Ministry is beautiful, but it’s also brutal. It’s a calling filled with joy, heartbreak, growth, and grit. Over the years, I’ve learned some hard truths—lessons that didn’t come from a textbook or a c...  Read More

There was a time early in my ministry journey when I completely misunderstood the role of an enemy. I thought enemies were distractions, irritations, or spiritual potholes to avoid at all costs. I pra...  Read More

There have been stages in my life, when I have been asked to go on when I have felt completely physically and emotionally drained and I have wondered how I possibly could. It was during those times th...  Read More

If you’ve been around ministry for more than five minutes, you’ve probably noticed something: the church world today is overflowing with leaders who function like CEOs. Slick. Strategic. Vision‑driven...  Read More

To say excitement was in the air in anticipation of our first year students coming in, a new group in my Prevail Women's ministry, the Cadre, or traveling to meet another group of amazing pastors woul...  Read More

Because I have these breathtaking people around me and I never want them to feel like I'm not carrying my own weight, one of my most mammoth mind games and one of the biggest challenges I face is lear...  Read More

I recently received an email from a member of my Cadre who was wondering, "Am I asking the right questions?" Sadly, not too many people pause to ask those kinds of questions.Though the word-game has b...  Read More

Great executives know how to do one thing well – surround themselves with amazing individuals. The president chooses his cabinet wisely, a CEO carefully selects his staff, and a pastor must handpick s...  Read More

In Cadre emails, I'm frequently asked to share some of my tips on developing a great leadership team. I thought you might enjoy hearing a few too. While some of the points may not sound too "glamorous...  Read More

Someone once privately asked me an interesting question. "How do you build something in youth ministry that will really last, Jeanne?" the guy said quietly. The intensity behind his voice and the seri...  Read More

Regardless of where we stand in the pecking order at home, at work, or at the church, we all serve someone. Many of us in ministry submit to a senior pastor or if you're a volunteer you might look up ...  Read More

When you first move to a new town, how do you find out where all the teenagers are "hanging out"? When was the last time you privately invited a small group of students to help you brainstorm or launc...  Read More

Does your ministry need a shot in the arm? Here are a few simple steps you can use to generate or re-generate excitement about your ministry.1. Have one leadership meeting that you build to fan passio...  Read More

If I could give only one gift to the ministry leaders of today, it would be a fresh dose of passion for the calling we are privileged to live out. It was once said, "The worst bankruptcy in the world ...  Read More

On a cold December night, I said farewell to the youth ministry I'd led for 13 incredible years in Rockford, Illinois. On my last night at the church, the team members I was leaving behind organized a...  Read More

Have you ever felt the sense of being helpless? You know, you don’t have enough emotional energy to go anywhere or do one more thing. All your normal motivation and your coping skills are letting you ...  Read More

Want to take a guess at the excuse I've heard most often by teenagers who stop attending local youth meetings? It's two simple words: “It's boring!"Granted, youth leaders aren't going to keep up with ...  Read More

It's the secret, unspoken fear of many of youth ministry's finest and most experienced leaders...they are concerned that they are getting "too old." Since I myself am a part of the Baby Boomer crowd w...  Read More

Contrary to popular belief, staying up all night with teenagers, jumping on trampolines, driving bumper cars, playing basketball with a raw turkey, and chasing pigs no longer entice me. Yes, as you la...  Read More

Most churches are not large enough to have separate ministries for their youth so they have the challenge of creating harmony in a group of energetic junior highers, high school students and sometimes...  Read More

If you have been around me for any length of time, then you know that I am a woman on a mission to leave a legacy that honors Christ. So let me take a few minutes and share with you 6 thoughts on what...  Read More

"I can live for two months on one good compliment." – Mark TwainWe live in a pretty ungrateful society. From your boss, to the parents you try to please, to the students you love, rarely will you ever...  Read More

You know you're a success when you fight to remain a voice, not an echo.There are many echoes in youth ministry...people who merely mimic the culture's values rather than fight to be a distinct voice ...  Read More

You know you're a success when you've been in one place long enough to have "remember when" stories.Persistence is the greatest revenge on hell. In our dysfunctional society, where complete family uni...  Read More