By Tim Wesemann on May 1, 2012
Editor’s note: This devotion is adapted from CTA’s new book for graduates, New Beginnings for Graduates. Written by Tim Wesemann in his always-popular style, all the devotions and articles in this book will encourage and uplift recent graduates. (It’s value-priced, too!) Congratulations! The last four years are officially filed away in your memory. The classroom [...]
Posted in Devotions, Encouragement, Graduation, Ministry, Pastor, Sermon Ideas, Teachers, Youth Ministry Tagged Christian, free devotion, Graduation, graduation gifts
By Jane Fryar on April 24, 2012
Editor’s note: How will you honor those who will graduate from high school, college, and graduate programs this spring? Here’s a “Sending Service” you can use or adapt. In addition, CTA has several value-priced items you might give as reminders to your graduates of God’s love in Christ! Adapt this commissioning/sending service to your setting [...]
Posted in Encouragement, Free Resources, Graduation, Ministry, Pastor, Sermon Ideas, Sunday School, Teachers, Youth Ministry Tagged commissioning service, Graduation, honoring grads, sending service
By Jane Fryar on April 17, 2012
This time of year, activities in Christian schools, Sunday schools, CCD classes, choirs, Awana, and Bible clubs begin winding to a close. In a few weeks, the children and youth you have worked with for multiple weeks, months, or perhaps even years will move on—to a different class, school, or community. Perhaps one of the [...]
Posted in Children's ministry, Christian Worker, Church staff, Church Volunteers, Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Graduation, Grandparents Day, Youth Ministry Tagged affirming kids, children's pastor, DCE, DRE, encouraging children, encouraging kids, youth pastor
By Tim Wesemann on May 16, 2011
You’ve spent the past four years or so listening to choice words of wisdom from adults on all sides. Parents. Teachers. Youth leaders. Pastors. Everyone had a lesson to teach. And at least a time or two you probably became impatient with that. You may even have asked yourself, “Why do I need to know [...]
Posted in Christian Worker, Devotions, Encouragement, Graduation, Sermon Ideas, Teachers, Youth Ministry Tagged Christian, Gift ideas for Graduates, Graduation, high school
By Tim Wesemann on April 25, 2010
New Beginnings for Graduates receives two reviews from youth leaders of different churches: New Beginnings for Graduates is not your average graduate devotional. It’s real and applicable! I felt inspired during the first two pages and enjoyed each witty remark and analogy that followed. It’s a great combination of spiritual insight and practical ways to [...]
Posted in Graduation, Youth Ministry Tagged Gift ideas for Graduates, Graduation, graduation gifts
By Jane Fryar on March 9, 2010
Many churches offer “come & go events” in spring. Lots of them! Easter breakfast. Mother’s Day teas and Father’s Day donut gatherings after services. Graduation and Confirmation receptions. Sunday school staff meet & greets. Honoring members in this way is a good idea. But how could you step the value up from merely good to [...]
Posted in Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Graduation, Lent/Preparing for Easter, Ministry, Visitors Tagged assimilation, Encouragement, Father's Day gift, Graduation, Mother's Day, Sunday School, Volunteers
By Tim Wesemann on April 27, 2009
May is a double graduation month for our family. Our oldest son is graduating from Appalachian State University and our youngest will receive his high school diploma a couple weeks later. So we’re having a double graduation party (and no, it’s not because we’re cheap – just wise stewards, right?) That means many of our [...]
Posted in Graduation Tagged Graduation