Posts by Young Life Leader
Campaigner Discussion Starter: The Gift
The day before our wedding, my wife handed me a gift. I unwrapped it with great curiosity to discover an inch thick journal. Its pages were filled with years of prayers she had begun writing to the Lord long before we even met. The written prayers continued during our dating relationship, anonymously interceding on behalf…
Read MoreHilariously Random Music For Club
Andy Thompson, volunteer leader in Colorado, recently submitted this hilariously random website to be shared on the YLLB:http://parrygripp.com/Andy writes, “The website has been making a silly song each week since 2008. It’d be a great resource for background music for various mixers and minutes games. Maybe even walk-on music, I haven’t looked at all of…
Read MoreThe Danger Of Counting
A Guest Post From An Anonymous Area Director I was leaving the office on Monday and one of those subtle thoughts from Satan crept into my head. “You guys are really great! You have all those kids signed up for camp. You must really be doing awesome, I mean 6 schools filling all of fall…
Read MoreWho Knew Rednecks Lived In Hawaii?
Nate Cox, Military Young Life staff in Hawaii, recently shared this hilarious “Good Morning Young Life” video. If you have never done “Good Morning Young Life,” here are 21 tips to take your videos to the next level. Here is another post on how to take your “Run-on characters”to the next level as well, which…
Read MoreTONS of Christmas Club Ideas
Lately I’ve received a few emails from folks who are beginning to plan for Christmas Club, looking for ideas. Some of you have heard of the “Mr. Christmas Tree Pageant” idea that I believe was started by Brian Summerall in Texas (please correct me in the comments below if I’m wrong.) We did it last…
Read MoreWhat You Missed In October
For those of you who are new to the Young Life Leader Blog community, welcome! This is a place for you to steal and share. Feel free to steal any of the ideas on this site. But don’t just steal, please share your ideas as well. If you have anything that you would like to…
Read MoreThe 7th C: Our Greatest Benefit
This Guest Post comes from Eric Hoskins, YL Area Director in Birmingham, Alabama. Eric has been a YL leader for 17 years, 9 years on staff. He is currently exploring different strategies for partnering with local churches in Birmingham.Under his alias of “The Desire,” Eric was previously featured on the YLLB last month.How Can Young…
Read MoreThe 7th C: Becoming Domesticated
The Guest Post comes as a continuation of our series from last week,“The 7th C,” understanding how YL & the local Church can better partner together. It was submitted by Paul Mannino, a youth pastor (and former YL leader) in California. I’ve been a youth pastor for a while now, and I have a confession…
Read MoreThe 7th C: YL Staff Response
Last week there were several thoughtful responses to Drew Martin’s Guest Post “Questions We Need To Be Asking.” I thought they were valuable and should be shared in a post of their own.From Sean McGever, Area Director for YL in Phoenix, AZ and host of a fantastic website for Young Life Leaders,www.YLhelp.com Thanks for this…
Read MoreThe 7th C: European Perspective
This Guest Post comes from Ben Knox, a friend of YL and an American serving as a youth pastor in Madrid, Spain. Ben’s post is the fifth in “The 7th C” series focusing on the relationship between YL and the church. I believe wholeheartedly in the work of the Church, because she opens her arms…
Read MoreThe 7th C: The Electric Guitar
This Guest Post comes from Matt Proctor, a pastor and friend of YL. Matt is the lead pastor at Cornerstone Church, an Evangelical Free Church, in Marion, Iowa. He writes regularly onhis blogregarding spiritual health, the church, and ministry. This is the fourth post in our current series, “The 7th C,” exploring the relationship between…
Read MoreThe 7th C: Questions We Need To Be Asking
This Guest Post is is written by Drew Martin in Nashville, TN. Drew, a long time YL volunteer and staff spouse, has served as a pastor in NC for 5 years, and is currently working on a PhD in church history at Vanderbilt. This is the third post in our current series on YL &…
Read MoreThe 7th C: Helpful & Practical Tips
This Guest Post comes from David Carter, a Young Lifer turned Youth Pastor in Houston, Texas. This is the second guest post in a new blog series, “The 7th C.” How can YL & the local Church better partner together? Where I’m Coming From I grew up in the church and have never NOT known…
Read MoreThe 7th C: Discipleship OR Evangelism
This Guest Post comes from Johnny May, YL Area Director inSan Luis Obispo, CA.Johnny has been on the YL Staff for 10 years and comes from a YL family where his dad,brother, sister, and brother in-law all have been on staff. Johnny attended Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and could recite “Rendercella” from memory by…
Read MoreThe 7th C Series Begins TODAY
Today begins a new series on the YLLB, “The 7th C.” In this series we’ll explore the relationship between Young Life and the local church. How can YL and the Church better partner together?If you have thoughts you would like to share, please email YL1941 at gmail dot com. Guest Post submissions on this topic…
Read More15 Camp Essentials
Camp is much more fun if you pack the right stuff. Here’s a few things I’ve forgotten in the past, but want to make sure gets stuffed in the duffel bag this year. 15 Camp Packing List Essentials HeadlampYou know you look cool wearing it around, and on top of the cool points, its quite…
Read MoreBanquet Videos
Due to the nature of this post being video heavy, it probably will take a few seconds to load. Our area banquet is coming up next week. Last year we borrowed Colt Helton’s “Friday Night Lights” video idea. I’ve watched our area’s version of it 10+ times and still boo hoo like a teething baby.…
Read MoreThe 7th C
When explaining Young Life, many of us often use The Five C’s, which many staffers expand to the The Seven* C’s in banquet talks and parent meetings. 1. Christ* 2. Contact Work 3. Club 4. Camp 5. Campaigners 6. Committee 7. Church* Over the next week or so we’ll be taking a deeper look into…
Read MoreHappy 70th Birthday Young Life
On This Day in Young Life History October 16, 1941 A Guest Post from Kit Sublett As befits any organization which revolves around the school calendar, October has always been a busy month for Young Life. But as busy as you may be right now, I hope you’re not as busy as Jim Rayburn was…
Read MoreVintage Jim Rayburn
Some vintage footage of Jim Rayburn talking about Young Life.
Read MoreYour “Best Times” With Kids?
Woody Allen said that “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” While that is very true, there is also a lot of strategy to doing smart contact work. What are your “best times” with kids? Friday Afternoons This past Friday afternoon the bell rang as I was walking into the high school. My arrival…
Read More7 Sins Of Leading A Club Game
Here’s a humorous 2.5 minute video on how NOT to lead games from a youth ministry website called “The Source For Youth Ministry.” The Seven Sins Of Leading A Game:-Tell the crowd you’re going to play a game. -Forget your props. -Have leaders watch while kids play. -Take more than 30 secs to explain game.…
Read MoreHow To Give Announcements Kids Won’t Forget
Each week at YL clubs around the world, many leaders attempt to give “announcements” that are often quickly forgotten. Here’s a few ideas to help make your club announcements more memorable.WHENEnd Of ClubChoosing when you do your announcements is key. We have found the most effective time to be at the very end of club,…
Read MoreA Non-Negotiable In Young Life
Contact Work by Tom HammonIf there is a NON-NEGOTIABLE in Young Life (apart, obviously, from the absolute centrality of Christ), it is CONTACT WORK. Real contact work is hard…draws us to Christ…is lonely…is uncomfortable…costs in time and reputation…can be misunderstood…takes tremendous tenacity. Real contact work is not an occasional visit to the school…not hanging with…
Read More