September 2018 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

Are games actually effective in youth ministry?

Posted on: 09/25/18 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s an interesting question, coming from a guy who has over 1000 free game ideas for youth workers on the brand new TheSource4YM.com

But honestly… that’s why I asked the question. Because our GAMES & ICEBREAKERS page is our most hit page on the website, and I want to make sure that youth ministries aren’t “just playing games”… I’m hoping that games serve as a springboard to meaningful conversation.

That’s why on our newly revamped website (have you seen it… it’s literally only been up a few days now), I put our newest FREE TRAINING VIDEO, a YouTube video titled, “Are Games Effective in Youth Ministry” right there on the side bar in hopes that visitors to our page will click and be challenged by what I ask them: Continue reading “Are games actually effective in youth ministry?”

Posted in Youth Ministry Philosophy | Tags: DYM, TheSource4YM.com, youth ministry games | Leave A Comment

Teens & Social Media 2018

Posted on: 09/17/18 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Common Sense Media just came out with their brand new report about teens and social media revealing exactly how many teens now have smartphones (89%), their favorite apps (Snapchat), their feelings about how social media makes them feel (they’re fooling themselves) … here’s their infographic with the highlights: Continue reading “Teens & Social Media 2018”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, News, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: common sense media, social media, teens | Leave A Comment

Talking with teens about how they treat others

Posted on: 09/11/18 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

The same group of young people watches a boy get pushed around by a bully in gym class almost every day…

and they do nothing.

They merely “stand by.”

Some chuckle, some shake their heads. But no one does anything.

Are “bystanders” any better than the bully?

Ask the kid who is being harassed every day. Continue reading “Talking with teens about how they treat others”

Posted in Books, Bullying/Cyberbullying, Discussion Ideas | Tags: anti-bullying, bullying, bullying curriculum, Bystanders, cyberbullying | Leave A Comment

Your response to 4-years-in-a-row of STD’s at a record high

Posted on: 09/6/18 2:34 PM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s not just some alarmist headline—the CDC issued a press release Monday revealing the fourth consecutive year of sharp increases in chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in the U.S.

Are we listening yet?

Last year the country heard this warning and was surprised at the news of STDs at a record high… again. The year prior we heard the warning and many thought it was a fluke thing… I stated my own theories as to why this was no surprise.

It wasn’t a fluke thing. It’s still on the rise. In fact… Continue reading “Your response to 4-years-in-a-row of STD’s at a record high”

Posted in Jonathan's Rant, Sexuality, Youth Culture | Tags: abstinence, CDC, Chlamydia, condoms, sex, std | Leave A Comment