Five Minutes with Marko

After 40 years in middle school ministry, Marko has identified a handful of paradoxes that those of us who work with this age group have to be aware of and lean into. It’s messy and confusing and beautiful stuff!

Marko gets practical in this episode, describing five different types of questions (with examples of each) that should all be used to bring vibrancy to your youth ministry discussions. This would be a great episode to share with your small group leaders.

Marko has noticed an uptick in teenage guys without meaningful friendships. He unpacks why this might be, and suggests six things we can do to help.

Kicking off a new season, Marko suggests a selection of passageways that will potentially lead you to creativity in your youth ministry.

In this final episode of the season, Marko unpacks an experience of discovering a challenge in 1 Corinthians 3, and applies it to our work as youth workers.

Marko identifies five new(er) cultural realities that are shaping teenagers, and different from the youth culture most of us grew up in.

Marko unpacks four forces that corrode innovation, and two ‘thrusters’ needed.

Winning with parents and helping them live into their own callings includes Listening, Communicating, Equipping, and Inviting Involvement.

Marko unpacks Formal, Hidden, Nonformal, and Null curriculums, and asks us to bring more intentionality to all of them.

Celebrating Emmanuel – God with us – shouldn’t be limited to the Christmas season!

The increase in tribalism in our culture has brought with it an increase in judgmentalism. Marko suggests that Curiosity is our antidote.

In this second week focused on control, Marko talks about the opposite of control: releasing your grip.

In youth ministry, we often try to control the beliefs and behaviors of teenagers. But it doesn’t work.

Consider this episode a ‘devotional’ thought, an encouragement to stay connected to the only One who can truly fill you up.

Marko has talked and written quite a bit about teenage brain development; but in this two-part episode, he reflects on how we should respond to brain discoveries.

Marko has talked and written quite a bit about teenage brain development; but in this two-part episode, he reflects on how we should respond to brain discoveries.

A reflection on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, and what it might say about the approach to great youth ministry.

Marko shares the story of Marvin, a 60-something youth worker who tried to run away from his calling to youth ministry.

Marko shares a short and moving story about a youth worker who thought he’d blown it, but was actually being used by God in exactly the right way.

Part 6 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Part 5 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Part 4 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers. Learn more about The Youth Cartel's coaching and resources at https://theyouthcartel.com.

Part 3 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Part 2 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Part 1 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.