May 2015 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

Diversity of Maturity in Middle School

Posted on: 05/26/15 11:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

A few weeks ago I talked with a group of middle school students about sex. As always, it was intriguing to notice the diversity of maturity around the room. I saw a 75 pound 6^th grade boy who looked like he was plucked straight off the elementary school playground, sitting next to an 8^th grade girl who looked like she was ready to leave for college next week.

How do you address a crowd with this kind of diversity in maturity? Continue reading “Diversity of Maturity in Middle School”

Posted in Sexuality, Youth Culture, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Recruiting Your Volunteer Dream Team

Posted on: 05/21/15 9:42 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Have you ever sat in church on a Sunday morning, looked around the room and coveted volunteers?

Okay, maybe it’s just me. I’ll notice a young couple I know sitting across the isle who are fun, relevant and on fire for God. All I can think of is…

“They’d be perfect youth ministry volunteers!
Middle schoolers would love these two!!!”

And then what do we usually do? We shake our head and say, “I wish they would sign up to help.”

And that is where we usually fail. Continue reading “Recruiting Your Volunteer Dream Team”

Posted in Leadership, Youth Ministry Philosophy | | Leave A Comment

A dad’s words giving away his daughter

Posted on: 05/19/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

This was powerful. Wow! I won’t mess it up by talking about it. Just watch this little YouTube clip of a dad’s words as he gave away his daughter in marriage:

I’m totally inspired for when I give away my daughters!

Posted in Marriage, Parenting | | Leave A Comment

Growing After Graduation

Posted on: 05/12/15 8:44 AM | by Jonathan McKee

growing-in-faith Remember all that hype about the 5%?

I think I heard it like this. “Do you know that only 5% of Christian students actually keep their faith when they graduate from high school?”

Really? 5%?

Someone said it once, printed it, and it became “research.” I’ve heard all kinds of numbers, some of them unbelievable, some of them from solid research and really sobering. But numbers aside, anyone who has worked in youth ministry for any length of time can attest to one undeniable truth: too many kids walk away from their faith, stop plugging in with other believers or stop attending church after high school.

So that begs the question, how do we help kids grow in their faith so they continue their faith journey, growing and fellowshipping after graduation? Continue reading “Growing After Graduation”

Posted in Church, Evangelism, Faith, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Developing Student Leaders

Posted on: 05/7/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

This week I received a great question in the form of a tweet, one I’ve been asked repeatedly about mentoring young people.

Youth pastor Brandon asked me about developing today’s student leaders. He finished reading my book, Ministry By Teenagers, and was challenged by my emphasis to provide an adult mentor for each student leader. His specific question was Continue reading “Developing Student Leaders”

Posted in Books, Leadership, Youth Ministry Philosophy, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Actually Reaching Kids Experiencing Same Sex Attraction

Posted on: 05/4/15 9:46 AM | by Jonathan McKee

“We have a girl in our youth group who has decided she is a lesbian…”

“I want to share what the Bible says about homosexuality, but I’m afraid it’s going to just build walls instead of breaking them down.”

“My son doesn’t want to believe in God if God is against gays.”

The subject of same-sex attraction is probably one of the biggest issues youth ministries and parents are dealing with today. If our kids Continue reading “Actually Reaching Kids Experiencing Same Sex Attraction”

Posted in Sexuality, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment