Big Room sessions at NYWC.
I’d always heard about Rolly in the youth ministry universe, but didn’t meet him until early 2001 at a DCLA planning meeting. In 2002 after the non-profit I founded went through traumatic post 9/11 losses at our events, Rolly happened to call. I instantly felt I could trust him with the financial plight we were in, and Rolly was quick to share wisdom from his own historythat literally changed the course of my life and ministry. Already this morning I have spoken with many other ministers who have had similar encounters with Rolly.
Rolly loved the gospel and loved seeing people know the power of a life lived by following in the way of Jesus. Rolly was a servant, and while Heaven welcomes him, we will miss him for the brief moments we remain on this earth.
If you have any memories you'd like to share, please leave them in the comments below.
By Mark Matlock on February 11 2012 | 9 Comments
When Did Programming Become the P-Word?
By Youth Specialties on February 08 2012 | 8 Comments
Have you noticed that “programming” has become a bad word in many youth ministry circles?
Really?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the push-back against those of us who have become so program-focused that we lose sight of why those programs were created to begin with. Sadly, I’ve seen way too many youth ministries running a Wednesday night program for all the kids that are dropped off by mom and dad. Relational ministry trumps this kind of programming any day of the week, an argument I support throughout my book Connect.
By Youth Specialties on February 08 2012 | 8 Comments
the theological turn in youth ministry, post 17
By Andy Root on February 09 2012 | 0 Comments
Confirmation and doubt is the topic of this Andrew Root liveBlog as we discuss chapter 14 of The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. In this post I talk with Bethany Stolle (queen of Sparkhouse and the Re:form resources) about how to hold together the equally important relational dynamic of the Christian faith with it historical traditional content. In other words, How do we teach kids about Christianity in and through our relationships?
Listen below.
By Andy Root on February 09 2012 | 0 Comments
Youth Worker Stories: Ramon - Video
By Youth Specialties on February 08 2012 | 0 Comments
As youthworkers we all have a stories of how God called us. This is Ramon's. Hopefully God uses it to inspire you.
By Youth Specialties on February 08 2012 | 0 Comments
Sticky Faith Webcast and Free Lesson
By Youth Specialties on February 01 2012 | 1 Comments
There are a couple of cool things that we wanted to let you know about:
First is a special webcast the folks over at the Fuller Youth Institute are doing about preparing your seniors for graduation.
From their site:
“Next Tuesday, February 7th we're excited to offer you a free Sticky Faith Webcast to share ideas about preparing high school seniors for life beyond youth group. Here are the details—mark your calendar!
Preparing Seniors for Graduation: What You Haven't Yet Heard about Sticky Faith
Join us live for 30 minutes of research-based ideas for equipping your high school seniors.
Tuesday Feb. 7, 10:00-10:30 am PST
Bookmark the link: http://www.livestream.com/stickyfaith“
Second, is a Free Sample from the new Sticky Faith Teen Curriculum that we've posted here at YouthSpecialties.com.
Read a about the transition to College and Download your free lesson: How to Find a New Church HERE.
By Youth Specialties on February 01 2012 | 1 Comments
How Can I Find a New Church: Sticky Faith Teen Curriculum Free Sample
By Youth Specialties on February 01 2012 | 0 Comments
The Sticky Faith Teen Curriculum is a 10-session journey exploring everything from the gospel and faith identity development to how to plan for the party scene at campus. In the sample session you can download free below, you can tackle with students the important question, How can I find a new church?
As we learned in our research, finding a church or fellowship group after graduation is important to Sticky Faith. Those who get and stay connected during the freshman year show greater faith growth than those who don’t.
Here’s to Sticky Faith!
By Youth Specialties on February 01 2012 | 0 Comments
the theological turn in youth ministry, post 16
By Andy Root on January 31 2012 | 1 Comments
In this Andrew Root liveBlog Derek Tronsgard is back to discuss chapter 12 of The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. In these 16 minutes we explore a need for some deeper theological reflection on outdoor and nature trips in youth ministry. We explore a negative natural theology and take a few stabs at some better theological perspectives.
Listen below.
By Andy Root on January 31 2012 | 1 Comments
the theological turn in youth ministry, post 15
By Andy Root on January 27 2012 | 0 Comments
In this Andrew Root liveBlog we talk about chapter 13 of The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. Derek Tronsgard and I explore mission trips, wondering how they lead to theological reflection and avoid tourist sensationalism.
Listen below.
By Andy Root on January 27 2012 | 0 Comments
Check Out Some Reactions to YSpalooza Charlotte
By Youth Specialties on January 27 2012 | 0 Comments
What are the top two reason you choose to attend YSpalooza?
What were your highlights?
Why would you recommend YSpalooza?
By Youth Specialties on January 27 2012 | 0 Comments
YSupdate Links Correction
By Youth Specialties on January 26 2012 | 0 Comments
We owe you an apology. We had a little issue in our links section today, and they all went to one place. If you are interested in reading the other links, here's the corrected list.
Apple's “Genius Bar” — The Church Equivalent?
Make Me Over … Please
Should We Read Our Kids Texts?
What Do You Do When You Feel Distant From God?
Happiness Is The New Success: Why Millenials Are Reprioritizing
By Youth Specialties on January 26 2012 | 0 Comments
Sticky Faith Teen Curriculum with DVD
10 Lessons to Nurture Faith Beyond High School
