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Raising the Bar is aimed at both paid and voluntary leaders, regardless of how long they have been in ministry. Readers have said it's their 'youth ministry handbook' and their 'youth work bible'.
The book gives enough help to start a group, and gives you the skills, ideas and encouragement to keep you going long-term. Learn to deal with conflict. Grow values in the ministry. Build a strong team of leaders. Plan a residential. Respond to a disaster. Leave a legacy.
It's full of stories to inspire you.
"To have a resource like this to put into the hands of my leaders is invaluable. It's so helpful to be able to say to them 'the chapter on X will help you with this'. My leaders love it too because it makes them feel more confident in the ministry we share. Thanks Dave!"
Ross Mungavin
Youth Pastor
St. James, Gerrards Cross & Fulmer
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This doesn't happen every day, but I was interviewed on Premier Christian Radio about a new piece of research called 'Growing Younger'. You can find out more about that research here. We talked a lot about discipling young people and helping them stay around in church, especially through the transitions. It helped that I'd already done some thinking around transitions for a chapter in my book Raising the Bar, and for the blog on transitions here.
You can listen to my interview as part of a longer piece on Premier Christian Radio.
Many churches in Europe have recently been joined by Ukrainian young people. Most of us aren't familiar with their language, but check out this page for ideas to welcome young people for whom English is not their native language.
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There's a bunch of activities to do outdoors, like instructions for this property game around London, photo treasure hunts and a game based on the UK C4 TV show Hunted.
There's a growing number of ideas for games if you are running short. Try something that looks a bit like the online game Among Us or a load of minute-to-win-its.
Have you had a look at my manual for youth ministry 'Raising the Bar' yet? One reader writes:
"Each time I open it, I come away from it encouraged and equipped to do what I can for the Lord.., thinking 'I'm going to make mistakes... BUT LOOK WHAT GOD CAN DO DESPITE THAT.'
It reminds me that there is only one thing we need to get right - Jesus - and He'll take care of the rest."
Eleni Brooks, Intern, Gaines Manor Christian Centre
OPENING THE DOOR FOR (YOUNG) LEADERS
We recently added nine new leaders to our children's ministry team. That doesn't happen every day.
We all need more leaders (if you don't, please get in touch here and tell me how!), maybe we could find one or more of them among our young people.
"The most helpful book I've ever read on youth ministry. I wish I'd had this book when I started."
Luke Blakeley
Youth Pastor
St. Andrew's Church, Leyland
"Comprehensive, practical and soundly theological"
Becky Hepworth
Youth Worker
Park Church, Stoke-on-Trent
I've written this practical manual to help you grow effective Christian youth ministry from start to finish. Reading this £10, nearly 400-page book gives you over 27 years of experience. It's packed with loads of how-tos, from writing a Bible talk to leading a small group, dealing with conflict, to working with parents and the wider church. It also has key values for church youth work to remind us what's important - all shared with lots of STORIES involving God's power to transform lives.
"An invaluable resource"
Scott Rushby
Youth Pastor
Testwood Baptist Church
Southampton
What’s new with churchyouthministry.com?
I've just uploaded Holy Week and Easter Escape Rooms which have been rewritten for in-person use. I've now uploaded a one-minute training video on 'Starting off in a small group'. I've also put up some 'accidents waiting to happen' photos to help you think through your health and safety. Let me know what you think here or get in touch if you need any more help. If you've been on the site a few times and I've never said 'Hi!' in the Chat, it's probably because you've turned off cookies. Turn them back on and I'll try and say, 'Hi' some time!