Burnout

Ask any youth worker, and most of them will tell you that they’re tired. In fact, working in youth ministry can often feel incompatible with establishing a healthy work-life balance. CEO of youth charity XLP Patrick Regan shares his own experiences of ‘running on empty’ and suggests ways to protect yourself – and those around you – from burning out.

Interrupting the chaos

Growing up in chaotic circumstances, unstable family environments and boundary-free worlds is the new normal for many teenagers today. Becca McGowan gives some practical advice for youth leaders working alongside young people in these contexts and offers hope for ways in which we can ‘interrupt the chaos’.

Starting something new

At some point in your youth work career you’re bound to find yourself starting something from nothing, be it a new youth congregation or a detached youth work project in a neighbouring area. Johanna Derry outlines some common threads which face those starting any ministry from scratch, and offers encouragement to keep pioneering wherever you are.

RESOURCES

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #1

Romans 9,10&11: Evangelism, by John Allan.

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #2

Romans 12: 1–8: Worship, by Sam Hargreaves.

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #3

Romans 12–14: Community, by Phoebe Thompson.

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #4

Romans 15&16: Help for the journey, by Loyd Harp.

READY-TO-USE MOVIE

Movie-based discussion resource by Tom Wade.

READY-TO-USE DISCUSSION

Discussion starter by Jamie Cutteridge.

READY-TO-USE MUSIC

Music-based discussion resource by Becky May.

READY-TO-USE STORYBOARD

A visual discussion prompt from illustrator Jason Ramasami.

READY-TO-USE GAMES AND ICEBREAKERS

Jimmy Young provides some ancient games.

READY-TO-USE SAINTS AND MARTYRS

Resource for youth workers using the lectionary.

SCHOOLSWORK

Two pages of schools work resources compiled by schoolswork.co.uk.

See past issues

Links from Oct 2012 issue

NOTES FOR ADAPTING:

AMG1

For younger groups…
Chapter 11 is difficult; they may need extra help in selecting correct answers. To keep interest, emphasise the competitive and limited-time elements of ‘In your own words’ and ‘Vital Link’, awarding good prizes for the best attempts.

For older groups…
Be careful the introductory discussion doesn’t take too long! Limit it deliberately, to allow time to examine what Romans actually says.

For unchurched young people…

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Why does God condone mass murder in the Old Testament?

Dear Prof, in the Old Testament there are lots of accounts of God condoning mass murders
and wiping out whole tribes of people. Doesn’t this contradict the Ten Commandments
and why does God suddenly change his mind about that in the New Testament?

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Burnout

Do you ever despair that being a youth worker is simply incompatible with a healthy work-life balance? CEO of urban youth charity XLP, Patrick Regan, shares his own experience of ‘running on empty’ and suggests ways to protect yourself - and those around you – from burning out.

• 
• Read more
• 1967 reads