Blog
You can also follow and comment on this blog through Wordpress: http://kmoserblog.wordpress.com/
This blog is designed for anyone who wants to think seriously about youth ministry. It is for: fulltime youth leaders, part time youth leaders, volunteers in youth ministry and those who are thinking about youth ministry in the future. The goal is for us to think practically and strategically, with our Bibles wide open. Remember, it is crucial that the word of God shapes our methods and not only our message in youth ministry.
- Do you need games and sport to have fun? Ken Moser | September 30, 2017 When people hear “we have chucked out sport or the silly games in our youth program” why do they hear we have also gotten rid of fun? Youth Programs
- Making the fun stuff Christian and the Christian stuff fun Part 3: Mixers that Mix! Ken Moser | November 23, 2015 Tips on how to make sure your mixers really mix. Youth Programs
- Fruit that helps vs. fruit that harms Ken Moser | September 15, 2015
- Making the Christian Stuff Fun and the Fun Stuff Christian Part 2: No Boffo the Clowns! Ken Moser | September 10, 2015 Here are six tips on leading a youth group meeting or activity well. Youth LeadershipYouth Programs
- Making the fun stuff Christian and the Christian stuff fun. Part I: The art of a great start Ken Moser | February 9, 2015 Making the fun stuff Christian and the Christian stuff fun. Part I: The art of a great start - Welcomes Youth Programs
- Youth group made easy! (Well, a bit easier) Ken Moser | September 9, 2014 Here are some tips on keeping things simple and effective for youth group with a list of �things you must do to make your year of youth group a bit easier:� Youth LeadershipYouth Programs
- Staying Healthy in Youth Ministry: Get Outta Here! Ken Moser | June 11, 2014 Taking time out will keep you refreshed and in ministry for the long term...here are some tips on how to make it happen. Youth Leadership
- Staying Healthy in Youth Ministry: Get Some Sleep! Ken Moser | April 21, 2014 Rule 1: Run a ministry that fires you up rather than wears you out Rule 2: God is in control don"t be a control freak Rule 3: Work for a good boss Rule 4: Get some sleep Youth Leadership
- Staying Healthy in Youth Ministry: Work for a good boss Ken Moser | March 24, 2014 Rule 1: Run a ministry that fires you up rather than wears you out Rule 2: God is in control�don�t be a control freak Rule 3: Work for a good boss Youth Leadership
- Staying Healthy in Youth Ministry: God is in control! Ken Moser | March 17, 2014 Ministry is exhausting. It can crush your bones, numb your mind and suck every ounce of emotional energy from your spirit. For this reason we need to work in light of the truth that God is in control. Youth Leadership
- Staying Healthy in Youth Ministry Part 1: Run a Ministry that Fires Up Rather than Wears You Out! Ken Moser | February 28, 2014 Youth Leadership
- Starting Out 4: If you want to end up with a temple, don’t begin with a beach house! Ken Moser | November 25, 2013
- Getting males to show up! Ken Moser | November 23, 2013 Many youth groups struggle with a similar problem - little or no guy youth group members. Here are seven things you can think through towards solving this problem. Youth EvangelismYouth Leadership
- Starting Out (Part 3): It is easier to float with the iceberg than to prop it up Ken Moser | November 8, 2013 A simple principle for running an effective youth ministry. Youth EvangelismYouth LeadershipYouth Programs
- Starting Out (Part 2) Ken Moser | September 30, 2013 When starting out in youth ministry, relationships are everything. Here are some tips and questions to get you started in getting to know the people you will be involved with. Youth Leadership
- Starting Out: 1st thoughts! Ken Moser | September 3, 2013 For many of us youth group starts back this week. Here are a couple of thoughts for those starting out for the first time. Youth Leadership
- Rethinking Summer Camp Part V: Attracting and Keeping Camp Staff! Ken Moser | August 15, 2013 Here is an email that I get far too often: "Ken, I"m hoping that you can help me. I run a summer camp called _______(fill in name) and I am in need for camp staff. In fact, we may have to cancel some of our camps if we do not get more volunteers. I could possibly take on some nonChristians to help out but I"d really rather not. Any suggestions?" Youth Leadership
- Rethinking Summer Camp Part IV: Following up your campers! Ken Moser | August 9, 2013 How do you make sure that the young people who come to your summer camp persevere in the faith long after camp is over? Here are some practical suggestions. Youth Evangelism
- Rethinking Summer Camp Part III: Getting the most out of it part 1! Ken Moser | July 10, 2013 How do we promote our camps? and, what do we do when we get there? Let"s make sure that we clear about the Christian message and actively promoting it in our program. Youth Evangelism
- Thinking About Summer Camp Part II: Who is summer camp for? Ken Moser | June 27, 2013 With this in mind, it is crucial that we think critically and carefully about summer camp. Let’s tackle one of the questions I raised a few weeks back—who do we aim to attract to our camp? Here is my answer: Youth EvangelismYouth Programs
- Summer Camps Part II: Who is summer camp for? Ken Moser | June 27, 2013
- Rethinking Summer Camp (Part I) Ken Moser | May 15, 2013 The good news is that summer is just around the corner. When you look at my backyard and the wall of snow that forbids me from seeing my backyard, you realize that this is good news. With summer comes… summer camps! For many kids this is great news. Summer camp= horses, rope courses, rifles and water sports. Oh yeah, it also includes connecting with Jesus (or, for many, reconnecting with Jesus). Youth LeadershipYouth Programs
- Baseball caps, cranky old men and good youth ministry Ken Moser | March 21, 2013 We must work, with all our effort, to produce youth who understand what it means to follow Jesus, by grace through faith. Youth Leadership
- Developing Leaders Part Deux (that"s a fancy way of saying "two"!) Ken Moser | March 11, 2013 Finding and developing leaders is a primary task of youth ministry. Here are 3 key areas that you need to consider in this task. Youth Leadership
- Strong leaders...Strong youth group Ken Moser | February 4, 2013 A youth ministry is only as strong as its leaders. Here are some big picture thoughts and guidelines on how to start developing a leadership team. Youth Leadership
- Time for a rest Ken Moser | November 30, 2012 Those who want to be effective in youth ministry - and not just for the here and now but for the long haul - MUST commit to taking a day off every week. Youth Leadership
- Rotational youth group programs...is there a better option? Ken Moser | November 7, 2012 A common youth group strategy these days is to rotate the youth group program on a cycle of one week Bible study, one week games night, one week service project etc. etc. Is this a helpful pattern or is there a better option? Youth Programs
- Play to your strengths Ken Moser | November 2, 2012 God has gifted each of us in various ways in order to build up God"s people. As we use those God-given gifts we will enjoy ministering in the way God has equipped us to minister. Youth Leadership
- Memories or maturity? Ken Moser | October 22, 2012 What are we aiming for in youth ministry? Positive memories or something more? What kind of results will we be satisfied with? We will also look at what the Apostle Paul considered worthy of remembering. Youth Programs
- Youth group fruit—judging correctly in youth ministry Ken Moser | October 10, 2012
- The best way to grow is to keep what you"ve got! Ken Moser | October 10, 2012 This is a simple formula for effective growth in your youth ministry - focus on those things that will help keep the young people you already have. If we can retain what we"ve got, numerical growth will naturally follow. Youth Programs
- Filling the hole to bring the whole Ken Moser | October 1, 2012 How do we deal with the big issues facing youth people today, especially those considered "at risk" youth? Youth ministry can have an invaluable part to play in this if we address the real need in people"s lives. Bible StudiesYouth EvangelismYouth Programs
- Youth group "plums"— correctly assessing the fruit of your youth ministry Ken Moser | September 17, 2012 So, let’s talk a bit about fruit in youth ministry. Many of us, certainly those who are a bit older, have grown up with the thinking that “numbers are the sign of successful youth ministry”. My guess is many of you have moved on from this specious thinking (specious = shallow). It is not the number of plums that makes the tree (although it would be great to have zillions of them); it is the taste and excellence of the plum that matters. My guess is you’d rather have fewer tasty plums than lots of inedible ones. Youth Programs
- Why "seeking the wisdom of the children" may not be such a wise idea. Ken Moser | September 4, 2012 It is common practice to ask the children" what they want to do in youth group. However Youth LeadershipYouth Programs
- Is Going Away for a College Degree Such a Good Idea? Ken Moser | August 16, 2012 Many young people move away from their hometown for college at a very young age. Statistics are clearly showing that in many cases this has had a devastating effect of the spiritual health of young people. Maybe the Christian community needs to consider some alternatives. Youth Leadership
