How NOT To Be a Youth Pastor

Follow How NOT To Be a Youth Pastor
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join Kyle and Derek, two of your neighborhood youth pastors, who dive into all things youth ministry. Their comedic transparency is sure to leave you with a few laughs and a greater understanding of the "how" and "why" behind a successful youth group. Whe

Derek Mumm and Kyle Besch


    • Jul 5, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 54m AVG DURATION
    • 115 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from How NOT To Be a Youth Pastor with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from How NOT To Be a Youth Pastor

    E115 - The Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 75:29


    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. 

    E114 - Live Mailbag

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 59:46


    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.

    E113 - Battle of the Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 59:53


    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.

    E112 - A.I. and Youth Ministry

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 56:35


    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.

    E111 - Ministry Q&A

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 55:24


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

    E110 - Church Competition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 48:14


    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.

    E109 - Church Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 50:40


    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.

    E108 - How to Ask For Help

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 50:10


    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.

    E107 - Baptism

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 49:52


    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.

    E106 - Worship Songs We Hate

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 55:35


    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.

    E105 - Is Thor in the Bible?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 64:44


    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.

    E104 - Gen Alpha

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 68:44


    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.

    E103 - Sermon Slumps

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 47:32


    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.

    E102 - The 2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 69:46


    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.

    E101 - David & Goliath Myths

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 53:59


    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.

    E100 - The Smoking Hot Wives

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 70:50


    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.

    E99 - Should Youth Ministries Be Seeker Friendly?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 56:48


    "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.

    youth ministries seeker friendly
    E98 - Talking About Politics as a Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 63:55


    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.

    E97 - Hiring a New Lead Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 53:52


    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.

    E96 - Serving Under an Interim Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2023 73:49


    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.

    E95 - What To Do When Your Pastor Leaves Suddenly

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 62:15


    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.

    E94 - What Happens When a Pastor Has a Moral Failure

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 49:30


    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.

    E93 - Pastors Are Held To a Higher Standard

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2023 50:38


    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.

    E92 - You're Not Doing Enough

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 59:26


    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.

    E91 - You're Doing Too Much

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2023 55:31


    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.

    E90 - I Want To Go Into a Secular Field. Now What?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 51:48


    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.

    E89 - I Want To Be a Missionary. Now What?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 46:04


    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.

    E88 - I Want To Go Into Ministry. Now What?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 69:17


    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.

    E87 - Buying Merch For Your Youth Ministry

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 55:47


    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.

    E86 - What do I do When All My Seniors Leave?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 50:35


    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.

    E85 - What Your Senior Pastor Needs From You

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 53:46


    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.

    E84 - Being Married in Youth Ministry

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 52:04


    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.

    E83 - Biblical Literacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 44:39


    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.

    E82 - The Holy Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 43:47


    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.

    E81 - Rhythms of Youth Ministry

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 46:42


    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.

    E80 - Setting Up Systems That Work For You

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 50:42


    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.

    E79 - How To Start a Bible Study

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 67:34


    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.

    E78 - Youth Ministry in 2013 vs 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 61:34


    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.

    E77 - Leadership Fatigue

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 63:47


    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.

    E76 - What Does the Ideal Graduate Look Like? Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 51:57


    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.

    E75 - What Does the Ideal Graduate Look Like? Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 53:58


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

    E74 - What Does the Ideal Graduate Look Like? Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 51:47


    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.

    E73 - How COVID-19 Changed the Way We Do Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 60:26


    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.

    E72 - The Relinquished Rights of Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 61:49


    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.

    E71 - The Atmosphere of a Church Service

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 63:23


    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.

    E70 - Bible Verses Out of Context

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2023 63:37


    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.

    E69 - The Kids in the Back Row

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2023 48:41


    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.

    E68 - Tithing as a Teenager

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 54:47


    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.

    E67 - Pre-Marital Counseling

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 60:42


    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.

    E66 - Books, Books, and More Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 53:14


    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.

    E65 - Delegating as a Youth Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 55:09


    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.

    Claim How NOT To Be a Youth Pastor

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel