Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

If you’ve been in Youth Ministry for more than a day or two you know that burnout is a real possibility for anyone in ministry. In today’s episode Ben Trueblood joins me to talk about burnout in Youth Ministry and how to avoid it.  This is a great episode and is packed with lots of practical advise and how to’s. Links mentioned: @bentrueblood http://www.lifeway.com/studentministr...

As a Youth Pastor you often find yourself wearing many hats.  There also come times when you must assume additional responsibilities.  In this episode I’m giving you six lessons for taking on additional responsibilities. Links mentioned: TLH007: Why They Stay TLH024: Partnering with Parents in Youth Ministry Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Building The All Star Team Course The upcoming...

It’s a little Q & A today on the podcast.  What things should a youth pastor do when first starting out?  How should a volunteer or bi-vocational youth pastor best spend their time? Links mentioned: TLH008: What to do with busy teens with Aaron Helman TLH006: Crafting Vision for Youth Ministry with Nate Turner   In this particular episode, you will learn: What kind of things a new Y...

Youth Pastors often find themselves serving in a dual role within their church.  How do you manage it?  How do you get it done?  In this episode we tackle how to do it well. Links mentioned: DownloadYouthMinistry.com @JustinKnowles3 Resources mentioned in this Podcast: The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stan...

Having the right tool for the job is essential.  This is especially important in youth ministry.  In this episode I’m giving you the top 5 tools to help manage your youth ministry. Links mentioned: Evernote Essentials Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Click Here to Download The 5 Top Tools I Use To Manage My Youth Ministry In this particular episode, you will learn: Tools to help manage t...

Teaching your youth to share their faith is one thing…getting them to actually share it is another thing altogether.  In this episode of the podcast Dr. Alvin Reid shares how to help get your youth to actually share their faith. This episode is packed with resources, helps, and practical steps to get your youth to share their faith. Links mentioned: AlvinReid.com @alvinreid ViewTheStory.com...

Are you effectively partnering with parents in your Youth Ministry? In today’s episode Jeremy Lee from ParentMinistry.net shares why this is important, and some helpful tools to do it effectively.  Make sure you stick around to the end of the episode where Jeremy gives an AWESOME free resource to listeners! Links mentioned: ParentMinistry.net Parent Ministry Podcast Resources mentioned in th...

When should you write your own Youth Ministry curriculum and how do you do it well? In today’s episode we are giving you practical and helpful tips for creating curriculum that will really teach your students in a way they will process and learn.  Kenny and Elle Campbell share from their experience crafting and creating youth ministry resources and lessons. Links mentioned: StuffYouCanUse.or...

What if you could REALLY get Adults to pray for students in your Youth Ministry? In today’s episode we are tackling that very topic.  Tony Souder shares about the Pray For Me Campaign and how you can launch it in your church. Links mentioned: Pray For Me Campaign Chattanooga Youth Network THL007: Why They Stay Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Inti...

Summer in Youth Ministry can look WAY different from the school year.  With summer comes huge potential for your Youth Ministry. This doesn’t happen automatically though.  It cannot be assumed.  So what things are needed to make sure that you really do make the most of your Youth Ministry in Summer? Links mentioned: Building the All Star Team TLH008: What To Do With Busy Teens Resources ment...

What does a vibrant Youth Ministry look like?  You might be surprised.  In today’s episode Mark Oestreicher (Marko) shares 4 qualities of a vibrant Youth Ministry.  These are qualities that ANY Youth Ministry COULD have.  There are some huge takeaways from this episode. Links mentioned: WhyIsMarko.com @markosbeard TheYouthCartel.com Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Hopecasting: Finding,...

In a culture that tells students it is all about them, how do we inspire teens to serve others?  How do we encourage them so see those around them and be moved with compassion to serve? In today’s episode Brooklyn Lindsey shares how to inspire teens to be more and do more, especially when it comes to serving others globally.  You’ll also hear some lessons she learned early on in her mi...

Change is inevitable.  Regardless of how long you’ve been serving where you are you will need to make changes in Youth Ministry.  This can certainly be tricky and there are tons of examples of how to do it poorly.  The question is then, how do you do that without royally ticking everyone off and getting yourself fired? In today’s episode I’m giving you 5 keys to making changes in...

