Using service projects as a way to unify youth (and other links)

Here are some links from around the ‘net from this past week! Lots of great stuff.

• A service project designed to cross denominational lines. (link is dead) A great article about using a service project as a way to unite students from different churches and denominations. What is it about service projects that unite people? Common goal? More focus on the mission?
• Save money by doing mission “trips” at home. This church decided to serve their community and save money by doing a mission trip at home.
• Youth ministry should be ministry BY youth, not just TO youth. We serve students with the hope that they “get it” and begin to serve others.
• The key ingredients to youth ministry. Josh Herndon emphasizes the importance of listening, parents, relationships, experimenting, and valuing students in the early stages of starting a youth ministry. “As a Shepherd of your flock, it’s your responsibility to cherish the students you have and not envy the ones you don’t.
• Busyness versus effectiveness in youth ministry. Jeremy Zach tackles the myth that busyness equals effectiveness, arguing that busyness can often lead to ineffectiveness.
• The importance of longevity in youth ministry. Too many youth workers aren’t in it for the long haul.
• How do you integrate students into the larger church body?
• Reaching out to the Gay-Lesbian-Bi-Transgender community in your town. I was privileged to attend Andrew Marin’s seminar last year at the National Youth Worker’s Convention in Sacramento. His heart for the gay community is amazing; you should check out his new blog. His ministry is a great resource for anyone who has students struggling with sexual identity or if your local high schools have a GLBT club, such as the Gay-Straight Alliance.
• Congratulations to Tim and Dana Schmoyer on their first child, Hannah!