From the time we were kids—and were convinced that there was something under our bed when the lights were turned out—we’ve dealt with fear as a part of life. The older we get, the things that we fear simply change. In a sense, our fears seem to grow up just as we do. We find ourselves wondering: Will I find a job after I graduate college? Will I spend the rest of my life single? Does anyone really know who I am? As I have conversations with young adults, I continue to hear those questions of worry and fear. I’ve noticed that these … [Read more...]
Is 2020 Your Church’s Year to Reach the College Campus?
It’s that time again! We are almost at the beginning of a new year and waiting out before us is a whole stretch of unknown opportunities and challenges. I don’t know about you, but the thought of embarking on a God-sized challenge can be more than a little daunting. But, if you’ve ever had the thought that this might be the year God is calling you to launch out into something new, the benefits and joy of following Him will far exceed the uneasiness we feel before taking that first step. If you are just getting started ministering to … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget to Ask! 7 Ways to Pray for Young Adults
“Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.” I John 5:14-15 There is a key word in this scripture from I John that I simply can’t stop thinking about. That word “confidence” just keeps jumping out at me and stirring in my heart. As young adult ministry leaders, we should (and often do) find the latest and best resources available for small groups and Bible study. We strive … [Read more...]
Opening One Door At A Time
Scripture clearly calls us to care for others—to open our doors to those in need. So, would you consider that ministry or just genuine hospitality? Or both? Isn't that for people with spacious homes and plenty of time on their hands? Read on to learn what Tony Merida, pastor of Imago Dei Church, has to say about this: Opening your door means that there is something inside worth inviting someone in to see and experience. Opening your door means that you don’t desire to keep it all for yourself but that sharing with others is a … [Read more...]
Peeling Off the Labels
I have a friend that has a fixation with peeling labels off of everything. The first time I met her, I remember her absent-mindedly peeling off every label that was within her reach. She finally turned to me and said in a light-hearted tone, “If you haven’t noticed, I have this obsession with sticky labels.” OK, a little odd, I thought. Over time, her sticky label peeling became just another enduring attribute of my friend. It’s another way to describe her. It’s another way to label who she is. Too often, we use negative labels to … [Read more...]
Grace. What Does it Really Mean?
The Greek word for grace is charis, and there’s no question of its importance in biblical theology. Charis appears 116 times in the New Testament. There’s a lot about grace in Scripture because it’s the message of Jesus. Grace means favor. It means acceptance. It means giving. Grace is free in the sense that something done or given in grace is done so without expecting to receive anything in return. Grace isn’t dependent on the way it’s received, the moral goodness of the one receiving it, or even that person’s ability to rightly … [Read more...]
How Do We Teach College Students to Share the Gospel?
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, CSB) Recently when a number of college students were asked to share the gospel, they struggled to do so. These students are leaders of ministries, grounded in their faith, involved in church, and they love Jesus. Their inability to share the story of Jesus clearly and succinctly was astonishing. Some of the students shared about who Jesus was in their lives. Others talked about … [Read more...]
3 Lessons About Leading People Who Are Older Than You
Several years ago, I watched a film that I would one day live. No, I did not attend Hogwarts. I avoided "mean girls" who reminded me of Lindsay Lohan, and I did not fall in love with a rich girl whose father tried to shoot me. The film, entitled In Good Company, starred Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid, and Scarlett Johansson. In Good Company tells the story of a middle-aged advertising executive (Quaid) whose world is turned upside down when his company is bought out. He is replaced and subordinated under a new department head (Grace) … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Overcome Disappointment in Ministry
We’ve all been there. We planned something for months and the day finally comes--and only 3 people show up. We had a significant conversation with someone in our collegiate or young adult ministry about a life decision--and a few days later, they're making choices as if that conversation never happened. Disappointment is a regular factor of ministry, but it's a topic we rarely discuss. We often treat it like a forbidden topic to talk about as leaders. So how do we deal with disappointment in ministry? I’ll be honest: … [Read more...]
Friday Links
Here are some articles, blogs, and podcasts from this past week that you may find helpful as you work with young adults in your church and community. “4 Ways Christians Can Stand Out at Work” by Bethany Jenkins Young adults struggle with the tension of learning who they are in Christ and allowing that to be seen in the places they work. Jenkins gives four key suggestions on how each of us can stand out at work and point others to Jesus. “Americans, Especially Millennials, Want God Without Religion” by Aaron Earls Research … [Read more...]
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