I was a young boy when the circus visited our small town. Our family loaded up the Fleetwood station wagon and went to the big show. From food carts and clowns to endless contest booths, I have two distinct memories that remain. First, my older brother, sister, and I were each given a white cardboard […]
For the past ten years, I have heard whispers questioning the validity of summer youth camp. As the whispers turned more frequently into questioning voices from passionate youth ministers, I felt a need to weigh-in on the subject. Camp or no camp? Unquestionably, all student ministry programming should be held to honest evaluation and scrutiny. […]
If you have been around youth ministry very long then you have observed how some student ministries seem to grow wide but have little to show for it when it comes to growing deeply devoted followers of Christ. On the other hand, you may have noticed that some youth ministries grow spiritual roots deeper than […]
What is it that makes some youth ministries more successful than others? Why do some stagnate, decline or fail while others grow healthy and numerically? Is there a collection of habits that successful or exceptional student ministers practice? In our survey and interviews we have found ten practices that stand out as doable and adaptable […]
How much of it do you have? According to The World Health Organization the United States ranks 36th in Life Expectancy out of 193 countries. This means the average male in the US can expect to live 78.3 years while females can expect to outlast their male counterparts to age 81.3. By contrast the average […]
According to Ken Kaegler’s study of Youth Leaders who were fired or burned out 85% are graduates of a college or University. Of those who hold a degree, 49% have an emphasis or specialization in Youth Ministry. This means 15 of 100 youth ministers have no college level training and of those who do hold […]
According to the US Patient Office, cruise control (also called speedostat #2519859) was developed in 1948 by inventor and mechanical engineer Ralph Teetor. With the oil crisis of 1973 cruise control became a popular option for saving gas and soon offered as standard equipment by the mid 1970’s. Of course the beauty of this technological marvel […]
How important are small groups in student ministry – well, I think they are so important that I’m not sure it can be articulated in a short while. Whether you are the youth pastor, small group leader or potential volunteer candidate, I want to share with you a dozen benefits teenagers receive from the ministry […]
When it comes to being truthful we naturally check the box that says “Always.” Why is it so important to always be truthful? Is it as simple as because it is the right thing to do? Well, yes and no. Consider four reasons to be an automatic truth teller. First, we strive to be truthful because […]
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Testimonials
Testimonials
We especially want to thank Charles Boyd for helping us through his Student Ministry Essentials consulting organization. What a blessing Poker has been to us during this season! He is a true, experienced professional who loves God and this church. We are grateful for his vision in creating this unique ministry and for being such a strategic help in preparing us for a greater future in student ministry. Student Ministry Essential truely was a consulting, empowering, encouraging, and equipping ministry for our students and student leadership.
Dr. Jay Dennis, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church at the Mall
Dr. Charles (Poker) Boyd is both an academician and practitioner in Student Ministry. As an adjunct professor for The Baptist College of Florida, he has excelled in both facets of the work. I recommend him to you for biblical, Godly, and practical leadership of students and student leaders.
Robin Jumper Ph.D. The Baptist College of Florida
Poker Boyd came and brought ALL of his resources with him: a servant’s heart, love for our students, encouragement for our parents, personal integrity, unbridled enthusiasm, and a contagious love for Jesus.
Dr. Phillip Hanes, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
I have used SME for many youth ministry needs. But my favorite resource is the leadership training (Essential Seminars) designed for youth leaders. Poker uses his many years of experience, along with his knowledge of current youth trends, to effectively communicate to youth leaders how to reach teenagers in our world today. Our youth leaders look forward to our yearly training weekend; to quote one of our leaders, “It’s more than a reminder, it’s like drinking a Red Bull full of youth instruction.”
Obrien Satcher, Student Pastor, First Baptist Church of Henderson TX
Blog Archive
Cotton Candy and Plate Spinning
I was a young boy when the circus visited our small town. Our family loaded up the Fleetwood station wagon and went to the big show. From food carts and clowns to endless contest booths, I have two distinct memories that remain. First, my older brother, sister, and I were each given a white cardboard […]
Why Summer Camp Should Be on Your Student Ministry Calendar
For the past ten years, I have heard whispers questioning the validity of summer youth camp. As the whispers turned more frequently into questioning voices from passionate youth ministers, I felt a need to weigh-in on the subject. Camp or no camp? Unquestionably, all student ministry programming should be held to honest evaluation and scrutiny. […]
Seven Practices of Growing Student Ministries Deeper and Wider
If you have been around youth ministry very long then you have observed how some student ministries seem to grow wide but have little to show for it when it comes to growing deeply devoted followers of Christ. On the other hand, you may have noticed that some youth ministries grow spiritual roots deeper than […]
10 Habits of Highly Successful Student Ministers
What is it that makes some youth ministries more successful than others? Why do some stagnate, decline or fail while others grow healthy and numerically? Is there a collection of habits that successful or exceptional student ministers practice? In our survey and interviews we have found ten practices that stand out as doable and adaptable […]
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