The transition from Youth Ministry to life that follows is crucial for the longevity of your student’s faith.  How do you do that? In today’s episode Shay Osborne shares from his experience working as a Youth Pastor, College Campus Missionary, and Pastor with practical help and direction on successfully transitioning your Youth to College. Links mentioned: TLH007: Why They Stay (Keepin...

How do you create real community within your youth leaders?  How long does it take? In today’s episode Terry Huey dives in with practical help on how to begin building community within the team in your Youth Ministry. Links mentioned: TLH012: What Youth Leaders Need From Their Youth Pastor @TerryHuey Terry Huey on Instagram Turned By Design Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Your First Two...

What if I could go back and start over?  What things would I do differently? In today’s episode I’m giving you the five things I would do differently if I could go back and start over.  These things are really simple, but REALLY important! Regardless of whether you are new to Youth Ministry or a Youth Ministry veteran I think you’ll find these important for your ministry. Links m...

Want to be in your ministry for a long time?  You’ll need to know this. In every Youth Ministry there are certain seasons that can be expected.  Knowing what these are and being prepared for them when they come can make or break you.  If you are not prepared for these when they come; you will find yourself looking for greener pastures quickly. Regardless of whether you are new to Youth Minis...

Balancing family and Youth Ministry is an impossible task.  Today my guest is my amazing wife Sarah Livingston.  We give you an honest inside look at how we manage our family and Youth Ministry.  We share what works…what hasn’t always, and give you some practical advice on making it all work. Links mentioned: Dear Youth Pastor, Stop Fighting For Balance The Key to REAL Influence In You...

Having a team around you is SO IMPORTANT.  Those Youth Leaders that serve alongside you have things that they need from their Youth Pastor.  What are they?  Matthew Hart shares from his years of Youth Ministry experience to help you invest well in your Youth Leaders and learn what Youth Leaders need from Youth Pastors. Links mentioned: When You Want To Stay and Can’t (part 1) When You Want T...

It is crucial that we prepare the students in our Youth Ministry to defend their faith.  Where do you start?  What are the most important issues?  Dr. Jamie Dew gives practical advice to make sure your students’ faith doesn’t get washed away when they leave your ministry.  Put on your thinking caps, in this episode we’re taking you to school…and it is SO good. Links mention...

Should you focus on teaching doctrine and theology in Youth Ministry?  In this episode David Hanson, from TheYouthMinistryBlog.com, and I tackle why you should, how to go about it, and where to start.  You’ll also hear about David’s fascination with pulling teeth on mission trips and how God used a Chemistry class to call him to Youth Ministry. Links mentioned: TheYouthMinistryBlog.com...

While it may sound a little wrong, or even feel a little funny to say, there is a real need to market your Youth Ministry to students.  With so many options and so little time, how do you effectively market your ministry to students?  That’s what Amber Cassady from Simply Youth Ministry and Group Mission Trips tackles in this episode of the podcast.  This episode is packed with helpful tips,...

In this episode you’ll hear from Aaron Helman of SmarterYouthMinistry.com.  We talk about how students in our ministries are overworked, under-slept, and overstressed more than ever before.  We tackle the approach we normally take to addressing this issue, and how it is wrong, along with what we should be doing. Links mentioned: SmarterYouthMinistry.com The one-sentence mantra that could cha...

In this episode you’ll hear from Steve Parr, author of The Coffee Shop That Changed A Church, among other books.  Steve shares about his recent research on why those that stay in church after graduating from the Youth Ministry, stay in church rather than stray from their faith. This may be the most important content I have shared to date in any format.  Whether you are a Youth Pastor, Youth...

In this episode you’ll hear from Nate Turner of Creative Grid Partners.  Nate walks us through the process needed to craft a realistic and powerful vision for your Youth Ministry.  This is a must listen…. Links mentioned: 5 Characteristics We Want In Our Students Setting Goals In Your Ministry creativegridpartners.com @NateJTurner Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Sustainable Youth...