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Are you an indispensable youth worker?
Seth Godin is one of those provocateurs that youth workers should read. His blog is the most widely read business blog for a reason, mostly because it rejects the impulse to preserve the status quo. He operates under the assumption that everyone is — or at least can be — a leader, artist, marketer, and…
Read MoreStart and Develop A Movement, Not a Youth Ministry – Part 1
This is part 1 of 3 in a series from Maina Mwaura. John 1:38: Jesus looked around and saw them following, “What do you want?” he asked them. Usually when one thinks of the term “movement” they probably think of some of the great movements in history: the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Suffrage Movement…
Read MoreWhat’s Your Ministry’s X-Factor?
Today UYWI welcomes new blogger, Lee Wilson, to our writing team. Lee Wilson has been communicating to young people for over two decades. Lee is the founder of Lee Wilson Ministries, which focuses on providing necessary resources and tools to help build youth ministries in the local church. Currently, Lee is serving as the director…
Read MoreHow Do I Keep My Marriage and Family?
This is a question that many ministry leaders are starting to ask themselves more and more. In a culture where more than 50 percent of marriages are falling to divorce ministry leaders need to know that they are not immune to this topic. In this final series of “How Do I…” I want to you…
Read MoreIn Plain Sight: Youth Ministry Resource Lessons from Dr. Ben Carson
Dr. Ben Carson is one of my heroes. Partly because he was the first black man to lead Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Partly because of his groundbreaking medical achievements, including being the first doctor to successfully separate siamese twins conjoined at the head. Partly because he is what I as an urban…
Read MoreHow Do I Stay “Fresh” In Ministry?
Though Webster’s dictionary has several references to the word fresh, the one that stands out for me is: Fresh – with restored energy. I think many of us enter urban ministry with energy and excitement only to find ourselves (after a few months) wondering if God has truly called us to the assignment at…
Read MoreNothing Like Thank You from a Former Student
This morning I had a pleasant surprise when my FaceBook newsfeed included this Note from a former student. Community Pledge I remember being 15 years old when I first recited this pledge to the instructors at Xcel. Today, this community pledge still remains part of the foundation of who I am and the values I strive…
Read MoreStart With “Why?” Before “How Do I?”
Maina Mwaura serves as the Student Pastor at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. He is a graduate of Liberty University and New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary. When Maina is not hanging out with his students you can find him spending time with his wife Tiffiney. It seems like there is a manual for…
Read MoreWebinar Sept 27: Larry Acosta / Leading Beyond Fumes
Our new premium resources program, THE WELL has launched, and we’re kicking it off with a live webinar with Larry Acosta. Leading Beyond Fumes: You – Better, Healthier, Stronger Tue, Sept 27, 2011. 11am Pacific / 2pm Eastern Why do I feel so overwhelmed, depleted and ineffective at balancing family, life and ministry? Your…
Read MoreHow to View the Urban Culture – Part 2
by Maina Mwaura This is Part 2 of a series started here. According to George Barna’s latest book Futurecast, there are three types of people when it comes to the future: those who will watch what happens, those who will make it happen, and those who will wonder what happened. Which will you be? I…
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