Danger of Viewing the World from Behind a Desk & Smartphone

Wilderness ministry is so vital for the church today. We are all so “busy” but often that busyness is from behind a desk, computer, or laptop—and from there we can only see a small sliver of the world. The dangerous reality is that from there, we only get a small peephole view into people’s souls.

3 Ways Time Outdoors Helps Your Decision Making Process

Outdoor wilderness experience help you develop critical thinking and a good decision making process. Outdoor adventures are such a great training ground for leaders because they give you a keener ability to discern the will of God through solitude with him in the pristine beauty of his Creation which is absent of everyday distractions. RELATED: […]

30 RESEARCH-BACKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO RECRUIT QUALITY OUTDOOR GUIDES

In most outdoor programs, you can teach new guides the hard skills you require of them to safely and effectively lead groups of people into the wilderness, but the character and soft sills are much harder to train.

Dilemma: Many Outdoor Facilitators – Too Few Outdoor Ministry Builders

I love the concept of “facilitation” in outdoor ministry because it represents an important skill that helps people get the most out of an experience. Yet how many of these “facilitators” would actually impact more people if they transitioned from a season of “facilitation” and embarked into a season of “initiation?”

Christian Outdoor Leadership book is a Resource for Adventure Therapy

I bought this book the day it was released, and could not put it down until I was done! To say I agree would be an understatement. I am currently finishing my bachelor’s in Adventure Therapy, with a minor in Religion-came back to school at 40 and majored in Theology…

5 WAYS OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TEACHES BIBLICAL POLITICAL VIEWS

Outdoor Leaders are a living model of what good political leaders should be doing for us. Outdoor adventure is a platform to teach biblical political views.

5 Ways Fly Fishing Taught Me How to Successfully Recruit Volunteers

Here are five common “flies” you should always present when you are working to recruit volunteers your team. Chances are they will bite on one of them because their soul is longing for something.

What’s So Radical About Abandonment? A Wilderness Moment

Abandonment is Critical to Spiritual Formation & the Wilderness Provides Tremendous Space to Embrace It In my earlier post, It’s not “If”, but “When” to Abandon Ship | A Reflection on Abandonment, we took an honest look at the irony of abandonment. It can be good and bad. Jesus spoke directly into this paradox by […]

It’s Not “If” but “When” to Abandon Ship? A Reflection on Abandonment

When things get tough, we are tempted to abandon. But Jesus gives us his Word, Prayer, and Community to help us endure through trials. In the same way that a group encourages its members to make it through a tough climb, or a sleepless night of wind and rain, connecting to a church and plugging into community will give you the ability to avoid the temptation to abandon the path of discipleship and persevere through life’s storms.

Let My People Go Camping! God Wants Us All to Himself | Exodus 5:1-3

Be intentional. When you head out into the outdoors, realize that this is an opportunity to combine the fun of recreation and adventure with an opportunity to connect with God, hear his voice, and realign your mission in life to glorify Christ.

Why Men’s Ministry Needs Outdoor Adventure? An Inspiring Story

Later that evening, after dinner, I gathered the guys around the campfire on the canyon rim. I played some worship music on my CD player and instructed the guys to get comfortable and contemplate God’s presence as we gazed on the canyon in the setting sun. There’s no way to adequately describe that view at that time of day, brilliant, eye-popping, just awe inspiring!

What do Snowboarders & Circus Performers Now Have in Common?

Aaron Coret had a paralyzing accident on a snow board, yet instead of giving up, decided to turn his disability into a gift to serve the boarding community by designing a landing pad to try new tricks before testing them on the real white stuff.

What Coaching Basketball Teaches Me About Outdoor Ministry Soul Care

It’s easy to talk about generalities with people by encouraging them to “think positively”, or “believe in yourself”, or “overcome your fears”. Those are general things that most people know they “ought” to be doing. But are they game changers? I don’t think so. By contrast, a truly effective spiritual leader will seek to know the person, and their life situation like a coach knows his players and the game they are playing. Then he can offer game changing perspective. Caring for another person’s soul involves giving specific guidance. Much like players on the court battling for the ball against a team that wants to shut them down, in the spiritual journey everyone needs someone to coach them by offering specific words on target to the unique inner-workings of their soul.

Wilderness Leadership Skills | Wilderness Craft 1

The Wilderness Craft 1 course is designed to give outdoor leaders competency in several key wilderness leadership skills.

HOW INSULATION TEACHES US TO BE IN THE WORLD, NOT OF THE WORLD

Sun Protection Reminds Us to Be On Guard Against a Hidden Enemy

Please enjoy this post from Andrew Underwood, from WMI as he continues to share insights in this Biblical Reflections on the Wilderness Essentials series.  SUN PROTECTION WORKS FOR OUR BEST OUTCOMES I was working at a camp in Tennessee years ago. We had a morning at the lake planned for my group of kids and I […]

What Skills Do You Need to Facilitate Effective Wilderness Experiences?

In this Top 20 Questions: How to Start a Wilderness Ministry series, we have answered questions relating to ministry foundations, casting vision (exposure), and recruiting staff. Now it is time to think about training. What skills will you and your staff need in order to safely and effectively facilitate trips? Excellent guide training is a […]

How You can Experience True Family in Temporary Community

Although a wilderness expedition is temporary, it can be an ideal setting to talk about family. People desperately need to be spiritually connected to others in a family.

Faith-based Relational Therapy through Adventure is Very Effective

The wilderness is an ideal setting for giving people space to change wrong ways of thinking or to anchor their whole identity to Jesus.

15 Essential Outdoor Leadership Skills

The most influential Christian outdoor leaders I know are life-long learners who never stop asking questions and improving their outdoor leadership skills.