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Some bits I’ve enjoyed reading from the world of youth ministry:

• Transitioning from a small church to a larger church: Matt wrote a great article on the difference between small and big church, a helpful reminder 18 months since I moved from an average small church to a large church.
• Children need to be bored, so I’m smashing the Wii: Over-stimulation is the enemy of imagination – we should give our children the gift of boredom.
• How E4 captured the teen TV market: Channel 4 has had its problems but for younger audiences it is in a league of its own, as the success of series such as Skins and the Inbetweeners proves.
• Schools must embrace mobile technology: The need for schools to prepare for 21st century learning was top of the agenda at this year’s BETT conference.  They must embrace mobile technologies, games, podcasts and social networking, according to leading educationalist Professor Stephen Heppell.
• Earlier Bedtimes May Help Protect Adolescents Against Depression and Suicidal Thoughts: adolescents with bedtimes that were set earlier by parents were significantly less likely to suffer from depression and to think about committing suicide, suggesting that earlier bedtimes could have a protective effect by lengthening sleep duration and increasing the likelihood of getting enough sleep.
• 10 Principles of How To Last In Youth Ministry: Steve writes some helpful thoughts on longevity.
• 2 In 5 Teenage Girls Aged 13-16 Want Cosmetic Surgery: A new study by the UK’s leading review and recommendation website for cosmetic surgeons has revealed that 41% of teenage girls aged 13-16 would like to have a cosmetic treatment of some kind, with the main reasons being bullying and confidence.