Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Youth camp is an essential part of any youth ministry.  Getting camp right can make all the difference for your ministry. But it is the small things that can make or break you.  Since camp is so important, we’ve brought in the big guns on this episode! Roger Davis from Generate Camps over at YM360 joins us today to talk ALL about youth camp.  We both seriously came away with a ton of persona...

Youth Ministry games are what makes youth ministry well…youth ministry.  So in this episode we’re giving you our list of top 10 youth ministry games. These games are our favorites for sure.  We’re giving you our best and doing our best (well trying at least) to give you the down low on how to play these go to youth ministry games.  We’re also giving you our tips and tricks...

In this episode Bubba Crowder joins us to talk fundraising for mission trips. Let’s face it.  Fundraising and Youth Ministry often go hand in hand.  Fundraising for mission trips is almost always a need. So what are some ways to effectively fundraise for mission trips?  What are some things to consider when choosing fundraising for mission trips? Bubba Crowder knows this subject well and joi...

In this episode Maina Mwaura joins us for an honest and direct conversation about racial diversity in youth ministry. Since racial diversity is an increasingly important issue both in youth ministry and in our culture, knowing how to navigate this issue is crucial.  In this interview you’ll hear both honest questions seeking understanding, and honest answers to help us all be better in the a...

Ah, middle school students… They’re full of energy, goofy, often smell bad, and are tons of fun.  I think most of us are just glad to have survived middle school and are glad we never have to go back and relive those “glory days.” What do we do with Middle School students in our youth ministries though, and how can we make sure they are really getting our best? In this epis...

Episode 50 brings BIG CHANGES to the Longer Haul, we also dive into some serious truths about longevity in Youth Ministry and there is even a Live Magician (like for reals…a live magician). In this episode you’ll hear about some really exciting and big changes happening at the Longer Haul.  What kind of big changes?  Well you’ll just have to give a listen… I’m so exci...

How do you respond when facing criticism in youth ministry? Let’s be honest, ministry can be very personal.  We generally pour ourselves into our youth ministry in practically every way.  So when there is some kind of criticism with how we are doing things, it can be really hurtful. How we deal and address any criticism in youth ministry can be the make or break moment in our longevity.  Bey...

What does it take to see students in your youth ministry actively and consistently sharing their faith? Getting students to live out and share their faith can be tough.  I mean let’s be real, getting them to see their schools as a mission field and notice the lost around them can be difficult.  Getting them to actually share the gospel?  Well, that’s another thing altogether. In this e...

What might it be that causes you to leave youth ministry? Maybe that’s easy to answer.  Maybe you feel like you’re there now. There are lots of reasons you could leave youth ministry.  I’ve shared previously seven reasons that could be legitimate considerations . Unfortunately most of the time, it isn’t these that drive us away. Youth Ministry is tough.  Really tough. And s...

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed, on the verge of burnout, and need a downshift in your youth ministry? One of the MAJOR keys to sticking around and have longevity in your youth ministry is being able to recognize and navigate slowing down from time to time.  Sometimes slowing now allows you to do more later. In this episode Justin Knowles shares awesome practical steps to take when you ne...

Let’s be honest the culture has shifted drastically.  We can no longer assume that the teens who come into our ministry have an understanding of even the basics of the Christian faith.  This drastically changes how we minister to youth. So what are the keys to reaching these post-christian students in our youth ministries? In this episode Kolby Milton and I tackle this and more.  In this int...

If you stay in youth ministry long enough you will face a season of a downturn in your youth ministry numbers.  Knowing how to push through this and strengthen your ministry in light of it is essential.  If though you manage this well you can actually come out stronger in the end having gone through this. Managing this well helps keep you from being discouraged, helps you communicate what success...

Bringing in a guest speaker for you youth can be a great thing…or it can go terribly wrong.  So what are the secrets to a great guest speaker? In this episode Chase Snyder and I tackle this and more.  The secrets to a guest speaker aren’t complicated, but they are really important.  In this interview you’ll learn the things you need to do, ask, and consider BEFORE you bring them...

