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Very often, when we think about student ministry we think about the mega-church student ministries that boast a hundred or more students. Watch their social media or visit their websites you'll find pictures of large groups of students doing amazing activities. But large churches with a hundred or more students isn't the norm. The norm is smaller. And, sometimes smaller can be really awesome!

Most youth workers I know serve in churches where the student ministry averages 6 to 15 students. Some churches might run as high as 20 to 30 students. This is a big difference from the 100, 150, even 200 students we often hear about at seminars, conferences, and in books or blogs. That's why I am thrilled with an exciting series of books that are now available for youth workers who serve in "smaller" church.

I was recently with a group of amazing youth workers who have found themselves working with students in "smaller" churches. As I listened to them, getting to know a little about them and their ministry, I was reminded of these books and how helpful they are.

So with my new friends in mind, I want to share these three resources written with the "smaller" church youth worker in mind.

If you are serving in a smaller church, I strongly recommend these three books for your library. And, I would encourage you to look up Stephanie Caro and read some of her blog posts. Or come and join us in November for the National Youth Workers Convention in St Louis, from November 15 through the 18th, 2018. 

Click on the graphic to visit the convention website.

The National Youth Workers Convention is one of the best (and currently the most affordable) youth ministry conferences to reach the national market. You will worship along side thousands of youth workers, visit will over one hundred exhibitors, and have the opportunity to sit in on over 100 seminars. And if you're fast, you can still register for the crazy low fee of $99! (The $99 registration fee is for a strict limited time only. Visit the website to learn more!)

- jay

The following is an edited re-post of a series I published a number of years ago called, Youth Worker Tip of the Day (YWTD). Since I have revamped the blog, I am going through past posts and giving them new life!

One of the things about student ministry that I truly love is being able to go to our local Jr/Sr High School to cheer on our students as they compete in their various sporting events. For me, this is an area where we can make some of the biggest investments in our relational ministry with students. Coffee conversations, meals and one-on-ones are important, but there is something unique about watching a student striving to accomplish something special on the playing field. Not to mention the teaching moments that avail themselves in both the win and/or the lose.

​If you haven’t made it part of your ministry to visit our local high school, you need to do so! Attending your local sporting events can create these three opportunities for you and your ministry.

By attending your local sporting events you become a cheerleader for your students. Get excited about the game, and your students efforts. Cheer them on. Let them know that you will be there for them and congratulate them afterwards. When a students see you taking time to be there for them, you deepen the relationship. It shows that you care for them, that you’re interested in them, and that they’re just not another number at youth group.

Connect with parents. When I go to a game, I almost always sit with the parents. Why? Because it gives me the opportunity to make a connection with the parents. I get to hear from them; concerns, needs, thoughts, etc. It’s amazing how much you can learn about the family dynamics when you just sit and listen. Sitting with parents also gives me the opportunity to praise their kid in front of them. Every parent wants to hear that their kid is doing good, this is the perfect time to cheer them on.

Of course there are plenty of other reasons to go to your high school events, these were just three quick reason why I go to our local high school. What I'd like to know is, it you attend sporting events, what are your reasons for going! What have you learned from cheering on your students? And how has it impacted you student ministry? Please share your comments below. I'd love to hear from you! 

​- jay

Today, Thursday, April 19th, 2018, the youth ministry universe was rocked with another bombshell announcement from our friends at Youth Specialties. For the third time in almost 10 years, Youth Specialties finds itself under new management. From Zondervan to Real Resources to a partnership between the folks from Orange and our friends at Download Youth Ministry (DYM).

In a press release posted on the Youth Specialties blog, the new partners promise, "With fresh leadership and direction from both Orange and DYM, Youth Specialties is entering a new era as an organization, continuing to make an impact on the next generation by serving youth workers." (Read more of the press release here: Orange & Download Youth Ministry Partner to Assume Leadership of Ministry.)

Let's be honest, NYWC is not the same convention it was 10 years ago. With the years of transition and the proliferation of conferences such as Orange, SYMC, RYM, NCYM, and D6 (to mention just a few) there has been much speculation when it come to the future of NYWC. And while the convention has pushed through the years of transition, let's admit that the culture and feel of the convention is different from what it use to be. Long gone are those tear-jerk moments of stories that tell of tough seasons in ministry and the honoring of youth workers who overcame difficulties and challenges. No more high-fives or big bear hugs from the likes of Tic, Mike, and even Marko. And those infamous late night concerts and comedy, the showcases of new bands and even major headliners, well their gone just like all the cool chair-drops we used to get. Not to mention the convention is a day shorter and more expensive.

And remember when we longed for the welcome from Mike and Tic, and the reminder that we are normal and valued and celebrated, we looked forward to seeing the face (or faces) of NYWC. It was like a great big family reunion that we couldn't wait to get to. But now, there is no face, and instead an Emcee and a DJ who try to bring a little hype and excitement before the speaker comes out.

Now I know it sounds like I might be trashing the convention. I'm not. I've shared these very concerns with the YS/NYWC leadership. But let's admit it, NYWC has changed. And change is good. I'm all for change. Over the years I have continued to serve on the volunteer team and be a champion promoting each years convention. I love NYWC and what it stands for. I can live with the changes as long as youth workers are loved, encouraged, valued, and equipped to do ministry better.

I am excited about the Orange and DYM partnership. I am excited about what this means for NYWC and YS at large. Doug was quoted in the press release as saying, "We’re excited to be a part of helping the ministry find its way now and continue to elevate the space of youth ministry to get people the training, help, and hope they need to see their student ministries succeed in discipling teenagers." Isn't this what we ultimately want, the training, help, and hope to succeed with our students? It's what I want.

