THE MINISTRY LEADER PODCAST

This is a busy season for youth workers preparing for spring break trips, retreats, and summer camps and we want them to be as fun, safe, and fruitful as possible. In this episode we discuss what we've learned about trip promo and recruiting to help you get the right people on the bus. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Why trips are important for your ministry (0:32) Inviting students on trips (2:24) G...

Did you miss it? Not close enough to attend? No worries! The Ministry Leader Conference is hosted by Youth For Christ chapters across the United States. We hosted the conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 25 and it was awesome. In this episode we recap the conference and share some of the biggest take aways from the main stage and every breakout session. IN THIS EPISODE 0:00... Intro 2:57.....

Regardless of how you feel about dating in middle school and high school, it’s happening and it’s probably happening in your ministry. So how are you addressing that topic with your students? IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Beyond the PDA policy (1:18) 4 questions to help students evaluate their romantic relationships (2:32) Are you in a place where a relationship is a good thing for you? (2:49) Does...

It's an exciting moment when a young person makes a commitment to follow Jesus. But we know that is just the beginning of their faith journey. In this episode we offer eight ideas to consider for those crucial first steps. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) The need for follow up (0:35) Do it quickly (1:32) Set appointments (2:12) Celebrate with them (2:34) Ask a lot of questions (3:21) Allow them to as...

A small group is a great way to deepen relationships, learn young people's stories and point them to the scriptures. But if you have never led a small group you may have some questions about what it might be like. In this episode we have some fun sharing tips for leading the absolute WORST small group ever. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Tips for leading the worst small group ever (0:36) Don't prepa...

As youth workers we need to meet young people where they are, on their turf. But more and more that is online where guidelines for interaction can be a little fuzzy and unclear. In this episode, we offer a few thoughts to help keep you and your students safe online. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) DISCLAIMER: Talk with your primary ministry leader or organization to find out what your ministry's prac...

We've all lost sleep over conversations we knew we needed to have but continuted to put off. In this episode we'll share a few tips that might help the next difficult conversation be a little less scary and a little more productive. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Defining hard conversations (1:19) Confessions of poorly handled conversations (2:27) Better ideas for handling hard conversations (4:23)...

The new year is always a good time to think about setting new goals and trying new things. But have you done that yet for your involvement in the ministry in which you serve? In this episode we'll share what it takes to create a personal ministry plan and challenge you get an early start on it in 2020. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Why create a Personal Ministry Plan (00:51) Guidelines to help crea...

Heading into the new year is a natural time for all of us to evaluate our priorities and determine what we want to pursue, achieve or accomplish in the next 12 months. Sometimes that involves letting go of some good things in our lives so that we can pursue the "best." In this episode we offer a couple of resources that may help you determine how and where you spend your time in the new year. IN T...

In the Christian tradition, Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas Day that culminates in the celebration of Christ's birth. But did you know this tradition is rooted in the ancient Roman ceremony of Adventus in which citizens prepared their city for the arrival of their king? In this special Christmas episode we explore the significance of this season as we pre...

Christmas break provides great opportunities to spend larger chunks of time building relationships with the young people in your ministry. In this episode we discuss 5 great ideas to help you create fun and safe experiences they will be talking about for years to come. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Entertainment options (1:26) Shopping (3:46) Outdoor adventures (5:13) Indoor activities (6:43) Rando...

Most youth workers get into youth ministry because they are excited to work with youth . But there is a whole population of people that youth workers would be wise to pay more attention to but who often get overlooked. In this week's episode we discuss the value of engaging with parents and offer a few practical ways make it happen. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) 2 reasons why it's so important to e...

Christmas is just around the corner and now is a great time to be thinking about inviting someone to church with you. In fact, a recent study shows that 57% of people who do not regularly attend a church said they would attend with a friend during the Christmas season if they were invited! That made us consider the young people we work with and how we could use this season as an opportunity to hel...

This week on the podcast we want to pause and say "Thank You" for all you do to help young people encounter Jesus. You are making a difference! The statistics shared in this episode reflect the faithful efforts of volunteer ministry leaders serving within the movement of Youth For Christ, of which we are a part. But we recognize this is only a portion of the Kingdom impact that is being made by ot...

The world we live in always seems hectic and fast-paced. The margin we once had is quickly filled with the next thing we have to get done or the next place we have to get to. With the holidays just around the corner we wanted to take some time to encourage leaders to pause, to rest, to slow down and in doing so, to see what God has for them in this season. In this episode we offer a few practical...

In the gospels we read about a group of men who carried a paralyzed friend to Jesus with the hope that Jesus would heal him. That journey involved plenty of obstacles--some they anticipated, and some they did not. But through it all, they set out knowing they would do whatever it was going to take to get their friend to the feet of Jesus and having faith that Jesus would do a miracle. In this epis...

As a youth worker there may come a time when you have the opportunity to speak to an audience. Whether that is simply a quick announcement or a full blown sermon, just the thought of that might terrify you. In this episode we'll help you hone your up front communication skills and overcome your fear of public speaking. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Save the Date for The Ministry Leader Conference (...

Generation Z, who is currently filtering through our youth ministries, has grown up in a distinctly different world than any previous generation. Among other differences, they are the first generation that is native to the digital world. While this has created tremendous opportunities for them, there are some trends that we need to pay attention to. In this episode we explore some recent findings...

Generation Z may be the most digitally connected yet emotionally isolated generation in history. In this episode we explore how and why this may be the case as what you can do about it. RESOURCES Research: The State of Gen Z 2018 Visit us online Like us on Facebook This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Generation Z, who is currently filtering through our youth ministries, has grown up in a distinctly different world than any previous generation. Among other differences, they are the first generation that is native to the digital world. While this has created tremendous opportunities for them, there are some trends that we need to pay attention to. In this episode we explore some recent findings...

It's hard for us to believe but we have been at this podcasting thing for almost a full year! This is our 50th episode and we thought we would celebrate by sharing 50 of our favorite things about student ministry and even give a few things away in the process. This episode was also filmed and can be found on our Facebook Page at The Ministry Leader Podcast. Listen closely for more ways you can win...

The statement "preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words" was a favorite of ours growing up because it allowed us to live out our faith without ever talking about it. But there's a problem with statement. In this episode we'll help you understand what that is and how you can overcome it. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) The necessity of words (0:27) The right mindset (1:45) Sharing the...

Sharing stories is an important aspect of developing authentic relationships and engaging young people with the transformational power of the gospel. But it can feel a little intimidating at times to know what to share and when to share it. In this episode we discuss what it means to share your story and provide some practical ideas to help you think through what, when and how to share it. IN THIS...

Crowd control can be a very real struggle in any student ministry setting with any size group. If you're like us, you've learned more about what doesn't work than what does when it comes to getting a group to focus on whatever you are trying to communicate. In this episode, we share 6 great ideas that we've learned to employ in controlling the chaos. IN THIS EPISODE Intro (0:00) Have a plan (1:21)...

In youth ministry we often overthink and overplan in our efforts to positively influence the lives of teenagers and point them to Jesus. But sometimes the smallest moments can make the biggest impact. In this episode we share a couple of those moments from our past that forever changed our lives and offer three simple tips to help you create simple, yet unforgettable moments with the young people...