Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

In this conversation, Jody and Zach Wyatt discuss the issue of loneliness in youth ministry and the importance of building community. They highlight the challenges faced by youth pastors and the need for support and connection. They provide practical steps for combating loneliness, such as networking with other youth pastors and finding local associations or denominations. They emphasize the importance of humility, intentionality, and protecting time for meaningful conversations. They also address the issue of sharing in a network and offer guidance on what to share and what to keep confidential. Finally, they discuss the unique challenges of finding community in rural areas. This conversation explores the challenges of loneliness in ministry and offers insights on finding community and support. The chapters cover topics such as finding community outside of the church, the role of online communities, supporting spouses in ministry, the dangers of isolation and loneliness, the importance of being known, and the need for authenticity and support. LINKS MENTIONED: Pray for Me Campaign Youth Leader Conference RESOURCES MENTIONED: Youth Leader Collective National Network of Youth Ministries JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group Takeaways Loneliness is a common issue in youth ministry and can lead to burnout and attrition. Building a network of supportive relationships is crucial for combating loneliness. Youth pastors should be intentional about reaching out to other youth pastors in their area and joining local associations or denominations. Humility and a willingness to learn from others are key in building meaningful connections. It is important to protect time for networking and to create a safe space for sharing and encouragement. In rural areas, youth pastors may need to look outside the church for community and support. Youth pastors and their spouses can find community outside of the church by joining Bible studies or groups in other churches. Online communities, such as Facebook groups, can provide support and resources for youth pastors, but it's important to be discerning and cautious about the advice given in these groups. Spouses of youth pastors often experience loneliness and should be intentionally included in community-building efforts. Isolation and loneliness can be detrimental to ministry, and it's important for youth pastors to prioritize their own community and support networks. Being known and fostering authentic relationships is crucial for combating loneliness and maintaining emotional and spiritual health in ministry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:16 The Importance of Community 03:25 Loneliness in Youth Ministry 06:02 The Need to Thrive in Youth Ministry 08:58 Practical Steps to Combat Loneliness 13:06 Networking and Building Relationships 20:06 Guidelines for Sharing in a Network 24:32 Finding Community in Rural Areas 25:23 Finding Community Outside of the Church 28:37 The Role of Online Communities 34:19 Supporting Spouses in Ministry 39:11 The Dangers of Isolation and Loneliness 41:25 The Importance of Being Known 45:08 The Need for Authenticity and Support

Brian Aaby, a veteran youth ministry leader now working with Slingshot Group, joins the show today to talk all about finding and landing a youth ministry job. We give practical advice for youth leaders considering a change in ministry roles or transitioning into their first ministry role. Brian stresses the importance of networking, preparing well for interviews, volunteering, and staying involved in youth culture during job searches. LINKS MENTIONED: An open letter to a departing youth pastor at BrianAaby.com BrianAaby.com RESOURCES MENTIONED: Seven Reasons You Should Leave Your Church Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute Slingshot Group JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode, Jody and Shay Osborne discuss the challenges and strategies for effective large church youth ministry. They provide practical insights and advice for navigating the unique dynamics of large church youth ministry. They cover the importance of community and building authentic relationships. Shay shares insights and personal experiences that highlight the benefits of being part of a supportive community. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni Getting Things Done by David Allen JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Abram Haley joins Jody and they discuss the experiences, challenges, and benefits of working in a multi-campus youth ministry setting. Abram Haley joins us to discuss various topics, including communication challenges, managing teams, handling large-scale events, issues with volunteers and teams, and teaching methodologies. You'll also hear insights into the complexities involved in multi-site ministry, the perception of larger churches, and the importance of collaboration among churches. We dive into our experiences in youth ministry, share tricks on how to handle large groups, and provide resources to help you grow in your youth ministry. RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Leadership Pipeline by Ram Charan The Art of Disciple Making by LeRoy Eims JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of the Longer Haul in Youth Ministry, Tommy Burkhart joins Jody on the show to discuss their experiences and insights into working as bi-vocational youth pastors. They dive into the core challenges in bi-vocational youth ministry, such as time management, financial constraints, and balancing expectations. They also discuss the advantages such as developing practical life skills, building relationships outside the church, and inviting participation in everyday activities to foster meaningful ministry. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:31 The Importance of Subscribing to the Podcast 00:42 Introduction to the Series on Different Contexts of Youth Ministry 00:55 Discussion on Bi-vocational Ministry 01:14 Future Topics in the Series 02:33 Personal Experiences in Bi-vocational Ministry 07:55 Challenges in Bi-vocational Ministry 27:46 Advantages of Bi-vocational Ministry 35:48 Practical Tips for Bi-vocational Ministry 48:50 Closing Remarks and Contact Information RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Myth of Balance by Frank Bealer JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