- Is "Play" an appropriate apologetic in today"s play-filled culture? (Or, why do we say one thing yet program another?) Ken Moser | May 14, 2012 While most writers, speakers and trainers speak about the need to do away with entertainment and focus on discipleship - how many are actually doing it? Youth Programs
- Promoting the right choices Part III Ken Moser | April 16, 2012 What are the right choices a young person must make that blesses the members of their youth group, the non-Christian friends of the youth group AND ultimately the young person him/herself? Youth EvangelismYouth LeadershipYouth Programs
- Asking the right questions Ken Moser | March 28, 2012 Are there some questions that we need to aim toward youth ministry practices that just might keep us from an unnecessary purchase? I think so. Youth Programs
- Promoting the right choices in a world of options Part II Ken Moser | March 19, 2012 We will now consider how the option of attending more than one youth group can have a negative impact on fellowship in both the short-term and the long-term. Youth Leadership
- Promoting the right choices in a world of options Ken Moser | March 1, 2012 The world of the young person presents an over abundance of options. As youth leaders we need consider how to help young people to make the best choices, especially with the issue of busyness and Christian fellowship. Youth Leadership
- The Difficulties of Being a Volunteer Youth Leader Ken Moser | February 23, 2012 Youth ministry is hard work. But the volunteer really has their work cut out for them. Youth Leadership
- Teaching the Bible is like teaching yer kids to go huntin"! Ken Moser | February 10, 2012 Sometimes it is hard work to get young people to participate in family devotions and/or youth Bible study. Questions are met with unintelligible grunts or blank looks. However, maybe we have been going about it the wrong way. Bible Studies
- Just showing up vs. godliness in action Ken Moser | January 31, 2012 Discipleship is at the top of all our lists when it comes to our goals for ministry. It sits right next to its brother, evangelism. We all want to see young people discipled—we want them to be strong, passionate followers of Jesus who are equipped to take on the changes and chances of this fleeting world. But, do we really do it? Bible Studies
- Thoughts on Discipleship Part 1: Don"t hang with kids, equip them to follow. Ken Moser | January 18, 2012 Making disciples is a command from Jesus. We all tend to agree that it is important but we seemed to have dropped the ball when it comes to helping converts actually follow the one they have been converted to. Here is some wisdom gleaned from the book by BIll Hull: The Complete Book of Discipleship. Youth Leadership
- The Well is dry, the pool is gone. Ken Moser | December 1, 2011 Our culture is no longer dominated by Christianity. The goodwill we once received from society is no longer there. The end result is that there is less support for the Christian youth event therefore we must re-think our view of success"." Youth Evangelism
- Thoughts on Evangelism Part 1: What Would Gretzky Do? Ken Moser | November 17, 2011 How do we attract young people to our youth programs? Let"s stop and consider what a non-christian group would do to attract youth to their activities. Youth Evangelism
- Change is a comin" part 2 Ken Moser | November 10, 2011 As we see the Attractional models of ministry diminish we need to ask ourselves, how are we to be attractive to a world full of attractive options? Youth EvangelismYouth Programs
- Change is a comin" Ken Moser | October 19, 2011 There seems to be a general agreement emerging that the old way of doing youth ministry is not working. The trouble is we are so entrenched in the old way we cannot conceive of a new way. Furthermore, we have not been taught any other way to do things. Youth LeadershipYouth Programs
- What is "successful" youth ministry? Ken Moser | September 20, 2011 There’s a question for you—what exactly is successful youth ministry? What are we aiming to do and what will we be satisfied with in our youth programs? Is it crowds? Fun? Pleasing parents? Having youth in church? Youth Leadership
- Get into the word, not into the theme. Ken Moser | September 15, 2011 When we call our small groups Bible study" groups Bible Studies
- What exactly is a “Biblical Youth Ministry”? Ken Moser | September 9, 2011 It is important to realize that a youth ministry that wants to see itself as ‘Biblical’ must be a group that seeks not only to understand the word of God, but to live it out as well. And, do this corporately. Youth Programs
- The Aim of Good Youth Ministry Ken Moser | August 27, 2011 What do we think the goal of good ministry is? What changes do we have to make to make it into a better ministry? Think about it Youth Programs