How NOT To Be a Youth Pastor

On their final episode, Kyle and Derek welcome two guests to the show for some fun and games. Also, they distill all their knowledge (it didn't take long) into their Top 10 Tips for Ministry. 

You've got questions, we've got answers! On the penultimate episode of the podcast, Kyle and Derek answer questions live on a Wednesday night at Kyle's youth group.

Public school, private school, homeschool... every youth ministry sees students from every type of educational system. In today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about the pros and cons of each school type from a ministry perspective.

The world is a changing place, and technology is always at the forefront. A.I. is the new thing, and like most technology, it can be both a blessing and a curse. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into the world of A.I., talking about how it can help in ministry and areas to avoid using it.

We have questions! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek tackle questions ranging from their first sermons to ministry struggles to preferred golf clubs.

Most towns have multiple churches. Many churches are even on the same street. But on today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about how churches competing against each other is completely missing the mark.

Churches, and other places of worship, have heightened their conversations on security over the last 20 years. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about what church security and medical teams should look like.

Ministry can feel like a silo sometimes, and the health of pastors often gets ignored. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into some practical advice when it comes to asking those around you for help and accountability.

On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into baptism, what it was in Jesus' day, and what it should look like in our churches.

Everyone has different tastes when it comes to worship music, and that's ok! But there are some songs that we... just... disagree with. At least on some level. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek discuss some of the worship songs that they don't think are right for certain settings.

Ok, hear us out... On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into a wild theory that maybe, just maybe, the MCU and Jesus are connected in ways we never thought of before.

Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and then... Gen Alpha?!? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into what makes this next generation unique and how to best reach them in youth ministry.

No matter how hard we try, there are times when writing sermons is more fun than others. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about some of the ways that pastors can break the cycle and get a fresh start writing their sermons.

Alright, it's time to get nerdy! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek break down their thoughts on the statistics of Youth Pastors' salaries in 2023.

It's a classic story. David vs Goliath. Favorite vs Underdog... or was it? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into some of the myths we believe about this classic story.

Did anyone else think that Kyle and Derek were just making up their wives this whole time? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek share conversation with their wives about their time in ministry, lessons that they've learned, and what they would tell couples just starting in ministry.

"Seeker-Friendly" churches are all over. Their goal, as evidenced by the nickname, is to purposefully operate with the top goal of attracting unbelievers to the church. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek wrestle through whether or not this is a good model for youth ministry.

Politics is one of those topics that you're not supposed to bring up at the Thanksgiving table. But our walk with Christ should cover every aspect of our lives. So how do we talk about and teach on politics in the church? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about how to have a Christ-filled discussion around such a polarizing topic like politics.

In ministry, a new boss can mean great things, but it can also mean... losing your job?!? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek wrap up their series on pastoral transition by talking about what it looks like for a church to bring on a new Lead Pastor and how Youth Pastors should approach that transition.

How does ministry change when you have an interim pastor? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about what Youth Pastors can do in the interim period to best get ready for a new Lead Pastor to come in.

When a Lead Pastor leaves a church, they typically transition out over a few weeks. In some cases, however, that "transition" can happen overnight. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek continue their series on Pastoral Transition by talking about a sudden change in church leadership from the church's point of view.

It's the thing you hope and expect never happens. Unfortunately, when God works with imperfect people, people fail. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek discuss what happens to a pastor when they have a moral failure.

When you sign up to shepherd God's people, you sign on for a higher standard than other people are held to. With great responsibility comes great... responsibility? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into their highly anticipated series on pastoral integrity and what happens when pastors fall.

Many Youth Pastors think they are doing everything they possibly can for their students. In reality, there might be a whole lot more you should be doing. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about the ways Youth Pastors are sometimes inefficient, and how they can get more done faster.

Many pastors tend to overwork themselves. Often times, everything we are doing is good, there's just too much of it! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek start a two part series on workload by talking about some of the signs that you might be doing too much.

Mathematically, more young people will choose careers in secular fields than in ministry. Which is how it should be! In the conclusion of their three part series, Kyle and Derek take a look at how students can prep for a career in a secular field, and how God has still called them to be a part of the Body of Christ.

Serving God around the world is a noble choice to make, but also a difficult one. For students who want to go into missions, what are the next steps to get there? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek discuss some of the practical steps students can take to prepare themselves for missions.

Many students feel called to go into ministry. But are you? And if you are, what are the next steps? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about how to know if you're called into ministry, and some next steps to take.