Welcome to a brand-new episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into a critical part of youth ministry and addressing the pressing issue of anxiety among teens. Our guest, Brock Morgan, is here to share invaluable insights on this topic. You don't want to miss it! Brock, author of the book, "The Anxious Teen," has written an essential resource that's a must-have for anyone involved in youth ministry. In this episode, we explore how to effectively address anxiety in teenagers and point them to the hope found in Jesus. If you're a youth pastor, you're well aware of the widespread anxiety that plagues today's teens. So today, we're arming you with practical strategies and knowledge to skillfully navigate the challenging landscape of anxious youth in your ministry. Give this episode a listen for sure because it is packed with actionable advice, as we delve into the youth ministry and anxiety in today's adolescent culture. Brock Morgan's experience will equip you to make a lasting impact on the lives of the anxious teens you serve. RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Anxious Teen by Brock Morgan Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Samm Simmons joins the show to talk all things youth ministry volunteers. In it we talk through recruiting, equipping, retaining, and encouraging youth ministry volunteers. This episode is filled with some practical ideas that you can take and implement into your youth ministry wherever and in whatever context you serve. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Engaging Gen Z by Tim McKnight Rethink Yourself by Trevin Wax Flip the Script JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast longtime friends of the show, Zac Workun and Chad Higgins from Lifeway Students and Youth Ministry Booster join us to talk about the changes we're seeing in youth ministry today. We dive into all kinds of changes and some history of how we got here as well as some reminiscing on how The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast and Youth Ministry Booster started. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Follower: Becoming More than Just a Fan of Jesus by Kyle Idleman A Short Guide to Groups: The Art of Leading Community by Jared Musgrove & Justin Elafros The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection by Richard Plass & James Cofield  JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, my good friend Eric Holmstrom joins the show. Eric is a phenomenal youth pastor who has experienced longevity both in ministry and at the church he currently serves. Eric gives 5 secrets to staying in youth ministry and you're going to want to write them down. This episode is filled with really practical wisdom and helps and I know you'll find it valuable. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, I'm diving back into a list of books that I'm recommending for youth pastors to read. In addition, I give you several tips for selecting the types of books you read. I'm convinced that reading is a discipline everyone who longs to lead better and improve should have—reading challenges you beyond where you are. It gives you the opportunity to be mentored by people you may never meet in person. You can learn and grow in ways that would be otherwise impossible. So hopefully today's list adds to a list you're already working on, but if not that's ok too. Add these to your wishlist. BOOKS MENTIONED: Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger Lost in the Middle by Paul Tripp Team of Rivals by Doris Goodwin Flip the Script Engaging Gen Z by Dr. Tim McKnight The Anxious Teen by Brock Morgan Be Thou My Vision by Jonathan Gibson JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, my wife and I follow up with part two, if you will, of episode 126. We share our journey of raising kids while serving in youth ministry and offer insights on how to navigate the unique challenges of parenting in the "fishbowl" of ministry. We talk about the joys and rewards of serving in youth ministry as a family, as well as the difficulties of balancing ministry demands with the needs of our kids. We share personal stories and experiences that have shaped our parenting approach and offer practical tips and principles for other youth pastors and leaders who are also raising families. The conversation covers various topics, from setting healthy boundaries between work and family, prioritizing relationships and intentional family time, and navigating the challenges of being in the public eye. We hope you will be encouraged and inspired by the vulnerable and honest stories we share and will come away with practical strategies for thriving in both ministry and family life. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

In this episode of the Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we sit down with four special guests: my kiddos. They share their unique perspective on growing up in youth ministry and how it has impacted their lives. The conversation touches on the joys and challenges of being a youth pastor's kid, navigating faith and family dynamics, and how youth ministry has shaped their own beliefs and values. They give honest insights into what it's like to be in the spotlight as a pastor's kid, and the expectations and responsibilities that come with it. They also talk about how their dad's role as a youth pastor has influenced their own involvement in church and ministry. This episode is a must-listen for youth pastors and leaders who want to better understand the experiences and perspectives of the next generation of church leaders. So give this one a listen as we explore the unique world of growing up in youth ministry through the eyes of those who know it best. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

It has become a regular occurrence for me. At least once a week I have someone reach out asking if I know of anyone I could recommend for their Youth Pastor search. Sadly, the answer is the same every time these days...no. It seems that nearly everyone is looking to hire a Youth Pastor and the cupboard is bare. So, where have all the Youth Pastors gone? In this episode, I'm joined by my friends Dr. Tim McKnight (author of Engaging Gen Z), Dr. Scott Pace (author of Student Ministry by the Book), and Todd Jones (from Stoked on Youth Ministry) to discuss what led to the lack of Youth Pastors and what we can do to solve this problem. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Baptist Press Article: Why is there a shortage of student ministers and what can be done about it? Anderson University The College at Southeastern Stoked on Youth Ministry RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Engaging Gen Z by Dr. Tim McKnight Student Ministry by the Book by Dr. Scott Pace and Dr. Ed Newton Navigating Student Ministry: Charting Your Course for the Journey by Dr. Tim McKnight JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

We all have it. It's the dreaded "other duties as assigned" disclaimer at the bottom of the job description. So what happens when those "other duties" are design, website, newsletter, social media? Maybe you're great at that, but it is a lot to manage on top of your "real job." Maybe you're not so great and don't know where to start. Or, maybe it's just an area you want to be better in. Well in today's episode Matt Curtis joins us and drops some really helpful and practical tips and tricks for getting it all done and doing it well. Oh, and did I mention he's also giving away about $50 in freebies to Longer Haul listeners as well? GRAB THE FREEBIES!! thelongerhaul.com/lunchtime JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

As the old saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." In this episode podcast, we talk about what's ending, why it's ending, and what if anything the future holds for The Longer Haul. As always, thanks for being a part of The Longer Haul and for all you do! We're so thankful to have you as a part of this community. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand-new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

How often do you evaluate your youth ministry? Stop and think for a minute about the last time you sat down, blocked out some time, and REALLY evaluated your youth ministry. Maybe it has been a while or you're not sure how to do it. Maybe you're not sure what to evaluate or why you even should evaluate your youth ministry. Well, have no fear! In this episode, we're sharing how to, what to, and why you should. We also drop a few practical tools in as well. We hope you find this episode practically helpful as you finish out the year and look ahead to next year. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Start by Jon Acuff Finish by Jon Acuff MinHubApp JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand-new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

Longevity in youth ministry definitely requires growing and learning. There's always more to learn and areas to grow. In this episode, we share lessons we're learning, books that we've found helpful, and a few hints at what is ahead. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community! JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand-new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

Partnering with parents in youth ministry can be a challenge. Depending on what stage of life and ministry you are in, knowing how and where to start can leave you frustrated. Never fear! In today's episode we're diving in with practical advice and tips on how to partner more effectively with parents in your youth ministry. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

Annnnd we're back! It's been a long summer, and we're excited to be back recording new episodes. In this episode, we give you an update on where we've been, what's ahead, and what things we're currently working on. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

It's no secret that youth ministry over the last year and a half has been incredibly difficult. What your ministry will look like after Covid is probably still up in the air. One thing seems to be true for almost everyone, what your youth ministry looks like will largely require rebuilding your youth ministry. On the surface, this can look and feel really discouraging. In today's episode, Matt Lawson joins the show to talk about lessons we can learn from church planting. Matt is a youth ministry veteran and church planter who now works for NAMB supporting church planters. This episode is full of encouragement and practical advice and takeaways. So grab a notebook, pen, and some coffee and dive in. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

How do we engage Gen Z? The largest generation we've ever seen certainly brings with it challenges and opportunities. In today's episode, Dr. Tim McKnight joins the show to talk about Engaging Gen Z. There's a lot to learn and this interview is SO good. So grab some coffee, something to take notes with, and enjoy! Links Mentioned: Engaging Gen Z by Dr. Tim McKnight Anderson University JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

In our last episode, we gave some helpful thoughts and tips for how to approach your youth ministry as we come out of Covid. Part of this is the reality that for most of us we won't see the same number of students we saw involved in our programs before Covid. But we don't want to be all doom and gloom so in this episode we're talking about, "what if they DO come back." JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

It's been a LOOOONNG year. With many churches now reopening for in-person gatherings, the question looms over many of us, "What if they don't come back?" To be fair, even before the pandemic we were often faced with the question of "What if no one comes?" So in this episode, we're diving in with some practical advice for what to do and how to handle things when our rooms don't look as full as we had hoped, or when they are empty. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

Over the past year, youth ministry has been one of constant reimagining. We've made plans, to make plans, only to make plans again. The "in-person" gathering is no longer a given. Turns out a global pandemic makes an in-person gathering difficult at best...impossible at worst. This has caused many of us to rethink our ministries beyond the in-person gathering.  So in this episode, we bring on Jackson Arnett who serves with Jody as the online ministry director to talk all things "beyond the in-person gathering." Whether you're just figuring it out, needing more ideas, or running strong in this area we think you'll find this episode really helpful. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com!

This year has been a year like no other. In this episode, we talk through the BIG lessons we learned over the year. Some are personal lessons and some are ministry lessons. So take a listen and we would love to hear what lessons you've learned as well. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com!

In this episode, our friend Barrett Johnson from I.N.F.O. for Families joins us to talk about helping parents navigate devices and social media. We talk about the documentary The Social Dilemma as well as some practical bits of help and takeaways for you and for the parents you serve. LINKS MENTIONED The Social Dilemma I.N.F.O for Families - https://www.infoforfamilies.com/ JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com!

The generation of students we’re all ministering to right now is going through unprecedented times… or are they? More on that in a minute. Ok, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us. Like you, Jody and I have been trying to navigate doing youth ministry in COVID and learning new rhythms for how we do life. That said, we’re back! And we’re back BIG! In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Tim Elmore as he shares with us about his new book, The Pandemic Population. This is SUCH a timely interview as he addresses how COVID may impact our teenagers and ways we can help shape their narrative. LINKS MENTIONED GrowingLeaders.com JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply* I.N.F.O for Families Check out their brand new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com!

If you've been around the show you know that the focus of what we do here at the Longer Haul is helping Youth Pastors stay put and experience longevity in ministry. In this episode, we're tackling a crucial question you have to be able to answer when things get tough.  Without considering and resolving the answer to this you're likely to leave when things get tough.  It could literally be the difference between staying and going. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

I think it is safe to say we're all tired of doing youth ministry under quarantine... In this episode, Chris had the chance to jump on (yet another) Zoom call with our friends at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board to talk through post quarantine opportunities you need to consider for your youth ministry.  It's packed with some really practical thoughts you should be considering now as you're processing what "back to normal" should look like. (Also, you'll hear Chris rant on a bit about Zoom fatigue.  Worth listening just for this) JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

WE LOVE OUR LISTENERS!!! Because our listeners LOVE teenagers! Last week we got a bunch of YOU together for a zoom call where we talked about what we're all going through. It turned out to be a great episode as we heard from listeners from different parts of the country. We talk about a little bit of everything in this episode, but perhaps the reason it turned out so great is that it was a Zoom room full of folks that are living and breathing youth ministry. In a time like this, it's great to have a support group. We'd love to have you in our podcast Facebook group. A much smaller Facebook group with way less... well... people in a bad mood than most. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: JaredHall.com YM360 Care Packages JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

A couple of weeks ago Chris got word through social media that his friend, Patrick Thompson, like many, right now had gotten sick. It was super encouraging to hear over the last few days that he has recovered and is doing much better. Patrick and Chris have been friends for over 10 years now from back when he was a youth pastor living in Georgia. Patrick and his family were called as church planters to New York City almost 8 years ago and Chris' church has had the blessing of partnering with him a couple of times now on short term mission trips. We asked Patrick if he'd be willing to come on the podcast and share his experience with what it was like to be sick with the virus. We also wanted to have some hard conversations about how this might impact the future of the church and youth ministry in the coming days. We've been blessed to have some great conversations with some amazing people over the years, but I'm not exaggerating when I say that this interview is probably the best and most timely interview we've had a chance to be a part of. You're gonna want to listen all the way to the end on this one. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Patrick Thompson New City Church youthgroupathome.com JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Like all of you, it has been a CRAZY couple weeks for us as we've adjusted to our current normal of not meeting with teenagers in person. So, we decided to take a moment and share a quick update regarding what we're doing and what we've learned in the last couple of weeks of doing youth ministry in quarantine. We're praying for you as you lead your teenagers during these unusual days. By the way, it'd be a GREAT time to join our super secret Facebook Group... Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: youthgroupathome.com JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Have you ever wondered if we're doing all we can do to reach students for Jesus in a way that will last into their adult years? After hanging out with teenagers and trying to point them to Jesus for over 30 years now, I have and still do. Jody and I believe that part of experiencing youth ministry for the longer haul means we're willing to evaluate our methods and effectiveness on a regular basis. We both ran across an article a couple of months ago called: Time for ‘Radical Reevaluation’ of Youth Ministry by Dr. Richard Ross. Dr. Ross is a friend of the show, Chris's former professor and has been thinking about youth ministry longer than anyone I know. So when he puts out an article about needing to reevaluate youth ministry, it got our attention. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Is it Time for Radical Reevaluation of Youth Ministry by Dr. Richard Ross richardaross.com JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

For many youth workers, fundraising is a necessary part of helping our student experience programming that we believe could help point them to Jesus. We know that for many of our students to be able to experience events like camp, mission trips or weekend retreats, they're going to need financial help. In this interview with Bubba Crowder we get to the heart of fundraising and share some ideas on how to make fundraising most effective. We're also super excited to introduce a new sponsor with an incredible give-a-way. Be sure to listen in order to find out how you can win. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Fund the Nations Southeast Conclave ENTER THE GIVEAWAY thelongerhaul.com/giveaway JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! AirOSport.fun AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance! Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs. ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

We are just returning from attending a great conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We had a BLAST at Conclave! While there, we were able to sit down with some great youth ministry thinkers. Today we're sharing with you a great interview with Dr. Scott Pace where we talked about the importance of how students understand identity. Scott and Ed Newton has a great new book out called Student Ministry by the Book. In this episode we talk about his new book and also talk about the importance education plays in the life of a youth pastor. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Student Ministry by the Book by Scott Pace and Ed Newton The College at Southeastern Southeast Conclave JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Our hope for you as 2019 comes to an end is that 2020 gets off to a great start. We can't thank you enough for trusting us with your time each week. We don't take that for granted, so we want to be sure to continue to help you accomplish your goal of experiencing longevity in youth ministry for both your current gig and potentially your lifetime. In light of that, we always want to be open to sharing with you our ups and downs in an effort to allow God to use our experiences to help spur you forward. In this episode, Jody and I take a look back at 2019 and share with you some lessons we learned.   LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 80: Jimmy Fallon's Rules for a Great Youth Ministry Episode 58: Maturing as a Youth Pastor Time for "radical reevaluation" of Youth Ministry by Richard Ross JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Family ministry can mean a lot of different things in the context of ministry. For some, it means that their entire ministry is family-focused and inclusive. For others thinking in a youth ministry context, they think of family ministry as their efforts to minister to the families of the students in their ministry. Regardless of your definition, I think we can all agree that some level of family ministry is important. In this episode, We in with Nick Blevins from the Family Ministry Podcast to talk about the impact family ministry can have on your youth ministry. LINKS MENTIONED: Family Ministry Podcast with Nick Blevins Graphic Design Help JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Here we go! Episode 100!!! Wha what! Thanks for hanging with us and trusting us with your time. We're celebrating episode 100 with Clay Scroggins, Lead Pastor of Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Clay is also the author of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge and a brand new book called, How to Lead in a World of Distraction. In this episode, Clay joins us to talk through how distractions impact youth ministers and what we can do about it. Trust me when I tell you, this is a good one! RESOURCES MENTIONED: How to Lead in a World of Distraction: Four Simple Habits for Turning Down the Noise by Clay Scroggins LINKS MENTIONED: TLH065: How to Lead When You're Not in Charge Graphic Design Help JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

