Click for a printable version of the Youth Ministry Resource List.

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INUMC Ministry with Youth Websites

www.youthministryconnection.org – Connection and resources for all in ministry with youth in the UMC in Indiana.

www.inumcyouth.org – Information on conference, district, cluster and church events of the UMC in Indiana.

www.beacamper.org – Information on Indiana UMC Camping Ministries.

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Websites and Blogs for Ideas and Connection

http://www.gbod.org/youngpeople/worker/default.html – General Board of Discipleship site for youth ministry.

www.rethinkingyouthministry.com – a site of two youth workers in the Christian Church sharing ideas and their creative thoughts on youth ministry.

www.studentministry.org – A youth worker who provides his thoughts and ideas for free and has both large and small church youth ministry experience.

www.thejournalofstudentministries.com – An education style journal with articles on youth culture and working with youth.  (Offers email updates.)

www.youthworkermovement.org – A network of youth workers, many with United Methodist ties.  This network was created by Rev. Terry Carty who used to work for the General Board.

www.smallchurchyouthministry.com – Blog of Stephanie Caro designed for small church youth ministry leaders.

www.youthworkerjournal.com – Youth ministry resources, lessons, and games.

www.youthspecialties.com – Curriculum, articles from youth ministry veterans, and online tips for youth ministry.  (Offers email updates and newsletters.)

www.echothestory.com – A site with excellent resources and tools (free) for teaching the stories of the Bible.

www.immersejournal.com – The publishing site of Barefoot Ministries, providing theological reflection on youth ministry.

www.cpyu.org – The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding provides resources for understanding ministry with a focus on the family.

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Games, Conversation Starters, Team Building Ideas

www.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/0310230934_samptxt.pdf – Unfinished Sentences from Youth Specialties

www.egadideas.com – Student ministry games and resources

http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/how-to/ – Minute To Win It game instructions.

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Communication Tools

www.txtsignal.com – A way to send mass text messages to your youth for $10 per month.

www.simplyyouthministry.com/txt.html – Simply Youth Ministry Texting for your group.  Also $10 per month.

www.constantcontact.com – An email tool that allows you to send creative e-newsletters. (About $15/month)

www.surveymonkey.com – An online survey tool that can be used to gather information from young people in your community.  (Some surveys are free.)

www.wordpress.com - Easy to use blogging, and ability to create a simple web page for your group.

www.primopdf.com – Create free pdf’s.

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Media/Video Sites

www.thesource4ym.com/movieclipdiscussions/default.aspx - Movie Clip Discussion Guides

www.bluefishtv.com – Vidoes to help teach the Bible.

www.worshiphousemedia.com – Videos, countdowns, slide backgrounds.

www.sermonspice.com – Downloadable videos for teaching and sermon illustrations.

www.churchtechtalk.com – Background loops and graphics.

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Christian Music Connections

www.worshiptogether.com – A site that is designed to share the latest in worship and praise music.  Includes free sheet music downloads.

www.hearitfirst.com – This site promotes new Christian music artists and new releases of Christian albums.  Email updates are available that include links to free downloads of new Christian artists and their music.

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Book Recommendations

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Books for Getting Started

Think Orange – Reggie Joiner

The Godbearing Life – Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster

Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry – Doug Fields

Sustainable Youth Ministry – Mark Devries

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Books for Deeper Understanding

Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture – Walt Mueller

Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry – Dr. Andrew Root

Hurt: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers – Chap Clark

Contemplative Youth Ministry – Mark Yaconelli

Soul Searching:  The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers – Christian Smith

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Resource Books

Deepening Youth Spirituality – Walt Marcum

Imaginative Prayer for Youth Ministry – Jeannie Oestreicher & Larry Warner

Shaped by the Story – Michael Novelli