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Jen Bradbury
Feb 17 · 5 min read

An interview with Michelle DeRusha about Katharina & Martin Luther

In addition to reviewing Katharina & Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk, I also had the chance to interview its author, Michelle DeRusha about her writing process and what she learned from writing this...

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#Women #hope #brave #church #marriage #books

Jen Bradbury
Feb 10 · 5 min read

Review: Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha

Filed in Book Review

I'm a Lutheran Youth Pastor who, until now, could count on one hand the things I knew about Martin Luther, a key player in the Reformation and the person for whom my tradition is named. 

1. He believed in the importance of Scripture alone.
...

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#grace #ecumenical #church #scripture #marriage #parenting #books

Jen Bradbury
May 13 · 5 min read

Recent Reads: Night Driving by Addie Zierman

Filed in Recent Reads

Night Driving

What the book's about: In many ways, Night Driving: A Story of Faith in the Dark picks up where Addie's first book, When We Were on Fire, leaves off. It addresses the question, "What does faith look like when the fire wanes?" using the...

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#identity #marriage #books

Jen Bradbury
Jan 25 · 5 min read

Recent Reads: Real Sex by Lauren Winner

Filed in Recent Reads

What the book's about: Lauren Winner's Real Sex is a book that talks openly and honestly about sex, confronting the lies both our culture and the church tell about it. It also explores the discipline of chastity. 

Why I read this book:...

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#church #sex #babies #marriage #youth ministry #books #worship

Jen Bradbury
Feb 16 · 5 min read

When

Today, I'm linking up with Kate Motaung's Five Minute Friday. The rules: Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

This week's prompt: When. 

Five Minute Friday 4 300x300

As a youth worker, I often hear teens say things like, 

-...

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#Five Minute Friday #Jesus gap #justice #youth worker #pregnancy #marriage

Jen Bradbury
Feb 12 · 5 min read

Why you should host teens in your home

Several years ago, I interviewed Gordon MacDonald for an article for Youth Worker Journal. During our interview, Gordon talked about how one of the greatest things he's learned to do in discipling people is to welcome them into his home; That...

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#youth ministry #Youth Worker Journal #marriage #discipleship #Leaders #hospitality #Missions #pregnancy #church #travel #Prayer

Jen Bradbury
Feb 05 · 5 min read

Teaching teens about divorce

The last time I taught about divorce in my youth ministry, the kids from divorced families left in tears.

I didn't set out to make them cry. In fact, I intentionally remember trying to set up our conversation so as not to isolate these vulnerable...

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#grace #story #discussion #student leadership #marriage #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jan 29 · 5 min read

Concerns about "Lead Me"

It's January. That means that once again, it's time for K-Love's 30-Day Challenge – something I have some concerns about. In response to my concerns, today I'm continuing to critically evaluate some of the...

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#music #Women #youth worker #pregnancy #student leadership #discussion #Jesus #marriage

Jen Bradbury
Oct 15 · 5 min read

Show them health, not perfection

Recently, my high school teens and I discussed God's gender.

During this discussion, small groups made a list of God's characteristics and classified them as masculine, feminine, or gender neutral. As we did this, my husband and I, who were...

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#marriage #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Sep 16 · 5 min read

Two for One

Throughout my career in youth ministry, people have occasionally asked me if my husband would be willing to do something.

I used to answer these questions on his behalf, (always saying "yes"), sometimes without first even checking with him.

You...

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#Women #Jesus #marriage #youth ministry

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Latest Posts

  • An interview with Michelle DeRusha about Katharina & Martin Luther
  • Review: Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha
  • Recent Reads: Night Driving by Addie Zierman
  • Recent Reads: Real Sex by Lauren Winner
  • When
  • Why you should host teens in your home
  • Teaching teens about divorce
  • Concerns about "Lead Me"
  • Show them health, not perfection
  • Two for One

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