Alyssa Young

As I discussed in a previous article, church retreats rejuvenate the soul and connect members of the church. Connections are made because each person is removed from the normalcy of life and can pay full attention to growing with other church members. Over the years, I’ve been to several retreats as a child, teenager, and adult. Looking back on those experiences, the essences of the retreats from each stage of life were not so different…

When I was a freshman in high school, I had to switch school districts. I loved my new living situation, but my school situation made things rough. Because I failed to connect with anyone that year, I felt alone and neglected-I even believed the lie that my own family neglected me. Youth group made me feel a little better since I had known those kids for a while, but I thought that none of them…

For the most part, it’s pretty difficult to get kids to willingly work. Sure, you will have a greater chance with the younger kids, but as they get older, it requires a push to motivate them to do service projects. From past experience, I hardly wanted to help when I was made to do it, but was more willing when I understood the need and made the decision. If you have run into the same…

For most people, the first thing they notice when visiting a new church is the people. Visitors will wait, hope, and expect for regular attendees and church members to introduce themselves and to show them the ropes. Oftentimes, regular attendees and church members unknowingly pass by visitors and carry on with normal Sunday morning activities. If you and your church body want to see those people again, here are three steps you can follow to…

From the moment you could identify your mother and father as a baby, you were making friends. Sure, conversation in English wasn’t a thing, but you communicated and responded to communication in your own way. You decided who to trust, who you felt uncomfortable around, and who you wanted to spend the most time with. Now as one who continually meets new people and sees others more frequently, you have to do the same things:…