The silver lining of no Spring Break

Posted on: 03/19/20 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

No gatherings over 1,000… wait, over 500… I mean, over 250. Make that 10.

Regardless the number, Spring Break has officially been cancelled for college students around the world. The question is… is this really a bad thing?

In the midst of the insanity, I stumbled across an interesting study about Spring Break… and how many hangovers young people might actually avoid this year Continue reading “The silver lining of no Spring Break”

CDC reveals a HUGE increase in teen/tween suicide since 2007

Posted on: 10/29/19 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

This morning I’m encouraging a group of young moms (at MOPS) to delay screen ownership and social media access with their kids…and the CDC just released an eye-opening report illustrating one of the compelling reasons why.

In the last two weeks I’ve spoken in 5 cities in 4 different states on the exact same subject…teens and screens. So let’s just say that this CDC report is very timely for me…as well as very distressing. The fact is, social media is Continue reading “CDC reveals a HUGE increase in teen/tween suicide since 2007”

The best weapon against school shootings

Posted on: 08/15/19 9:10 AM | by Jonathan McKee

When July came to a close there had been 22 school shootings to date in 2019, and that’s just school shootings. That doesn’t include Dayton, El Paso, Gilroy, Brooklyn, or Mississippi… all mass shootings in the last month. That’s over 2,000 mass shootings since Sandy hook, killing over 2,400, wounding over 9,000… leaving us wondering, are the only safe places in the US Wyoming and North Dakota?

Some people love to debate the cause behind the shootings. I chuckle at my wording: “the cause”… if it were only that simple.

When I was researching school shootings for my fiction book, Bystanders, Continue reading “The best weapon against school shootings”

Coming to TN, CO, OK, KS. . .and more

Posted on: 07/30/19 5:08 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Next week Lori and I take off to MO, then onto TN to speak (which we are super excited about. . .because our newly married baby girl Ashley lives there!)

Here’s a quick glimpse at my speaking calendar for the next few months, because anywhere you see “parenting workshop” it’s usually open to the public. (Or click here for my actual speaking calendar where you can click on these individual links)

Don’t see me in your city? Consider bringing me out.

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My sermon about battling anger

Posted on: 06/10/19 7:15 PM | by Jonathan McKee

What is the secret to battling anger?

That’s the sermon I preached this past weekend, Part II of a five week series I’m teaching about loving others… which is really about how we need to stay connected to Jesus so HIS strength flows through us (yes… king of like a Jedi!)

Last week my BIG IDEA was: When authentic faith saturates us, love leaks out.

Yesterday my BIG IDEA was: When I’m tempted to lose control, the answer isn’t self control… it’s taking the time to give HIM control. (I’ve posted an updated version on the TALKS/SERMONS page of TheSource4YM.com HERE.)

Next week my topic is Forgiveness… and I’m flirting with this for the BIG IDEA: Forgiveness is the key unlocking us from the torture-chamber of bitterness

The “Relationships” Talk

Posted on: 02/5/19 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Next week is Valentine’s Day, and that means young people are thinking of relationships, which is a happy thought for some… and a depressing thought for others. This is probably why so many youth ministries do their “sex and dating” teaching series this time of year or at least a talk on relationships.

So here’s a few resources to help you with these conversations:

  1. One of our writers wrote two brand new FREE Music Discussions using Ariana Grande’s song “Thank U Next.” The youth ministry discussion uses scripture and provides small group questions.
  2. The parents’ discussion also uses scripture and provides three questions you can ask your kids in the car, also free.
  3. And for those in youth ministry who want a talk with graphics and everything Continue reading “The “Relationships” Talk”

New Music Discussions, Super Bowl Quiz and More!

Posted on: 01/28/19 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Many of you have probably noticed that in the last 6 months we’ve been doing some serious revamping with our websites, TheSource4YM.com and TheSource4Parents.com …both are now not only mobile friendly and easier to navigate, but we’ve amped up the amount of new content we’re adding to each site!

What’s that mean for you?

If you’re a youth worker that means a new YOUTH MINISTRY HELP article literally every week- real world youth ministry tips and advice from guys on the front lines. And you’ve also noticed we’ve amped up the amount of MUSIC DISCUSSIONS (one new one per week) and YOUTUBE DISCUSSIONS, which all have small group discussions and scripture... and are FREE, of course Continue reading “New Music Discussions, Super Bowl Quiz and More!”

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Top Blog Posts of 2018

Posted on: 01/2/19 12:54 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Here are the top 10 blog posts of mine that you guys trafficked in 2018.

1. Gunning Your Kids Down

The No 1 trafficked post by far was “Gunning Your Kids Down”… my expose on violence in current music (including songs about gunning people down that went No. 1 during the Vegas shooting).

2. Mom, Is Justin Bieber a Christian?

Like my popular post, “Mom, is Chance the Rapper a Christian?” (Which, interesting side note, did you see what Chance posted on Insta last month? Fascinating.) This post provides you with questions to not rant or judge Justin’s imperfections, but dialogue about him in a helpful way Continue reading “Top Blog Posts of 2018”

Helping leaders reach LGBTQ youth

Posted on: 05/14/18 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Many of you have heard the buzz… I mentioned it in my blog once prior… I talked about it on Facebook… and now it’s official. It’s happening in California November 2nd and 3rd:

Sean, Greg and I have been hearing the same questions from pastors and youth workers over the last year:

“What do I say to the kids in my youth group who say they’re ‘pan’ and the student who identifies as a different gender?”

“How can I Continue reading “Helping leaders reach LGBTQ youth”