What happens when you choose stay in Youth Ministry when you could leave?  It won’t take long serving in Youth Ministry before you will hit a point where you feel you could–or should–leave the position you’re in.  Choosing to stay in Youth Ministry, and choosing to stay in your position in Youth Ministry can be really difficult. I’ve written about why you should stay...

Fighting pornography addiction is a battle not to be taken lightly.  If you’re in ministry it definitely affects you.  Whether in the lives of the teens you serve, their families, or maybe you’re own personal struggle. It is in many cases the BIG secret that seems all too present in the lives of those we serve, and many times in those that are serving.  That there is no question that i...

In ministry we are constantly finding ourselves ministering to many different types of people.  This seems especially true in youth ministry. One group that is often lost in the mix are introverts.  Ministering to introverts brings a unique set of challenges.  Doing so effectively requires intentionality and thoughtfulness in every aspect of our ministries. Added to this the fact that many youth p...

Struggle with staying organized in youth ministry?  How can you keep track of everything without going crazy along the way?  How can you keep track of all those receipts?  Wait…anyone else struggle with losing these?  No?  Just me?  Oh, okay. If you have been around the blog or the podcast for a day or two you probably know by now that I LOVE Evernote.  It literally keeps me sane…and e...

Ever feel overwhelmed at a Youth Ministry Conference?  I know I do. There’s always so much to do.  There’s so much to see and hear.  Often times if I’m honest I come back more tired than when I left rather than being refreshed and encouraged.  Many times I even return a bit discouraged after hearing all of the things I feel like I should be doing in my ministry and can’t do...

What kind of expectations do you find yourself having to navigate? In this episode we talk all about dealing with expectations in youth ministry.  We talk about what some of those expectations are, where they can come from, and what you can do when managing and dealing with expectations in youth ministry.  We also chat about the importance of networking and what the real purpose should be. Links m...

When it comes to longevity in youth ministry there are many things that are important to consider.  If you fail to do so, you will never make it in youth ministry over the long haul. In today’s episode you’ll find out some crucial things you need to consider with it comes to your ministry.  These will make or break you. Links mentioned: Benchmarks in your Youth Ministry (blog post) Sea...

Knowing how to set goals in Youth Ministry is extremely important.  Setting the right goals and setting them correctly is even more important. In today’s episode you’ll find how to set goals in your Youth Ministry.  These will help you stay encouraged and moving forward. Links mentioned: Benchmarks in your Youth Ministry (blog post) Seasons in your Youth Ministry (podcast episode) @jod...

If you want to be an effective leader you MUST be a consistent reader.  Reading is one of the best ( and cheapest ) way to learn and grow.  Many struggle with reading consistently or at all though.  It is a worthwhile discipline to be learned. In today’s episode you’ll find how to build better reading habits and finish at least one book at week (if not more). Links mentioned: @jodyLivi...

What does it mean to really build disciples in your Youth Ministry?  What does it take? In today’s episode Duffy Robbins joins me to talk about how to build a youth ministry that builds disciples. This is a great episode and is packed with lots of practical advice and how to’s. Links mentioned: @duffyrobbins Eastern.edu Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Building a Ministry that Buil...

Every Youth Pastor wants youth who share the gospel at school.  Wanting that in our students and creating that in our students is an entirely different thing altogether. In today’s episode David Martin from I Am Second joins me to talk about how to help youth share the gospel at school. This is a great episode and is packed with lots of practical advice, resources, how to’s. Links ment...

I don’t think most Youth Pastors take a position thinking they will leave soon.  The reality is though that for many this is the case.  Many times Youth Pastors leave too often.  The damage left behind as a result can be devastating. In today’s episode I interview on of my students and he shares what it is like to be on the receiving end when Youth Pastors leave too often. This is a gr...