(Read more of the press release here: Orange & Download Youth Ministry Partner to Assume Leadership of Ministry.)

​No, I am thrilled with this partnership. I love Doug. I love his heart for the youth worker. I love Josh. I love his desire to see youth workers resourced and ready to serve their students. Both have influenced my ministry in significant ways. To have them now at the helm, well, it can only get better! And maybe we'll return to the heart of what NYWC is all about, "helping Christian churches of every denomination lead students to find and follow Jesus."

Doug, Josh, and our friends at Orange, I don't know that you will ever see this blog post, but know that I am for you. I will continue to be a voice of positivity and support for NYWC and the ministry it is to youth workers in the trenches like me. I will promote and invite and share how NYWC has impacted my ministry and how others will benefit from the wealth of wisdom and resources that fill each seminar and general session. I will continue to pray for you, the leadership team, the volunteers, the speakers, the worship leaders, the production crews, and all those who work behind the scenes to make the convention a reality. And I will lift up the youth workers, entrenched and embattled, facing the frontlines of faith and culture, desperately desiring the rescue of students through the grace of an Almighty God.

I will be in St. Louis.

I hope you will be too!

​- jay

This is a non-sponsored post with opinions and reflections that are mine and mine alone.
I share this post in an effort to promote the National Youth Workers Convention,
a ministry that I love, support and participate with.

Alright friends, you know that I have been a long, long, long-time supporter and advocate for Youth Specialities, National Youth Workers Convention. I write about the convention every year, sometimes, multiple times in a year, as well as sharing from the convention through the blog and my personal social media accounts.

I have walked with, prayed for, and through many, many conversations encouraged the YS staff through all the years of transition. From attendee to volunteer, NYWC has been, and I pray will continue to be a huge part of my ministry and career. And while the convention is still more than eight months away, I have got to start talking about this years convention in St. Louis, in November.

Yesterday, April 18, 2018, my friends at YS and NYWC dropped a bombshell. Have you since this yet?

Friends, this is crazy and awesome and unbelievable and gigantic and nuts and AWESOME!! (Did I just say awesome twice?)

​This is what Youth Specialties posted on their Facebook page...

NEW LEADERSHIP...We'll talk about that later.
​But $99 for the entire convention? I'm going crazy!!

If $99 isn't enough to make you register for NYWC, let me share 3 quick reasons why you should go to NWYC this year!

We all need ongoing training; someone who has been there, done that and now comes to share what they have learned with you. At NYWC, you will have the opportunity to be a part of some of the best seminars with real-life youth workers. These aren't people who just write books, but youth workers who get it and are giving it so you can be the best at what you do. 

From the YS bookstore to the exhibit hall, you will have a chance to get hands on with the latest resources, books, tools, and ministry opportunities available to you and your ministry. Speak with organizations that lead mission trips. Get to know the creators of resources like Youth Ministry 360 (one of my favorites) and hear their heart as they share why they do what they do. Discover new ways to have fun and build community with your students as you talk with camps and retreat centers who work to provide students with Jesus encounters in wilderness settings.

Whether you're in worship with hands stretched out or meeting with a youth ministry coach; sitting quietly in the Sanctuary or on your knees in the Prayer Chapel NYWC is a place where you can care for yourself. We spend our days pouring into, caring for, crying with, and lifting up our students, their families, and our volunteers. NYWC is a place where you can take time for yourself, reconnect with God, be refreshed, be cared for, and be equipped for your ministry again.

There are plenty of conferences you could attend with excellent presenters and valuable tools and resources. But one of the things I have always appreciated from the NYWC community is the "big-tent" mentality. NYWC gives space so that the diversity of the church has room to be who they are without the constraints of opinion or preference. It's a melting pot of theological difference and doctrinal diversity. But instead focusing on what  separates us, we celebrate what brings us together and rejoice in the community and diversity of God's magnificent kingdom!

As a reformed conservative, I have found a home and a family among my brothers and sisters from across Christ's church. And I look forward to being with them every year!

An amazing conference at an amazing price, why would you not register! Join us in St. Louis, from November 15-18, and experience NYWC! Register on April 26th, for $99, and begin making plans for the National Youth Workers Convention! Click on the link below to visit the NYWC website and watch last years recap video. Then watch for more news on NYWC 2018, coming soon! 

I will be in St. Louis, for NYWC 2018! I hope to see you there!

- jay

The following is an edited re-post of a series I published a number of years ago called, Youth Worker Tip of the Day (YWTD). Since I have revamped the blog, I am going through past posts and giving them new life!

There's nothing like the feeling you get when you return from a brisk walk! Whether your walking the dog, walking with friends, or walking to pick up your lunch, a good paced walk will help you feel great.

My tip for today is to go for a walk. Or, several walks! Every morning I try to set aside time to walk our dog. Each walk will range from 15 minutes to 45 minutes covering 1/4 of a mile to 2 miles! I grab my iPhone, select a playlist or artist, and away we go. It's the perfect time to simply be with God. Because I usually choose music that centers around worshiping God, it doesn't take long before I am worshiping as I walk along.

Aside from the exercise and health benefits, a good walk helps to clear your head. It can release stored up stress and tension. It can open up time to be with God, talking and listening. And it can break up the monotony of the work day. If you are close to public walking trails that lead you through woody areas, or have excess to a state park, take advantage of them. I find these areas to be great for spending time, alone with God.

​So get out there and walk!l And have a great week!
- jay