Talking Squirrels - The Middle School Ministry Podcast

Andrea Miller breaks down her new student leadership team. Ronald takes lots of notes.Questions to consider:What jobs can you give to middle school students?How can you involved students in ministry at your church?

Forced Discipleship and Middle School StudentsWe're back after a hiatus and life and stuff. Have you ever had a parent REALLY want you to meet with their student, when their student REALLY doesn't want to? That's what we talked about this episode.Questions to consider:How do you “parent” parents?What ways have you broken the tension with an unwilling student?How many times do you typically meet with a student about one topic?

The school year is half over in December. Is it a time when you need new leaders to come and help bring in the new calendar year? Andrea Miller comes back for a second episode to talk training new leaders!Questions to consider:Can you make a specific ask for leaders in your group?Can you encourage your leaders today?How can you get everyone trained in the same way?What jobs need to be done in your ministry? How can a new leader help?

Andrea Miller and Ronald Long talk about what it would be like to start helping students share what God is doing in their lives. Whether small groups or main stage, middle school students can have something to offer!Questions to consider:Do you have space for students to share?During small groups?During main stage time?In prayer?If not, what would it take to start letting them have the spotlight?

Katie Edwards and Ronald Long talk about what a weekly sabbath looks like in the midst of a busy season. Questions to consider:How can you prepare for a Sabbath throughout the week?What things/people fill your cup? What things/people drain the life out of you?Why is a Sabbath such a big deal?

This week I got to have a great conversation with Katie Edwards, Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church, about how she uses fun to help foster community and trust with her middle school students!Questions to consider:How can you add community fun to your weekly program?In what ways can you help build relationships in your group?What can you do to get students to trust each other and move to deeper relationships?

This Sunday I watched as a now 8th grader who, let's be real, used to be a big turd, invite a sixth grade student up on stage with her to sing for worship band. It was the most encouraging thing I've seen in a long time and it made my heart so happy to see! And of course, it got me thinking: How can we encourage students to be more welcoming and inviting? That's what we break down today!Questions to consider:Is your group insider focused, or outsider focused?Do you have a place for a new student to fit in?Are there places for current students to step up?

You've just moved up a group of students. Why in the world would you be thinking about promoting the ones you just got!? In this episode, Ronald talks about how he's trying to plan for the student leadership vacuum that occurs every year by preparing right now!•Who are your leaders now that your leaders have moved up?•Who could be developed?•How can you identify new students to take on new roles?•How can you encourage students who have stepped into the vacuum?Talked about on the episode:https://trainmyvolunteers.comGet a glimpse at the type and quality of content that will be available on the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training (NDVYMT). Download a free training session with Doug Fields today!

This was the week! Ronald finally got his own kid in student ministry. And it was heartwarming and hilarious. This week Ronald talks about how to create a safe space for your middle school students to really share their thoughts, doubts, and opinions. •How do you respond when a contrary opinion is shared? Do you judge it or roll with it?•Do students share their doubts in youth group or do they hold back?•How can you encourage students to share if they think they don't hold the same opinion or story as others?Talked about on the episode:https://trainmyvolunteers.comGet a glimpse at the type and quality of content that will be available on the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training (NDVYMT). Download a free training session with Doug Fields today!

This is the year. Tim, our high school pastor, is getting his daughter in the high school ministry, and Ronald, the middle school pastor, is getting his daughter (and another one of Tim's) in the middle school ministry.Insert generalized anxiety here.Are your kids in your youth ministry? •You're not just your kid's pastor. You're your kid's FRIENDS pastor!•How are you going to treat your student?•How are you going to treat your student's friends?•Treat them all the same. Even if it's a little strange at first.Talked about on the episode:Follow Tim Nowell on Social!Instagram - @tim.nowellTwitter - @ThatTimNowell

Tim Nowell, the high school pastor I get to work with every week, sits down with me to talk about moving up 8th grade students to the high school ministry. He's a thirteen-year veteran at Wayside Chapel and we have a strategy. Mostly.•We have a conversation about each student by talking through a list.•We highlight who will show up, who was involved, and who we've never seen.•Leaders loving students for years.•Welcoming incoming students into the high school ministry the week before promotion with a “Fish Fry” (Grilling freshman with questions and addressing their fears).Talked about on the episode:Follow Tim Nowell on Social!Instagram - @tim.nowellTwitter - @ThatTimNowell

After COVID has a lot of us remembering “before the pandemic” either with fondness or envy. It's a season of rebuilding for our whole church, but our Stone Oak campus is rebuilding… harder. Listen in as Ronald and Cameron talk about what to do when the numbers are down.•Focus on who is there.•When students aren't around, you are the energy.•Try to not take it personally.•Look inward to see if changes need to made: to your ministry or to yourself.Talked about on the episode:Follow Cameron Contrestano on Social!Instagram - @cameron.m.c

In this episode Ronald talks to Cameron Contrestano, the Student Ministry Pastor at Wayside Chapel, Stone Oak Campus. Ronald and Cameron work together a lot! Cameron's group is 6th through 12th grade and he often has to “call up” the middle school crew. That's the topic of today's podcast!•Utilize middle school student's natural curiosity.•Treat them like teenagers, not like children.•Middle School students can handle MORE than we usually give them credit for.•Think: Ministry BY students, not ministry TO students.Talked about on the episode:Follow Cameron Contrestano on Social!Instagram - @cameron.m.c

Recently, Doug and Josh made a video about how to get Momentum in 2021! In this episode, Michelle and Ronald talk about the ways they are planning to work on one of the ten things they talked about!Talked about on the episode:Momentum in Ministry Facebook Video:https://blog.downloadyouthministry.com/how-to-get-momentum-in-2021/The Quick List:1. Align With Adult Services2. Get Big-Picture Buy-In3. Communicate4. Dig Deeper5. Combine with a Kickoff6. Perk Attendance7. Incentivize New Students 8. Incentivize Volunteers9. Enhance Parent Communication 10. Make Sure You Deliver

Ok, it wasn’t ALL a dumpster fire. Some good things did come out of 2020! This week, Michelle and Ronald look back at 2020 and talk about the things they saw that were positive from the year!Got anything to add? We’d love to hear about it!Talked about on the episode:2020 - It Wasn’t All Badhttps://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/2020---it-wasn%27t-all-bad/games-6045.htmlThe Life and Legacy of Allison Williamshttps://scholarship.downloadyouthministry.com/allison-williams/What did we love about 2020?1.Michelle Speaking at David Wood’s church!2.Brett Eddy speaking at Ronald’s retreat3.Online game nights were great! Google Doc Trivia night. Kahoot is a good tool.4.Ronald’s Youtube Lives were really fun5.Michelle and her husband celebrated 1 year! Yay! PS - Allison we love you.

These kids are squirrely. You’ve got to be careful or they’ll run around on you if you put them in charge of things! They might even get going even when you aren’t ready! This week, Michelle and Ronald talk giving students responsibilities.And the good and the bad of doing so!Questions to Consider•How can you help students lead from the front?•How can you help students lead from behind the scenes?Mentioned in the Podcast:Student Job Descriptionshttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FOQfPY_WNmnnqDdZlOU-I90DegOFPBcG?usp=sharing3 Ways to Quickly Pivot a Youth Ministry Game That is Bombing on Stagehttps://blog.downloadyouthministry.com/3-ways-to-quickly-pivot-a-youth-ministry-game-that-is-bombing-on-stage/5 Tips For Hosting Next-Level Camp Gameshttps://blog.downloadyouthministry.com/5-tips-for-hosting-next-level-camp-games/

Christmas Fun and Plans During CoronavirusIt’s December! That means Christmas parties and lots of plans. And maybe changing plans.This week Ronald and Michelle talk about what Christmas looks like during Covid. Got any suggestions? Send them on!Talked about on the Podcast:Escape the North Pole: Digital Escape Roomhttps://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/escape-the-north-pole%3A-digital-escape-room/online-ministry/special-events-6000.htmlActin’ Sushttps://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/actin%27-sus/games-actinsusgame.html

Did you spend a lot of time planning an event that had to get canceled or postponed due to the pandemic? This week, Ronald and Michelle talk about having to make contingency plans and calling audibles during this wild season. And what to do when you don’t really agree with the decisions that get made.Questions to Consider•What do you do with the plans you had for an event that didn’t come together?•How can you support the leadership of your church even if you don’t like a decision?•What are some ways you can reach out to and encourage students even when an event didn’t get to happen?

Have you and your church stayed open this whole time? Did you have to shut down and then got to re-open? After all that, are you having to shut down AGAIN?This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about having to go back to online.Again.Questions to Consider•How do you communicate with parents and students about going back online?•Who makes the call in your church about the youth group being online?•What things did you learn from the last shut down that you’re going to use if you have to go online again?

It’s time to vote. And this election cycle has been extra spicy for us and our students. So when politics come into the conversation during small groups and hanging out, how do we talk about politics without being a jerk? Today, Ronald and Michelle talk about how to do just that.Things we talk about this episode:•Reading good books •Listening to both sides of the news•Talking with leaders and when it’s right to talk politics•Listening to students process what’s happening

After a crazy break, student ministry is getting started back in force! This week, Ronald and Michelle talk about what that looks like in their ministries.Things we talk about this episode:•Starting small groups and big program•Outside versus inside•Communicating to everyone•The great NDOVYMT!

We’re pumped for this year’s NDOVYMT! In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about the big day of training, how they’ll use it, and how it’s helped train their middle school leaders!Things we talk about this episode:•Talks and topics at this year’s events•Ways to use the training AFTER the event•Sweet ways to experience the training even during a pandemic

*Ronald and Michelle are not medical doctors*This week we talk about trying to make small groups happen without making Covid-19 happen. We talk about how we communicated to parents, small group leaders and students. We also talk about the interesting ways we’re trying to make this stuff happen! Things we talk about this episode:•A couple ways we’re making small groups happen•What we tell leaders in the meantime•How to encourage in this crazy season

Everyone has some time of guidelines in place for their space.But what if that space doesn’t belong to your church?This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about the challenges of sharing space in the midst of a pandemic. It’s challenging for sure. It could also be a great chance for you to show middle school students what it’s like to be a great neighbor.Things we talk about this episode:•Not comparing yourself to other churches who had dedicated space•Thinking creatively and outside the physical space box•Trying to work things out with other ministries vying for the same space•Giving students a place to be

You’ve never gotten a complaint before, right?HA! In youth ministry, we’re dealing with parents and their kids. Parents care deeply about what goes on with their students and students often have lots of opinions anyway. In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about how to not let complaints go to your heart and compliments go to your head!Things we talk about this episode:•All the complaints we’ve gotten. Or most of them.•Asking if the complaint has any truth to it•Trying to reflect instead of get defensive•Looking for the deeper issue

School would be starting up soon (normally). Youth ministry would be finishing up its last summer trips (usually). Parents would be excited about their student promoting into the next grade (in normal circumstances).This year has been anything but normal! Michelle and Ronald talk about the crazy lives they’ve been living and the plans for the fall they’re making!Things we talk about this episode:•How to meet in person when everyone is mad/scared/sick of wearing masks•What steps to take to communicate the plan to parents•Why its important to be on board with the rest of your church

In the craziness of COVID-19, churches still need middle school pastors! This week we’re really excited to talk about Michelle’s new job. We also talk about some of the weirdness of starting in a ministry where you might not meet in person for… a long time.Join us!Things we talk about this episode:•Meeting with leaders and parents while socially distancing•Introducing yourself to your group (online and in person!)•Practicing handshakes, then not needing that skill•Getting ready for home groups and postcards!

We’re getting ready to welcome 6th grade students to the youth ministry! Also, we’re not entirely sure what we are welcoming them to…So we’re putting together a strategy to welcome students in the crazy COVID season. Ronald and Michelle talk about Ronald’s plan and see what in the world will happen!Things we talk about this episode:•Ronald’s three step welcome plan•Getting the children’s ministry on board•Helping parents feel at ease

Michelle has finally moved to Idaho! In this episode, she and Ronald talk about resting, new starts, and trying to adapt in the crazy covid climate.Things we talk about this episode:•Figuring out what rest looks like•Getting excited for new/unknown chapters•What a staycation actually looks (and sounds) like

