Thought Factory Podcast

Would you like to know what students think about Covid, the fear it has exposed, its impact on their life, and the impact on their view of the world?  In today's episode, hosts Geoff Eckart and Jayson Brewer are not going to guess what they think but hear directly from students themselves through the extensive research done this past summer.  What you will hear in this episode will change your understanding and give valuable insight into this generation on the topic of Covid and fear.

Part 6/6 This episode concludes the mini-series on the six foundational questions students must answer.  All the previous questions culminate to this point, so if you have not listened to the previous five episodes, we encourage you to go and do so.  In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses the topic of homosexuality and transgender as it relates to our relationship with God and how He is calling us to live.  Regardless of how you approach this topic, it is a sensitive one and emotions rise.  Just ask yourself, just because I feel it, does it make it true?  Does the Bible say it is wrong?   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.

Part 5/6  This is a major question that many people, including students, are asking as they see the world around them.  This is also the biggest obstacle for people as they evaluate faith.  This moves the foundational questions beyond truth and Jesus, into discussing the existence and problem of evil.  Michelle Rewa helps us understand that God is still good but there is a reason for the evil in the world.  If God is good and cares about us, then why are there so many people suffering?   Link to the video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.

Part 4/6 This episode continues to conversation on the topic of Jesus.  Last episode we asked the question, "What do I believe about Jesus?" If you have come to the conclusion that He existed and He was crucified, Michelle Rewa unpacks the evidence of His death and resurrection.  Is it really a big deal if we claim to be Christian and doubt the resurrection truly happened?  Link to the article referenced (must create a free account to fully view): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.  

Part 3/6 This episode continues the foundational questions that students must answer, building off questions about God, the beginning of time, and the truth of the Bible.  In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses who Jesus is and why we can approach His existence with logic, reason, and evidence, which ultimately allows us to believe who He says He is.  Was Jesus either Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Link to referenced video: (Start at 1:22) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXfeUqk4IeU   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.  

Part 2/6  This episode builds off the last episode's foundational question of "Does Science Disprove God?" How do we know the Bible is true?  In this episode, Michelle Rewa explores the evidence and reliability of the Bible for truth.  Critics will point out the flaws and contradictions of the Bible, but do those flaws make it false? Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB18or8bJ10   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021.

Part 1/6  This is the first foundational question that Michelle Rewa asks students to answer.  This question relates to the beginning of the universe, creation versus the Big Bang.  These two topics are at the core of faith and science.  People act like faith and science are polar opposites and cannot be brought together.  Michelle approaches this topic with logic, as it takes faith to believe, no matter what side we land on.  So, do we have a good reason for our personal beliefs?  Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE76nwimuT0 *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021. www.neverthesame.org

The Thought Factory is back for its 11th Season and will include a 6-week mini-series in partnership with Michelle Rewa, a guest speaker at NTS Camp 2021.  Michelle explored the topics of faith and reason, approaching the Christian faith based on reason and evidence.  She delivered a series of six foundational questions students must answer for themselves to strengthen their faith.  Also in this episode, Geoff shares some thoughts, impressions, and predictions for 2022 that appear to parallel the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-18 as we continue to be impacted by shutdowns and disruptions due to the Coronavirus.   Listen to hear the one big prediction on how much longer this Covid disruption will last into the future and what we can do during this time as God's people.

Is there evidence for a Creator?  Where does my truth come from?  What do I believe about Jesus?  Can I doubt the resurrection and still be a Christian?  If God is so good then why is my world so bad?  Am I committed to Godly sexuality?  In this two-part episode, Michelle Rewa, with a background in apologetics and a degree in science, explores the 6 foundational questions where faith and reason intersect.  This episode gets us thinking about the last three questions and why it is important to engage with these topics ourselves. Original Air Date: May 2, 2017

Is there evidence for a Creator?  Where does my truth come from?  What do I believe about Jesus?  Can I doubt the resurrection and still be a Christian?  If God is so good then why is my world so bad?  Am I committed to Godly sexuality?  In this two-part episode, Michelle Rewa, with a background in apologetics and a degree in science, explores the 6 foundational questions where faith and reason connect.  This episode gets us thinking about the first three questions and why it is important to be asking our students in the first place. Original Air Date: April 28, 2017

Why do good students fall prey to pornography?  How do you feel when you receive 100 likes on Instagram?  Why are students...ok, the majority of users seem addicted to their smartphone?  In this episode, we discuss how porn, tech, and social media companies are preying on the neurological development of students' brains to hold our attention longer and to get us addicted.  We are simply their guinea pigs.  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer interview Chris McKenna of protectyoungeyes.com on ways we, as youth leaders and parents, need to be aware of what is happening in our students' brains when we put digital devices in their hands at a young age, as well as, the potential downfalls that are simply one click away. Original Air Date: April 21, 2017

Students are one click away from being surrounded by danger that could possibly ruin their lives, and in this digital age, when smartphones are more prevalent in the hands of students, are we aware of the dangers?  Today, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss life online and these dangers with the founder of Protect Young Eyes, Chris McKenna.  We will talk about the five most dangerous places for students to be when they go online and some ways to protect them in these environments. Original Air Date: February 5, 2019

Nick is a 7th grader who was born in South Africa.  He moved to the United States when he was 7 years old.  He provides a unique and, at times, a profound perspective on the topic of race in America, coming from a different culture.  Just like any adolescent, he is trying to figure out where he fits in, both racially and ethnically.   Racism is not an adult issue but can be experienced regardless of age.  Are we willing to take the time to listen to students to hear their perspectives on tough topics like this? Original Air Date: March 19, 2019

Depression and anxiety are gripping adolescents and there is no easy pill to swallow to eradicate this from their lives.  Someone cannot just simply “cheer up” or “snap out of it” to solve the problem. Twenty percent of youth between 13-18 live with a mental health condition and that number seems to continue to grow each year.  Jackie Sheppard, who has over 50 years of study and research in this area of science and medicine, discusses the connection between the gut and the brain.  Issues start in the gut, which affects the brain, and the body affects the mind, will, and emotion of a person.  Could the solution to overcoming mental illness be more than just taking medication? Could it be found in replacing the things we've deprived of our bodies?  Original Air Date: April 30, 2019

A change in circumstances and stress can trigger episodes of anxiety or depression in students, and with the changes in school and church dynamics due to the pandemic, how have students been emotionally and mentally affected?  In this episode, Jayson interviews Elizza LeJeune, a clinical social worker at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.  We discuss a variety of aspects of mental health in students, signs we should look out for, and when is the right time to step in if a student is struggling with suicidal thoughts. 

For those who have been around youth ministry for a couple of decades, we have seen plenty of change.  Changes that occurred in that time period appears to have accelerated in the year 2020.  What do you think youth ministry will be like in 10 years?  In this episode, Jeff makes ten bold predictions on where he thinks youth ministry is going to be by the year 2030.  He also gives five pieces of advice to youth ministry leaders, to help lead us into the future of youth ministry.  Jayson takes no responsibility in these predictions. This is part two of a two-part series.

The landscape of youth ministry changes as each decade passes.  The student life is different now than it was 20 years ago.  The church youth group was executing different methods to spread the gospel as it was 10 years ago.  Who could have even predicted what culture and the church would have been like in the year 2020?  Well, someone got pretty close and we will discuss those predictions.  In this episode, Jeff and Jayson look at culture and youth ministry in 10 year blocks, and will look ahead to what it may look like 10 to 30 years from now.  This is part one of a two-part series.

January 6th, 2021, the United States of America changed.  In response to the Capitol Riot, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer ask eight questions about politics mixing with our faith.  These questions are directed at those who lead students, but all stem from the main question, is politics ruining our witness?  One thing that has been witnessed over centuries of time, the zeal for God begins to diminish as our passion for politics grows.

If you were to evaluate the youth ministry you are a part of and how the Bible is used, would you view it as student-centric or Christo-centric?  Do we start with where the students are at and teach from there or start with God?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the transformational power in integrating this one habit into youth ministry.  We must stop teaching and reading the Bible as a self-help book and start helping our students understand it as a autobiography of God.

We may know someone who became negative, jaded, cynical, and critical in ministry and eventually dropped out.  You may even be on the verge of becoming that person.  How do we avoid burnout in ministry and last the long-haul, through all the challenges?  The main question comes down to answering this question, "Who are you serving?"  How you answer that question will determine the strength and length of your time in ministry.

Great coaches can motivate their players to higher heights.  They possess a cultural trait that gets the most out of them doing this one thing.  In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss what it takes to get students to grow spiritually in your youth ministry.

A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a private or rented automobile.  Driving instructors help their driving students in practically learning how to drive a car individually.  One has the customer in the back and the other has the customer in the driver's seat.  If you were to evaluate your youth ministry, would you be more considered as a chauffeur or a driving instructor, based on how involved and engaged your students were?  In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the cultural difference between student-led youth ministries and adult-driven youth ministries.

Culture is the beliefs and behaviors of a community.  Leaders have the ability to create culture in their environment, but they also have the ability to surrender to the surrounding culture.  So, how does a leader build a winning culture?  What is the one thing that a leader needs to create the culture that is desirable for others to be a part of? 

The school campus has changed due to the pandemic.  From that first day in March when schools shut down and students were sent home to now, the new school year looks different.  To any parent who set their sails to navigate these new waters, it may have seemed chaotic and choppy.  The waters were uncharted - different options for your student, virtual vs hybrid vs full-time in person.  There were also the possible "psychological effects" that wearing a mask all day could have, the social distancing in small classrooms, the protocols for students testing positive.  As adults, we just wondered how our students would handle this.  In this episode, we hear from students about the changes on their school campus and their perspective on the decisions that had to be made.  

We are in an election year, and America gets to choose their president as we close out the chaotic year of 2020.  Since we know and understand that you are sick of the political messages coming your way, let this episode separate itself from all of that noise, as we talk and listen to students on what they perceive in the political climate and what we can learn from their opinions.

The year 2020 has been an unforgettable year.  No doubt we all have been affected to varying degrees, but it has been a shared experience no matter where you live.  In this episode, we talk to pastors, youth pastors, and students from various parts of the America to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has had an effect on their lives, their ministries, and their emotions.  

Originally aired on October 20th, 2016 If we aren't doing this one thing in our youth ministry settings, then what are we doing?  We can spend an enormous amount of time in our week preparing for things that do not have a lasting impact on students or allowing their faith to develop in meaningful ways.  Students say the Bible is important, but are they actually reading and engaging it throughout the week to make a difference in their faith?  Are we missing this #1 thing as we work with students?

The Potawatomi Trail of Death was the forced removal by militia in 1838 of some 859 members of Potawatomi nation from Indiana to reservation lands in what is now Kansas.  In this episode, host Jeff Eckart shares his 3-week journey of prayer walking the Potawatomi Trail of Death.  Going beyond the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll it took on him, he dives into why he felt led to do this walk, what he learned along the way, and the divine outcomes that have resulted since.

It would be an understatement to say that our world has been through a lot in the last nine-plus months of the year, maybe beyond what was expected when Covid-19 first invaded our lives.  The severity of the impact is measured on a person by person basis, as it has affected all of us in a variety of different ways.  In this episode, Host Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the impact the coronavirus has had on the organization of Never The Same, on our faith in God and humanity, and the by-products of the pandemic that has already affected youth ministry. 

As weeks roll into months of this current crisis we find ourselves in, you may be evaluating and re-evaluating what you have been doing in your ministry to students.  This time has caused all of us to slow down in some way or another and there may be questions you are asking yourself.  What have you found to be unnecessary?  What do we need to let go or repent of that we have been doing?  But, what's the big question that this crisis is forcing all of us to answer?  What are you calling your students to when the normal program is disrupted?  In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss the big question we should be answering when it comes to our ministries as well as the wrong questions we may be asking instead.  Are we offering a product to be consumed, or are we creating an environment for students to meet with God?  

How do you make decisions in a time of crisis, especially when you do not know when the crisis is going to end?  How do you approach each daily decision when tomorrow's forecast is so uncertain?  What approach should we have toward the long-term when the short-term will likely change?  In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss three concepts in an article found in the Praxis Journal, "Leading Beyond the Blizzard" - talking about making decisions in a blizzard, a winter, and a little ice age.  When a crisis occurs and it appears that it will last longer than anticipated, how do we operate our ministry, church, non-profit, or business when things appear to not be going back to normal?  Rean more at:https://journal.praxislabs.org/leading-beyond-the-blizzard-why-every-organization-is-now-a-startup-b7f32fb278ff

As we shift into the groove of being removed from our normal routines of ministry, we have established what our ministry will look like digitally for the extent of this pandemic as we socially distance ourselves. What is the number one thing we should be focused on?  This crisis has caused us to think creatively and execute plans in innovative ways, but are we providing what our students actually need or are we simply filling time until we can physically gather again? Have we stopped to listen to God's direction in all of this?

We are navigating through the new normal with the coronavirus pandemic affecting all areas of society throughout the world.  Churches and youth ministries have not been immune as we try to scramble to provide digital content for our students and communities.  But, what will our digital destiny be like as the landscape of the church changes and students' expectations shift?  Will we have a compelling enough reason to gather again or will this new normal of the digital world become permanent for many youth ministries?

We are in the middle of a crisis with the Coronavirus pandemic spreading across the world.  As ministry leaders speaking into the next generation, it is our responsibility during these moments to be ready for what is about to take place in the coming months and years, not only in our country, but also in our churches.  This 4-part series will be released starting the week of April 13, 2020, with two episodes per week.

Jesus' disciples got to witness Jesus ascend into the skies and into Heaven.  Jesus claimed He would return again one day.  The disciples believed this to be true and anticipated Jesus' returning very soon.  This return was what motivated them to spread the gospel to all nations.  Fast forward 2000 years and the Church is still waiting for Christ to return to Earth, but do we approach each day with the same eagerness and anticipation as the disciples had?  In today's episode, Jeff and Jayson are joined with Dave Butts, Chairman of the National Prayer Committee, who is also on the board of the National Day of Prayer.  Dave discusses the importance of keeping the perspective of Christ's near return centered in the Gospel message and how it is vital in our Christian walk.

If you were to take a minute to think of the greatest issue in the Church, what would come to mind for you? Hypocrisy, greed, division, sexual immorality, biblical illiteracy...?  We all have our thoughts and opinions of what major issues face the Church today.  But there may be an even deeper issue that no one is thinking of nor talking about.  This issue is holding the Church back from its full potential.  In today's episode, Jeff and Jayson are joined with Dave Butts, Chairman of the National Prayer Committee, who is also on the National Day of Prayer Board. He discusses what he thinks is the greatest issue in the Church today.  And no, it is not the lack of prayer. *Episode Originally Recorded on 1.17.2020 (before the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States)

The school campus is a focal point in society and is present in any community.  Students occupy a school building over 6,000 hours of their life between 6th and 12th grade.  If they attend our youth ministry, they occupy our church buildings around 300 hours in that same span of time.  And that number is declining.  Today's discussion is centered around the school campus as we ask the question, “Where are the students in our churches?”  So what do we do about it? Go where the students are.  Jeff and Jayson discuss six ways to engage the school campus.

Several years ago a question emerged amongst the youth ministry community that we’ve been debating ever since. ”Why are so many students leaving the church after they graduate high school?” For those involved in local and national youth ministry know that’s an old question.  Now the question has morphed to be, “Where are the students in our churches?”  Are we in a crisis with the next generation disappearing from our faith communities and congregations? Some would say yes. Today, Jeff and Jayson discuss a growing trend in how we can reach the next generation. 

Common Core is a set of standards that the educational system uses for teaching and testing English and mathematics between kindergarten and 12th grade.  This is what teachers not only teach, but what they want students to know by the time they graduate.  If youth ministries had a "common core" of behaviors that we would want our students to have when they graduate from our ministry, what would they be?  What is that standard that we should set or aim for based on the Christian faith?  In this episode, Jeff and Jayson created their own list of 10 behaviors they think an ideal student, hypothetically, should have after they leave the influence of our ministry.

Students have a lot of say in cultural trends.  What they decide to participate in, listen to, watch, wear, or what they choose to do, tend to become a popular aspect of culture.  When students are faced with decisions regarding how they dress, what they listen to or watch, and how they use social media, does their faith influence their behaviors?  How much is faith a factor in the decisions that students make regarding their friendships and romantic relationships?  In this episode, the discussion is centered around whether or not students are making behavioral decisions based on the values of their Christian faith.

Sharing our faith can be challenging, regardless of age.  How do you naturally turn any conversation toward talking about God or following Jesus?  Has it become too taboo to be so focused on evangelism as a youth ministry?  What is more important, simply be a good example of the gospel or share the good news verbally? When it comes to evangelism or sharing our faith, is it necessary to use words or can we avoid them altogether?  In today's episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss the current state of evangelism and how we may be doing it all wrong. They are joined with Dare 2 Share's President Debbie Bresina to discuss this topic further.  

We know the Kansas City Chiefs not only made it to the Super Bowl, but won the championship game.  Patrick Mahomes can now fulfill a dream of going to Disney World after winning it all.  But, before even getting to that point, they found themselves down 24-0 to the Houston Texans in the game before.  At that moment, Mahomes did something to change things around and exhibited a lesson we can learn from when it comes to evangelism and sharing our faith. There are many reasons why people don't share their faith, whether it is fear, don't know how, or thinking their life is not perfect.  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the one thing that needs to be present to be effective when it comes to sharing our faith, as well as, looking at whether students think it is offensive to share their faith with people of other religions.

Revival broke out on the campus of Asbury College on February 3rd, 1970, which went for 185 hours, it spread to other schools, and revival broke out in other areas across the nation.  It has been 50 years since that day and we speak to one former student who was the epicenter of that movement.  Jeannine Carol Brabon committed herself to pray and was pleading to God for 3 years to bring revival on her college campus.  She sensed it was going to happen.  Then God did just that, He showed up.  Jeannine shares her story of what was happening years before and what can happen when we decide to seek to be in a right relationship with God.

"Screen time" has become another thing we measure.  We are all spending time on our dopamine-inducing devices, but how much is too much?  We receive the notification, compare our numbers from week to week, and then wonder how we've wasted so much time looking at our phones. In this episode, we discuss whether or not managing screen time is worth the fight with a child, what daily dosage is considered a healthy amount for an adolescent, and what students are spending their screen time on while at school. We've read the data, we've heard the reports, and listened to the experts, is there a case for banning internet-ready devices from the classroom and from the bedroom?  Founder of Protect Young Eyes, Chris McKenna, joins the show to provide insight in the ever changing landscape of the online world.  

When society shifted from analog to digital, we were soon introduced to the internet, which allowed our society connect with almost every other one in the world.  Eventually, that birthed the iPhone and every other smart device that followed.  As technology advances at a rapid pace, the laws that regulate them have not kept up the pace.  An iPhone in the hands of a child or an adolescent gives them access to anyone in the world, which can cause safety concerns.  An iPhone in the hands of a young driver can cause significant harm.  What do we do about it?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer speak with Senator John Rodgers from Vermont about his bill proposal to ban cellphones from anyone under the age of 21, as well as, Chris McKenna from protectyoungeyes.com about their legislation to help regulate the ratings process in the App Stores.

There are three primary reasons why students don't read the Bible.  They either don't have time, they don't know where to start, or they don't know how it applies to their life.  In this episode, we continue the discussion on the topic of the Bible with Lindsey Gorveatte.  The discussion centers around what the number one reason is why students don't read the Bible.  Where is the trend going for the use of the Bible in our youth ministries?  What can we do as a solution to the challenges we face with students not reading the Bible?

Special guest Lindsey Gorveatte, Director of Bible Engagement, joins the Thought Factory Podcast to discuss what she sees in the landscape of youth ministry in regards to students' interest of the Bible.  We hear from students directly what they say about the Bible and how we could steer our ministries to utilize it more in our weekly programming.  Do we think students are reading the Bible because the adults in their life are telling them to or because of a more significant reason?

When it comes to passing down our faith from one generation to the next, how do we go about doing that?  Are students committed to the church as much as the previous generation? Does church commitment mean a faith commitment in a student’s life?  Today, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the importance of connecting students to church and the youth group and how that can impact their faith later on in life.  How do we connect them now to church and faith and how do we connect them after they graduate?

Will this generation and the next be committed to attend church beyond just their youth group?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss students' commitment to the overall Church and their commitment to their youth group.  They look at both the student perspective and the adult perspective when it comes to church commitment in a student's life.  This episode dives into the numbers from the research Never The Same does about adolescence in the Church.

In a society that is so focused on accomplishing tasks, being productive, and is involved with several activities, it can be difficult to cease all these things to rest and relax one day a week, let alone teach this discipline to our students. Stress and anxiety is also prevalent in our culture.  Is there a direct link between the increase in anxiety and the lack of Sabbath? What does observing a Sabbath look like in a modern real life?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer continue the discussion on Sabbath, as well as, look at what students had to say about the practice of Sabbath in their homes and in their churches.

The Ten Commandments are set apart among all the laws of the Bible. Do not murder, do not steal or commit adultery, all these commands are pretty clear.  Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, that one is optional, correct?  When it comes to God’s main commands for his people, have we lost the significance and importance of the Sabbath?  Do we approach this command as if God doesn’t mind us not following it or it's only for those extra spiritual people?  Maybe this is God’s prescription to stress and anxiety that we experience in our daily life.  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer explore the history of Sabbath and the difference between work and rest.