“To invest one’s life in the next generation for the sake of the kingdom of God is to do the work that Jesus did,” writes Lee Rogers. “Few will notice the nobility and spiritual richness of the work, yet for … Continue reading Succeeding in NextGen Ministry
A statement in Faith Beyond Youth Group captures the urgency of helping teenagers cultivate lifelong faith in Jesus Christ: While spiritual and religious activity under age eighteen seems to slightly increase the odds of faith lasting after youth group, a … Continue reading Cultivating Lifelong Faith in Teens
“Young people are increasingly less likely to be engaged with institutional forms of religious expression,” writes Josh Packard. “Decades-long trends continue: for a large and growing segment of young people, religiosity is increasingly decoupled from institutions, even as they express … Continue reading Why Aren’t Young People Going to Church | Influence Podcast
“Every teenager is a walking bundle of questions,” write Kara Powell and Brad Griffin in their new book. “Almost every question young people are asking ultimately finds its genesis in these 3 big questions: Who am I? Where do I … Continue reading How to Talk to Teens About Life’s Big Questions | Influence Podcast
My son, Reese, begins seventh grade this fall. He turns 13 in late October, but at nearly 5’8” and 130 lbs., he looks older. Like other growing boys, he is especially proud of the moustache growing at the edges of … Continue reading 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager | Book Review
“The U.S. Assemblies of God has a mandate, a problem, and a need,” writes John Zick in the newest issue of Influencemagazine. The mandate is to evangelize the world. The problem is that youth are underrepresented among AG ministers. And … Continue reading How to Help Youth Discern the Call to Ministry | Influence Podcast
“Young people are experiencing record loneliness,” notes The State of Religion and Young People 2020, a report from Springtide Research Institute. “They have low levels of trust in most traditional institutions, and they are likely not responding to the efforts … Continue reading Helping Youth Find Meaning, Identity, and Purpose | Influence Podcast
Welcome to the Influence Podcast, a collection of inspiring and challenging conversations, aimed at empowering the entire spectrum of church leadership, from lead pastor to lead volunteer In Episode 207, I’m talking to Doug Clay about the good things God … Continue reading What’s Happening in the Assemblies of God Today? | Influence Podcast
In a recent article for InfluenceMagazine.com, Mark Entzminger wrote: “[A] poorly designed or implemented safety plan can not only damage the church’s reputation in the community but, more importantly, it can also damage the heart and spirit of a child for a … Continue reading Make Your Church Safe for Kids! | Influence Podcast
Kara Powell and Steven Argue begin Growing With by pinpointing the dilemma our kids face in the crucial season between 13 and 29 years of age: “On the one hand, our kids’ sophistication has accelerated and it seems like they are getting older earlier; but on the other hand, they feel less mature as the typical markers of adulthood are now delayed.” In other words, the transition to adulthood begins earlier and lasts longer in this generation than in previous generations. How we parent our children changes as they age. Powell and Argue define “Growing With parenting” as “a mutual journey … Continue reading Growing With | Book Review
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