Sometimes senior saints question their usefulness in the church as they age. ….they’re an essential part of the body of Christ

… (even when you aren’t one)

Says he relies on instinct and guts — as well as his ears, to hear defenders coming

Kids and teens who are raised with religious or spiritual practices tend to have better health and mental health as they age.

Why are our courts making it worse?

This resource covers four key elements which drive a successful family-school relationship

Evelyn Rodriguez was the outspoken mother of a daughter killed by alleged MS-13 gang members

“I want to draw attention to the dangers of sexual shaming and purity teachings.”

Dressing up as famous cinematic characters and celebrities for their student ID photos, in a series of images that have since gone viral online.

Teens now say their favorite mode of communication is texting (35%), surpassing face-to-face communication (32%).

Calling the use of electronic cigarettes a burgeoning epidemic among teens, the U.S Food and Drug Administration announced a crackdown on the sale of Juuls and other flavored e-cigarette devices to minors.

A weekly listing of hot cultural items from the Internet, music, television and movies

Scariness that comes with being part of a family in a fallen world?

How parents act on their religious beliefs linked to the onset of atheism in their children

Fruit Connection

George Lockhart

A Christian is meant to stay connected to Christ just as a branch is connected to the vine. There is much fruit to having such a connection with Christ. Take a moment and consider your connection with Christ…how much fruit is your life bearing?

Upon further reflection in John 15:1-11 it is easy to see some of…

23,000 Millennial and Gen Z workers listed their dream employers and there’s 1 key difference

George  Lockhart

In a new cover story with Billboard, Weezy talks more about the forthcoming album

Boy, 15, beheaded himself with chainsaw after losing computer game

SECOND HIGHEST reason US adults attend church is because they want their children to have a moral foundation

Everyday Worship

By George Lockhart
God sees us all the time and everywhere we are is training ground for the work of The Lord. Don’t be lazy or slack in your training; for your everyday life is full of opportunities to not only learn but serve. It’s easy to think that just because we are not “at church” that what…

For anyone seeking to understand and disciple today’s youth, Eighth Grade provides an insightful glimpse into their world

How Game Apps That Captivate Kids Have Been Collecting Their Data

Use this script to kick off a conversation with your kid

but I’ve noticed these filters and monitoring software solutions also tend to build an “over-confidence” with parents who use them

Sign in to review and manage your activity, including things you’ve searched for, websites you’ve visited, and videos you’ve watched.

Teens with low social emotional well being experience more of the negative effects of social media and kids with high social emotional well-being

A weekly listing of hot cultural items from the Internet, music, television and movies

A new study finds teens with similar levels of anxiety and depression are more likely to remain friends.

New research suggests that people who are religious gain happiness from believing there is a deeper meaning to everyday events

Lastly, look to the church for friendships. Sometimes, we think that with entering school, that’s where we need to find all of our friends

Three Ways Not to Wander

When Jesus saw our earthly culture he neither rubber stamped nor kept his distance. He entered our culture to challenge it

In the past, people brought themselves to the message. Today, you bring the message to people

Churches who only think Sunday and who only think building will continue to shrink.

Perry’s journey of faith isn’t your typical teenage coming-of-age story. Instead, hers is one that requires courage and conviction to speak and share

Those who fall repeatedly for self-evidently absurd concepts on the internet are looking for a place to belong, and that’s the price

Raising kids isn’t easy today. Most parents realize they can’t do it alone. And most will welcome help from caring people in the church who humbly offers resources and care

Remember, if you want parents involved in your ministry, focus on their needs. Make parent meetings about the parents

Are you really taking advantage of your Parent Meetings?

How do we connect, engage and release parents to be the primary disciplers of their teenagers

We typically do these short meetings after church in our youth area, which allows families to stay after church instead of making a special trip

Here are some great books to help you in your leadership development

How are you preparing yourself for the upcoming year? Take some time to ask questions of yourself

5 surprisingly simple ways to have a great big spiritual impact on your teens this school year

10 Keys to Effective Youth Ministry

By God’s grace, knowing the true condition of their hearts and the reality of the world around them will help point them live in greater dependence on Jesus.

