Last month, I wrote PART ONE of this discussion. Anyone who ministers to young adults understands that there are some unique challenges. However, young adult ministers are also absolutely convinced that the payoff is worth it as they pour into the next generation of church leaders. As we minister to young adults, we must pay attention to the cultural realities and changes that are happening around us. Young adult ministry is ever-changing, but the message of the gospel still speaks hope and life and truth into all our … [Read more...]

As I visit with people around the country leading ministries for young adults, I’m consistently amazed by their passion and sacrifice to reach this important group with the gospel. They are always pouring out their lives, thinking up the best new practices, and sacrificing emotional, physical, and spiritual energy to disciple others. I enjoy hearing about and seeing a variety of ministry models all aimed at reaching the next generation for Christ. As much as I see differences in ministry approaches and practices, there are several … [Read more...]

Can you believe that the summer is already coming to a close? It won’t be long before school buses will be back on the streets and churches and ministries will be launching new groups, new schedules, and new seasons of ministry. If you were trying to avoid this reality, please resist the urge to try virtually throwing anything at me through your computer screen. Whether you minister to young adults who are college students getting ready for a new semester, young parents who are getting ready to send their little ones off to school, … [Read more...]

This week, I had a “blast from the past” moment. I was sitting in my chair at church (you know, one of those “newer” churches that doesn’t have pews), collecting my belongings as the sermon was drawing to a close. As I was preparing to make my exit, I heard something very familiar. My pastor laid out a sample prayer (you know, the kind for starting a relationship with Christ) and then actually said something along the lines of, “I want every eye closed, and if you just prayed those words I want you to raise your hand.” I’ve heard … [Read more...]

  Do you have those people you just love being surrounded by? You know, the ones who “get you” and who leave you feeling energized and encouraged. We recently had our National Collegiate Leadership Summit (this event only happens once every three years), and I was surrounded by over 700 of those types of people—MY people. It was quite the party, filled with great networking but also with incredible content, as ministry leaders and practitioners shared during the main sessions and multiple breakouts. In case you missed … [Read more...]

You’ve been there, right? Listening to one of the young adults in your ministry share about how stressed out and overwhelmed they feel. They probably used words like fearful, frozen, depressed, anxious, paralyzed, or even suicidal. Your young adults know you care about them, and, as a result, you get to hear all about their lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sometimes, it can be more than you want to know and can even cause you to feel stressed out and overwhelmed. Unfortunately, this trend does not appear to be changing in the … [Read more...]

I spent half of March on the white, sandy beaches of Florida during spring break. Rough gig, I know. As beautiful as the beaches and crystal water may be, what was even more beautiful was the passion of hundreds of college students joining me for BeachReach, each eager to share their faith with thousands of other college spring breakers. Over two and a half weeks, there were thousands of gospel conversations happening, where young adults were using Scripture and weaving their personal faith stories together to point others to … [Read more...]

We recently lost a legend. Few people have had the kind of extended Kingdom impact that poured out of Billy Graham’s life. One man. Devout faithfulness. No scandal. Singularly devoted to the gospel. I’ve never been to a Billy Graham crusade or heard him preach live. I’m sure I’ve come across sound bites of his preaching on the internet, but I know for certain that my life has been impacted by his ministry. I’ve had Sunday School teachers who were saved at one of his crusades. I’ve ministered alongside others who have been on the … [Read more...]

Over the past few months, we’ve produced some blogs about how rewarding it is to minister to young adults and be a part of God’s Kingdom advancement in the lives of young adults who are at such a pivotal time in their lives. Getting to invest in the next generation of church leaders is exciting and rewarding. But, can we also agree that sometimes ministry among them is especially tough? Here are four reasons why I think young adult ministry can be challenging: 1. They are ALL in a new phase of life. Here are some of the … [Read more...]

Today I made the shift. I switched from my regular playlist over to my Christmas playlist. Now, when I get in the car, instead of listening to Tomlin, Hillsong, and Passion, I'm listening to all the famous carols that draw us into the celebration of the Christmas season. Though not one of the peppier Christmas tunes, one of my favorite carols has always been O Come, O Come Emmanuel (I've always wondered why a song with such a happy message has such a dreary melody). I especially love the 4th verse: O come, O Branch of Jesse's … [Read more...]