In the season of COVID, youth ministry looks really different! This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about going out and doing youth ministry while trying to practice social distancing. It’s a challenge, but we’re up to it!Things we talk about this episode:•Doing ministry with COVID on the brain•Being in LARGE spaces so you can spread out students•Being outside and playing disc golf and a cornhole tournament•Working with leadership to see what you can do and what you can’t

In a time when leaders are just as quarantined as our students, what are you doing to help encourage them to continue to serve? How are you as a leader shepherding the leaders of your students? Michelle and Ronald spend some time talking about how they can make their leaders feel loved on and cared for in the weirdest season of ministry ever.In this episode we talk about:•Sending leaders care packages•How to encourage leaders in the era of COVID•How to KEEP leaders with all this going onLinks:The Art of Group Talk – Teenage Girlshttps://amzn.to/3equvKEThe Art of Group Talk – Teenage Guyshttps://amzn.to/317uKGq

This week Michele and Ronald talk about the possibility of re-opening in Texas and meeting a youth group in person! While it’s really exciting to think about being together, it’s super important to make sure parents feel like you are doing everything you can to keep their students safe.Some things we talk about:•The protocols and procedures we put in place•Throw whatever was normal out the window! We’re in new territory•Social distancing and masks are a thing•Over communicating to parents everythingLinks:The Guidelines we sent to parentshttps://www.dropbox.com/s/rsviss318lv3moy/Hello%20students%20and%20parents.docx?dl=0Our “Instructional Video”www.shorturl.at/bgCWZ

These last few weeks have highlighted the need for everyone who has any influence or voice to step up and speak for those who have been silenced. Michelle and Ronald are both white (spoiler alerts) but care deeply about making sure they are doing whatever it takes to use their voice for the black community that’s hurting.This week they break down Theo Davis’ DYM Blog Article “8 Things White Youth Pastors Can Do About Racism”. Join us for a serious conversation and think about what you can do in your context.Things we talk about this episode:•What are you DOING to actively fight racism?•Who are the black people in your life you can check in on?•Who are the black authors/bloggers/youth pastors you need to hear from?•What is your church’s current feeling on the black lives matter movement?

Michelle is moving! While it’s always sad to leave a church, there’s definitely a WAY to leave that helps out the people who will continue to carry the torch after you’re gone.In this episode, Michelle and Ronald talk about leaving well and what not leaving well might look likeThings we talk about this episode:•Who do you tell you’re leaving and when?•How can you plan ahead for your departure?•What’s the best way to lay out the plan?

Parents are freaking out. Whether it’s because we’re asking their students to wear masks or because we aren’t social distancing enough, everyone seems to be on edge.It doesn’t matter where you fall on the spectrum of “Open up now!” or “Wait until Christmas!” we still have to deal with parents and their students and do our best to gain their trust in this crazy season.Things we talk about this episode:•How can you gain the trust of parents with planning?•Who needs to know your plan?•Why is it important to over communicate what you plan to do?

Bread Head Part 2This was a quick game I cooked up after last week. It’s in the resource folder!Dad JokesAsk students to record their dads telling jokes. You’ll groan AND laugh! A quick bumper is in the resource folder. QaurantmemesImages to make your quarantine a little better. TrialsOur campus student pastor gave the lesson. Our leaders got the question sheet in the resource folder!Show and TellThis great DYM sidekick game was a hit in our group!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/show-and-tell-online-gameQuiet Time Part 2This week we talked about HOW to have a quiet time. We also sent out the quiet time guide included below. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lhbaiqrk5q2ov85/AACR5AaqwnuoCVliJ-SAMj3Ga?dl=0

In this week’s episode Michele and Ronald brainstorm a little bit about what the first phase of bringing back student ministry will look like in their churches.No matter what stage of re-opening or quarantining your area is in, having a plan is a great first step to meeting in person again!Things we talk about this episode:•Getting creative with a plan•Holding onto that plan loosely•Being ready to keep doing what you’re doing•How not to stress out your senior leadership

It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online!Wednesday Online Youth Group:Bread HeadLast week we made a joke about having bread in the shape of our heads. Then we made it into a challenge! Boy did our students deliver! It was awesome! And really funny too! Maybe ask your students to bake likenesses of your pastors this week!Who’s That Leader?We played this game but with a twist! We shot silly string at one of the three of the pastors on camera who we all thought was the leader the screen mentioned. Funny and messy!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/whos-that-leaderQuarantmemes Quick images. Use them in your social or on your livestream. Make it happen! They’re in the folder below!IntegrityThis week our high school pastor encouraged us to live a life of integrity like Daniel! It was a great talk for us and our students! You can find the leader sheet we gave our small group leaders in the folder below.Friday Zoom Lunch:What’s Behind The Mask?A great game from Derry Prenkert! My students had a blast with this one! You should definitely give it a shot, whether on zoom or somewhere else! Great idea!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/what-is-behind-the-mask-gameSunday Lesson:This was the third week of Scott Huff’s “Unplugged” series. I’m taking each week he planned and making it into two. The thought of putting out a 20 minute YouTube lesson gives me the twitches. We started the “Why Have a Quiet Time” lesson and I included some quiet time guides in the resource below!Unplugged series:https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/unplugged-teaching-seriesAll the Free Resources:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7nje3ohbu733ziz/AACLkstckCwndsLe_fuv6QGta?dl=0

From bacon to Kahoot, things cost money! In this crazy Covid-19 season, is your church on a spending freeze, being really cautious about funds, or letting all things go on like normal?This week, Michelle and Ronald talk budget. There’s a lot of ministry that can happen for almost zero dollars! And middle school students tend not to care if you’re spending a ton of money or very little. Here’s some things we talked about:•The cost of bacon for the average household.•What we spend our money on right now•How the DYM Gold Membership is the BEST deal in Youth Ministry•And how to write a letter.

It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online!Wednesday Online Youth Group:Star Wars EnactmentWe asked students to retreat their favorite scene from any of the 9 Star Wars movies! It went pretty well! This time we learned our lesson though and DIDN’T use copyrighted music of any kind.Quick on the DrawEasy game from DYM! We actually had students submit ideas to us and we put those into Pick Me. You should pick up this game for your next Zoom!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/quick-on-the-drawQuarantmemes Funny images for a crazy time. There are some in the resources folder below!Signs and WarningsWe talked about the temptations that come our way and how God has given us a way to escape! God is with us when we go through hard times and that should be an encouragement to us! The leader questions we used are in the resource folder!Friday Zoom Lunch:Star Wars for DaysThis week’s Zoom lunch was super chill. I asked who had watched any Star Wars movie this week and what everyone’s weekend plans for Mother’s Day were. Simple and easy and a great way to spend time with students!Sunday Lesson:This was the second week of Scott Huff’s “Unplugged” series. This week we talked about HOW we pray and it was a great lesson. I included a week long prayer guide in the resource folder for you!Unplugged series:https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/unplugged-teaching-seriesAll the Free Resources:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9rya0dio4zguyjy/AABBAVrVbC1Hhh13hq1KO3nHa?dl=0

How do you plan for things that may or may not be happening? Have you decided to cancel everything for the summer or are you holding out hope that things will be good enough to happen again sometime this summer?With sign-ups stopped or at least at an all time low, what are your summer plans? Are you going digital? Are you going to try to make SOMETHING happen even if it’s social distancing cook outs?Let us know!Some things we talk about:•Plans while COVID is still happening•How long do you wait until you pull the plug?•What does VBS look like with this going on?•Are you students on a Pass/Fail basis?

Ms online 05.03.20It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online!Wednesday Online Youth Group:Dance CompetitionSo last week we let the Freshman dictate the challenge to the student ministry. They said we should have a dance competition. It was a hit and lots of small groups completed virtually! I Love My PhoneWe stole this from Derry Prenkert and his church’s student ministry. It was a total blast and the students really loved interacting with it over the YouTube comments. Also, we cheated. Every time.A graphic for you to use is in the resource folder link below.Quarantmemes I’m still not tired of these. I may never be tired of memes. Grab some of the ones we used in the resources download below.Keep GoingPersevere! In a time where it feels like we’re seeing trial after trial, it’s important to remember the words of James and keep going! The resources folder has the follow up questions we used to drive this home with students.Friday Zoom Lunch:Ice Break QuestionsMy Zoom meetings will definitely need a little something to get them started. These questions were AWESOME. Just having some things ready to go made everyone logging in way less awkward.https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/small-group-ice-breaker-questions/Possibilites 2We played this game over Zoom lunch. It’s available to Gold Members as a part of this month’s Member Perks. But you can still grab the first one! It made for a good Zoom call letting one student choose and answer and the rest of us try to guess what they chose.https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/game-of-possibilitieshttps://dymmembership.com/Sunday Lesson:We started Scott Huff’s “Unplugged” series this week and I love it! Spiritual disciplines is something we really try to instill with our students. I also made a quick sheet of paper students can print off to use in helping them practice praying this week. Grab it in the folder!Unplugged series:https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/unplugged-teaching-seriesAll the Free Resources:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bp9zroe15axvynv/AADuQ_pepe9-tyDuF2PI6imOa?dl=0

