I’m Now a Part-Time Youth Minister

Last Updated November 17, 2011 by Matt 2 Comments

I’ve maintained blog silence for a little while because I knew a change in my job was imminent, but I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Effective October 1, my status as an employee at my church was reduced from full-time to 10 hours a week, at my request. Now that I’ve gained a […]

The Gospel According to Chopin

Last Updated June 29, 2011 by Matt 2 Comments

Earlier this month I was taking a seminary class at Luther Seminary with John Roberto of Lifelong Faith Associates. During one of the classes, he showed us what may be the best TED video I’ve ever seen. It could be titled, “The Gospel According to Chopin” (by the way, I am in no way a […]

10 Things I’ve Learned in 5 Years of Youth Ministry

Last Updated June 1, 2011 by Matt 13 Comments

Five years ago today I officially began my job as the Youth Director at Hope Lutheran Church, my first job after graduating from John Brown University in May 2006. I thought it would be helpful to reflect on what I learned over the past five years about myself, ministry, and my context. I reserve the […]

10 Things Youth Ministry Needs More

Last Updated August 19, 2015 by Matt 11 Comments

My last post on 10 Things Youth Ministry Needs Less generated a lot more discussion than I expected. The comments left on that post were quite insightful, so make sure to go back and read the 43 comments if you haven’t yet. But the point of my last post wasn’t to simply be a critic, […]

10 Things Youth Ministry Needs Less

Last Updated August 19, 2015 by Matt 54 Comments

There’s been some talk lately about the future of youth ministry. I’ve posted some of my thoughts before, but when I think about the future, there are certain things I’d like to see more and certain things I would like to see less. Up today, ten things I’d like to see less: Youth Ministers – […]

Why Do You Read My Blog?

Last Updated January 24, 2011 by Matt 10 Comments

If you are reading this post, I’m assuming you are one of the people who subscribes to my RSS feed, a loyal reader. As I am in the process of resurrecting the blog, I’m curious: Why do you read my blog? (After the last six months of non-blogging, it might be more appropriate to ask, […]

Quick Update

Last Updated January 17, 2011 by Matt 3 Comments

I’m working on moving my blog to a new host. Regularly scheduled programming may be interrupted until the process is over (which I think will be 24ish hours). Then on to blogging again.

Coming Out of Hibernation

Last Updated January 10, 2011 by Matt 4 Comments

Most animals go into hibernation during the winter, but I guess I am a different breed, blog-wise at least. The cold weather and dead grass keeps outdoor activities to a minimum, and the new year brings fresh perspective. So I think it is time to awaken (resurrect?) the blog for a season. More to come […]

Is Planning Anti-Missional?

Last Updated August 19, 2010 by Matt 6 Comments

Since this spring, when I found out that my wife’s job was going to keep us in the area for another 4 years, I’ve been thinking about what I want the next 4 years of ministry to look like. A little while back I put together a tentative scope and sequence chart that outlines the […]