Youth Specialties Blog

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Introducing Real Resources

By Mark Matlock on January 26 2012 | 0 Comments

We have big news today—no, we haven’t been sold again.

The Big News
As of January 9, 2012, Youth Specialties is its own 501©(3) organization that is part of a family of ministries called Real Resources. Real Resources was created to provide support to a family of ministries allowing us to take advantage of shared resources and services. Other organizations in our family include YouthWorks and Table Project. This change allows us the freedom to continue pursuing the culture and values that reflect the youth ministry community and better steward our resources through shared services.

The Backstory
When YouthWorks took over the stewardship of Youth Specialties at the end of 2009, they started the process of creating a new organization called Real Resources that would provide support services to Youth Specialties, YouthWorks, and Table Project.

That means Real Resources is now our parent organization and YouthWorks is now our sister organization. The people haven’t changed just the names of the organizations they serve. Visit Real Resources for additional information.  

What does this mean for you?
Though we may look a little different here and there, how you interact with us will change very little, which is great news! We are the same people, just in a different organizational structure. You can continue to use the email addresses, phone numbers and website you’ve always used to connect with us.

If you have any questions, email Louise Ward.

To read the updated Privacy Policy click here.

Thanks for being a part of the YS family and helping students follow in the way of Jesus!

Mark Matlock
Executive Director, Youth Specialties
 

By Mark Matlock on January 26 2012 | 0 Comments

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