We all can’t wait for things to go back to normal! But what is normal? And will it be something we even get back to eventually?This week Michelle and Ronald talk about getting back, being a little beat up, and what things may or may not look like in middle school ministry once we’re allowed to hang out in person again.Some things we talk about:•Are you going to keep doing online shows?•Is this like 9/11 in that some things will change and NOT go back?•Games, teaching time, interaction, on stage stuff, what stays what goes and what changedMentioned on the podcast:DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!

Masterpiece TheaterA DYM winner! We posted this game to our Insta-story and emailed parents to let them know how to compete and then showed the compiled video with some classical music during our live show. A hit AND for DYM Gold Member’s only!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/masterpiece-theaterThank You QuarantineWe totally ripped off Justin Knowles who ripped off Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes” segment and did “Thank You Quarantine” during our show. Here are the ones we used. What about you?Student Issued ChallengeLast week and this week’s challenges went REALLY well and the winner BOTH weeks were the Freshmen. So we let them set the challenge for this next week. Just a neat way to encourage students to be engaged!Quarantmemes A few memes for your pleasure, insta-story, or middle school text thread.FarWe talked this week about how God can feel far away, no matter what’s going on in the rest of the world. We encouraged students to connect to God even when He feels far away!Friday Zoom Lunch:Middle School Zoom lunches have been cool but, awkward. I need a plan for each lunch or things get silent and weird. I thought this was so crazy! So we have an opening question, a game, and a sign off thing to do. This week’s game was The Color of Things on sidekick. Find the link for the game below and Sidekick below!All the Free Resources:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yix3o4sv18dmk3f/AADsffa5NUIXREmdyFcm1l77a?dl=0

Work and home are now the same. We don’t know about you all, but the shift has been HARD for Michelle and Ronald! This week we talk about how to Sabbath while also being in the exact same room you work from now.Middle School Students are going through a lot right now. Make sure you’re rested up and able to minister to them in a way that benefits you both!Some things we talk about:•Making time to rest and reflect that’s outside of normal work.•Having dedicated work space and dedicated rest space.•How in the world do you “turn off” work when you don’t have a commute?Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/middleschoolministrypodcast/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/middleschoolmi2Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/middleschoolministrypodcast

Wednesday:Trick ShotsWe sent out a text and email request for “Trick Shot Videos” like Dude Perfect. We sent them this link and just asked them to go to town. Our group delivered! It was awesome! I’ve linked our YouTube video below as well!Dude Perfect Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRJmcxCrAOAOur Student’s Video:https://youtu.be/Lt2yv_CfGqc?t=616Teen Driver QuizDuring our Online Youth Group, the high school pastor asked me these questions. It went okay-is. I knew a good few of them, but we like to make students believe I’m a terrible driver. Oh well!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/teen-driver-quizQuarantmemes Again, everyone can handle a couple memes. These were our picks for this week. No clue if these are working, but we had some students send these in to us!BecomingThis week we looked at 2 Peter 1:3-11 and talked about who we are becoming is more important than what we are doing. Or, what we do will influence who we become.Friday:Zoom Lunch:Zoom lunch was great! Except I messed up the password I sent out to students and parents. So there was definitely some confusion about getting into the meeting, which was a bummer. But the students and leaders who did come had a good time. Semi-win!?Download all the free stuff:

