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[This article is part of a youth ministry series we have been writing about for years. Click the link to check out all of the other articles we have here.]

The role of youth ministry has had many different flavors across the years, from pulling youth out of main service to reach an age-appropriate sermon for youth, to having a strong evangelism message as many youth have not yet made a commitment to Christ, and the age old debate between should we model youth ministry after the adult service or is games, goofiness, and fun an important part of service to attract teenagers who may not otherwise come to youth group. What youth ministry has always been is helping young people encounter Christ, build meaningful relationships, and develop a faith that endures into adulthood.

Yet many teenagers walk into church carrying invisible wounds. Some have experienced abuse, neglect, family conflict, community violence, bullying, loss, or other traumatic experiences. These experiences often shape how they relate to adults, participate in groups, and respond to spiritual conversations. And they are hidden behind masks of smiles or indifference that make it hard to identify anything has been going on in the first place.

[Read more…] about Creating a Trauma-Informed Youth Ministry

In recent years, the Church has begun to rediscover a truth that Scripture has always made clear: the body of Christ is incomplete when any of its members are absent or unseen (1 Corinthians 12). Accessible Church by Sandra Peoples is a timely, deeply pastoral, and profoundly practical resource that helps churches move from good intentions to meaningful inclusion.

As a Christian counselor working with pastors and congregations, I find this book to be one of the most clinically aware and theologically grounded resources currently available on disability and the Church.

[Read more…] about Accessible Church [Book Review]

For many Christians, the phrase self-care still feels uncomfortable. It can sound selfish, indulgent, or even unspiritual. Yet Scripture consistently points us toward stewardship of our bodies, our minds, our relationships, and our walk with God. Caring for ourselves is not about replacing faith with feelings, it is about sustaining the people God has called us to be.

[Read more…] about 10 Self-Care Techniques Christians Can Do Today

Across congregations today, pastors and Christian counselors are increasingly encountering stories shaped by trauma through abuse, loss, betrayal, addiction, church hurt, and chronic stress. While the language of trauma-informed care often comes from clinical settings, the heart of a trauma-informed church is deeply biblical. At its core, it reflects God’s compassion, patience, and redemptive presence among His wounded people.

[Read more…] about Building a Trauma-Informed Church: A Biblical Call for Pastors and Christian Counselors

Marriage is a beautiful celebration of when two lives come together in a holy covenant to each other before God, a symbol of Christ’s love for the Church. I remember sitting in numerous pews as my father who was a Baptist preacher would perform the ceremony. As I got older, I joined friends at their weddings and then our own children were invited to be ring bearers and a flower girl. Unfortunately, because of our sin filled world, we do not live in this beautify time every day of our marriage and for some it becomes a strain, to the point of contention and even divorce.

[Read more…] about When Your Marriage Is On The Rocks

Happy Thanksgiving to our United States friends and around the world!

With the holiday being here, it provides an opportune moment to reflect not only on gratitude and family but also on our faith and mental health. For many, the Christian faith becomes the source of solace and strength amid life’s challenges. Thanksgiving, rooted in the Christian tradition, encourages believers to express gratitude for God’s blessings, fostering a mindset that can positively impact mental well-being.

[Read more…] about Harvesting Gratitude: 10 Social Media Posts About Mental Health and Giving Thanks