Many ministries and churches will utilize clothing, mugs, or other merchandise to promote their brand and create unity amongst their congregation. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about some of their experiences with merch, as well as some common mistakes to avoid.

The toughest part of youth ministry is that all your students eventually leave. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about what to do when you have a large group of seniors leaving at the same time.

As a Youth Pastor, you work under the authority of the Lead Pastor at your church. Being a part of a staff can be difficult at times, and ministry takes all hands working together. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about how Youth Pastors can support their Lead Pastor, and how to best communicate their own needs.

With most jobs, being married has little to no effect. In ministry, being married can look drastically different. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek discuss the advantages (and a few disadvantages) of being married while in ministry.

Studies are showing that with each new generation, biblical knowledge is lower and lower. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about some of the ways Youth Pastors can increase biblical literacy in their students.

Depending on the denomination of your church, there is a very wide array of beliefs on who the Holy Spirit is, what the Holy Spirit's involvement in our lives is, what the Holy Spirit's function is in the church today. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.

There are natural rhythms to a year of ministry. Fall brings a back-to-school vibe. Winter in Minnesota feels like it drags on... and on... and on. If you plan for it, you can take advantage of these rhythms and use them to help lean into ministry. Join Kyle and Derek as they dive into how to fall into helpful rhythms in ministry.

There's a lot of work that goes into being a Youth Pastor. To borrow from Kevin Malone, "Why use many words when few words do trick?" Join Kyle and Derek as they kick off Season 3 by discussing how doing more work up front can really set you up well for success long term.

Studying the Bible is one of the most important parts of our faith, but it can be an intimidating thing to start to do. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek aim to equip people to start a Bible study with their friends.

A lot has changed in ten years. From the polarization of politics in America to the cherrypicking of Scripture in the church, Kyle and Derek take a look how ministry has changed over the last decade, and what are some of the biggest talking points in today's ministries.

In today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about how to identify leadership fatigue, as well as some ways to try and break the cycle and get back to passionately doing what God has called us to do.

In the final episode of their series on the Ideal Graduate, Kyle and Derek talk about how we can grow hearts of service and generosity in our students.

On today's episode, Kyle and Derek continue their conversation about what the ideal graduate looks like by discussing spiritual disciples and attendance goals.

We know that, as youth pastors, we are supposed to be shepherding students toward Jesus. But what, exactly, should we be aiming for? On today's episode, Kyle and Derek discuss what the ideal graduate might look like, and how we can aim to get there.

COVID-19 had a huge impact on every aspect of our culture, including churches. Many aspects of “doing church” were forever changed, whether that was for good or bad. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about some of the ways that church life has changed in the post-COVID era.

As a leader, there are plenty of things we CAN do. But as you rise in leadership ranks, there are rights that you give up voluntarily that make you a better leader. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about some of the things that Youth Pastors, executives, or anyone in a leadership position can no longer do.

Having a soundboard is good. Deafening your students is not. Having lights and haze can be impactful when done well. Setting off the fire alarms is not. On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into the elements that go into creating the right atmosphere in the room, and some mistakes to avoid.

We've all been there. Sitting in a church service, scrolling through social media, or watching professional athletes, and... there it is. A Bible verse quoted, but totally out of context! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek share some of the top verses they see misinterpreted and give the true heart behind the words.

Every youth ministry has them. The kids that sit in the back every week, probably on their phones or distracting others, and definitely not paying attention. As a youth pastor, what do you do? They're causing disturbances, but that probably means they need Jesus! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek dive into this conundrum Youth Pastors face on a weekly basis.

Tithing is talked about as an important aspect of our faith when we are adults. But what does that look like for teenagers? Kyle and Derek talk about lump sum giving, inconsistent paychecks, and how to teach tithing in youth ministry.

The goal of a youth pastor is longevity; being in students' lives for a long time. Sometimes, that might result in being asked to officiate the wedding of a former youth student! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek break down the elements they use in pre-marital counseling.

We cannot stress enough that, as a pastor, the Bible should be the first, second, and third place you draw from. Whether it's inspiration, leadership, or self-development, that's where our growth should start. But if you're looking for supplemental resources, this episode is for you! Kyle and Derek share some of their favorite books that they've read recently.

There comes a point as a Youth Pastor where you can't do it all. Besides, you can't even be there all the time! On today's episode, Kyle and Derek talk about delegating within youth ministry, especially with Kyle's upcoming paternity leave.