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The Advent season is an entire time of the year, traditionally four weeks, that gives again and again the gift of perspective. The groundswell of anticipation felt, building with each passing week, until it gives way to celebration. If hope comes to our address, if faith opens the door, then joy is the emotion that fills the house. Christmas is a celebration of life. The gift of a life that had been prophesied down through the ages and arrived in an unassuming manner. In short, the birth of Jesus makes a new type of joy possible. Let me explain.

In week one, we met George Bailey standing on that bridge. We saw something resembling hope on the horizon. For George it was demonstrated in his willingness to converse with an angel, who seemingly knew everything there was to know about his life. Had he been completely hopeless; he could have ignored the voice and…

In the late 1930’s, American writer and Civil War historian Philip Van Doren Stern began working on a Christmas story. It would take several years for the fable to take full shape, and even then Stern couldn’t find a publisher. So, in December 1943 he self-published 200 copies, in pamphlet form, of his little story.…

Guiding Students Through Life’s Tough Questions Last month, I was in Singapore and was asked to speak at a Christian school for its weekly chapel program. When I accepted, I was warned that the students did not care much for chapel, so their non-attention and minor disruptions should not offend me. This made me even…

After the most recent Presidential campaign and election cycle, most Americans had their fill of the tumultuous (and frequently bizarre) escapades of vote-getting. As a youth pastor, did you take some time to mentor your youth through the process? As a youth pastor, teaching teenagers about politics and government involves balancing practical information and biblical…

I have been blessed to spend good time with leaders of Christian schools and outstanding youth pastors. Having the chance to talk about their ministries and the impact that their ministry has on the youth is exciting. However, there always seems to be a sad note when I ask about their youth who go to college. Do they…

Your relationship with God, your family, and your youth are the three most important relationships defining your ministry. They require constant nourishment to grow deeper, broader, and more spiritually vibrant. This is where you invest most of your time and energy. It is your sweet spot for encouragement, joy, and fulfillment as you serve Christ.…

When I served as a youth pastor, mental health issues were not even on our radar. Today, these issues have risen to the top of concerns for this generation of youth. As a Youth Pastor, you have the opportunity and responsibility to care for the young people entrusted to you. Today’s cultural moment requires not…

In grad school, I was asked to serve as a youth pastor for a small church nearby. I had only become a Christian a few years before and was unsure what a youth pastor did, but I was certain I could figure it out along the way. Plus, (this was the clincher for me) the…

A Challenge and an Opportunity Discouragement: When not If The frenetic pace of a Youth Pastor’s ministry can often numb you into a state of dejected melancholy or, most often, wear you out and leave you listless. The real blow, however, comes when you find yourself discouraged and lack the joy and expectancy that has…