THE MINISTRY LEADER PODCAST

School is back in session, or maybe close to it depending on where you live, which also means most of us are gearing up for our fall ministry kickoffs. In this episode we want to encourage you to create a 3-2-1 personal ministry plan as you countdown to kickoff that includes: 3 people you need to meet, 2 places you will go to engage with young people and 1 thing you will do to encourage a young pe...

This is the last of our 6 part series exploring the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ. We're wrapping it up with one of our favorites, but also one that can be the most challenging. This one is all about Kingdom inspired diversity and we define it as a culture that is: Intentional. Authentic. Indigenous. Empowered. What does Kingdom inspired diversity look like in your ministry context? Visi...

In this episode we continue our journey through the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ as we explore what it means to demonstrate Courageous Faithfulness. It's described as: Brave. Balanced. Unleashed. Sustainable. How and where do you need to be courageously faithful? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating a...

This week we continue our journey through the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ as we talk about Joyful Camaraderie. It's described as: Selfless. Collaborative. Missional. Delighted. How do you experience joyful camaraderie as part of your ministry team? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

We're continuing our journey through the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ and this week we're discussing Relentless Trust . Determined. Generous. Vulnerable. Grace-filled. Which of these four descriptors are most challenging for you? How would your life be different if you trusted relentlessly? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast plat...

We're taking a journey together exploring the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ. This week we're unpacking the attribute of enduring humility. Consistent. Transparent. Resilient. Prayerful. Which of the four descriptors of enduring humility are most natural and most difficult for you? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Check out the first part of the series here: A Christ Centered...

This episode kicks off a 6 part series on culture, or more specifically, the culture that defines our minstry at Youth For Christ. We call these defining characteristics our cultural attributes and today we're talking the most important one from which all the others flow, Christ-centeredness. Biblically Calibrated. Missionally Focused. Vigorously Pursued. Preeminently Important. What attributes de...

Our series of interviews with volunteer ministry leaders continues, and in this episode we talk to Brooke Richison, a young leader who says the challenges she's faced as a volunteer have not been easy, but they have been worth it. Brooke is a bright young leader and she shares a lot of wisdom in this conversation. How do you schedule your time as a volunteer? Visit us on Facebook and join the disc...

This summer you will get to hear the stories of some volunteer ministry leaders just like you who will talk about the challenges they faced, how they overcame them, and what motivates them to continue. In this episode we're talking to Akyra, one of our youngest leaders, who has been on quite a journey since she first stepped through the doors of our City Life Center as a student. Be sure to subscr...

Sawyer Miller shares his experience with Youth For Christ first as a volunteer and now as one of our newest staff members in Northern Indiana. His journey started with a simple invitation to join a Campus Life team. Now he's learning the best way to start building a team is to just ask. How did you get started serving in your ministry? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subsc...

We're back after an unanticipated two week break and in this episode we share what's been happening in our lives and ministries as well as a call to action we received at our recent staff retreat. Listen in and join us in the efforts to recognize and rebuild the rubble. Visit us on Facebook Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Summer is a great time to change the pace and engage young people in new ways. In this episode we'll share the top 5 activities that will help you build deeper and healthier relationships with the young people in your ministry. What are your plans this summer? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

It's hard to believe summer is almost upon us and as the school year winds down our ministries are preparing to shift into a different gear for the summer. In this episdoe we discuss how to make that shift to both allow for a slower pace while still investing well. What does this shift look like in your ministry context? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your pr...

A few episodes ago we shared some spring break event ideas for small groups. Reggie and his team jumped at a few of those opportunities and in this episode he shares some of the fruitful ministry they have already experienced as a result. What fruit are you seeing in your ministry this spring? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Did you miss the spring break episode? Now worries! Check i...

This episode includes the second half of a great conversation we had with Allison Yandell from Feed Youth Ministry about a recent study on global youth culture. In this part of the conversation we discuss the findings on the impact of digital connectedness of Gen Z in the United States. Check out Feed Youth Ministry Download the Global Youth Culture Reports What positive and negative impacts have...

This episode includes the first half of a longer conversation we had with Allison Yandell from Feed Youth Ministry about a recent study on global youth culture. In this part of the conversation we discuss the findings on the religious attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z in the United States. Check out Feed Youth Ministry Download the Global Youth Culture Reports For more on 3Story check out our 5-par...

March 13, 2021, just a few days before recording this episode marked the 1 year anniversary of our state of normalcy coming to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is no doubt the world is different now than it was just 1 year ago and that includes the world of youth ministry. In today’s episode we’re talking about the state of youth ministry after a year of COVID. What has cha...

The week between Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His Resurrection from the grave is a focus of large portions of each of the four gospels -- including half of the book of John. Given such a focus, there is much to learn and understand from those few days. In this week's episode, Brian and Reggie reflect on some of the major events of Holy Week. What are you learning this year about Holy...

Spring Break is just around the corner and for young people this is a great time to get away from school and experience something different. However, the events and experiences our ministries are able to provide may look a little different than normal. In this episode we're exploring 3 spring break ideas for small(er) groups. What are you doing this year for Spring Break? Visit us on Facebook and...

We know that situations arise all the time in youth ministry that are difficult to address becasue we simply don't know how to have the conversation. That could involve situations with students, parents, co-workers, or supervisors. So in this episode we offer 4 tips to help you have your next conversation. What other tips do you have to offer? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Did you...

Youth workers are often called upon to step into hard situations with young people and their families. In many of those situations, we may not have any idea of what to do but know we need to be there. In this episode we discuss a tragedy that hit close to home recently in Fort Wayne and how our team is stepping in to offer care and support. And as we share that story, we'll offer 3 suggestions to...

We've been doing s short series on the Basics of Youth Ministry. In this third and final episode of that series we're finally getting around to the WHAT of youth ministry. We saved this one for last because, well, we believe that what we do should always follow the why and the who. Here are a few questions to ponder after you listen: WHAT is happening now in your ministry that is driven by the WHY...

This is the second episode in a 3-part series getting us Back to the Basics of Youth Ministry. In this episode we explore the WHO of youth ministry and the answer(s) might not be who you think. Who are your whos? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Missed the first episode in the series? Listen now . Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a revi...

As the world continues to adjust to a new normal and our ministries explore new opportunities to engage young people, it's important that we continue to remind ourselves why we do what we do. This episode kicks off a 3-part series of episodes helping us get back to the basics of youth ministry and we're starting with the WHY. What's your WHY? Why are you invovled in youth ministry? Visit us on Fac...

This episode is the second part of our student leadership series focused on the best practices for developing student leaders. In this episode we share four practices, that if done consistently, will develop young leaders in your ministry. What are your best practices for developing student leaders? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Check out Part 1 of our student leadership series, "...