We all love to be appreciated! I know I do! When it comes to volunteers in our youth ministries, we big-time need to know how to encourage and appreciate what they do for teenagers. In this episode, we interview Erin Wells. Erin works with Jody at High Desert Church in California as the Student Ministry Director. It wasn't long after Jody got to High Desert that we started talking about having her on the show. She's amazing at encouraging volunteers, so we do a deep dive into what's she's learned along the way. And of course, we add a few tips of our own along the way. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Slack GroupMe LINKS MENTIONED: Graphic Design Help JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

It's safe to say that the reason Jody and I are doing the Longer Haul Podcast together is that we first met while attending a network meeting. We've both greatly benefited from networking with others over the years and we think you can too. In this episode, we interview Zach Wyatt, a networking guru from Chattanooga, TN who knows youth ministry and knows how to establish GREAT youth ministry networks. We talk through the success they've had in Chattanooga and learn from Zach how to implement that success in metro and rural communities. This is a fun one! LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 059: The Importance of Youth Ministry Networks and Community Episode 022: Getting Adults to REALLY Pray for your Students Graphic Design Help JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

We believe in longevity, but we know that all of us eventually have to experience a transition and work for a new church. How you approach the first year of ministry at your new church is crucial. Jody recently experienced this when he left Georgia and headed to California. As he approaches the end of his first year of ministry there, he's here to talk about what that first year has been like and how we should all approach our first year of ministry at a new church. In this episode, we take a look at Navigating Your First Year at a New Church. LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 069 Graphic Design Help JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Whoa! What a summer! We both had an amazing summer, but we have been BUSY! If you're like us, you LOVE summer youth ministry. But by the end of summer, you're completely worn out. Youth ministry without a summer, though? NO THANKS! In this episode, we take a look at what we've been up to all summer and we couldn't help but to throw a few tips in along the way. LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 069 Graphic Design Help JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

We love student mission trips! Sometimes those trips are fairly close to home and sometimes they're super far away, but they're almost always incredible. There is something about getting kids outside of their comfort zone that can be truly life-changing. Giving them the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others is giving them the opportunity to live out the great commission that we're all called to follow. But what do we do to leverage that experience in their lives to create long-lasting change in the way they're following Jesus? It's important that we consider doing much more than just taking our students on a trip, having a great experience and then coming home until the next big youth trip or youth event. We believe the key is discipleship. The kind of discipleship that prepares a teenager to go on mission, live out the mission while on the trip and continuing to live out the great commission when they get back home. In this week's episode, we're going to take a look at discipling students during short term missions. Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Almost 19 years ago, Wendy and I (Chris) had our first kid. I remember being overwhelmed at the thought of being a Dad. We had no idea what we were doing and we had no idea how it was going to impact our being in youth ministry. It's been quite a ride these last 19 years. Last month, that soon to be 19 year old graduated from High School. He's grown up in youth ministry and been on practically as many youth ministry trips as I have. Jody and I decided to have him on so Jody could get some dirt on me... I mean... so we could pick his brain about what was great and what was challenging growing up in youth ministry and having a youth pastor for Dad. If you're approaching parenthood or are approaching that time where your kid is going to be a part of your youth ministry, this episode is for you. I'm proud of my boy! This one is perhaps one of the best we've done! Or maybe that's just a proud Dad moment?!? Take a listen and let us know what you think. Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Under the category of "things you didn't know you'd have to know as a youth pastor"... Budgeting. Whether having to create a budget, maintain a budget or fundraise to get a budget, youth pastors have to become proficient in the skill of budgeting. Brent Baskins is a youth ministry professor at Shorter College and spends a lot of time helping youth pastors be the best they can be. When we saw a tweet he posted about budgeting, we decided to have him on. That turned out to be a great call because in this episode Brent shares great wisdom you'll want to pay attention to. The secret is not so secret anymore! Our Facebook group is growing and is a great way for us to stay in contact with one another. We'd love to have you. Join our Facebook Group! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Today we're opening the youth ministry vault and sharing with you 5 great summer youth ministry ideas and here's the bonus... We both share 5 each so it ends up being 10! Plus a bonus idea, so really 11! If you're still looking for some ideas for this summer or are hoping to freshen things up in the future, this episode is for you. The secret is not so secret anymore! Our Facebook group is growing and is a great way for us to stay in contact with one another. We'd love to have you. Join our Facebook Group! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group RESOURCES MENTIONED: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Recently on our super secret Facebook Group, we were asked to address the topic of how to deal with discipline with teenagers. We immediately loved the idea as we remembered how much of a challenge this issue has been over the years. Because we knew it was a tough topic, we decided to invite back as a special guest, veteran youth pastor Seth Buckley. The wisdom he brought to the discussion did not disappoint. So, unless your youth group is picture perfect with no behavior issues what so ever, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have an idea for an episode? Join our Facebook Group! We'd love to hear it! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Episode 90! We're pumped! We both started doing youth ministry in the '90s so we thought it'd be fun to do an episode highlighting all of the things we've seen change over the years... can you say overhead projectors??? It turned out to be a fun one with a few great tips along the way. If you didn't serve in youth ministry back then, you'll definitely be scratching your head as to how we got by. Enjoy! Speaking of what didn't exist in the '90s... Facebook Groups! We'd love to have you in ours! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group LINKS MENTIONED: Carmen's Satan Bite the Dust Carmen's A Witch's Invitation Carmen's The Champion SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

Trust us when we say that there comes a time in all ministry callings where something will not go your way and you will face discouragement. Don't get us wrong! We love what we get to do! Youth ministry can truly be one of the most rewarding gigs out there. But with great potential for reward comes the great potential for disappointment. When that happens, what do you do? How do you stay the course, keep your eyes on Jesus and not get discouraged? We know we don't have all the answers, but we did take time to share some of the things we've found helpful along the way. We hope after listening to this one, you'll have the tools you need to stay encouraged for the Longer Haul! Oh yeah... and JOIN THE FACEBOOK PODCAST GROUP! We'd love to have you. PODCAST GROUP! Come and hang out and jump in on some of our giveaways! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*

We had a chance to sit down with teaching pastor and youth ministry communicator, Nick Person. Nick LOVES youth pastors and clearly has a heart for youth ministry. We're all likely going to face changes in our calling at some point in our ministry or at least be asked to do things that we didn't sign up to do. In this episode, Nick talks about how his journey started in youth ministry but unexpectedly led to his being a teaching pastor at his church in Tennessee. PODCAST GROUP! Come and hang out and jump in on some of our giveaways! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*    

When Alan Smith found out he was going to be transitioning at his church from being the youth pastor to the campus pastor, he also learned he'd be mentoring the youth pastor that took his place. Alan started mentoring his youth pastor by writing out lessons for them to look at together. Before he knew it, he had the makings of a book. So, he and his wife set out to put together Let's Go: Creating and Sustaining a Thriving Youth Ministry. In this episode, Alan talks about where the book comes from and we take time to dig into several chapters from the book. It didn't take long for us to get into some great discussion about what it takes to experience longevity. You'll enjoy this one! PODCAST GROUP! Come and hang out and jump in on some of our giveaways! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group Links mentioned: Let's Go!: Creating and Sustaining a Thriving Student Ministry SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR! ym360.com YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360. Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*