Youth Ministry Soulkeeper

Volunteers are the lifeblood of youth ministry. But what happens when a volunteer becomes the problem? James and Todd open up a conversation most youth leaders have needed to have for a long time. Struggling vs. Toxic: The Core DistinctionBefore you can address toxic behavior, you have to be able to name it. James and Todd walk through the key markers of each:A struggling volunteer: Is going throu...

Summary: In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, Todd and James discuss the importance of building authentic relationships with unchurched students. They emphasize the need for youth leaders to accept students as they are, connect them with caring adults, and build trust over time. The conversation provides practical strategies for engaging students, being present in their lives...

Beyond The Resolution: Setting Ministry Goals With Grace Summary:  In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd kick off the new year by tackling a topic every youth leader faces: New Year's resolutions and goal-setting. Moving beyond the typical resolution hype, they dive into what it means to set meaningful ministry goals rooted in grace rather than guilt. The...

Summary: In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd discuss the nuances of youth retreats, including the debate between fall and winter retreats, tips for speakers, and the importance of building relationships with youth. They also address how to handle unexpected situations during retreats and emphasize the significance of clear communication and expectations...

Summary: In this compelling episode, hosts James and Todd sit down with Jody Livingston, a veteran youth pastor with over 26 years of ministry experience, to unpack the vital theme of longevity in youth ministry. Drawing from his personal journey and the insights found in his book, Staying Power: Essentials for Longevity in Youth Ministry, Jody shares candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and practi...

Summary: In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd discuss the importance of presence and listening in youth ministry. The conversation highlights the power of being present for others, the significance of listening without interruption, and the role of coaching in helping youth leaders grow.   Takeaways: If you're not stealing stuff from other youth ministrie...

Summary In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James Sabin and Todd Pearage welcome guest Dave Keehn, who shares his profound journey through grief and faith after the sudden loss of his son, Adam. Dave discusses Adam's transformation from a struggling youth to a passionate youth pastor and the establishment of the Adam Keehn Foundation, aimed at supporting new youth past...

Summary In this conversation, James and Todd discuss effective strategies for youth ministry, focusing on the importance of follow-up with newcomers, creating a welcoming environment, and building personal connections. They emphasize the significance of incentivizing attendance, and the role of discipleship in fostering a strong community. Budgeting and resource management are also highlighted as...

In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper podcast, hosts James Sabin and Todd Pearage discuss the significance of follow-up ministry. They emphasize the importance of making youth feel valued and connected, sharing personal experiences and strategies for effective follow-up. The conversation also touches on measuring success through numbers and transformational stories, encouraging youth l...

In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James Sabin and Todd Pearage announce the upcoming Youth Leader Summit, and share their favorite Christmas songs. They discuss the popular meme 'Mary, Did You Know?' and reflect on the balance between what we know and what remains unknown in our spiritual journeys. Through personal testimonies and insights from youth ministry, they e...

 In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd discuss the intersection of family and ministry during the Christmas season. They share personal experiences and insights about the importance of appreciation in youth ministry, highlighting stories of gratitude from past students. The conversation emphasizes the significance of small, consistent actions in making a l...

Summary : James and Todd talk about the importance of taking breaks and finding time for spiritual renewal amidst the demands of youth ministry. They share personal experiences from recent events, including a father-son camp and a trip to Scotland, emphasizing the need for self-care and intentional rest. The conversation highlights practical tips for integrating breaks into ministry life, the coun...

In this episode of the Youth Ministry Soul Keeper Podcast, hosts James and Todd reflect on their summer family and ministry experiences. They delve into the current polarized culture, emphasizing the need for youth leaders to navigate political discussions with grace and kindness. The conversation highlights the significance of modeling love and acceptance, creating a safe environment for youth to...

Summary : In this conversation, James and Todd discuss how anniversaries can be both a cause for celebration and a reminder of painful experiences. Todd shares a personal experience of being asked to resign from his position as a youth pastor on a specific date, which has become a traumatic anniversary for him. James also shares how his wedding anniversary has had mixed emotions attached to it. Ja...

Summary : In this episode, James and Todd discuss milestones in ministry and personal life. They share their recent family milestones and encourage listeners to recognize and appreciate the significant moments in their own lives. They emphasize the importance of practicing God's presence and being aware of His work, even when it may not be apparent.    Show Notes   Connect With The Show: Webpage -...

Christmas can be a very busy and stressful time of the year for those of us in youth ministry. James and Todd share some tips on how you can stay healthy and experience some Christmas cheer. Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088943467640&sk=followers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ymsoulkeeper/ Youtube (w...

Summary : We all know Spring is an exciting time, and in youth ministry the pace is picking up as we are looking toward our summer calendars and summer camps. James and Todd are also feeling the squeeze a bit and wanted to share some ideas they are using to help during this time. Show Notes Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.p...

The Kingdom of God is all about small beginnings. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven works like a mustard seed. It starts small and grows. We should expect youth ministry to be the same, and we should see small beginnings as something to be excited about and not disappointed in. Show Notes Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profi...

Episode 30: Is It All Worth It? Summary: What do we do when our students move from following Jesus to following the world? When we see kids who were full of joy and consistently showed up to our youth programs, they are now jaded and hurt from their decisions and consistently don't show up. How do we keep from becoming discouraged ourselves after all we have tried to do to help them walk with Jesu...

Summary: What is currently fueling your ministry? Is it the fear of failure or the desire to be successful? Is it a need for affirmation or is it peace that comes from being confident in God and His faithfulness? We all minister from fuels, the big question is are they clean or dirty? Show Notes Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/prof...

Episode 28: Care Over Criticism Summary: What do we do as Youth workers when the people we have been called to care for become the objects of our criticism? In this episode, James and Todd discuss that very thing and what we can do to avoid falling into this trap. Show Notes Connect With The Show: Webpage - https://ymsoulkeeper.carrd.co Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000889434...

Summary: James introduces the new relaunch for the podcast and introduces good friend and new co-host, Todd Pearage. James and Todd discuss what to expect in future episodes and how the podcast hopes to encourage the souls of youth workers as they minister to the souls in their ministries. Connect With The Show: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088943467640&sk=followers In...

Summary: We all have heard the phrase "Practicing God's Presence." But what does that mean, and how can we learn to experience and become more aware of God's presence in our own lives and youth ministries? James talks about his journey exploring and practicing the Examen Prayer and how it helped him be more aware of God's presence and purposes in his own life and the lives of those in his youth mi...

Episode 25: Help For Youth Pastors with Todd Pearage Summary: In this episode, James talks with Youth Leader Oasis founder Todd Pearage, who, in partnership with Standing Stone ministries, provides help, care, and encouragement for youth leaders and their spouses in crisis. Todd shares his story and how He and his wife Lynda can help if you happen to find yourself in need. Connect with Todd & Lind...

Summary: In this episode, James shares that If you are going to cheat in youth ministry, it is better to cheat on your message than cheat on meeting with Jesus and others. Crafting and creating messages is essential to what we do but not the most important thing we do. Connect with Us... Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamessabin13/ Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ym_s...