Talking Youth Ministry - A Youthscape Podcast

Two crucially important questions are getting Martin worked up this week. Is it possible to combine very different groups and needs in one youth work? And should Britain’s motorists take a long hard look at themselves when it comes to lane discipline? Rachel also ponders how culture is shaping young people’s ability to find belief in God plausible… and then shifts gear to host a quick fire round o...

Rachel and Martin anticipate the end of term by asking if a summer break is the right thing for youth ministry. What’s the right time - and way - to end your youth work year in a manner that doesn’t short-change your young people… or your hard-working team? They’re also on uncertain ground as they debate the question of a north/south divide in youth ministry - and just in case that doesn’t upset e...

Lucy and Martin chat to Jenny Hammill, Creative Director at Scripture Union Scotland, about changes in the spiritual temperature, a growing youth festival and an amazing suite of free youth ministry resources. Plus they consider the impact of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as British Prime Minister on young people, and engage in a topsy-turvy bout of organised nuf. Do get in touch with us by email...

In the light of the stunning announcement of the UK Government’s social media ban for under 16s, Martin and Lucy return to a popular topic and ask: what will the impact be, and how can youth ministers respond? And as the football World Cup rolls on, we discuss whether the behaviour of a host nation should change the way we approach the tournament with young people. Shownotes : Pray As They Play: W...

The team dive in to the complex world of teenage skincare influencers, and the potential impact that a heavy focus on achieving a flawless look could be having on our teen girls… and boys. There’s a preview of this November’s National Youth Ministry Weekend and its theme – ‘With Great Power’ – and World Cup Fever descends with a timely edition of Organised Fun. Do get in touch with us by emailing...

The team respond to the recent government-commissioned report around young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training. What are the headlines- and how can Christians and churches support and respond? We’re also looking into the broadening out of a trend, as young people overwhelmed by choice find themselves “sliding, not deciding.” Which also gave us a great idea for a game… Do get in...

Lucy, Rachel and Martin explore two big topics today- the youth culture phenomenon known as ‘maxxing’, and the question of how we best support young people as they navigate exams. Should we be their revision buddies, or their safe space to escape the constant demands of the school system? Martin and Rachel disagree- and Lucy referees! Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@youthscape.co.uk...

Rachel and Martin are joined by Jeronne Rudder to debrief this week’s Youthscape & St Mellitus Annual Lecture: Radical Hope. As well as reflecting on the events of the evening, they talk through some of the audience questions that didn’t quite get asked… and after all that highbrow activity, there’s still plenty of space for a totally appropriate round of Organised Fun… Shownotes  Huambo: htt...

The team discuss the recent local Government election results which saw a surge in support for Reform, and ask what the impact might be on young people. There’s an Ask Us Anything question about how to manage volunteers who also happen to be your friends, and amongst the continued deluge of Night Hike feedback, Rachel and Martin search for Lucy’s long-trailed organised fun spectacular. Do get in t...

Our mailbag runneth over, after what appeared to be a series of utterly uncontroversial discussions on night hikes, 1-to-1 mentoring, and bedtime reading. Martin and Rachel will be revisiting all three subjects, and diving in to an honest conversation about how we disciple others when we're not quite 'feeling it' ourselves. Plus: organised, and entirely replicable fun... just not the one that was...

The sun is out, and so Martin and Lucy are getting excited about capturing moments of awe and wonder with young people. They also respond to a great listener question about getting the best out of student volunteers, and there’s a very replicable edition of Organised Fun, illustrated with some top-notch Biblical knowledge from our hosts… Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@youthscape.co...

With Martin off the roster this week, Rachel and Lucy take the reins for today's episode. We're asking whether youth leaders should be reading more (and what’s actually worth your time), and exploring our top tips and practical wisdom on one-to-one ministry with young people. We also revisit the fallout from the Quiet Revival research being withdrawn, and dig into what it means for how we handle d...

The team take a well-earned break over Easter, but over the next two weeks, we will be sharing some incredible talks from the Satellites summer event for young people. This week, we hear from Jeronne Rudder. Jeronne is a pastor, theologian, speaker, and all-around Bible nerd who is passionateabout seeing people live lives shaped by love and justice. He is the founder of Uhambo The Journey, an onli...

The team take a well-earned break over Easter, but over the next two weeks, we will be sharing some incredible talks from the Satellites summer event for young people. This week, we hear from American author and activist Shane Claiborne. If you want to check out Satellites, head to https://www.youthscape.co.uk/satellites/home and new youth groups get 5 free tickets for young people. Keep sending y...

News of the biggest piece of Christian research in living memory being a bit flawed has sent us into Emergency Episode Mode. So join Lucy, Martin and Rachel as they discuss the implications of the Bible Society’s recent statement on the Quiet Revival, and some big questions raised by the various emerging responses. Don’t worry, there’s at least a moderate amount of fun at the end! Hosted on Acast....

Rachel and Martin respond to a deluge of listener emails, including a question about how to manage upwards, and another about their luxuriant lifestyles as international speakers. Also, Rachel reveals her past as a Wetherspoons barmaid, and the team embark on their most self-indulgent organised fun ever. Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@youthscape.co.uk or commenting on individual Sp...

Rachel Lucie and Martin discuss Louis Theroux’s new Netflix documentary, in which the ever-curious interviewer meets some of the most controversial male influencers in the world. How do we help young people, and particularly young men, to process these kinds of voices? And if left unchecked, what might their influence be on adolescent development- and Christian discipleship? Do get in touch with u...

Rachel meets Bekah Legg from the charity Restored, to explore how we can talk to young people about relationships, boundaries and spotting the signs of coercive behaviour. Plus - in our longest episode ever - we’re answering some of your big questions, including one around what to do when your church and your young people are in theological dispute. Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@y...

As the UK Government launches a consultation on the impact of technology on young people, the team revisit questions around how social media intersects with youth ministry. They respond to a listener question around succession when there’s no obvious successor, and there’s a calamitous attempt to marry serious apologetics with organised fun. Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@youthscap...

Martin sets sail for the coast with able shipmate Dr Hannah Bowden and special guest Thea Smith. They’re having a big conversation about an often-overlooked demographic: young people in coastal communities. With some staggering stats and deep insights from Thea’s experience working in this context, this is an episode not to miss. Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@youthscape.co.uk or c...

It’s the beginning of Lent, and Rachel, Martin and Lucy pack away the crisps and biscuits to ask: do we sometimes get this moment in the church calendar all wrong? Are there better ways to talk about and practice Lent with young people, and how do we make sure we’re not just dishing out a Christianised version of popular self-help? Plus there’s a discussion around how we handle healing, and the em...

Martin sits down with David Howell to talk about whether meeting in homes is still a safe and effective way of doing youth ministry in 2026 after concerns from the NYA. The team are divided over the best way to get a group of noisy lads’ attention and give grace to a listener’s feeling of just plodding on. And of course Organised Fun descends into chaos… or should that be Fuganised Orn? Do get in...

Lucy, Rachel and Martin discuss recent stories alleging that American charismatic minister Shawn Bolz used information from social media to inform 'prophetic words'. How does this challenging conversation help inform better charismatic youth ministry practice, and does it suggest that we need a better model than 'words from the stage'? There's an Ask Us Anything question about finishing well, and...

It’s a packed pod today, as Youthscape CEO Chris Curtis makes his Talking Youth Ministry debut to discuss the organisation’s new ‘Troubling Jesus’ research. Martin, Lucy and Rachel ask how you can get parents on board with your youth work- wherever they’re coming from- and there’s some anarchic IKEA-based organised fun. Eclectic. Do get in touch with us by emailing us podcast@youthscape.co.uk or c...

This week Martin and Rachel explore how our youth work values and principles can change and evolve over time. Why did we once embrace purity culture? What’s the correct order of “believe, belong and behave”? And should we have ever wanted to be History Makers? Plus there’s a discussion- and vaguely linked game- around what makes for a great youth-led church service. Do get in touch with us by emai...