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Author Archives: Rebecca Rosko Murphy

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Summer Camp – It’s Not Just for Teens

By | July 20, 2011

As I sit here in the beautiful and peaceful mountains of North Georgia for the 7th summer in a row, I realize that there is one thing that I put on the calendar every year that’s as much for me as it is for the teens. And, that is our summer camp week at Covecrest. It’s a soul-changing, prayer-deepening, ministry reviving week for them and for me. Thanks to the hard work, energy and prayers of the amazing staff here, summer camp is great for teens and the adults who bring them.

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Keeping Youth Ministry Fun & Alive

By | August 12, 2010

One of the worst things I ever hear out of my teens mouths is when they, speaking about a teacher, class, event, etc. say, “It was sooooo boring.” It sends shudders down my spine, gets me sweating and thinking, “Ohmigosh, was Sunday’s Life Night boring?? Is that what they told their friends on Monday at school?”

Having a “boring” youth group is the fear of every youth minister who is planning and making decisions about youth group for the teens and not for themselves (Let’s be honest – what adult REALLY loves the messy, wet game night? We do that for THEM!). The question, then, is how do we keep our youth ministry fun and alive even on Sundays that are not a Minute-to-Win-It night?

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Burnout-shmurnout! How to Keep the Ministry Fires Burning

By | February 10, 2010

In April, I will celebrate my 7-year anniversary with our Life Teen program – two years as a Core Member and five as the youth minister. I had heard that the average life span of a youth minister in one place was pretty short. After some research, I found my answer – the typical rate of burnout for youth worker is a mere 18 months! I guess that means I am about 66 months overdue to suffer from “long-term exhaustion and diminished interest” in youth ministry! I am no legend in youth ministry.

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Dealing with Dating Drama in Your Life Teen Program

By | April 16, 2009

Dating… boyfriends, girlfriends, hookups and breakups. As a high school minister, it is all part of the scene. Teens are dating someone, wanting to date someone or trying to get out of dating someone (and sometimes it is all three at the same time). As we attempt to lead teens closer to Christ, we cannot ignore this enormous part of their lives. Spring is in the air! For the rest of the school year, you can bet some new relationships will begin sprouting. So, what do you do when young love

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Feeling Disappointed? Take More Time to Celebrate

By | June 2, 2008

Halfway through my 3rd year as a youth minister, I decided it was time to start XLT in our parish. Things started out really strong with a great musician, a great new associate pastor, and a decent number of teens. As we moved toward spring, however, attendance decreased and excuses increased from parents and teens alike. I felt annoyed and let down by the teens. I felt embarrassed in front of the staff and my peers. And, most of all, I felt like I was failing God (Maybe you’ve felt this way,