THE MINISTRY LEADER PODCAST

We promised you some updates this month and to be honest, when we said that, we weren't sure yet what those updates would be. Reggie and I (Brian) were in the midst of making some decisions about our professional lives and over the course of the last 4 weeks we have both made some significant changes. In this episode we'll share what those changes are for each of us and what we're looking forward to as we wrap up our time together on The Ministry Leader Podcast. This has been an incredible journey for us and we are grateful for everyone who has been a part of it. Thank you for listening. Thank you for engaging. But most of all, thank you for loving Jesus and loving the young people in your community.

This episode from June 2021, kicked off a series focused on the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ. The conversation revolves around how we define a Christ-centered culture. The other episodes in the series are linked in the notes below. Original show notes from June 28, 2021: This episode kicks off a 6 part series on culture, or more specifically, the culture that defines our minstry at Youth For Christ. We call these defining characteristics our cultural attributes and today we're talking the most important one from which all the others flow, Christ-centeredness. Biblically Calibrated. Missionally Focused. Vigorously Pursued. Preeminently Important. What attributes define the culture of your ministry? 140. Humility that Endures 141. Trusting Relentlessly 142. Joyful Camaraderie 143. Courageous Faithfulness 144. Kingdom Inspired Diversity

This episode from August 2021 was one of our favorites, not just because it was a fun conversation to have, but because of the value it communicates to a young person when you remember their name. And as you will hear, we're not always good at it. So since we needed the reminder, we thought it might not hurt to share it again with our listeners as well. Original show notes from August 30, 2021: As the new ministry year begins, you and your team will likely be in contact with a lot of new students which can present some challenges if you are unsure how to engage. In this episode we're talking about how to start conversations and remember names. What is your strategy for remembering names of new students?

Spring Break trips have been a staple for our ministry in Northern Indiana for years. But we've recently had to rethink that experience and consider new opportunities to engage young people in smaller groups. In this episode from March of 2021 we brainstormed some new ideas that could be helpful for you as you plan small group Spring Break outings now or in the future. Original show notes from March 22, 2021: Spring Break is just around the corner and for young people this is a great time to get away from school and experience something different. However, the events and experiences our ministries are able to provide may look a little different than normal. In this episode we're exploring 3 spring break ideas for small(er) groups.

This month we are going back in time to revisit some or our favorite and most listened to episodes. In this episode we revisit a conversation we had (a little prematurely) in May of 2020 about youth ministry programming in a post-COVID world. Though we're technically still not living in a world beyond COVID, there's not doubt that our ministry models and methods have changed. Listen again with us and let us know how far off or right on you think what we discussed in this episode has been in the context of your local ministry. Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Original show notes from May 18, 2020: One of the most common concerns voiced by youth workers through the COVID crisis is a major drop in "attendance" as programming moved to online venues. The question that is commonly asked is, "what do I do when students don't show up?" However, we think the question we really need to ask is, "Why are we expecting them to show up to our online programs?" In this episode we share what we've learned about youth ministry programming through this crisis and what it could mean moving forward.

Having an appointment with a student is one of the best ways to connect with them, hear their story, address their needs, and even share the gospel. But there are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your next appointment. In this episode we don't talk about any of those. Instead we want to tell you about the worst appointment ever and hope that you can avoid these mistakes... seriously please don't do these things!

Reggie and I have noticed that there has been a common thread of discouragement and overwhelm in so many of our recent conversations with others. And we recognize that many of you may be experiencing similar feelings. So we wanted to take an opportunity to share a few thoughts that have been encouraging to us over the past year. We hope that you might be encouraged as well. For more on the Healthy Mind Platter check out these resources: Episode 113: Healthy Minded Leaders The Healthy Mind Platter (from the NeuroLeadership Journal, 2012) https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/magazine/article/2454/the-healthy-mind-platter/40ed7595-7644-42cc-9735-1703fa558686/?utm_campaign=PN_R_WIR&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=101911340&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--1UticyCOOh6wqNM8UW2a41dCjmHa669C5ORn_sTuLlGsqCwaQ_VzOZYbM582eKhhNcrtSeDrqyL6cnQjwgmN0gluk2Q&utm_content=101911340&utm_source=hs_email (from Psychotherapy Networker, 2020)

We took a little break right after the new year, partly due to the fact that Reggie was across the country in Denver, Colorado serving as a presenter and small group facilitator for YFC Institute, Youth For Christ's flagship training event for new staff. In this episode we discuss his experience at Institute and how it relates to Martin Luther King, Jr Day. If you attended YFC Institute recently, we would love to hear about your experience! Send us a message and let us know.

In our first episode of 2021 we made some pretty bold predictions about what we thought we would see in the world of youth ministry this year. Now, as we wrap up the year, we're taking a look back and discussing what actually happened and evaluating the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of our predictions. What do you hope to see happen in the realm of youth ministry in 2022? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion.

With Christmas quickly approaching, we wanted to take time to reflect on a few quotes from a book that has made a lasting impact on my (Brian) life and ministry for the last 20 years, The God-Bearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry by Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster. The quotes we discuss in this episode are listed in the paragraph below. If you get a chance to listen, we would love to hear your thoughts. "The Eastern Orthodox tradition calls Mary Theotokos, or "Godbearer," because she (quite literally) brought God into the world. In the biblical witness, God seems especially fond of calling upon unlikely suspects for such missions. Young people--impetuous, inexperienced, improbable choices by all accounts--figure prominently among God's "chosen" in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. And while God does not ask any of us to bring Christ into the world as literally as did Mary, God calls each of us to become a Godbearer through whom God may enter the world again and again." We'd love to hear your thoughts. Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Merry Christmas!

Family gatherings. Company parties. Youth group Christmas celebrations. There's a lot happening this time of year and we have the guide that will help you make it through. Listen in and share with a friend, because in this episode we're sharing the ultimate youth worker's Christmas survival guide! What did we miss in this guide? Visit us on Facebook and let us know what else is essential for your survival through the Christmas season.

The Ministry Leader Conference is one of our favorite events of the year and we're excited to be able to meet again locally, in-person, for the first time in a couple of years. In this episode we discuss why this conference is so valuable for our ministry teams and give you a preview of what you can expect at this year's conference which is happening on January 29, 2022. We hope you can be a part of the MLC, in-person or online, wherever you are. If you have questions about the event happening locally in northern Indiana, send us an email at training@yfcnin.org. For general questions about the MLC in other parts of the United States, visit the Ministry Leader Conference website.

Christmas break provides great opportunities engage in some fun and different activities to build relationships with young people. In this episode we discuss some of our favorite building times for Christmastime. What is your favorite Christmas break activity? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion.

With Thanksgiving coming up in just a few days, we wanted to take an opportunity to celebrate a few of the small things we witnessed this year that often get overlooked in our ministries. As you listen in on this conversation we'd encourage you to take a pause to consider the little things you are thankful for in the past year. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Today marks the kick off of the second annual We Believe in You(th) campaign across northern Indiana and we are inviting you to participate from wherever you are listening - locally or globally. This is a one week, all out campaign for the young people in our communities to let them know we see them, we love them, and we believe in them. Here are a few ways you can engage: Write an encouraging note to a young person in your life. Show up to surprise them at their work, school or practice to encourage them. Make an encouraging post about them on social media. Use the hashtag #WBIYweek when you post. Give to support the mission of Youth For Christ of Northern Indiana. For more information on the We Believe in You(th) campaign check out these resources: The Ministry Leader Podcast, Episode 156: We Believe in Youth 2021 Watch the promo video. We are also in the third week of our 4 weeks of giving thanks challenge. If you have someone in your life you are thankful for, let us know and use the hashtag #givethanksTMLP.

The week of November 15-19, 2021 Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana is launching a one week, all out campaign for the young people of the region to let them know we see them, we love them, and we believe in them. We'll tell you more about it in this episode and how you can get involved. Check out https://yfcnin.org for more info. You can give to the campaign at https://give.yfcnin.org/you

The holidays are coming and there is a lot to be done in the next couple of months. So with that in mind, we wanted to start the season off with little challenge to help us all be a little more thankful. In this episode we are inviting all our listeners to focus on a specific area of your lives each week and to share what you are thankful for in that regard. We'd love to read your posts so use the hashtag #givethanksTMLP. Here's the weekly "thanksgiving" plan... Week 1: Be thankful for who you are (who God made you to be) Week 2: Be thankful for what you do (God has given each of us purpose and responsibility) Week 3: Be thankful for the mentors in your life Week 4: Be thankful for the family in your life Remember to post your thoughts on why you're thankful using #givethanksTMLP. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Trips and events can be a strategic way to both engage new students and deepen relationships with those you currently serve. Those experiences and those memories can last a lifetime, but it's the relationships developed on those trips that have the potential for long term impact. In this episode, we're discussing a few ways leaders like you can leverage your time with students while serving on trips and events that can help you develop those transformational relationships. What's your favorite trip you've taken either as a student or youth worker? We'd love to hear about it! Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Healthy youth ministries recognize the value of developing young leaders and are intentional in how they pursue it. While there are plenty of models to choose from, in our experience the majority of them fall into one of two categories, developing leaders of programs or developing leaders of people. One is more about what they do and the responsibilities they fulfill; the other is about the influence they have and how they leverage it. In this episode, we'll explore both and offer our thoughts on how each could be of benefit to your ministry, and your leaders. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Last week we discussed what small groups are and why they are so valuable to your ministry. This week we jump right into the midpoint of a conversation about how to form small groups. This episode begins quite abruptly so if you missed last week's episode you may want to go back and catch up so you know where we left off. Share your best small group experience. Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion.