We aren’t professionals, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t trying! There’s a balance we’re learning about putting on the best show we possibly can and running into glitches… like the camera turning off or the sound just disappearing from our live stream!And then hearing from our middle school students about their opinion on those glitches!Some things we talk about:•The difference between not trying and trying too hard.•Thinking about ways to use technology, but using what you know well first.•Remembering relationships, not the tech, is what connects you to students!Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/middleschoolministrypodcast/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/middleschoolmi2Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/middleschoolministrypodcast

We had been doing a “This is what happened during our big meeting!” Episode for a long time. Well, everything changed with COVID-19, so here’s what we’re doing now! This will be a quick 5 minute or so weekly episode of how we connected with students online. Some ideas take place during our “youth group online” and others were just during the course of the week. Use, change, and get ideas for your ministry to middle school students!MS Online This Week:Download Everything:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cc6ugzbqrcbknuz/AADMIxCnO8LoxQK3wX9Cxz4qa?dl=1Questions about Your QuarantineYou could ask these during your youth group online, on an instagram story, or to students over text! The graphics in the download are what we used for our online service and were displayed as lower thirds. The five questions we asked are there as well as the blank template. We asked questions like:What are your favorite Quarantine Snacks?What’s been something God is teaching you?Qaurant-MemesJust a few memes to share with students, leaders, or anyone who you’re quarantined with. We reacted to these on camera in our youth group online.The Upper Room QuestionsWe took a look at some of the last words of encouragement from Jesus to His disciples in the Upper Room. In the folder is a document that you could use for small groups. Adapt and use as you see fit!Zoom Lunch …with a Tarantula!We have a zoom lunch three times a week: one for middle school, one for high school, and one for our multisite location. It’s just a change to catch up, pray, and play some games together. Trying to give our students another connection point throughout the week.Quick Draw on SidekickWe played this game just for fun with our students who “came to lunch”. It actually didn’t work at first, so I used the list of stuff and the timer on my phone. Then it started working and we played with the graphics! Great fun!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/quick-on-the-draw

2019 - Everybody! Stay off your phones and off social media!2020 - Everybody! Get on your phone and check out social media!It feels like everything has gone online! While some middle school parents might have had concerns about their students logging onto social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, now those are some of the most prominent places where ministry is happening!Now the question is, are our students engaging with us now that we're online? This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about how their students have been reacting to the new normal of being online and what they've been doing to increase social engagement!Sometimes boundaries foster creativity!How are you relieving parent concerns about being online?In what ways are you having students interact with your online presence?Do you feel like you're making a difference in students' lives even if you aren't in the same room?Once more for the people in the back, How long, Oh Lord?Mentioned on the podcast: The Best Free Ideas to Navigate COVID-19https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/Sample YouTube Moderator Guidelineshttps://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/sample-youtube-moderator-guidelines/Quarantine Lunch - Online Gamehttps://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/idea-quarantine-lunch/DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Ronald's Student Ministry One-Stop Online Youth Group Pagehttps://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/middleschoolministrypodcast/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/middleschoolmi2Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/middleschoolministrypodcast

How can you stay connected while remaining six-feet apart, in groups no larger than ten, or sheltering in place?Well, it definitely presents some challenges.In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about how they plan to try to stay connected with students, parents, and leaders during a time when we're told to not hang out so much.Sometimes boundaries foster creativity!What are the ways you're going to try to connect? REAL letters? Phone calls?How are you going to reach out to your leaders?In what ways can you encourage parents?No for real, How long Oh Lord?Mentioned on the podcast: The Best Free Ideas to Navigate COVID-19https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/PSA From a Momhttps://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/psa-from-a-mom-me-im-the-mom/DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Ronald's Student Ministry One-Stop Online Youth Group Pagehttps://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/Got a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

Who was really looking forward to re-inventing church and middle school ministry as we know it this month? Anyone?Well too bad, we're doing it anyway! Thanks, COVID-19!For real, churches and ministries everywhere have been completely changing the way student ministry happens in order to help stop the spread of the virus. Michelle and Ronald take a moment to talk about what their churches have been doing. What online platforms have you been using to reach your students?How have you managed to keep doing "youth group" in the midst of a pandemic?What has been the best practices you would take away?What are some changes you would make?How long Oh Lord?Mentioned on the podcast: The Best Free Ideas to Navigate COVID-19https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Ronald's Student Ministry One-Stop Online Youth Group Pagehttps://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/Got a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook