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RickEdwards -> Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (2/28/2006 11:30:44 AM)
Welcome to the community home of YouthWorker.com on the Faith Community Network. This is just part of the new youthworkerjournal.com Web site. There are lots of good things happening with YWJ and the Web site is just one of them. My name is Rick Edwards and I'm the Executive Editor of YouthWorker Journal. That just means that I'm responsible for the publication's business. I love my job because my heart is in ministry. I've served as a full time youth minister and pastor and I'm currently serving as an interim pastor on a bi-vocational basis. In the days ahead you will hear more about changes that are taking place and how they will serve you in your ministry. In the meanwhile, please feel free to let me know how you think we're doing by responding to this post. I look forward to serving with you in the days ahead! If you are not already a member, you will need to create an account. Click below to register: http://forums.youthworker.com/register.aspx By logging into our Community you have indicated an agreement to abide by our Terms of Service. CLICK HERE If you have questions about our Forums please read the FAQ. CLICK HERE If you have any other questions, comments or concerns about our community please email community@salemwebnetwork.com Rick Edwards

toddbreiner -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (3/10/2006 3:40:19 PM)
How can I advertise my website in your magazine.

ChildOfGod26 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (3/10/2006 4:25:58 PM)
hellow~ im natalie bth me and hubby were youth leaders and just were offered the postion of 'youth cordnatiors" were exited! im also the secatary for the YG here are some things we have done recently and things were planning on doing! In feb we had a all nighter that went great! we alos went to Monodock confrecne cencet in NH for winter teen retreat! march 7th went to the plymouth correction facilty( tour of prisiona dn inmate gave his testiomny how he got saved! things upcoming!!! im planning craft for teen gilrs at church!( im recruting women from chuch to help out when they can with differnat activties!Mar 25th April during school vaction CAP community awareness project take teens to boston childrens floating hopsital drop of teddy bear for the kids! and get tour of play area! march 25 at craft day were making cards we will bring with us on the atrip to the floating childrens hopsial! May 6th- arise worship may 18th ice breakers minsitery things were praying about that will happen later and things that are ideas! youth rally that we host at our church! movie night for the church! put togther box for the troops! help out hurcaine victims down south! i want to start cellg group for the summer for the girls 2timesa month! mini retreat at church each room have a differnat theme! we will be in the process of having our next youth sunday! 30 hour famine congress! ill be praying for your ministery! please pray for ours and all invloved!god bles u richly1 natalie~

RickEdwards -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (3/13/2006 8:51:29 AM)
Todd, send me an email at redwards@salempublishing.com and we can talk. - Rick Edwards

godforceam -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (5/18/2006 8:55:50 AM)
Hi. I have known for a while that God has called me to be a youth Pastor. But I kept making up excuses why I couldn,t do it. So, one morning during my prayer time with God, He asked me when I was going to do what he asked of me and quit making up excuses. I now have my pastors license(non denominational). I attend an Assembly of God church so I am also working to get my credentials through Berean School of the Bible. I am only doing this because, you cannot preach in a AOG church without AOG credentials. I think we should do away with denominations. I believe it it one more way that satan keeps us Christians divided. I raise my hands during worship...you don't...so what? We both believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that God loved us so much that he sent His only Son to die for our sins on the cross. We both believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and sits at the right hand of the father. That is what is important. So why should we be divded by what we call ourselves? So I am AOG and your Baptist or whatever. So what? we should be working together to do what god has called us to do as Christians. Win the lost for Christ! And I believe that we need to raise Godly youth. Tehy are not only the hope for this generation but also for generations of Christians to come. But to reach them we have to go "where they are". Well I could go on and on. So, anyway, Hi everyone. Next time I tell about my new ministry that God has laid on my heart to start. God bless. Pastor Mike

Wallsceo -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (6/23/2006 8:11:42 AM)
It is exciting to see youth pastors and volunteers talk about their ministries. I am looking for those of you that have had *bad experiences* working at a church or volunteering (or in a non-church ministry). God bless! (Edited by moderator--please keep discussions to the board, thank you.)

uthguy4lyf -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (7/26/2006 3:59:32 PM)
bad experiences---those are easy to come up with, how about some good memories??? i have seen youth saved, changed, and now working in ministry..that's a always a good thing. just the other week we had a young teenager get saved--she realized she had been playing church. she got home after th oyuth worship service and asked her dad some major questions---he led her to Jesus!! i will be speaking to a group of women in prison this friday...pray for them to hear God's call to salvation

jhfoote1968 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (7/28/2006 2:54:37 PM)
Lo and behold! I was just flipping through the Forum and saw this and read your post and said, wth (what the honor) I'll see what's up. I currently help out with a small church in Bellflower CA and let me tell you it's under construction! I didn't want to go to this church at first because it is a Spanish speaking church and my future 'love of my life' goes there. As I sat listening to the Pastor I knew right away that he was teaching like the 'Faith' teachers do on tv. Man, let me tell you, my hairs stood on end! I said, "Lord, I don't want to be here!" He spoke to me over the months through teaching 'the love of my life' the scriptures the right way. She was amazed because her Pastor didn't teach her and the congregation the Bible. I sorta acted like it wasn't anything special and told her God wanted her to read the Bible and get its true meaning. Her eyes were opened and I was amazed myself. Anyway, I have work cut out for me because the kids there (98% of them) do not read their Bibles, nor do the leaders teach them correctly; and so my headache builds. God is good though and loves His people there and so I knew from then on that He sent me to help out. The hard part is convincing the Pastor that I came in peace not to take his job and assure him what I teach will benefit them, because God's Word saves lives. Here is their background: They are Pentecostal and believe in speaking in tongues exclusively, so during the worship services and public prayers they will start 'speaking' out loud (which I believe is contrary from what the Bible teaches, which they have not read) I would sit there and cringe. So I searched out the teachings of the Pastor and leaders and found out they are of the Azusa Street Revival fellowship in Azusa CA (their background is questionable). Because of my own background through the Word of God I have disagreed with many of their teachings and have not looked into the Scriptures to straighten them out. I believe this Church will be blessed of God if they stick to teaching the whole Bible; ergo, the reason why I'm sent. Here is my dilemma: I have to confront the Pastor with many issues there, especially Church government. I have to confront him on his teaching and that it will conflict with what I teach, but not to worry I will be forcing the kids to open their Bibles and make them look at what it says rather than go by what the Pastor or I teach. I have to recommend that the Church leaders should have a general meeting and establish accountability, heirachy, and responsibility, etc. Of course establish the understanding that it is God's church, not ours and that WE Are the Church, and have God lead us. And blah blah blah, LOL. The gist: Pastor teaches the 'Faith' doctrine. People do not read their Bibles nor study it effectively. There is no true understanding of leadership. There is no true organization or accountability. There is no adequate training for the leaders in ministering to the saints. ....And blah blah blah. What to do? LOL Thanks for this post. God Bless...

sreno7 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (8/26/2006 8:59:10 PM)
what do you mean they teach the 'faith" doctrine? Do you mean 'word of faith"? WHy are you on staff at a church that you don't agree with?

nonother -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (9/3/2006 1:41:24 AM)
Hey godforceam, I'm in the same boat as you, literally I'm a minister uncredentialed but going forward with the credentiaing l process with the Assemblies of God. I graduated from the Berean School of the bible in 2003 and the one thing that has kept me from going forward with my crdentials is the denomiational factor. The rules impossed on people by church governments and the nit picking bylaws that inhibit the move of the spirit. It has been three years since my graduation and now I am going to go forward with my credentials, because God has called me to a place of being used, and despite the issues that divide God's Church, the Body of Christ's bride. I've realized that separating myself is what causes these dividing walls and the only way to really break down the walls is from the inside and for one to break open a hole and lead the way just as Paul said follow me as I follow Christ, we must lead as Paul and Christ did. You may already know all this but it's always good to be encouage by the body of Christ. God bless you in your youth ministry, I hope one day I will be able to step into youth ministry as you have.

goblue -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (12/1/2006 5:04:58 PM)
JUST WONDERING WILL THIS YOUTH WORKER FORUM BE SEPERATE FROM MINISTY LEADERS? IF MY VOTE COUNTS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT AS A SEPERATE FORUM AS THIS WAS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR WHEN I JOINED. I AM A NEW YOUTH LEADER AND FEEL I COULD BENEFIT FROM TALKING TO THOSE IN THE SAME YOUTH FEILD

monajeans -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (12/7/2006 12:59:33 AM)
i am a youth leader as well I think it would be good to swap ideals. leading youth can be tough

10000lakes -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (1/28/2007 9:57:39 AM)
Hi, I'm new here and this being my first post. Some months ago, I registered but haven't been active-busy life. I'm in MN(thus my user name, 10000lakes!) and the Youth Ministries Director at a United Methodist church. I'm curious to know how many other UMs are here! I am also a member of another website like this one. Can't get enough?! I've been married for 23 years(24 in May) and have one child. Our son is 22(23 in March). Currently, I'm a Candidate for Ministry. The focus will be Youth Pastor when I'm done. Our church is in a fast growing community and our church currently has 485 members. The growth is vigorous and the Conference calls us a "tween" church. Not big enough for 2 pastors and too big for 1. Hard place to be. I also have a day job and a board member of a crisis center. The schedule is busy and tight but I'd rather have it this way than not. "My" kids are fabulous and really are a great bunch. Currently there are 46 of them, and again the size is growing. The church is quite encouraging for my career pursuit so I can expand the program here. I have been very blessed to be here at this church and the great congregation. So much I want to devote the rest of my life to it. Oh, my name is Dale. Hi, everyone!

SteelCurtain -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (3/22/2007 9:14:03 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 10000lakes Hi, I'm new here and this being my first post. Some months ago, I registered but haven't been active-busy life. I'm in MN(thus my user name, 10000lakes!) and the Youth Ministries Director at a United Methodist church. I'm curious to know how many other UMs are here! I am also a member of another website like this one. Can't get enough?! I've been married for 23 years(24 in May) and have one child. Our son is 22(23 in March). Currently, I'm a Candidate for Ministry. The focus will be Youth Pastor when I'm done. Our church is in a fast growing community and our church currently has 485 members. The growth is vigorous and the Conference calls us a "tween" church. Not big enough for 2 pastors and too big for 1. Hard place to be. I also have a day job and a board member of a crisis center. The schedule is busy and tight but I'd rather have it this way than not. "My" kids are fabulous and really are a great bunch. Currently there are 46 of them, and again the size is growing. The church is quite encouraging for my career pursuit so I can expand the program here. I have been very blessed to be here at this church and the great congregation. So much I want to devote the rest of my life to it. Oh, my name is Dale. Hi, everyone! Hello Dale! Sounds like you have a great heart and passion for youth ministry!! I'm AG. It's hard to believe that a church of 485 can only have one pastor. I was at a church of 200 and had two pastors and then I served at a church of 400 and we had 4 pastors. Currently, I am the interim youth pastor at my home church of 800 and we have 4 full time pastors and 2 part time pastors. I guess everyone sees things differently God bless you in your work in youth ministry.

Shrommer -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (7/21/2007 7:14:40 PM)
I recommend Nicky Cruz and the TRUCE team outreach for any inner-city area where there are drugs, gangs, abuse or neglect in the homes, etc. They have been in Reading, PA these past two weeks, and it was the best thing that has happened to this city! About thirty different churches really got behind them, and other churches which did not lend their official support ahead of time also ended up being part of what God has been doing here! Nicky Cruz does a good job of preaching from what I hear, although personally I am not a big fan of his, just because he doesn't really speak to me, though. I am glad for the way he can speak to others. But the testimonies that the members of the TRUCE team share between their songs ... those really spoke to me and I praise the Lord for all He's done in their lives and the way they are boldly and transparently sharing with others so they can come to Christ and be saved!

rokny230 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (7/29/2007 8:48:27 AM)
Hello from Mumbai ... Just to add my bit of few words ... when a person, Pastor or any other his 'personal' life is in line with God's wishes then his preaching must have durable good effect on the people, in this case the term used "living word" ... that is Living + Word Only that much folks ... wish to hear from you. Rokny Pio - Mumbai

preach_with_fire -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (9/11/2007 5:00:13 PM)
Is this going to be a separate board? Just curious. I think youth ministers have slightly different issues then others.

SozoMins -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (11/2/2007 3:36:09 PM)
I just now noticed this thread. It also seems to be kind of slow. As for apologetics I do think it is important to teach them God's creation and how to defend their faith. The key is to not hit them with it in a few settings. They will feel like they are back at school in a science class. Make it fun for them and show them that God does have all the answers. And that we need to be prepared to give an answer when people ask us why we believe like we do.

ChristianCommando -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (12/2/2007 1:46:20 PM)
Interesting responces. Hmmm, God called me at age 25 and have been a Minister for nearly 30 years, working with kids, youth and adults, preaching and teaching with no credentials or ordination. Strangely enough, I only found out that on the Prayer Board where I've helped Moderate for several years, the Pastor there is a "Layman Minister" and is bringing revival all over the Western US. Neither one of us has had any problems Ministering in denominational Churches. Granted, some of those Church Leaders hear criticism from thier District Offices or Headquarters, but, they continue to follow God, even when go outside of denominational boundaries. When God wants to move in an area or church, He will do it crossing all boundaries of man's making as needed to accomplish that. God Bless!!

hjemerson -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (3/8/2008 12:56:01 PM)
Is it are age?, Husband just frinshed up three years at a Bible College .We were empity nester Returned to school to complete and follow the Lords will, We pray pray pray Wait wait wait, Call and seek . Over 500 letter and we just have not founded the peace,place for us, not even a nibble We have several things going for us: beeniing the age we do not have small children( daughter grown married in the Lords Service) ,ready to relocate, has many years experance, ( now have the College degree to back it all up) Youth/Music/I have a strong back ground in children area. I just like to post a question to see how most would answer this. How would you handle the subject of:: Dress in a Goodly way to a group of teen young ladies, for church activitied (As a Chrurch wide fun day) these are not vistor several have been in church 4-5 yr and are christians. I wait to see what way we could handles this in the past, Thanks !May we seek and find the place the Lords has for us???

ruthyrich -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (5/15/2008 7:44:15 PM)
Here is one, maybe you can help. I am not a "regular or ordained" youth worker. I do however spend plenty of time and money helping out a few "at risk youth" that the Lord has put into my life. My husband and I have left our doors open for them when they need a place to get away from their life stresses. We take them to church every Sunday and youth services every Monday night. After church, as long as they have gone to church we do things like going bowling, ordering pizza, and many other fun things. There are two 15 year old girls, AJ and MI and a 14 year old boy, BJ and my son, who I don't believe to be at risk. He has a good head on his shoulders most of the time and accepted Jesus the begining of this year. AJ has two younger sisters who won't go to church with us and only went bowling with us once. I think all of the girls are wonderful and even the young boy are alot of fun. The girls always come to me for advise and I feel flattered and do my best to refer to biblical passages and principles when I address their issues. The problem is that they all go to school together. Well, this wasn't a problem until today. They forged really wonderful friendships that go beyond church. They have not only God, but each other to walk through the tough times they have. Anyways, they were all playing and being stupid while waiting for the bus to pick them up from school. AJ's middle sister said something about my son and BJ making a good couple. This didn't really upset the boys, they took it in fun. Problem is, my son said that the girls had better be nice because he could go to BJ's house and get guns (that don't really exist) and shoot them. The girls were laughing even at this, because they knew it was in fun. BJ said, "Yeah, we know were you sleep" and giggled. Principle of the school over heard and made it a police report. We have warned my son over and over that his stupid, although in fun, comments were going to get him in trouble some day. When I talked to the principle, he even said himself that knowing the good and fun kid my son was, the principle didn't think it was a real threat. He said himself it sounded like he was joking. AJs mom is very lazy. She is living off of the girls social security checks, (they have very "mild" learning disabilities}, and their fathers child support and food stamps. She refuses to get a job. AJs sister was not upset, but AJ's mom is acting like she wants to press charges on my 14 year old son. HOw do I deal with this. My lawyer friend says that I shouldn't even take AJ to church on Sunday. My husband says that we are going to call them and invite them to church with us anyways. I see my husbands point. I know in my heart, that this is my cross, my persecution for wanting to follow the Lord and do what he has given me to do. I know I should have faith in Him and know that somehow he will make things right, but then there is my thoughts. I don't want to see my son persecuted on my behalf. I think that AJ's mom is just looking for another way to get more free income. I know that if she presses charges, this is what she is doing it for. I don't want my son to end up in JDC because of a stupid mistake my fourteen year old made. I know that the Lord is definately teaching my son a lesson that I have not had success in and for this I am thankful. What do you think? What should I do? How should I respond? I simply love those kids like they were truely my own. I enjoy giving them the love and understanding that they do not get at home. I enjoy taking them to church and bowling. I never knew how much I really liked teens until the Lord brought them to me. I know this is what my calling is. The Lord put these kids where I could witness to them. The Lord put the things I endured in my past to use as a mentor to these youth. I never ever solicited these kids to my door, they just showed up. The more I take them to church and youth group, the more show up. Help[sm=crazy.gif][sm=icon_smile_boggled.gif][sm=shakinghead.gif][sm=popsigh.gif]

Kath -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (5/15/2008 9:59:04 PM)
Ruthyrich, It might be a good idea of you start a thread with your question at this link Click Here This thread does not get a lot of traffic.

Jonathan1 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (8/22/2008 12:28:23 AM)
I am looking forward to gaining many insights in regards to working with the youth for the cause of Christ. I along with my wife were called into Youth Evangelism several years ago but only now is God bringing into fruition. I have also started my own site at http://evangelizetheyouth.com/ where I am sure your ministry will be able to enhance. Thanks

Tina258 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (5/15/2009 10:42:55 PM)
Anyone know of any thing that most youth are struggling with these days. Or what they are mostly interested in? also how u can relate it to in christian life or to God? (I hope im wording it right)

judii1 -> RE: Welcome to the YouthWorker Forum! (5/22/2009 8:40:20 AM)
quote: Anyone know of any thing that most youth are struggling with these days. Or what they are mostly interested in? Here is Ds's perspective on the churches in our area. He said that in most of our churches, there is always something for the k-6 kids and there is even an after school program for the junior high kids. When it comes to churches and the high school group, there is nothing for them. He says it's like the churches are literally throwing the high schoolers to the "wolves".

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