One of our students’ greatest fears is the idea of being exposed. Our students pride themselves on their ability to know what to do, how to respond, and to have it all together. For many, their own personal…
Recently I had the privilege of sitting down with a former student who has discerned a call to youth ministry. In beginning his first year of seminary, this gifted young man began to doubt whether he needs a…
On Ask Alice today, we hear from Melody Lovvorn. After her husband’s pornography addiction was exposed, Melody was left as a divorced single mom, wondering how to manage the pieces of her family. In this heartfelt episode, Alice…
In the first few weeks of starting in my current role as student minister, I wracked my brain about how to reach the students I had just inherited. I wondered how I could teach in such a way…
It is hard to feel truly known in college. As we grow up and try new things and go new places, there are very few times when we feel like people fully know us. Our families and our…
In a recent episode of the podcast “This American Life,” reporter Emanuele Berry tells the story of her ongoing work to bring depth to her once splintered relationship with her father. For much of Berry’s life, that relationship…
Over the past several weeks, we took a look on both sides of the blog at how we — as both youth ministers and parents — might love and disciple our boys and girls well and with prayerful, thoughtful…
This is Part Two in a two-part series about navigating the youth pastor/senior pastor relationship. Read Part One here, written by Dave Steinbeck’s student pastor, Jon Watts. Dear Lead Pastor, How do you view your relationship with your…
This is Part One in a two-part series about navigating the youth pastor/senior pastor relationship. Read Part Two here written by Jon Watts’ lead pastor, Dave Steinbeck. Developing a healthy relationship with a lead pastor or other senior…
