VY Blog

Written by vineyard youth workers,

for vineyard youth workers.

Are You The Bottleneck?

Are You The Bottleneck?

What is your preferred method for extracting Ketchup from the glass bottle? You know what I'm talking about? Do you hit the bottom of it? Shake it? Slap the side? Stick a knife into it and coax the Ketchup out? Honestly, one of the most infuriating parts of eating out...

Everyone Needs a Don

Everyone Needs a Don

Even though I am too young to have watched this show myself, I know that the Lone Ranger was full of it. First, being a lone ranger is dumb. Second, the dude was a liar… He wasn’t “Lone,” he had that guy Tonto to help him out. If even the Lone Ranger couldn’t do the...

The Liturgical Calendar: Party Planning with Jesus

The Liturgical Calendar: Party Planning with Jesus

Every now and then I have a great idea thwarted by an even better idea. This is a big moment for me, because I don’t typically have that many ideas in the first place, so to have two ideas battle for supremacy in the arena of my mind is a rather unique experience....

What Feeds You?

What Feeds You?

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege to speak at the opening session of the East Regional Youth Leaders retreat. I love speaking, but more than that I love the opportunity to get to know people and have genuine 1-on-1 conversations with them. Often times, I am...

Grateful For My Teens

Grateful For My Teens

We began youth ministry when we were in our early twenties. With a few years of marriage under our belt, we were looking forward to “changing our city” and “loving youth to Jesus.” We led through having all three of our babies, Aaron going back to school and starting...

E.G.R. teens got you frustrated?

E.G.R. teens got you frustrated?

Hard times are expected in life and ministry and loving those that challenge us can be hard, but hard doesn’t need to be defined as bad. Youth don’t expect bumper sticker platitudes or cheerleaders every week. They are looking to be seen. If youth ministry is simply...

A Roadmap For Raising Student Worshipers

A Roadmap For Raising Student Worshipers

DOWNLOAD WORSHIP ROADMAP As a movement, the Vineyard values training and discipling leaders well. We believe that this applies to students as much as anyone; everybody gets to play, right? In the midst of the ever-present transition that comes with student ministries,...

Where is God in All This Pain?

Where is God in All This Pain?

I listen to an online radio app called Spotify while I’m at work. Today (October 3rd) I noticed that sandwiched between Miley Cyrus’ new album and the “On Fleek” playlist was a new playlist dedicated to the victims of the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas - the...