Did you know that churches in the United States alone order millions of t-shirts every year? According to recent statistics from the National Church Goods Association, an estimated 50 million t-shirts are ordered by churches annually. That's a significant number, considering the potential impact these shirts can have on our volunteers and the communities we serve. It's time for us to think more strategically about the t-shirts we order.
Read MoreMy small group of girls just recently graduated eighth grade and moved up to the high school ministry at our church.
For the last six months of their eighth grade year, my girls stopped showing up to our small group gathering.
Read MoreThe reality is that while a shift in friends can be a great thing for your middle schooler, it can also come with a lot of reasons to worry. But because they’re in a season of so much change, new friends are bound to come and go. So, here are three important things to remember when helping your middle schoolers navigate friendships.
Read MoreThe middle school phase can be an interesting one when it comes to serving. Even though middle schoolers have a reputation for being incredibly self-absorbed (which they definitely can be at times), they also are extremely cause-driven. They want to make a difference in the world. They just need someone to show them how and give them an opportunity to try.
Read MoreIn today’s episode, we chat with Ashley Bohinc. She is the Director of Middle School Strategy at Orange, Speaker, and Executive Director of Carry117. She candidly and courageously discussed what it is like to be single and in ministry and encourage those on staff at churches on how to love, lead, and care for their single brothers and sisters.
Read MoreIf the last year has taught us anything, it’s this: If we want teenagers to have a real, personal faith, then they must participate in their faith outside our programming.
After all, programming isn’t guaranteed. We won’t always be with them, and if we want the generation entrusted to us to have a vibrant, personal faith after they leave our doors, we have to help them find an everyday faith while they’re with us.
Read MoreOne of the best ways I’ve found to proactively partner with parents on a topic like this is by hosting what I call a Parent Preview Night.
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Middle schoolers know how to celebrate. They’ll hand out high fives for the best dance move, body slam one another at the end of a game, and post a soliloquy on the Gram (or TikTok) in honor of a best friend’s birthday.
As a leader, you can make sure to take time to remember the moment a middle schooler chooses to place their faith in Jesus, to own their faith. After all, what could be more worthy of celebration?
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Youth pastors have a lot of jobs already—and COVID-19 added one (or five) more.
Such as Digital Innovation Expert. Or . . . Director of Zoom Calls. Something like that.
That’s why, here at Orange, we’ve been loving conversations with really smart ministry leaders—people like you who have already pioneered some innovative solutions to help youth ministries connect digitally.
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