Research into Resources
Ever had a great idea completely bomb? Ever scratch your head and wonder why it happened? The field of innovation theory reveals several insights for youth workers that just might make a difference in your next idea’s take-off rate.
Why do Black and Hispanic students who do well in school seem to lose friends? Reviewing recent social science research from Harvard, Dan gives us some interesting thoughts for reflection on race and education.
Who are the youth you consider developmentally “at risk” in your church or neighborhood? In contrast to the individualism that has guided most work with kids who are labeled this way, Jude Tiersma Watson offers an approach based on ecological development theory and a theological principle of belonging. These insights affect the way we view ministry with ANY kind of student.
Do you evaluate your ministry practices? Should you? How do you go about it? What kind of difference might these discoveries make to the way you’re doing ministry, or the way you will do ministry in the coming year? Mark Maines walks us through an analysis of ministry Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and teaches us how to use this model in our own church or organization
What makes a good networker? Was Jesus one? Here’s Part II of our series on new research in youth ministry networking.
Wondering what the long-term needs of adolescents are following traumatic events? Youth workers have the opportunity to integrate insights from both psychology and theology to address what may be happening in students’ lives.
Why is it that so many white suburban youth are so into hip hop culture? Dan Hodge explores author Bakari Kitwana’s insights into Black popular culture and its powerful influence on non-Black adolescents in his new book, Why White Kids Love Hip Hop.
How do changing world dynamics impact your leadership approach and strategies? If your answer is, “I have no idea!” take a look at these reflections from Tom Friedman’s The World is Flat as well as Vermeer Manufacturing C.E.O. Mary Andringa. You might be surprised!
Why do you do what you do in ministry? Check out these insights from Chap Clark and Kara Powell on the art of asking Macro-Questions in evaluating your youth ministry.
You’ve probably commented before that adolescence isn’t the same it used to be. Chap Clark helps identify the cultural changes, and reframes youth ministry in terms of thinking through a three-tiered adolescent journey.
