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Paul Turner

I've been working with teenagers for over 30 years and coaching youth workers for over 20 yrs. Sign up for my weekly newsletter the Youth Ministry Round Up for encouragement, articles and videos to help you build a successful youth ministry.

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Youth Ministry Round Up #229

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, "To improve, compare little things. To be miserable, compare big things." - James Clear Have you ever been caught in the comparison trap? I have, and it smarts. This quote from James Clear frames, perfectly, what we should and should not be comparing. What's the difference between little things and big things for youth pastors? Little things youth group check in strategies social media tactics preaching technique Big things size of...
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This NBA Player Puts The Bible First

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Hey Awesome Person, Overrate This! Tyrese Haliburton. If you're not familiar with this name, your basketball loving students will be and he puts the Bible first. In April, I saw a story where, as NBC news reports, about Tyrese Haliburton, point guard of the Indiana Pacers, "Of the 90 players who voted for most overrated in The Athletic's poll, 14.4 percent chose Tyrese Haliburton, or about 13 players overall in a league of 450." Tyrese has led the Pacers to...
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Youth Ministry Round Up #228

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17,18 Do not let your heart envy sinners The head coach of the LA Chargers, Jim Harbaugh is famous for quoting his dad when we asks his team, "Who's go it better than us?" and the team responds, "Noooo Body!" Solomon is telling his son, don't envy sinners, no matter...
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Youth Ministry Round Up #227

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, I watched a video from Matthew Kelly and he offers some compelling questions worth asking before the year is over. Who and what are you most grateful for so far this this? What have you accomplished so far this year? What have been your biggest distractions? What personal quality is most preventing you from accomplishing what you yearn to accomplish and becoming the person you yearn to be? Whom have you helped more than anybody else...
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Youth Ministry Round Up #226

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, If you do camp, let me offer you a few quick best practices about discipline The first best practice is to make sure that the right kids are on this trip. As much as you want every kid to come, every kid might not be ready for sleep away camp. I broke this rule but this was my process to help both the kid, the parent and myself. This was all in a 24-48 hour period. First offense: A warning call to the parent (just me) "Hey Mrs. X,...
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Youth Ministry Round Up #225

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, If you're looking for a graduation song to put with that slide show or video for your graduation service, here are my choices. Keep in mind, not all of these songs may be appropriate for during your church service, but better for youth meeting, so be sure to listen to the whole song, read the lyrics and pray about which song will make the best statement to your students, families and congregation. That’s Who I Praise – Brandon Lake...
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New Podcast: Hot Takes and Holy Talk

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Hello Awesome Person, I just launched a brand new podcast and I'd love for you to check it out. I have thoughts on media and how Christians approach it/use it and with no where to put these thoughts, I started a new show on my Youth Ministry in Motion Podcast. Every Tuesday I will look at some piece of media be it a movie, song or book where I think Christians are overreacting or under-reacting and if there is a lesson to be learned. But I won’t just be...
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Youth Ministry Round Up #224

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, If I know anything I know camp. If you do youth camp, can I encourage you to start praying now. Here's a few prompts to get you going. The Campers Pray for the kids who are going, should go and can't go. The Camp Speaker Pray that the speaker speaks truth and doesn't outshine Jesus. The Parents Pray for homes to receive these changed kids and through them, change their homes. The Follow Up The last altar call is not the end. The end...
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Feeling Stuck Planning Summer? Let’s Fix That — Join Me Live!

WEBSITE SHOP PODCAST YOUTUBE BLOG Greetings Awesome Person, I’m going live on YouTube today at 11:30 AM (Central Time), and I’d love for you to join me! I'll be answering your questions about graduation season, summer camp prep, and summer planning — all the things that can make (or break) your ministry’s momentum heading into summer. Whether you’re wrapping up a crazy school year or feeling the pressure of camp logistics, this is your chance to get real-time answers and fresh ideas. Here’s...
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