Find publications, curriculum, study materials, and practical tools to equip individuals and congregations for learning, discipleship, leadership, and ministry.
It Happens is full of “True Tales from the Trenches of Youth Ministry.” We have collected stories from youth workers across the country because we want you to know that you are not alone, so that you can learn from their mistakes, and so you can be prepared when IT happens to you! This book does not contain emergency response information, but instead amidst the 30 stories in this book, you will find the stuff that happens every day, how we dealt with it, and what we learned. You’ll read about:
Bart Campolo’s tale of dealing with the backlash from a student’s sexting mistake
Susan Groce's story of testifying on behalf of a youth facing criminal charges
Hank Hilliard’s recounting of parents encouraging underage drinking
Karen Jones’ dilemma of whether or not to send a kid home
Amy Jacober’s story about being stranded in a snowstorm
Kelly Soifer’s account of visiting the ER with a student while at camp
Steve Argue’s story of the over-involved helicopter parents
Mark Montgomery’s cautionary tale of when volunteers date kids
Sally Chambers’ recounting of the youth minister witch hunt
Kenda Creasy Dean’s story of interviewing for a pastoral position…while pregnant
About the editor:
Will Penner has been working with young people for more than two decades as a youth minister, teacher, coach, and principal. He is a popular speaker for youth events and youth leader trainings, and he is a popular youth ministry consultant. He has written for five publishers, and has served as the editor of The Journal of Student Ministries and Youthworker Journal. He lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and five children ranging in age from 2 to 20. You can contact Will through willpenner.com.
