Early in my youth ministry career, I remember reading an article by a really successful youth pastor claiming that each youth ministry event could have one and only one purpose. So for any given event, a youth leader…
Each month we compile a Top 10 list for the Rooted community. This list represents ten articles we believe will encourage and equip you to continue in your ministry to students and their families. If you have an…
I grew up in a small town outside of Boston. The friends you built Lego towers with in kindergarten were the same friends you walked with across the make-shift graduation stage in the gymnasium. That is why, at…
Walk into a room full of teenagers and quite possibly every one of them will be on their phone, more engaged online than with each other. Believe me, I know. I’ve seen it happening in my own house,…
Perhaps it was another end-of-the-year party, a night with two events when there was only time for one, another recital, or that last round of signed papers that broke this mother’s back. May had kicked me to the…
We asked several experienced student ministers how they practically set and keep emotional boundaries – like getting too close to a student, or leaving one’s work at the office – in their ministries. We hope their wisdom sparks…
We all know the typical Sunday school imperatives from the book of Daniel: “Dare to be a Daniel.”“Eat only vegetables and water.”“Don’t bow down to golden statues.” “Be like Daniel next time you’re thrown in a lion’s den.”“Be…
A friend recently told me about the medical ordeal that a member of his extended family had encountered over the last several years. After falling ill, doctors prescribed multiple medications to heal this person’s condition. After eight different…
For a long time, I have been both intimidated by and nervous to preach any Old Testament Prophet. In my mind, these are the hardest books of the Bible. Not only do I need to be competent in…