Small groups are near and dear to our hearts and we talked a lot about them. This episode is the first half of that conversation and covers what small groups can be and why they are so valuable. Next week we'll pick up with the rest of the conversation where we discussed the nuts and bolts (the how-to) of small groups. How have small groups been beneficial to you or your ministry? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

It's crazy to think we've been at this podcast for nearly 3 years now. In that time, we've learned a lot about podcasting, grown a ton as leaders, and hopefully helped you engage more effectively in relational ministry is some small way. This episode happens to the the 150th episode of the show and we thought we'd take some time to reflect, celebrate, and have some fun. Give it a listen OR watch the episode here for a more complete experience. We'd love to know your favorite moments, guests or topics from the first 149 episodes. Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

One of the best ways to get to know someone is simply by sitting down with them and having an intentional conversation to get to know their story. In this episode we're discussing a few conversational skills every youth worker needs to have great appointments with students. Next week we are releasing our 150th episdoe and we are responding to your questions! Send us your thoughts and/or questions about the podcast, youth ministry, or anything else you want to talk about to training@yfcnin.org. We'd love to hear your voice and play it on air as well. Send us a 20-30 recording letting us know who you are, where you serve and what your question is and we'll share as many as we can.

One of the best ways to get to know someone is to spend time with them engaging in some type of shared experience. At Youth for Christ we call these experiences building times an in this episode we're discussing how these intentional actions can set you up to learn more about a young person's story in order to better serve them. What is the best building time you've ever had? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion.

As the new ministry year begins, you and your team will likely be in contact with a lot of new students which can present some challenges if you are unsure how to engage. In this episode we're talking about how to start conversations and remember names. What is your strategy for remembering names of new students? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Download this list of discussion starter questions. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

As youthworkers seek to build healthy relationships with young people, we have to know where to go and how to initiate those relationships. In this episode we'll talk through the contacting process to help you and your team meet more young people as the school year kicks off. What tips do you have for meeting new students? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Episode 145: Countdown to Kickoff Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

School is back in session, or maybe close to it depending on where you live, which also means most of us are gearing up for our fall ministry kickoffs. In this episode we want to encourage you to create a 3-2-1 personal ministry plan as you countdown to kickoff that includes: 3 people you need to meet, 2 places you will go to engage with young people and 1 thing you will do to encourage a young person this week. What is your 3-2-1 plan? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This is the last of our 6 part series exploring the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ. We're wrapping it up with one of our favorites, but also one that can be the most challenging. This one is all about Kingdom inspired diversity and we define it as a culture that is: Intentional. Authentic. Indigenous. Empowered. What does Kingdom inspired diversity look like in your ministry context? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

In this episode we continue our journey through the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ as we explore what it means to demonstrate Courageous Faithfulness. It's described as: Brave. Balanced. Unleashed. Sustainable. How and where do you need to be courageously faithful? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This week we continue our journey through the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ as we talk about Joyful Camaraderie. It's described as: Selfless. Collaborative. Missional. Delighted. How do you experience joyful camaraderie as part of your ministry team? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

We're continuing our journey through the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ and this week we're discussing Relentless Trust. Determined. Generous. Vulnerable. Grace-filled. Which of these four descriptors are most challenging for you? How would your life be different if you trusted relentlessly? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

We're taking a journey together exploring the cultural attributes of Youth For Christ. This week we're unpacking the attribute of enduring humility. Consistent. Transparent. Resilient. Prayerful. Which of the four descriptors of enduring humility are most natural and most difficult for you? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Check out the first part of the series here: A Christ Centered Culture. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This episode kicks off a 6 part series on culture, or more specifically, the culture that defines our minstry at Youth For Christ. We call these defining characteristics our cultural attributes and today we're talking the most important one from which all the others flow, Christ-centeredness. Biblically Calibrated. Missionally Focused. Vigorously Pursued. Preeminently Important. What attributes define the culture of your ministry? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Our series of interviews with volunteer ministry leaders continues, and in this episode we talk to Brooke Richison, a young leader who says the challenges she's faced as a volunteer have not been easy, but they have been worth it. Brooke is a bright young leader and she shares a lot of wisdom in this conversation. How do you schedule your time as a volunteer? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This summer you will get to hear the stories of some volunteer ministry leaders just like you who will talk about the challenges they faced, how they overcame them, and what motivates them to continue. In this episode we're talking to Akyra, one of our youngest leaders, who has been on quite a journey since she first stepped through the doors of our City Life Center as a student. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to catch the rest of these volunteer stories.