3 Easy Ways to Impact a Middle Schooler’s Identity and Faith

“When starting student leadership it’s important to get the right students and avoid the wrong ones.”

If we’re not careful, the school year will come and go so fast that we might get to June and realize we’ve pushed aside or even forgotten that our primary calling as Christian parents is not to serve our kids, but to serve our Lord by making the spiritual nurture of our kids our first priority.

I REALLY believe they will be a help to every Youth Pastor and Youth Worker.

With today’s technology overload, kids may benefit from embracing a few old ways

Amid roiling debates about the impact of screen time on teenagers, roughly half of those ages 13 to 17 are themselves worried they spend too much time on their cellphones

One of every three American teens has not read a book just for the fun of it in a year

Feelings of pressure to respond immediately to notifications, to a sense of being overwhelmed by the flow of messages and information they receive.

Make sure the rising tweens have seen your face, know your name, and know details about your youth ministry

Our youth ministry is not the students’ church for the rest of their lives

In other words, a teenager’s beliefs and values will be shaped by who or what they’re listening to

In this episode, Eric Bryant, author of Not Like Me, talks about how we can help kids and students belong before they believe

Not only engage the students you have but also reach new students and introduce them to what your ministry is all about

Melissa started using Xanax when she was in high school. they’re seeing a surge among adolescents and young adults

Orange Tour is a one-day event in 17 cities…Parent Cue Live is a two-hour experience help parents become more connected to your community of faith

Many times Youth Pastors leave too often. The damage left behind as a result can be devastating

Why Do Students Invent and Use Different Terms?

Youth Pastors tend to burn out so quickly are the expectations that are present from day one

Planning a lot of events and playing a lot of games is not the same as intentionally building relationships

3 Reasons You Should Stay in Your Current Youth Ministry Position

The other driver who was also killed. Was a YouTube star known online by his nickname, McSkillet.

We recently surveyed over 6,000 people to learn about Bible study habits. In some cases, the results were quite convicting

8 Things to Remember When Teaching Kids Theology

A step-by-step plan for getting the most out of your parental controls, from installation to the day your kids can reliably manage themselves.

So how can we help relieve the (back to school) stress students and families might be experiencing?

Here is a quick look at some of the things that you should consider as you get ready to start your fall programming and ministry.

George Lockhart

Here are a few enhancements that you can make to your planning that will help your group to do better in the fall

Teens, especially girls, whose parents are religious may be less likely to die by suicide, no matter how they feel about religion themselves

For this year’s entering college class of 2022, human beings have…

How the brand worn by generations of construction workers, coal miners, soldiers, and skaters became the coolest pants you can own

Use camp to push students to regular programming

Youth Ministry for the Connected But Alone Generation

Learning to Understand and Help Those Who Self-Injure by Marv Penner

We will fail to teach with the kind of passion that comes when our own discovery of the riches of God’s Word creates

4 Questions to Ask

Summer camp the most important things we think about but not only the camp itself, but what happens after the camp.

Special needs ministry is no longer a niche topic, but at the heart of serving communities

In theory, everyone is welcome at church. In practice, that’s not always true for some children

Children with autism are almost twice as likely to never attend church. And children with other disabilities are often missing from the pews as well.

‘The Last Supper’ For Epic Performance Of ‘God Is a Woman’

Complete Winners List

Family Relationships are Key to Kids’ Character Strengths

The reality is that families wield influence over a child all through adolescence—in nearly every realm of their lives

Parents have the strongest influence over a child all through all aspects and seasons of a child’s life, including adolescence

An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning

Family Process in Church and Synagogue (The Guilford Family Therapy Series

8 Ways to Engage the Bible with Our Students

As we create environments and experiences for students, may we hold to the truth that we’re never done

A moment of peace takes intentionality-something teenagers often lack.

Behind the app

‘It is taking people out’: More than 70 people overdose on K2 in a single day in New Haven

“Predators in every diocese weaponized the Catholic faith and used it as a tool of their abuse,”