Sawyer Miller shares his experience with Youth For Christ first as a volunteer and now as one of our newest staff members in Northern Indiana. His journey started with a simple invitation to join a Campus Life team. Now he's learning the best way to start building a team is to just ask. How did you get started serving in your ministry? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

We're back after an unanticipated two week break and in this episode we share what's been happening in our lives and ministries as well as a call to action we received at our recent staff retreat. Listen in and join us in the efforts to recognize and rebuild the rubble. Visit us on Facebook Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Summer is a great time to change the pace and engage young people in new ways. In this episode we'll share the top 5 activities that will help you build deeper and healthier relationships with the young people in your ministry. What are your plans this summer? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

It's hard to believe summer is almost upon us and as the school year winds down our ministries are preparing to shift into a different gear for the summer. In this episdoe we discuss how to make that shift to both allow for a slower pace while still investing well. What does this shift look like in your ministry context? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

A few episodes ago we shared some spring break event ideas for small groups. Reggie and his team jumped at a few of those opportunities and in this episode he shares some of the fruitful ministry they have already experienced as a result. What fruit are you seeing in your ministry this spring? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Did you miss the spring break episode? Now worries! Check it out here and consider trying some of these great ideas this summer. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This episode includes the second half of a great conversation we had with Allison Yandell from Feed Youth Ministry about a recent study on global youth culture. In this part of the conversation we discuss the findings on the impact of digital connectedness of Gen Z in the United States. Check out Feed Youth Ministry Download the Global Youth Culture Reports What positive and negative impacts have you seen as a result of digital connectedness of your students? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This episode includes the first half of a longer conversation we had with Allison Yandell from Feed Youth Ministry about a recent study on global youth culture. In this part of the conversation we discuss the findings on the religious attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z in the United States. Check out Feed Youth Ministry Download the Global Youth Culture Reports For more on 3Story check out our 5-part series starting with Episode 104. An Intro to 3Story Relationships Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

March 13, 2021, just a few days before recording this episode marked the 1 year anniversary of our state of normalcy coming to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is no doubt the world is different now than it was just 1 year ago and that includes the world of youth ministry. In today's episode we're talking about the state of youth ministry after a year of COVID. What has changed in your ministry context? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Check out the first episode we did after the shut down in March of 2020, Ministry and Social Distancing (A COVID19 Special Edition) Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

The week between Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His Resurrection from the grave is a focus of large portions of each of the four gospels -- including half of the book of John. Given such a focus, there is much to learn and understand from those few days. In this week's episode, Brian and Reggie reflect on some of the major events of Holy Week. What are you learning this year about Holy Week? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Spring Break is just around the corner and for young people this is a great time to get away from school and experience something different. However, the events and experiences our ministries are able to provide may look a little different than normal. In this episode we're exploring 3 spring break ideas for small(er) groups. What are you doing this year for Spring Break? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

We know that situations arise all the time in youth ministry that are difficult to address becasue we simply don't know how to have the conversation. That could involve situations with students, parents, co-workers, or supervisors. So in this episode we offer 4 tips to help you have your next conversation. What other tips do you have to offer? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Did you miss last week's episode on Stepping into Difficult Situations? Check it out now! Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

Youth workers are often called upon to step into hard situations with young people and their families. In many of those situations, we may not have any idea of what to do but know we need to be there. In this episode we discuss a tragedy that hit close to home recently in Fort Wayne and how our team is stepping in to offer care and support. And as we share that story, we'll offer 3 suggestions to help you step in when you get the call. What is a hard situation you have had to step into recently? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

We've been doing s short series on the Basics of Youth Ministry. In this third and final episode of that series we're finally getting around to the WHAT of youth ministry. We saved this one for last because, well, we believe that what we do should always follow the why and the who. Here are a few questions to ponder after you listen: WHAT is happening now in your ministry that is driven by the WHYs and and connecting with your WHOs? (What is working well?) What are the WHAT's that you were doing that you need stop doing? (What do you need to let go of?) What is a new WHAT you need to start doing? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Check out the rest of this series: The WHY of Youth Ministry The WHO of Youth MInistry Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This is the second episode in a 3-part series getting us Back to the Basics of Youth Ministry. In this episode we explore the WHO of youth ministry and the answer(s) might not be who you think. Who are your whos? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Missed the first episode in the series? Listen now. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

As the world continues to adjust to a new normal and our ministries explore new opportunities to engage young people, it's important that we continue to remind ourselves why we do what we do. This episode kicks off a 3-part series of episodes helping us get back to the basics of youth ministry and we're starting with the WHY. What's your WHY? Why are you invovled in youth ministry? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.

This episode is the second part of our student leadership series focused on the best practices for developing student leaders. In this episode we share four practices, that if done consistently, will develop young leaders in your ministry. What are your best practices for developing student leaders? Visit us on Facebook and join the discussion. Check out Part 1 of our student leadership series, "The Highest Values for Student Leadership." Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and leave us a rating and a review.